Hey guys,

I have a '12 MCS and I would like to start modifying it but have no clue where to start. Will upgrading the exhaust first make a difference? What type of exhaust should I get? Or is it better to remap the ecu? I don't want to do all the mods at once so whichever will make a noticeable difference, that's what i would start with.

Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated. Also, are there any reputable tuners in the Glendale/Pasadena/Burbank area?

Thank you!

 

Start with a good set of tires. Then get a H Sport rear swaybar. Power mods are more elusive in the 12s as of yet, but ultimately a FMIC will do a world of good in Socal.

 

Find out what your intentions with the car are before money burns a hole in your pocket.

 

I'd recommend what Shane and Helix said.


But sounds like you want more power from your MINI. Personally I did an intake first then moved up to the RSB. But it just depends on your intentions of what you want to do with your car. Once you figure that out, we'll be able to answer your questions.

 

Does the swaybar still make a big difference if your car already has the MINI sports suspension?

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oh yessir it does!

 

LOL ..I guess I should just add that to the list of mods I'd like to do = )

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When you say get a good set of tires, did you mean to also get lighter wheels with it? = )

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+1 on the rear sway bar - I just did the Alta 22mm and it made a huge difference

 

Without the option to tune(not possible with the N18 yet), modding with bolt ons will be a wasteful venture(as far as hp goes). You might squeeze some but it'll be costly. Go with the suspension mods first, there's enough upgrades to do in that category to blow through your wallet for a while ;p

 

N18's are tunable, we just have to send our ECU out, so actually bolt ons aren't wasteful. I kept mine specifically to what I want and what the tuner said is good.

 

Which type of rear sway bar would you recommend? I'm also thinking of getting away from run flat tires. They are loud, expensive to replace and the ride isn't very comfortable. Anyone else replaced their run flats with conventional tires and if so, which tires/brand did you get? I currently have 205/45/17 Continentals. Thanks guys!

 

Driver mod.

 

Not my N18.....and Renntech is on crack if they think they can charge that much for a canned tune.


You could look into camber plates as well. I went with that instead of the sway bar and I found that enough. There's practically no camber upfront.... I too have the sport suspension so the 18.5mm fixed bar is enough for what I need the car to do.

 

Well I don't know what year you have but the guy needs to know that it is possible at least I know for a fact 2011 and 2012 N18's can be tuned by RennTech, not that I would get their tune for that much. I would stick with the NM or Evolve.

Sorry for hi-jacking your thread JonsR56!

 

What is the build date on your '12MCS?

If its on or after 3/12 you are out of luck for tuning options....unless you cough up what renntech is asking for.

 

+1

 

It's all good RobMuntean! I'm learning as it goes. I bought my MCS in Feb '12 so can I go to nm? They're located in Camarillo which is about 1 hr drive(no traffic). They charge $500 for the ecu upgrade.

 

I believe if it is before March 2012, but you might want to check the N18 tuning thread, but I believe so you might be okay. But if so, if you end up driving to them, I believe their tune is like $400 or $450.

 

New MINI owners... Chill! Countryboyshane is correct above when he said, "Find out what your intentions with the car are before money burns a hole in your pocket." My version of that is figure out what you want your MINI to be before you waste your dollars. I had a long post typed but hit a wrong key (duh) so this is going to be the short version....

First, enjoy your new MINI's in their "virginal" states. They're great cars as they are! Learn about them, figure out who they are, name them. Then go learn about suspensions, wheels, turbos, cold air intakes (CAI), intercoolers (FMIC), etc, etc. Learn how they affect each other and the synergy that can take place by changing them. After you get a bare (at least) working knowledge of these things, start looking at individual products. Do searches here (search on Google with search term + NAM), go to the vendor's web sites that support NAM and MINI and read. Call them. Most are happy to answer questions.
THEN.... start deciding what YOU want to do/buy and in what order. Countryboyshane, Porthos, and myself all had our own plans for our MINIs and we executed them in the order we wanted. I can't remember ever reading those guys asking anyone specifically what to buy/do. I started this as a MINI novice and in two years have build the perfect (for me so far) MINI in The Dread Pirate. He is seriously a beast! I began with two lists, "Wanted Upgrades" and "Possible Upgrades". Trust me, the stuff on the lists changed more times than I can remember. When I learned of something that interested me I dropped it into the "possible" list to research later. Some made it into my "wanted list" (and eventually my "Bought" list) but most were deleted. I'm lucky in that I'm older and really didn't have to budget much. In two years I added these (mostly) performance parts:

Akrapovic:
Down Pipe
Delete R
Alta Blow Off Valve Spring Upgrade
DoS CAI
Forge FMIC
Helix Short Shift Kit
H-Sport Rear Camber Links
Mini Fini Intake Scoop Grill
NGK Cold Heat Range Spark Plugs
NM:
ECU Tune <----------------------------------on an N18 engine
Aluminum Billet Tie-Bar
Discharge Pipe
Titanium Heat Shield
Torque Arm Insert
Shifter Assembly Box Cover
Quaife Limited Slip Differential
Koni Yellow Adjustable Sport Shocks
TSW:
Performance Springs
19mm Sway Bar
X-Brace
VIP Custom: Down Pipe Back Exhaust (last 1/4 powder coated black)
WMW:
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
Turbo Exhaust Manifold
12mm front/15mm rear spacers

Plus other aesthetic mods.

In short... Do yourselves a favor and don't just ask people what to do/buy, but learn and make these decisions on your own. You will love the journey and your MINI all that much more. We will alway be here to happily answer the questions that we can. See #2 on this thread.

Motor On!

 

On my second set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. I love the traction -wet or dry-, quick turn in, smooth ride, and quiet running. These have 45k treadlife warranty. I went with 215's in lieu of 205's on second set - you get an extra 1/2" of tread width and less wheel spin under hard acceleration and it is a more common and cheaper tire size.


Good luck and happy motoring.

 

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions!