i am looking at getting mcs, when i sell my car. i want a hardtop. what are the difference between the years. any ecu problem, tuning issues, or something that i should look out for? point some things out when i go looking.

i have a svt focus and i am tried of it. i have built a one off turbo kit that looks close to the wrc focus. great car but it is time for a change. i am looking for a car that i can put suspension on and a little work on the motor(230ish). if you could give me ideas or what would be the best mods.

thank you very much for your help.

Heff

 

Welcome to NAM.

Wish I had some answers for you, but the 07 is almost an all new car from the previous years.

 

The R53 (02 - 06, supercharged) is probably the easiest to modify at the moment, because there is a massive amount of aftermarket tuning gear out there, whereas the R56 (launched in '07, and turbocharged), being so new, doesn't yet have the gear available to mod it up. But I'm sure the aftermarket will catch up. Also, it is a brand new engine, and as such is relatively unproven regarding longterm reliability. The motor in the R53, on the otherhand, as proven itself to be a very strong engine, and the cars themselves, from late '04 on, free of the minor issues that came with the 02-03 cars. The gear ratios were changed for the better in late 04, and the HP bumped up by five - doesn't sound like much, but it makes quite the difference driveability.

 

hey gromit 801 how did you get that graphic for your signature of your mini

 

Welcome to NAM, Heff!!

 

Right in here!
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=71003

 

Welcome Heff,

As noted, the R56 - 2007 MINI is playing catchup on the mod scene. There are some nice mods available but many are waiting on the JCW kits for the MCS.

Lots of mods, good and bad are available for the 02-06 MINIs. There is a lot of information on how you can make 200+++ WHP in the threads here at NAM.

From my observation, choose carefully.

Any well cared for MCS would be a good base to build your desired MINI.

Enjoy NAM and I hope you get a MINI to mod and enjoy.

 

Well Hello from So Cal...Looks like your questions have been answered so I just wanted to say Hey. Welcome to NAM - lots of great info. and MINI peeps to help you along.

Donna

 

thank you. i saw planning on something like a 04 or newer anyway, but i have came across something about mushrooming? is that know in the older cars? or what? i was reading through it and i just wanted a little feed back.

well i know i will be asking alot of questions so just bear with me for a year hahah. i learn quickly. if you have seen my car you would know. hahah.

Heff

p.s. is the motor really hard to work on? it does look like a some engine bay.

 

Welcome to NAM, you'll be happy to know that the SVT transmission is of a similar design to the R53s transmission (slightly different cases). The mushrooming issue is deformation of the metal around the front strut towers, not all MINIs get it and if you avoid very rough roads it won't be an issue. There's also fixes for it in the form of items like the M7 reinforcement plates.

 

well i have to wait longer b\c my car didn't go through. the kid back out.

yeah i knew the trannys were the same. i love it already. one of my 1st mods is sychromax. i did that with my car wow what a difference that was. well i am going to be checking things out. but please if you think of someting to check out please let me know. thank you