I'm that guy who has had his MCS for 42,000 miles and has refused to mod, save for a JCW intake. Welp, once warranty is over in 8,000 miles, I will be ready to get bitten and eaten by the mod bug.

Over the last 42,000 miles I have lurked and read about performance upgrades, checking things off as I learned. Here is what I came up with; I'll keep this thread to engine stuff, and I'll do another about brakes and suspension parts when I make those decisions in the appropriate forums. I will be setting up the suspension and brakes FIRST.

The Plan:

• Continue to attend and progress at HPDE events. I haven't wanted for more performance out of my MINI yet, but when I do...
• Dinan Boost upgrade system with the pulley, belt, fuel pressure regulator, etc...
• Dinan Stage 5 software
• Dinan Throttle body
• Supersprint exhaust - no resonator, "street" mufflers.
• I am very intrigued by the m7 intercooler as well, but I have not decided on it.

I know it's not the cheapest route. I know more power can be had. Based on lots of reading - this is what I would like. I'd also love to hear your opinions/experience/arguments too.

Oh yea - the car is a daily driver that needs to be reliable and smooth.

mb

 

Why Dinan if you're not going to do anything until your warrantee is done?

I've seen no evidence their products are any better or warranted better than other vendors.

Throttle body is a waste of money IMO.

 

I like dinan because of their reputation and history with BMW parts. I know companies like Alta and M7 have been in the MINI business for a while (and possibly others before the MINI came out), but I trust Dinan because I used their parts to great success (in my opinion) on my last car.

Thank you for your honest opinion on the throttle body - can you offer why it's a waste of money?

mb

 

I've asked that same question many time on the TB and its always the same ... without a new head, its worthless. Some ppl think they are getting better throttle response but those in the know seem to think its one of the last things to do.

 

ask webb they even say in their add for the throttlebody " we see no gains with this product but offer it as some customers want it " or something like that .so i concurr with you the ton of bricks fell . but dinan now is factory warrantied .

 

Dinan is Dinan warranteed through some of the dealer network - big distinction. We offer a warranty as well through our dealer network. You can check it out here.

As far as what to do, I will give you my opinion:

1. WMS Pulley - check out why the WMS here.
2. WMS SportAirbox RAF - to be released within the month
3. WMS rear swaybar (probably the Preferred unless you want the features of the Extreme)
4. Lightweight wheels and good tires
5. Brake fluid and some good pads to swap in for track days
6. Because you want an exhaust, the Milltek or WMS Extreme (to be released within the month)

I would recommend these parts over the parts you have listed not because I am biased toward our own products, but because I belive in them and know they are the best on the market.

You have several parts that are unnecessary based on our testing at the track and on the street, and at least one I see that will take you in the worng direction.

As far as the throttle body goes, I would say it is completely unnecessary for the car you have.

Dinan makes great products for the BMW, but for the MINI, there are several better options. I can tell your experience is with BMW, looking at your choices, but for the MINI, I would respectfully say to check out other vendors.

Hope that helps!
Randy

 

I'm cuirious about this.
I've read quite frequently that the parts are actually Dinan warranted. BMW MINI will not handle any defective parts you will actually be dealing with Dinan.
This only makes sense because there are non BMW, Dinan certified installers.

Anyone know for sure?

 

Thank you very much, chows4us, for your reasoning. And thanks, Randy, for your detailed response.

No doubt your list will save me some money and offer products made by a company that has been at the forefront of MINI modification for a while. I've read a lot of your posts on this site and your own, and I don't think you're advertising for yourself here. I appreciate that you want my business and take the time to help out people like me who won't just dive into purchases such as these.

Which part would take me in the wrong direction? If you're not comfortable saying it here, please pm me.

I already have lightweight tires and wheels (rota slips, 15in, with azenis) for the track; and every time I go, i flush with ATE super blue. I'm not planning on a BBK; rather, I was looking at slotted rotors and the hawk HPS pad (or something similar from pagid, ferrodo sp?, mintex, etc...).

I am interested in the swaybar, but I won an H&R at a raffle a year ago. I just need to find out the diameter (no paper-work with it) of it to see if it's too aggressive or not. I don't want to end up with my *** in the wall coming out of the downhill at limerock.

You're right that my modding experience has been with BMW, hence the affinity towards Supersprint. If you can match the sound of it, (better than the milltek IMO - more subdued) I'll give your exhaust a serious look.

I know you've done extensive installs and testing on MINIs with pulleys; what do you say to Dinan's research that shows a need for fuel system and ecu modification in conjunction with the added boost?

And finally, should one purchase your products, do you recommend Eric at Helix do the install if he/she lives on the east coast?

This is why I posted my plan, to get counter opinions and make a more educated decision - thanks to all who are contributing.

mb

 

My understanding, and it may be wrong or updated, is that Dinan works with authorized dealerships. You couldn't take your Dinan equipped car for warranty work to a dealership that is not an official Dinan spot. I don't think Dinan's relationship is with BMWNA, but rather with the specific dealerships.

I think if you have an issue with a Dinan car, you take it to the Dinan installer, they will cover you, then they will deal with the interaction with MINI.

mb

 

Hey man,
It's getting closer to "that time". Good.
I know we discussed this topic before, and now you're getting ready to start modding the MINI.
I know you have a lean towards the Dinan components, which is fine. All I can say is don't do the Dinan stuff in bits and pieces, everything from them is designed to work together. You won't be disappointed by the whole package, do it all or nothing.
As I told you before, there are many ways to achieve your smooth, daily driver. I have exactly that in my car, and I love it. I'm still deciding on which software/ECU to use, but the only mods i'm working on now are things that I think will help what I have.
You see what I have in my car by my sig, and that I'm partial to M7, but I won't push them on you like a certain vendor in this thread, read the numerous threads and posts from other members and their experiences with M7 parts and service, it's second to none.

You are always welcome to meet up with me and take my car for a ride.

 

Hey Partsman, thank's for the good word....
If your shopping for killer MINI parts and services, NAM would be the first place I would look no doubt.

Our history has shown that we not only offer cutting edge products, not copy's just to fill out the product line. Most of the products in our line-up
where conceived in house and built locally to our specifications, and the few
products that are made for us by other companys, are almost 100% exclusive to M7. Killer parts that delivers....every time!

But most importantly, we are always available by phone, PM's or emails
for tech help or just a friendly chat....

As for warranties, you will find printed materials and promises from many companies on the internet, but reallity is the printed material is only as good as the company behind the claims. M7 will back all the parts as long as we are in business (which is going to be a long time).

Please read this link:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=71157

peter
Team M7
562-608-8123

 

Randy what is this? WMS SportAirbox RAF? TIA Michael

 

From Randy's post:

Its a new Airbox.

 

Joaquin - I understand what you're saying about the Dinan parts being meant to work together. I'll keep my eye out for a run I can attend on nemini to test drive your car.

Thanks, M7, for chiming in as well.

My ultimate goal is a car that does not feel like it's put together by random parts. My last car was a blast, but once I was finished with its mods, I pretty much killed it as a daily driver. That was more due to the suspension mods than anything else, but nevertheless, it has made me much more wary of just throwing the newest part on my car - especially when it's my only car, I take it to the track, and this is an expensive hobby to have. I'd rather pay the money for the best part once than peppering our for sale forum with barely used parts. I'm not going to be into the latest fad, that's why my innitial lean was towards Dinan, a company I know already.

The only other cooper S I've driven besides my own was a JCW last weekend. It felt great - I love the smooth delivery of power. That said, I feel like more can be had for less - be it Dinan, Webb, or M7.

Thanks to all who have contributed; you have helped very much.

mb

 

Instead of buying the SS exhaust - buy the OBX exhaust for 299 - its a straight clone and the money saved direct to a DFIC .

 

The WMS SportAirbox RAF is going to do something for me that the HDI couldn't ..... REPLACE MY ALTA INTAKE, wooooohoooooooooo

Ram Air Flow FOR TEH WIN!!

 

Deleted

 

Besides Helix, check out LDG, one of the NAM vendors and his website. He does bespoke tuning. Talk to John BEFORE you buy the parts ... he knows his stuff.

 

I looked up LDG a while ago, and I don't think they're anywhere near me. What is bespoke tuning?

mb

 

Individual or custom tuning to your car.

In other words, you buy a UNICHIP and they have so many maps, whatever ... you pick one, or even MTH, you tell them what you got, they create something.

I believe in this case you sit down with the tuner, tell him exactly what your looking for (e.g., good low end torque ... not racing so dont care about peak RPMS), and they custom tweak it to match your exact needs ... ON your car (not a list of generic mods (e.g., CAI).