Hey folks,
Long time lurker with some mod questions.

I just had a 15% pully and cold air intake installed, and next up I'm going to put some nicer wheels and tires on the car. However after that, what do you guys think is the best bag for my buck to squeeze a bit more performance out of my 06 automatic cooper-s?

 

Best bang for buck mods

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ight=bang+buck

 

1-ball exhaust would be a natural next step - you building more boost, your intake is freed-up so its time to work on the exhale.

 

A good DE School

 

+1 Any exhaust type mod would be greatly beneficial. A one ball, or any cat-back system (to your sound preferences) will be great at getting all that gas out now that its getting sucked in at a greater rate.

I just got a Milltek cat-back for my 05 auto S, can't wait to install it

 

I'm not a fan of loud exausts Which one's a good fit for that? I don't want it to be quieter -- the same amount of loudness is fine. I just hate those ricer mufflers on honda civics too much.

 

Nicer wheels? Try lighter wheels- almost any design with less weight is good.
Non runflat tires- anything sticky and wide with lower profile if you want more performance and maybe 55 series if you want some comfort.

Bang for buck?
Depends where you want to put your "bang":

For Performance
Cat-back exhaust, single or dual.
Lowering springs or Koni FSD shocks
Adjustable rear sway bar

For Interior:
Short shift kit
Whalen Shift **** for any manual transmission
Euro parcel shelf
Glove box organizer
Auto up window mod

For exterior:
Aero front grilles
Smoke film over rear tail lights
Rear light dual brake light mod
M7 front or rear mesh grilles

Take your pick or think up some of your own.
They are all good in some way.

 

+1 on the Milltek exhaust! Love mine!

 

ditto on the Milltek!

 

The Milltek has a nice deep tone which is slighly louder than stock yet comfortable cruising at 70mph.

 

cut the back wall of your intake, it's free and sounds kick ***. plus you'll bring in more fresh air to the filter. obx header sounds nice also, maybe an engine damper for 50 bucks from helix, i'm gonna order mine tomorrow

 

All good points. Regarding the nicer wheels, I did mean lighter

I'm dead-set on these wheels:
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...Model=Cooper+S
Just not sure what kind of tires I should get to go with them.

For a few other of the things you list (I realize how stupid some of these questions might sound) but do any of these matter besides asthetics?
- Aero front grilles
- M7 front or rear mesh grilles

I DO like the look of those M7 front grills. I think I might throw that into my list of mods when I get my wheels/tires done.

Quick question about this one:
- Auto up window mod
Does this let you flick your window up just like you can flick it down with a tap of the lever? I've always hated that about my car.. No clue how to do this.

 

If it's just tinkering, then whatever you're happy working with. But if you set a power/behaviour goal, that will really tell you your options. Then get any part you want that is on the list for your goal! If you do it any other way, it becomes the creeping death of reciepts that you never want to add up.

I wouldn't worry about power. Add some camber plates (if you just drive street, either Dinan or Ireland Engineering fixed, if you do more than that, get some adjustables). A rear bar will help turning as well (but you don't need as stiff a one if you do the plates). Do a bit to the brakes. Pads, fluids, metal caliper bushings are all inexpensive mods that add a lot to the system.

For pretty much everything other than drag racing, the stock S has good enough power to keep up with almost anything in twisties. Driver skill has more to do with it than raw power for most drivers.... But that said, the stock suspension can be improved a lot with the plates and the bar.

Good luck and have fun!

Matt

ps, oh yeah, a no brainer is a subscription to MC2 magazine!

 

Auto window up- see
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=85311

- Aero front grilles
- M7 front or rear mesh grilles
Both for appearance.

The wheels are Motegi Traklite 17x7" Anthracite painted. 15 pounds!

Tires to fit would be (any of these)-
205/45-17
215/40-17
215/45-17
No rubbing with your stock suspension and +42mm wheel offset.

Consider the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....Eagle+F1+GS-D3
215/40-17 $136 each 280 treadwear AA traction
215/45-17 $139 each

Due to greater load rating I'd recommend the 215/45-17. Not for any snow.
Great wet or dry handling. Highly rated and tested.

 

right on - any freer flowing exhaust is the logical next step for this car.

 

Lots of terrific suggestions here.

I started out with 'just' a pulley, spark plugs and wires when the car was only five days old. Little did I realize that I was at the peak of a very, very, very slippery slope and that the add-ons for the MINI would routinely cost me 2-3x the monthly payment. The 'bang for your buck' you'll hear, will be the sound of your bank account imploding .

Welcome to the world of MINI mods!

 

1 ball exhaust and rear anti-sway bar. You could probably do both for $300.

 

Not to toot my own horn here (too much) but my engine damper kit can't be beat in terms of bang for the buck!