Hi, I just got my first mini, 07 base cooper, not the sport version. Just a couple quick questions. i saw some stuff that scared me about dealerships changing the ecu to an inferior version, how can i tell if that has happened before i got the car, and i know its not the sport version, but is there any hope in making a zippy mini out of this one?

 

oh, and one more thing, does anyone have an opinion on say, using parts from junked minis (if there are any). ive thought about getting some parts from the local pick and pull.

 

Parts for base coopers are a lot less available than the MCS and JCW models. The power will never be there, but handling can definately be improved on. Id start with wheels, tires, and suspension.

 

I've gotten used parts before, and depending on what they are, they can be just fine and save you a bundle.

As far as upgrading a base Cooper, I agree with the above post - it's pretty difficult to get substantial power gains. But you can improve and tighten up the suspension and lighten the weight and that helps.

 

but as far as say, adding a turbo or cold air intake, might as well skip and save for a sport trade in ?

 

Your local pull it yourself yard has minis? I've always thought myself lucky when I can find stuff for my '95 camaro and that's only for aesthetic stuff. I've never seen a 4th gen v8 fbody there. I don't think I've seen even common stuff as new as 2000, let alone a less common car like a mini.

 

thats the thing, i havent had a chance to go check it out yet, im in virginia beach, so they may have a couple, its worth a shot i think.

 

another thing i was thinking about doing, adding a hood scoop and trying to make it functional, any ideas?

 

i think the first thing im going to do is add bluetooth and ipod connectivity so i can use all the buttons on my steering wheel lol. i hear the dealership usually has the parts required and they have to program it anyway. has anyone done this and know of a better way?

 

i wonder if i could find a junked cooper S, i could take the hood from it, and replace my hood with it?

 

Rather than trying to make your base Cooper look, sound, and drive like an "S" model you will be money ahead by just buying an "S".

 

tell me about it, now if you could help get the wife onboard with that lol wonder how much i would have to pay to get an 07 S with mine as a trade in?

 

I'd check out the 4th post down on the section about the CAI's for r56 coopers.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-for-r56.html

I just put a Specter in thinking that I'd try it and see vs shelling out the money for the actual CAI. Well worth the $25 i spent for the specter filter.
I noticed a gain in the mid to upper rpms, it's nothing overly powerful, but the sound after taking off the stock air box is well worth it : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX4uZoi_pq8

I listend to this and thought at first there was no way that this was the sound from just swaping filters..... Untill i drove mine tonight
( thanks to texaspaul for the video and pictures of his install)

 

THANKS!! im gonna go get this right now!!

 

i got it on there, and it sounds GREAT! huge improvement! question though, where the old air filter was, i took that whole box out, and now its just kinda hanging there, any thoughts?

 

I'm heading to the parts and hardware store tomorrow for a temp fix to that same issue. For now I'm driving it as little as possible. Eventually I'd love to mount the filter down between the firewall and the intake, out of the way and by a better source of cool air. That's going to have to wait unfortunately till after finals and I move into my new place in the next couple of weeks. I'll post pictures/ part numbers when i find something tomorrow. I've also seen pictures of fellow NAMers use the universal fit tubes.

I also removed the rear seats and spare tire, and by the end of the summer the run flats and stock rims will be gone, every little bit of weight reduction helps.

Has anyone done this to their mini while it is still under factory service? if so have they had issues with the dealerships fussing about modifying the car?

As far as your earlier post on junk parts, I've been in contact with the LKQ in Lawrence and Topeka for a new hood for mine, I got stuck behind a gravel truck that peppered my hood pretty good at 80 mph on 435 last fall.(should have gotten the clear bra) It's a long shot but it'd be a much cheaper fix to find a used hood that isn't so chipped up vs re-spraying the metallic on the hood. I'm also trying to keep an eye out for a totaled mini or two to pilfer the chrome trim off them . I want to black out the chrome but still keep all my stock components so I can put it back when i finally do get my s. (and swap the blacked out trim to the s)

Lastly @ mastawyrm F body stiff isn't so bad to get in my neck of the woods, Anything in particular you needed? I'll keep and eye out while I'm looking for parts for my bird and of course the mini.

 

im in virginia beach, but i really cant think of too much, kinda sporadic about it really. I wanna repaint the roof black, and black out pretty much everything. my next thing is to tint the windows. bout 35 percent all the way around. i was looking at getting an S hood, but it turns out the scoop on it is functional, just very inefficient, since its so far forward, so its not really worth the money, maybe just put a fake on on the front lol. then rims and such