I am looking to purchase my first Mini, and want to do my homework so I can be an informed buyer with a little knowledge, and not end up wishing I went with "insert year here" so I got a couple questions? as for 1st or 2nd generation which is best for modding? why? which is more reliable? why any up's and down's of either 1st gen or 2nd?
As a rule, I've seen more stuff around for the 1st gen because they've been around longer. Whichever gen you decide on, I'd suggest getting one of the later years. It seems like an 05/06 is more reliable than an 02/03 and the same goes for an 09/10 vs. the 07s. If you're going to be doing A LOT of modding you might also want to look for one that is out of warranty (or close) since some dealers might try to claim your mods are the cause of a 'warranty' issue. And you'll end up paying for or fighting about it anyways. I think your budget will end up being the real deciding factor.
thanks for the input, I am wanting a 2006 maybe a 2005, "I just like the looks better", and there is pretty big price jump up to 2007, I guess because of it being a 2nd gen with turbo. so I plan on getting an 06 unless there is some "great thing" about a 2nd gen I dont know about. or a "bad thing" about the first gens I am unaware of. my modding will be minimum, I'd like to get 200-225 horsepower just to make it a little sportier. nothing crazy fast I already have a vehicle for that.
I think you've already asked a similar question in another posting. It seems the consensus is your going to be able to create more HP out a R56 than a R53. That said you can certainly hit the 225HP mark with a R53 and I think you have the 'recipe' for that. I believe you also like the r53 better so thats a consideration certainly. Good Luck!
yeah, I am just wanting to make sure I buy the right year for me, so I dont end up thinking "damn I really should have got a 20** year if I had only known." so I am reading and trying to learn as much about both as possible.
Well.... not necessarily... but, for a relatively small mod investment, yes. I know people making significant power on an R56 with an aftermarket intercooler and a tune... nothing else. If the sky's the limit on your mod budget... 350+HP on an R53 is doable... but not cheap...
I would vote for an 06 MCS R53 but I just like the looks/feel of the Gen1 better than the Gen2 (R56). The 06 will be cheaper but it is now a 5 year old car. With some of the recent tuning options for the R56 they look to be a very good option to meet your goal. If you can afford a R56 that is probably the way to go because more aftermarket emphasis is being placed on the R56. As Paul pointed out a few simple mods (such as downpipe, intake, intercooler, and tune) can make the R56 pretty fast.
06 R53 for the win!!! At least until the coupe makes it's appearance and the possible new motors are fully revealed. 2cents
cool, thanks sounds like I won't be disappointed with a supercharged 06, like I said I doubt I will ever want more than 225 horsepower, because this will be my daily driver and trip maker, I already got a "money pit" street/drag truck that goes 11.20s so this will be my to work and back car, that is also fun to drive.
The 2007+ (R56) is basically a completely new car that replaced the R50/R53 of 2002-2006. Many people feel that the car lost a little bit of it's "soul" in the redesign, but having owned both models, I can honestly say that the new car, while less visceral and maybe slightly less "fun," is much easier to live with on a daily basis. It's quieter, more comfortable, gets much better mileage, the a/c works a ton better and, without mods, slightly faster. (With minor mods and a tune, it's very quick.) That being said, as with any new design, it's not without its faults. There have been some engine problems (timing chain tensioner, high-pressure fuel pump, etc..), most of which have been addressed and fixed by MINI. Also, just an FYI, the 2011 models will have some minor tweaks, including revamped engines with more hp AND better mpgs.
If you want 225hp, it will be cheaper to start with an 07+ R56. May cost more upfront but longterm it will take less mods to get to that goal and cost less.
OK, one more question, say I had an 06, with the 15%pulley, header and exhaust, is this going to require ECU tuning? if so where can I get it tuned? i'm in the middle of Podunk Arkansas?