Hi all, sold my restored VW bug (58) and ordered a new 2011 Mini S in January, I had a 67 S years ago and always wished I had kept it, but love this one. I cannot believe how quick it is, it sure impressed me. It is all black, inside and out, including head lights. Added lowering springs and I will be adding a new NM air intake and charge/dis-charge pipes to the turbo next week, already added a Borla sport exhaust, cannot wait to see how it drives and sounds - is there anyone out there who has made some/all those improvments? zoom zoom zoom!

 

I agree. My daughter has a 2009 Cooper. I picked up my own 2011 MCS last night. The entire car seems improved from the 2009 model. I am not as ambitious, so my first mod will be the clear bra on Monday. Does the NM cold air exchange install cause any warranty issues? Thanks.

 

I have the clear bra as well, I ordered the car from Oxford England, got just what I wanted. But some things are added at the dealership like the clear bra, and no the NM air improvments will not hurt warrentee. As a matter of fact we added exhaust and lowerning springs after the car was here, the delership added the exhaust but would have added all of this but they were a little pricey. I was going to get the JVW kit but decided against it as some after market parts are acutally better than the kit.

 

Congrats!

Lovin my 2011 BIG TIME!!!! I've got a long mod list, so far just some cosmetic stuff.....If you could post a sound clip of the Borla, that would be awesome!

 

I agree about the improvements but was unaware that the JCW Kit was available on the 2011. Our Dealership said they thought it would not be offered.

S.

 

well, last I knew, the JCW kit for the 2011 was still coming, but the more I looked around and got advice the more I was glad I took that money and used it on stuff I could choose. According to people that know a lot more than me, I added just as much hp and it looks very cool, the Borla exhaust is really neat looking, each pipe is a full 4'' in diamater, has a very low sound. The NE Engineering people say the intake alone adds around 13 - 15 horse. The point is the intake and the exhaust is better than the JCW stuff and the charge & dis-charge pipes add some horse and responce to the turbo. The only down side is no tuning of the computer. Really the dang thing is fast enouogh anyway, I will probably get arrested speeding as it is.

 

The ECU can be Tuned, but at this point in time a Tune is still unavailable from outside sources.

S.

 

all the mods I mentioned the dealer was going to do for me, and said there was not problem with warrranty. The stock pipes going to and from the turbo are very restrictive and take away power and responce, the turbo will work easier and will be more responcive with the NM replacments. In the 2011 Clubman Mini took the restictive muffler out themselves. Go to the NM engineering site and look it all up or even call them, you will find it interesting. Also keep in mind everything mentioned here only helps the car work easier and with less air resistance.

 

WOW!! You have a very good, realistic Dealership. Clone that place/

S.

 

Bugman, can you guess what your HP gain is (butt check is ok). I'm looking to do the same mods and am hoping to get to about 200 to 205 HP. What do you think you're getting? --- BZ

 

I know NM said the intake would add around 12 - 15 horse, the charge and dis-charge pipes to the turbo would add some hp but mainly make the turbo more responcive, the Borla exhaust added hp but honesty I do not know how much, but boy does that exhaust look good!! I do not have the intake or charge/dis-charge pipes on yet, that happens this week. I am also adding a turbo NM turbo heat shield to help guard against possible heat damaging the paint.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm probably going to go with NM for the pipes and CAI, and Milltek for the exhaust. Please let me know how you like the pipes when you get them on. -- BZ

 

I LOVE my DoS CAI! I have yet to change my exhaust but from all of my reading and research, only a turbo back will add true hp.

 

Well I can tell you after adding my cat back Borla exhaust my millage went up on my computer, it does make some difference.

 

I agree that a turbo-back is the way to go. However, a turbo-back will trip CELs without an AP, Mynes, etc. tuner, none of which are ready for market yet. So, after some discussion with my mechanic, we're going to go with an NM CAI, boost discharge pipe, air charge pipe, Helix BOV, and intercooler. This should get me some additional HP and better performance in the short term. I'll put the exhaust on hold until my warranty runs out then jump to the turbo-back and tuner.-- BZ

 

My understanding is that the JCW Tuning Kit is availbalbe for manuals and JCWs but not for MCS automatics. My MA told be the kit for MCSa probably would not be out 'till late summer, close to MY 2012 release date. It does seem to be a secret held very close to the vest by MINI, however.

 

I still have the Milltek exhaust installed but would recommend a different exhaust, unless you can weld and like to tinker. Check out what I wrote up about the install experience.

http://www.mini4fun.info/2011_Millte...otos.html#grid

 

After some considerable research I ultimately decided to go with the NM tubes and a helix FMIC. These give me some increased power and better response. I heard too much about changing the pipes and the "drone" that goes with them. My next mod is the Sprint Booster, and when AutoLogic breaks the code on the N18 ECU, I will put that tune on -- keeping my current exhaust and noise level to a min. Maybe sometime next year I will add just the JCW exhaust manifold to my current pipes which will help some with exhaust flow, however, the price tag for that mod is about $1K.

But, thanks for the heads up on the Miltek. It's always nice to get empirical data vs. opinion or hearsay. ---BZ

 

Glad I could help!

The FMIC from Helix is a good move and will be my next one along with the NM Tubes.

Not sure who is going to crack the N-18 ECU first but I do have an Alta Access Port waiting in my roll around tool box. I figure the way things are going my warranty will expire before I start messing with the ECU and by then Jan @ RMW will have a Tune in his bag of tricks. He does some superb work!

As for the JCW exhaust manifold by itself Mod; I have never heard of doing that. Are you going to add the complete JCW Exhaust System?? I do know that the JCW Add-on exhaust will still have the restrictions going between the first Cat and continuing through the 2nd Cat. They just cut the pipe after the 2nd Cat and slip on the "JCW" Cat back system. Doesn't make sense to me to go from 2.5" pipe(before 1st Cat) to 2.165" pipe(after 2nd Cat).

A buddy just ordered a 2012 JCW R-56 and I hope to check it out with calipers once I can get it into the air.

 

The DoS CAI seems to be a good unit because it is NOT drawing hot air from under the hood!!

The JCW Turbo is larger than the "S" Turbo and therefore all associated piping should larger.

If someone is interested in real speed then just buy a factory JCW and then Mod from there! For me the "S" is pretty darn quick

 

The JCW manifold is bored out differently and is straighter than the OEM. It is also cast iron vs. stainless; so it's stronger. There is a picture on WayMotorworks.com (http://waymotorworks.com/turbo-exhau...5-r56-r57.html) I don't intend to change my pipes because of noise, but as soon as my warranty is up I'm going to change the downpipe -- still have three more years to go before that happens. All my other mods should not effect warranty (downpipe would).

 

Nice tips for N18 engine! Keep it coming...