I think i'd go for good tires. Just my $0.02. Might go over $500 with that one, though.

 

Non run-flats.

 

yeah

 

i'm partial to indi blue paint, if that's an option...but if i could do any mod for half a grand or less, i'd have to think it through really hard.

and then settle either on stereo upgrades or some kind of unnessecary, but nice, aesthetic mod for the interior.

 

Just to update everyone ... I opted for a rear sway bar first. I just bought one off someone with an '05 MCS who had upgraded. Including shipping it cost me just over $35, so I still have $465 left to spend on other suggestions.

I'm thinking my next mod will be either some really nice graphic, or maybe an iPhone adapter.

I'll keep you posted on how the DYI sway bar installation goes, and how much of a difference I then notice when I'm out on the country roads.

 

I would complete the package with a set of nice UHP tires. If it's the summer car, then get some nice summer rubber. If it is year-round, I got the Kumho ASX on mine and it's a great tire!

 

Depends on what your passion is... mine was the obvious iPod integration.

 

As I mentioned above, my second mod ended up being an iPhone adapter. I just received in the mail today, an iCarPlay FM Transmitter which I learned about on another thread. It was extremely easy to use; and even though it is only marketed for an iPod, it works great with my iPhone as well. I realize this item would be pointless for people with newer model MINI's, but for people like myself with an R50, being able to play from my iPhone is a huge plus. The sound quality was like that of a decent FM station, but then I wasn't expecting it to be fantastic anyway. As far as I'm concerned, it was well worth the $39.95 asking price.

If anyone is interested, you can find more details at the following thread ...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=138410[/QUOTE]

 

So far I have been making "mild" mods, to say the least. The third one ended up being a 3" short antenna. I received it in the mail yestoday. It looks great and with local stations it tested very well. In fact, with the FM transmitter device (see previous post) that I use with my iPhone, it appears to have less ambient interference. So all-in-all I would have to say that I am quite pleased with this purchase. Below is a non-artistic picture that I just took. The antenna cost $20 with shipping, so I've only spent $95, so I still have $405 to go. Here's the link for anyone interested in more info on the antenna ...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hlight=antenna

 

Get some Hankook Ventus R-S2 tires! I love mine and they were around 430 shipped!

 

Aww get in touch with Mike at asthetic creations he did an awesome dragon for our sunroof. We ordered the poster off the internet, had it sent to him and he scanned it and sent it to us cut and everything for about 280.00 or so. He does fantastic work. You'll see his ad on here sometimes at the top.

Sky

"Don't let your bulldog mouth get your chihuahua butt in trouble"

 

Yeah I definitely agree - graphics, and Mike will do whatever you want/need. This is his busy season so sometimes he's a bit slower...but it's worth the wait.

2nd choice after graphics is tires. Ditching the runflats makes an amazing difference.

3rd choice (and one that's really mandatory) would be front strut tower reinforcement, which comes in a variety of types.

 

Really?
This is the first this mod has been mentioned that I've seen......
Tell me more!

 

Twincharge FTW

 

a twincharged mini would be sick...but that would likely go over the $500 budget. and also, slightly off topic, but does a twincharged (meaning turbo and supersharger both on the same engine) car get turbo lag?