I have recently just popped my mini cherry and purchased a 2013 mini cooper hardtop type S. I am looking to eventually upgrade the over all performance of my mini. What do you all think I should start my upgrades with? And what should I eventually work my way up to?

 

Best bang for the buck is an autocross EVO, or local level one school. It will do several things. It will improve your driving - no mater how good you are. It will give you an idea what "improvements" will best your budget and day to day driving needs. It just may lead you to a new and very exciting form of intertainment.

Next best first upgrade. Lighter wheels and tyres. Less unsprung weight will help make the most out of what power you already have. It will continue to help as you upgrade.

I would stay away from HP and brake upgrades until after the driving school. You'll be better able to pick out what suits your needs and better able to use the upgrades.

Congrats on the car. I still get a thrill each time I turn over the MC (yes its just a Cooper)
John

 

BX, this forum has TONS of the information you ask. Go study. Hint: use Google with a search term "NAM" to help. Go out to the MINI sites and vendors. DO this your self instead of asking what to do. Make this journey your own.

That said, DaCrema is correct about driving school! (not so much wheels at this stage. )

Good Luck, welcome, and have fun!

 

Relatively inexpensive and fun first mods: Rear Swaybar and Short Shift Kit.

 

Keep yourself glued to the seat. Get a CG Lock for your OEM seatbelt.

 

under bonnet / turbo heatshield to keep the scoop cool.

All weather floor mats to keep the carpets clean.

And if you financed it...put the rest towards the principal, no point in modifying a car that you owe money on.

 

I'll probably get drummed out of the MINI community for saying this, but buy the best performing car your wallet can afford rather than buying something and then trying to upgrade it. My thoughts are to put your money into the original purchase, not the upgrades. When I bought my MSC Roadster, it was all I could afford. As much as I love my MINI, if I could have afforded what a lot of people put into upgrading a new MINI, I would have bought a Boxter.

 

the mini is fully paid off. I am now going to save up for some goodies. Seeing what I should save up for. don't get it twisted

 

Wasn't trying to twist what you are doing. My intent was to tell you what I would do since you asked the original question.

 

Performance tires, lighter wheels, and an upgraded rear sway bar will totally transform the car. HPDE days will make you realize that the car is light years ahead of you...

 

just looking for ideas. appreciate all the suggestions.

 

my Mini Cooper S has lighter alloys and no run flats and the improvement over Mini's with run flats is huge and very noticeable. I would also recommend a cold air intake modification and a 15% pulley.

Have Fun!