Hey all,

I just got a new 08' Mini Cooper S just about yesterday(conv.- supercharged).
includes- sidewalk, sport and premumium package..
I have 500$ left over.. the $7G JCW package was out of my budget..

I'm wondering now, what I can do to improve the performance for the Cooper..

... Adios


PS: i guess this is my introduction, considering i couldnt find an actual "introduction" section..

 

Best bang for buck: 15% supercharger pulley.

Congrats and welcome to NAM.

 

nice.. cheap too... i see $200 tops on them.. says it increases it by 20 hp... so would i buy this and get it installed at the dealer, or a custom auto shop?

ny other suggestions?.. should i even bother lookin at JCW packages?

 

Congrats on you new MINI.

I'd say, you enjoy your new MINI in stock form for a while. The MCSc is well balance already, even without any modification. After you get use to it, you will know what will be your next mod: Engine, handling or stopping power.

Just my 2 cents.

Happy motoring.

 

The dealer won't do it (and keep in mind that most won't honor warranty on your supercharger after you do this) . . . so you'll have to self-install (this is not one of the easiest DIY mods though) or take it to someone who specializes in MINI mods. You can find someone through your local MINI club or through NAM . . . or better yet, go to one of the MINI events like AMVIV or MOTD aka the "Dragon" -- expect to pay almost $400 for parts & labor.

The appeal of JCW kits is that, although much more expensive than trying to get the same results through third party aftermarket mods, if you have JCW or Dinan upgrades done by the dealer, those will be covered by warranty.

 

Wait a whole sec. I thought that the new R56 Cooper S is a Turbo so there is no super charger and or a pulley.

Didn't know they still make a super charged one.

 

the convertible is supercharged... turbo is commin later on..

 

the 08 is Turbo which has been available for some time now it's just that I didn't know the conv. is still Super charged.

 

yaino.. its kinduv retarded.. haha
ny more suggestions tho?

 

I will suggest some form of under carriage bracing. Though, I have never driven a cabrio, I hear that those braces make a big improvement in handling.

 

It's because the current production convertible is still based on the R50-52-53 chassis therefore it still gets all of the older running gear. The R56 convertible is slated for release in 2009.

 

+1 - they do - you can read much about products like M7 USS on the suspension forum or on Motoringfile. I'll support the notion (as I have in other threads) that the USS is great for the cabrio. But as to where to spend the first couple hundred mod dollars? -- I'd still say pulley -- and frankly, non-runflat tires -- would be best return on the dollar.