Soo i'm in the Army and about to go overseas, and when i get back, i'll have like $70k. First i want to buy a mini (turbocharged) then I want to upgrade the turbo...

soo first question, how easy is it to install a new turbo with all new piping and new intercooler? can you use all your old oil lines? or will you have to put in new ones?

then i also want to do interior stuff too. Like i want to get bucket seats, 4 point harness, short throw, and a lot of gauges. Im just a fan of gauges so i want like 7 in there. Not including the rpm, speedo and what ever else comes. Think i can fit them all?

• suspension i want strut bars, coilovers, and some other odds and ends...

then also with the motor i would do a few internals so it could handle the new turbo. And then another question, most cars you put in a new turbo, you have to re-tune the ecu or put a chip in there, will i have to do that to?

so i guess i'm just asking what everyone thinks of my ideas or add anything else? Like i said, i'm going to have around $70k so i have the money... that isnt a problem. But i also want to be able to have it as a DD(daily Driver)

 

Do yourself a favor. Buy a house or put the money in an account that earns money for later in life. By all means have a bit of fun and purchase a MINI. But do it reasonably.

I have done similar stuff as you are planning in my life. Now I wish I had been more reasonable. The $10k sound system in my car sure sounded good. But 2 years later was sold for $1k. The funds would have come in handy when I bought a house in stead of selling my motorcycle for the down payment.

 

ya maybe, but i'm going to be living on base for 6 more years when i get back, so i have a place to stay for free for another 6 years and can save up then... Thats what i was thinking

 

If I had $70,000 to spend on a car, I surely wouldn't buy a ~$25,000 MINI.

 

That is exactly what I did. Only it was a ~$40k MINI.

To OP. Your plans might change in a few years for unknown reasons at this time.

Also if you are just after massive speed a MINI is not your best choice. Think Skyline +1,000hp AWD if you want crazy.

If you do want to go the route of massive modding a used blown up MINI would be a great choice. Then you can put in an engine built however you want it. Plus you will not be paying for a warranty you will not even have a chance of using.

 

ya i just like mini's now becuase i have an 02, but it/s auto, and i want the turbo charged one. Either that or like a WRX STI... I don't no yet, and i'm not really after a lot of speed, just people won't expect all that power to be in a little mini coop. So i still have a while. I'm just taking people opinions

 

A JCW may be plenty of power to surprise people.

 

Get a JCW. I don't think you can swap out the turbo on a CooperS for an aftermarket unit. The JCW comes with a different turbocharger. I'd get the JCW. Better turbo, clutch, brakes, exhaust, pistons, and tuning. Get the JCW suspension too, and the aero kit. It'll set you back about 43k or so. Cheap for what you get. That's the price of basic 330i beemer.

 

Buy a nicely equipped new MCS and do some simple mods (exhaust, CAI, tune) and open an IRA and/or open a 529 plan for your child if you are a parent. You will thank me in 15-20 yrs.

 

 

What rank are you that you think you are coming back with $70k. Both of my deployments as an E4 I came back with around $20 if I was lucky.

 

how could u come back with 20k if your there for over a year and not spending money? plus the extra you get overseas?

 

Sure right now you may have 6 years to live in the barracks, but what if you meet a special lady? Get married and get an apartment or house, not only do you have down payments, but you will need everything that goes with a house, furniture, appliances etc.

It's easy to say you aren't looking to get married or anything, but really anything can happen.

Happened with my husband and I. He got a very very good re-enlistment bonus 3 years ago before we ever got together or ever thought of getting together. He blew almost all of it, he REALLY wishes he didn't do that. but it sounds like youre thinking the exact way he was. You have all this money and are single have no bills because you live in the barracks.

I think by all means get a new car and pay it off completely, but to buy a brand new car just to void warranties and spend so much more on it, I think is the wrong way to go.

But if you are dead set on doing that go with what wrx-xb9r said buy a used one.

just my 2 cents.

I do know it would be hard to not blow all that money though. I would love to. lol

 

First Navy deployment with the Marines so it was 7 months. I got more my second deployment because I was getting BAH also. Still only came back with maybe $30k.
Second blow your money just be prepared to repeat the benefits and the responsibilities for what you purchase. If you go buy a $40k MINI and dump a bunch of money in it and you run yourself into debt well sucks to be you.
Third You are military and trust me I know how it is we live like there isn't going to be a tomorrow becuase there is a chance there won't be one. So booze, b******, and cars is the name of the game.

BTW you still didn't answer my question what rank are you and where are you stationed?

 

You can get over $75K for reenlistment bonuses for Navy nukes. You only get half up front, but still. Maybe the dude saved some up and did well. A lot of military people buy cars as their first major purchase, why not? Gotta spend it somewhere, and saving for a kids' college???? Come on, live the life when you're 22!

 

Call us when you get back, we'll build you a heck of a MINI.

But in all seriousness I wouldn't start worring about the build till you get the money or get back. By that time parts and the cars themselves will evolve. So the answer to your questions on what is best and how to do it may actually change, so any advise now could be bad information even if it is good today.

 

When the time comes, make sure your taxes are all paid on that bonus money....

On one time bonus type funds "blow half & save half". That was my plan when young and single... and it pretty much worked out. Though I've regretted some of my purchases, it always felt good that I saved half for sensible investments later, like a home & education.

And when it comes to cars, don't buy new & customize. Get a year or two old car so you don't take such a loss.

Take some of the advice on here, but I do understand you'll have little to dream about over there except for cars & girls (plus cool breezes & lawn). Be safe.

Good luck.

 

If everyone followed this advice.... just saving half of their "fun money" .... this country would be in much, much better shape.

Mondo=Smart.

 

amen

 

This thread is a downer dudes........

But the save half / spend half and buy a rocking brand new JCW that is already BMW factory engineered and factory built (with factory larger twin scroll turbo) would be my choice. $35K down on a $43K + tax/license car would not leave too much to pay off....... Establishing you a credit history.

With factory warranty under the bonnet to boot!

 

i'm an E-3 but make 3600 every month... times that by 14 for the deployment... is 50,000... plus more pay since your stationed outside of the U.S...

 

ya i'm just trying to get some ideas b4 i go n wut i wanna do when i get back, cuz im actually at fort benning in georgia right now...

 

How about you do European Delivery on a loaded M3 or C63??

 

If you're going to blow the money, just get the M3 and be done with it!

 

Seventy grand? A Lexus ISF and a (used) Beemer touring bike, the kind that look like dirt bikes