My S Countryman goes very well but its always nice to have a bit more. Do any of you have ideas of performance upgrades that are worth the money?
Gary

 

Burger Motorsports JB+

 

A "bit" more for some is just a bolt on....like a CAI, a blowoff valve, or a downpipe...
I find folks often neglect the suspension...the change in the car that a bigger rear sway bar makes... Makes turning more fun...reduces understeer...

 

it might not be an actual "performance upgrade" but adding a sprint booster makes a huge difference.

 

What does the sprint booster do ?
Gary

 

It makes the car FEEL faster by getting rid of the lag in the pedal...makes the motor feel more responsive...more like the older cars with a pedal with a cable to the throttle body.
It (and the clones) actually work...does not reduce 0-60 times...but everybody that has one says it is great.

 

Opposers of Sprintbooster will say it does the same thing as mashing your foot to the floor, and it does. But I like the feeling of tapping the gas to get the same result, plus with the on/off button, I can have it both ways.

Also, I think the blow off valve upgrade is an expensive noise maker. It does nothing for performance.

Regarding intakes, unless you go for the Defenders of Speed Cold Air Intake, all the other aftermarket intakes suck in hot air and also become expensive noisemakers which most likely will not prove any gains in HP.

JB+ piggyback or ECU bench tuning will give you considerable gains.

 

Thanks guys, I'll go online and read about all this stuff

 

This

 

Look at my signature block... The products, the businesses... Good luck and mod like a ****!

 

Actually, Catrider... Learn. My list of Mini vendors should help (google them). Read these forums (google search with "NAM" to really find answers) and research vendor sites and just learn about your Mini for a while. You will NEVER get any real HP gains from a single part. Suspension will be better for gains initially unless you are ready to spend big $$$. A tune IS you best friend. Your woman is more important... Good luck, my friend. Come to Savannah.... find me.

 

Thanks buddy, you sound like you'd be a cool guy to hang with.
Gary

 

the most "bang for the buck" is to upgrade the nut behind the wheel by taking a driving school

scott

 

Not sure if you are looking for performance upgrades that aren't necessarily of the "go-fast" variety, but a front strut brace/bar and thicker rear ASB makes the CM handle more than 100% better. Very inexpensive and the payback is substantial.

 

Totally agree...installed the Way rear sway and love it....front strut is the finishing touch, as I added HR springs two weeks ago

 

Hi Scott, Driving school is certainly a great up date. Did that many years ago in mt 3 series BMW, what an experience and fun it was.

 

That is of interests to me Pilot, the change makes that much of a difference??

 

Oh, very much so! very neutral handling with these two in place. We had the car on the Dragon in September just after I had the upgrades installed. i think the front strut brace/bar made the biggest difference. The turn-in of the car is much quicker and sharper now. It was a jarring difference when I first drove the car(I had the front brace installed before the larger rear ASB). It really removes a lot of flex from the front end.

Sure, you are still going to notice the weight of this car in the twisties, but its much less bothersome. I can throw the car into a corner knowing it will stay very well planted and controlled throughout.

Now, mine is the All4 which has helps tremendously with cornering on this car, so it's hard to say how much my minor suspension mods would help with a FWD version.

The rear end tracks extremely well, and stays firmly planted with all 4 corners under power at all times. I found the rear end of the FWD version of the Countryman as well as the MCS step out really easily during "spirited" cornering.......something I don't mind with RWD cars because I can control that very easily, and it's actually quite enjoyable in some circumstances, but in my experience, not so much fun with FWD cars..

Jeff

 

Hey Pureworks, how do you like the springs? i assume they are height adjustable? Curious how the CM handles in the lowered position.

Jeff

 

Very Very helpful Pilot, thanks again. How bad was the cost for the modifications? Level of difficulty?

 

I did the front strut brace/bar myself. Extremely simply to do. got mine from VIP, I think around $169? Took 30 minutes to install.

I did NOT attempt the rear ASB myself. Cost of the bar was $200, and I paid a local Mini indie shop 2 hours labor to install. Several rear end pieces have to be loosened/removed, and I was not going to touch that!

 

does the CM non s have H8 or H11 Factory Halogen Fog lights? saw the burger hid fog light upgrade kit and was wondering if it would work?

 

Cost affective mods , all mods cost you money you will never get back . This from the man who is getting the JCW aero kit fitted . Deep pockets and short arms are what we all need

 

CM's have H8 fog's and the Burger kit is great, I have the 3800k's installed they look and work great, 10 min's a side to install. While your in there... I installed the Ziza LEDs from ECS in the marker lights. Much brighter.

 

Thanks Pilot, That's not bad at all