Hi all, I used to own a 2006 R53 MCS and knew all of the vendors for exterior, interior, and performance parts for the car...in fact, I bought almost all of them!

I have, however, been "out of the game" with Minis for the past 7 years, and have heard many of the companies/sites I frequented are now out of business.

Can anyone tell me who the most reputable and affordable vendors are/will be for the following F56-specific parts/upgrades? :

1) Intake/intercooler
2) Headers/downpipes
3) High flow cats
4) Full exhaust
5) Rear anti-roll bar
6) ECU tuning
7) Rallye Monte Carlo retro decals (like the MC40 edition)
8) Rear bootlid stripes
9) "John Cooper" signature decals
10) Magnetic grill badges
11) OEM parts like F56 JCW wheels, illuminated door sill plates, etc.
12) Chrome interior pieces
13) Short shift kit with plate that replaces shift boot
14) "Cue ball" style shift ****
15) Custom interior modification like vinyl-wrapping or painting plastic interior pieces, replacing individual fabric/leather panels on the seats, etc.

I will guess that other new owners will want info on some of these parts as well, perhaps we can "sticky" this *in this section* as an easy "getting started with modding" thread for new F56 owners. I say this because we don't yet have a F56-specific modification section yet.

Anyways, thanks in advance for your help!!

 

I would recommend Evolve for your tune. They are working on a new map at the moment.

 

I will immediately replace the antenna with a shortened one available from the dealer. Other possible mods will include:
* Exhaust
* Intake
* Evolve tune
* Short shift kit

Nothing crazy. Above all, I'd like to bump power up to the level of the JCW.

 

If I was to get this exact color combination:

2014 Cooper S
Thunder Grey
Black Roof and mirrors
Black Bonnet Stripes
17" Black Cosmos Spoke Rims

As for mods
-Dark tint, limo in the rear, light for the doors.
-Slight lowering to drop the wheel gap.
-I'd want to see if I could source the exterior chrome trim pieces and get them black chromed. Or at least try to do a black lacquered effect. (keeping the stock parts incase of screwups - former lesson learned there!)

I think this would make it look like a stealthy street fighter-esque.

 

I ordered your "exact" combo and will probably start off with tints as well.

 

No way. Sweet! I cant wait to see what this would look like in the day light.

I'm still in the undecided path between a 2015 GTI and the Cooper S. I'm going to have to wait until I see both in person and drive both before I make my final decision. Plus value for price will be the biggest factor.

 

Let me retract a bit. The only thing I am not getting are the bonnet stripes. Everything else the same.. Added on the led headlights, red color line on the inside, and the premium package.

Now I get you on the gti being a fun car but something about the mini just seems more fun. This will be my first one and I've wanted one ever since the first one.

The gti is going to cost you a bit more if i'm guessing correctly. Wouldn't it be like mid 30's?

 

GTI starts at $28,000 Canadian.... Sooooo I could have a very well equipped if not loaded, S for the same price.
I'm going to be honest, I have been researching new cars since before Christmas, and hadn't even thought about the Mini until Monday. Seriously. Now I'm obsessed with it. I'm currently working on a good down payment to drop the monthly loan payments, so we'll see what happens in a few months.

 

Funny you mention your obsession with the MINI. I test drove one, just for the fun of it, last Fall. It was "nice", but my heart was settled on buying the new '15 Mustang GT. Suddenly, a month ago, I started having second thoughts about the Mustang. Mainly because I had an '03 Cobra and spent way too much money on aftermarket mods. It was a blast to drive, making 504hp to the wheels, but I started thinking maybe I should get something more practical, but something that would still be a hoot to drive. I also really felt something smaller than the Mustang (or similar) would be more to my liking. Then I heard about the new '14 MINI S Hardtop. I was really impressed with what I was reading, and decided to go back to the dealer to drive a '13 Model again. I was hooked! Big time. Suddenly everyone is now looking at me like I have a 3rd eye on my forehead. LOL. My daughter expected me to either get a mid to full-size luxury car (last car was a '11 Buick LaCrosse) or a Mustang/Camaro/Challenger/ Corvette. But I find myself borderline obsessed with this fun little car. Can't wait for it to be born and delivered to my dealer. I'll be there within an hour of being notified.

 

Wait until you own one...then you'll really be obsessed. If the tuners unlock the ECU, we may have some 300whp cars in the near future...at least that's my hope!

 

By the way, does anyone have suggestions on specific mods above from specific companies that are expected to make products for the F56?

 

Not sure about Canada but US will get Mexican made GTi. Nothing wrong with that as the build quality is as good as Tennessee and Wolfsburg plants. The only issue is that they took out a bunch of features which would otherwise be standard on European specs. I hope they still include the electronic locking diff.

US spec MINIs are the same worldwide which all built in UK. Although we normally get fatter front crush bar which adds to the weight slightly...

Just another thing to consider.

 

All North American MKVII Golfs are now being built in Mexico. I currently own a 2008 Rabbit(golf) since new, that I just rolled 170,000kms. Its been the best damn car I've ever owned. out side of regular maintenance I've only had to replace the radiator and a fuel filter, both of which were manufacturing issues.

the option lists for the North America Golf is quiet anemic compared to the Eurospec. shameful really. but Numbers dont lie.

 

Everything VW produces has an anemic option list. Vanilla German car manufacturer, they come across as an economy minded company that charges a premium. Back on topic, you can get more for your money in a MINI, and personalize it to a greater degree.
Our list would begin with Tints, Clear Bra, maybe stripes from front to back like our '09 has. Rims and tires once the OEM 16 inchers wear out. And an exhaust, can't forget that. I have already been told no hitch but we'll see what Brent from Mini Do More has to say.

 

I will probably go with these a Buddy of mine has.
The only hold-up is if the TPMS monitors are fully compatible between the 2013 & new 2014.
I don't really want to get into having to replace the TPMS sensors if they are not compatible.

I think these would be Killer on my Color Combination.

 

Nice wheels, don't worry about TPMS, put a piece of tape over it and drive on!

 

3rd Gen MINI wheels have 5x120 bolt pattern.

 

Cool! Hopefully they have same specs as BMW 1 or 3-series. They have gang load of choices out there!

 

Wife would Kill-Me it is her new 2014 MCS not mine.



T.

 

Terry, those wheels with the red edge would look great on a red MINI.

 

Good luck trying to fit them as they don't have the correct bolt pattern

 

Wonder when the 5 bolt JCW rims will be availbile?

 

Well, so much for that.


T.

 

Looking forward to the release of the new JCW wheels AND body kit!

 

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