Most liked posts in thread: I love my MINI but sometimes...

Not to mention how much faster a Fox can be than the MINI w/ equal amounts of $$$.

There is a good reason my MINI is known as "DamnMINI"

 

The OS Gilken pieces are good stuff. I imagine being made in Japan doesn't help.... Add the costs with import export taxes, freight costs to the US, distributor costs, retailer costs, more shipping costs, and little bits of markup all along the way. Now start adding the effect of increased oil prices to the mix, and it's only going to be more expensive. Then there is always the $ factor.... Should a part sell for more if it's going on a "speciality" vehicle? The MINI sure has a lot of bits and pieces that have BMW stamped on the sides. I wonder what a clutch for a EB Veyron sells for?
Certainly the other side of the coin is not how much something costs to make but where the selling price gets set. I'll bet a spin on oil filter for a Ferrari is more expensive than one for a Mustang, but are they really that different to make???

 

Having been in the Performance Business since the late 70's...here is why

More than 8 million Mustangs have been sold since April 1964
I think BMW/MINI are at 150k? Nathan can correct that figure I am sure?

Not a chance that most all performance parts are going to get cheaper for BMW/MINIs! Ever!

All of us that make up the market buying the go fast toys for the MINI are about 4000 worldwide. And most is easy bolt on's not the real hardcore stuff which is about 1000 roughly?

I have owned at least 4 early Mustangs that I can remember and the combined total of all of them does not equal my MINI.
This is one of my cleaner Pony car. One has 2x4's and no hood,one all white with big wide rear flares and the other sorta stock.


In fact my #3 Cobra which pushed 800 + hp I only had 40K invested was still cheaper then my MINI.

 

I hear ya. My modding addiction is killing me. LOL
I think I might start a 12-step group for MINI-modaholics.

 

That is why I switched to single malt scotches and only spend money on tires.

 

Lynn, if you kept the Cobra, it would also be worth more than the MINI

 

Another great thing about the "justa". There is only so much moding that one can do. :cornut:

Jim

 

Tru Dat!!

but then you get into, aero kits, splitters, wheels, suspension, etc etc..
Not cheap but cheaper then doing engine mods plus them..

 

I understand where your coming from Redbeard..

Try buying a head. 1500-2400 plus give yours to them..
Heads for your mustang would be much cheaper and no core charge..
from probably 10 different vendors...
It's the nature of the beast!!! If you want cheap buy an old miata..

 

Also true. I'm getting all the above (except the aero kit) done just before and at MOTD. My driving area does not allow for the aero stuff, so I will be, basically, done.

Jim

 

All 3 were a kick, but the MINI could have out handled them on any twisty back roads and the creature comfort is not a consideration in a Cobra. No A/C or thumping stereo. You know the age thing. :lol:
My MINI was an after thought, a "cute" car to toddle up and down the coast. I was never planning or expecting to do any mods to it. In fact at the time I purchased my MINI I had already sold all my race, and hobby cars. The last to go was my 58/59 MGA with a sm blk chevy blown alcohol pro street toy.:lol:

I had the MINI bagged and tagged for modding a couple months driving it.
Fortunately I have only invest (parts only not my labor) about 42ish for MINI and mods. I really feel for many MINI modders that have to pay not only retail for "Go Fast" parts but also the labor to get close to what I have done.
But it is nice that we still have unique car that has its image in the automotive performance world.



REDBEARD another reason performance parts are so high on MINIs is market saturation of a single part. Example: How many manufacture of the SC pulley are there now? Do we really need all of them that do exactly the same thing? :confused5:

 

I was just thinking Redbeard. Your girlfriend doesn't read this site does she?

Jim

 

This is essentially what you're paying for. How many modded Mustangs are out there? A lot. And how many modded MINIs are out there? Not too many in the grand scheme of things. The cost is price, but you're taking an uncommon car and making it unusually fast for the benefit of having a unique vehicle.

 

You are very fortunate to have a foxbody girlfriend with a WRX hatch no less.

 

MINI hit the 1 million mark in 2007: http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/04/04/mini-makes-a-million/

 

Thats 1 million worldwide. In the US the number is about 1/2 of that.

 

MINIs and Mustangs, I love them both