Albiecrazy.. That's my problem right now. I just don't know if I want to give up my spare for some exhaust. But I do like yours! Not toooo bad at all! Another question for you.. Are those driving lights you have.. Did you have them installed at the dealer? Thanks!

 

Yes, those are OEM driving lights installed at the dealer the first time and body shop the second time. I learned my lesson after the first set and I keep the covers on now to save them from getting pitted.

New on left and old on right.

 

Very Nice! Those covers really help! I would like to have those installed on my MINI. I should of had it done when I first ordered my car. But of course I didn't! I think those driving lights really set the MINI off. Btw nice MINI It always seems to catch my eye. I was going to call my dealer to ask what they cost..but I hate to hear the price im sure they are going to tell me lol Will I need to brace myself? lol

 

I feel like the driving lights were a cheaper option when configured vs after the fact - $700 at the dealer.

Thank you for the compliment - it's been pretty rewarding to see it come from stock.

 

What a difference!

But I think the covers won't help very much. We've installed our lights for about 6 years and I think we drove around 50% of the time with the covers mounted. Our lights look like the right one.

 

I find that any highway driving does the most damage. Mine only come off at night and occasionally during the day when I know I’m on quieter roads which is to say that the covers are on 95% of the time. This new set has been on for nearly a year and half and still look like that pic.

 

Your welcome! I totally like what you have done too your MINI. I am going to call my dealer and get a price to install those driving lights. I have a 2013 R56 and do dig it a lot! I need to get some miles on it though! ha ha I just got over the break in period!

 

A while back I posted some concerns about installing the DDM CAI with an already installed AIR VIP2. After some encouraging phone calls to DDM, VIP, and Detroit Tuned I went ahead and ordered the intake.

The install was not uneventful, but in the end both of these mods were mated together, and a quick drive confirmed that all was well, not to mention the wonderful growl produced in the power curve!

The biggest obstacle was joining the two units together as seen in the photo below:



The supplied silicone reducer likely would have worked with the original silencer. Fortunately there was enough of the 2.5" reducer end to cut-off and use to hold the equal sized intakes together.

A hint from DDM to use the edge of a lightly tightened clamp to guide the utility knife left a clean and reasonably straight cut.



I also cut down the supplied 3" hose clamp with a Dremel fitted with a separating disk, rounding the sharp edges.

Seen below is the final fitment. I certainly will not say that everything just fell into place, as some force needed to be applied to the intake AIR VIP strut, and hoses once the intake body was screwed into place. The intake body actually racked slightly making the very last hex bolt hard to line-up.



I hope this helps anyone who might be on the fence about trying these two mods and mating them together!

 

Looks pretty good!
I'd be interested in the sound of these two mods.

 

Thanks! The sound to me is a throatily growl. I'll try to make a cabin video to capture it.

 

It's a great looking set-up - thanks for posting. Some difference from stock. I have the DDM half and have thought about the VIP intake tube, but have been putting money elsewhere lately.

Thanks again!

 

Here's the link to a video taken from the cabin with the windows up. Rubber bands held my iPhone onto the GPS mount just fine! On the straight away near the end of the video, I slowed and down shifted to WOT for one more growl. Next time I'll clean-off the windscreen better!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...DM_AIRVIP2.MOV

 

Sounds very nice! I love it!

In the near future I will replace the silencer by a universal stainless steel pipe Something like that > http://www.ebay.at/itm/Edelstahl-Pow...item35cd2fda1d.

I'd like to have the AirVIP2 but there is no reseller in Europe (Austria) for that.

 

The AIRVIP tube is textured black now.

 

Tiffany Blue (:


image hosting 5mb

 

Project OBX header
video and image coming soon

 

How do you like them so far?

 

Whoa...that's interesting! What does Tiffany Blue look like from the side?

 

Where's my fly swatter.

 

Oh my... I'll be straight, bro... I liked CR better. I'm interested in seeing it complete before I pass any judgement.

It is kinda cool to see all the wrapped bits in the background.

 

hahah i was the same too tbh at first but heres what she looks like all done. its really weird how it changes color in different lighting

 

idk why the image is showing up so small. trying to figure out the image hosting settings

 

I really like it. Might have to wrap mine next lol.

 

If you click on it you get a big, clear image. I have to say, it does look pretty damn good. A very miniesque color, too.

 

Installed the JCW belly pan.


Also swapped to the S/JCW honeycomb grille.
Before:


After: