I just got my 2004 Mini Cooper (automatic), I'm wondering if there are performance chips available for this model and, if so, which one is suggested and from what retailer.

 

In short, there aren't any. It's possible to get it tuned, but performance gains are minimal.. it just isn't a platform with a lot of room to work with.

There are a few mods that can make it a little punchier. Personally I've added a cold air intake, swapped out the heavy wheels and runflats for lighter wheels and good tires, installed a sprint booster, got a bigger rear sway bar from Alta, and I'm putting on a new catback exhaust soon. It's a lot more fun now than it was stock.

Browse the forum, use the search button, and you'll find a lot of info on this topic. Good luck

 

Thanks alot for your knowledge, how much did you spend on the cold air intake and sprint booster? (DIY installation?)

 

We offer tuning for the R50 non S, but your money would be better spent starting with our cold air intake as a first mod.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/way-ddm...ntake-r50.html

 

The intake will be the best "bang for the buck" performance mod for the R50, hands down. I have the aFe (so does dannyhavok) and we are both very pleased with the results!

The goal with the R50 is to fine tune the response and have fun with the car! Do the little things like a rear sway bar, intake, exhaust, springs, a sprint booster could be good as well. Change up the wheels and tires (or even just the tires) and go have some fun!

 

+1, Couldn't have said it better. Got the aFe intake from VAC Motorsports, $194.

http://store.vacmotorsports.com/afe-...ini-p2563.aspx

I installed it myself. Not very mechanically experienced but it was a breeze, maybe 15 minutes. The Sprint Booster is around $300, steep but worth it in my opinion.

 

Still thinking of grabbing the sprint booster! It may be the missing link to fine tuning Otis

 

It really wakes it up. I accidentally turned it off for an hour the other day and I thought my car was dying. As soon as I figured it out and pushed the button, it felt peppy again.

 

Oh man, thanks for all this feedback. I dont have a very large money flow (20 year old in college) so the cheaper the mods the better. Though I really wanna do everything right so ill go with the cold air intake first.

 

That's a good place to start for sure. Let us know what you think once it's done!

 

As far as the intake system goes that youve recommended, does it work as well as most. Ive heard that some intakes actually rob you of HP.

 

Just remember

HAI (hot air intakes) add throttle response,but can reduce hp.

CAI (COLD AIR INTAKE) may add a bit of hp, sound, and improve throttle respond...

A filter just bolted on under the hood, no duct/shielding is a hai...cai is a filter and a duct or shield of sometype to keep the hot engine bay air out of the filter...
Both have merits to a certain extent.

 

I personally love the aFe product. The heat shield seals right around the curvature of the hood. The small intake pathway that is attached to the front apron cover also remains in tact, and routes air into the sheilded area. aFe takes a lot or time on the R&D side of things so you don't have to guess whether or not their products perform. I have an aFe on my 2002 Cummins Equipped Ram and love it too.

Lots of positives for them. Good fit and finish, with a noticeable gain.

 

The aFe does have a heat shield that forms a tight seal with the hood when closed. I'm not an engineer or an expert, but just based on my driving experience I'd say the aFe provides modest power gains and increased throttle response, just as advertised. It also sounds great.


Here is a picture of it installed, if you're curious.

 

Thank you so much, this is putting alot of confidence in both my buy and my experience. I am a very amateur mechanic but from what ive seen and heard it wont be too hard to install. You mentioned sound differences? How so, and should I buffer my vehicle? (i was planning on it anyhow, my new tires are a little loud on some of the grooved pavement)

 

The sound I referred to is a deep growl when you either mash the gas pedal to full throttle from ~2500rpm, or when you get above 4000rpm. In normal, sane driving you won't hear much, if anything, but when you are driving "spiritedly" you will get some growl from the hood, most people really enjoy it.

 

You really need to check out our WAY/DDM intake. We were the first to offer an R50 intake that would fit all R50's. It has the heatshield on it too, but the big differences are the air goes straight into the throttle making better throttle response. Also the air that blows on the filter doesn't go through the resonator like the Afe, with our kit you remove the resonator box and the air will come in the duct on the radiator housing and blow directly on the filter. If you want the most power and throttle response. check it out. Oh and it is cheaper than the Afe.

 

The DDM looks like a better design to me. I got one coming in the mail as we speak! Way, regarding ecu tuning, does one just mail you the ECU or does the car need to be tuned in person on the dyno? Is your tune a generic tune like the GIAC or do you tune for mods? Also, how much? Thanks.

 

I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, remote tuning works like this: You buy the remote device that plugs into your car, download your ECU file, and then email it to Way, he tunes it for you, emails it back, and you upload it with your device.

I've been thinking about doing this after I finish modding. I imagine a dyno tune is ideal, but I live nowhere near any of the guys who do it. Curious about pricing as well.

 

Well Ive already got my VAC motorsports intake on the way. Im so excited i just went and washed and waxed my mini. Also i got 4 new tires!

 

You will love the aFe! What tires did you get?

 

We can actually do it either way. Some people mail us their DME to save the cost of the remote module. We offer both canned tunes and full custom tunes it's just price dependent.

 

Right now I've got a CAI and I'm getting a Borla cat-back pretty shortly. Would you recommend a tune now or should I wait until I do the header, which is probably in my future?

 

The DDM is the best air intake for the R50 out there, simply.

 

I get the impression that CAI's are a little like swaybars: Everyone loves the one they have.