Robin

Can your wood ***** be ingraved 07 MCSC

 

Does anyone know if After Market Strut Plates and Bars, fit the 07's (MCSC)

 

Yep - lots of cabrio owners have strut plates and bars. Just remember - your car is pretty much exactly the same as a 2006 cabrio - anything that's advertised for a 2006 should fit just fine. In fact, just about everything that fits on a 2006 coupe will fit on your cabrio - except exhaust (the cabrio exhaust is different) and some suspension stuff (technically will fit, but sometimes not recommended for the cabrio because it's heavier).

See my blog (link in sig) if you want a LOT of cabrio-specific reading and mods... but I second the M7 USS as the single best improvement for the cabrio - followed closely by supercharger pulley, intake, rear swaybar, tires, etc.

 

Papa: First off - DRIVE THE THING! That's the main thing you can do to have fun! Next, drive the thing BETTER - a good driver's school should be first on the list - and if you're coming off RWD or AWD muscle cars you may need to recalibrate for Mini FWD handling. The mod bug will bite, however, but plan ahead so you don't have a hodgepodge of parts just bolted on, they need to work together.

If you're liking the "blow the doors off of guys driving $110K SL's", do the PIE - pulley, intake (Alta makes a SWEET sound that will get their attention, but isn't nasty on the highway), and exhaust. Your warranty shouldn't be affected there. If budget is "unlimited", check the drivetrain mods section for 1st Generation Minis - since your's is the supercharged version - for some ideas on more involved (AKA "warranty-detonating") engine mods.

For handling performance the Mini is pretty good outta the box, first is getting AWAY from the runflats. I have a coupe and the recommendation for us is a 19mm swaybar, but check with cabrio owners to be sure. I've found (with other brands of FWD cabrios that I've modded with additional power and handling - primarily VW) that they benefit first off from some additional bracing, so the above info on stiffening the structure should be primary - before swaybars or struts/etc.

Have fun and welcome to the addiction...

 

Look into Wet Okeole seat covers. Solves the sweaty back syndrome on hot and humid days. Many choices.

 

Dix:

I appreciate you're advice Any Driving Schools in Florida that focus on the Mini that you are aware of? From the vast amount of info I'm getting...PIE appears to be a move that lets this little sucker breath properly...so that will be my first move. We have a Petty School here in Orlando but I don't think that's what you are recommending....

 

DP....

Any website?

Thanks!

 

Apologies - one piece of slightly misleading advice in my post - an aftermarket pulley that's NOT installed by the dealer (as a part of a dealer-installed Dinan or JCW package) may indeed affect how your dealer deals with your warranty. The Intake and Exhaust however are likely passable. Some dealers are better than others when it comes to dealing with customers who've modified their cars, check locally or on these forums for othrer's experiences.

Don't know about FLA clulbs or schools, but if'n you're in Pittsburgh we have some great events at www.pittstopmini.com . Pack a jacket!

Do check the regional forums, and plan on traveling to some of the really fun events (have heard MOTD is excellent, though can get crowded...)

 

http://www.detailersparadise.com/

 

10-4 on the Pully Mod...actually I'm not too worried about the warranty. I just want this little 4Banger to breath..... A Jacket.....what's that

 

Ditto on the boot box. I store all kinds of stuff in there. The main reason I got it though was that it is level with the seats when they are folded so it is easier to slide things in the back without having to lift it over the bonnet well first.

 

OK...here's a quick update since you were so nice to give me some good advice...first we've been driving Bullet quit a bit...now has almost 3K miles...most with Top Down. We are just getting into some great Cab weather.

Getting the mini to breath better...2.5 exhaust, new cold air intake, and 15% pully. Next will be to tighten up the suspension a little....bottom side and a new shoes....break shoes. That's it for now...just enjoying this great fall weather...

 

My favorites are my JCW shifter, Wurth Black Trim Paint, Avery A6 Series Matte Black Vinyl wrap and rubber floor mats. JCW tuning and suspension and aero kit and carbon fiber parts are very high quality.[SIZE=2]

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I've noted that the stock shifter is pretty crude...how does the JWC shifter differ? Are you running factory clutch?

Regards,

Papa Bdog

 

Pull the stock shifter off and feel the weight and you'll start to get the idea. It feels like a lead bowling ball. The JCW is very light and transmits the feel of the shift much more immediately. It's also shaped in the form of a handgrip which feels a lot better. More bang than bling, contrary to my expectations. Reasonably priced at Morristown. Ask for Richon - he's very good. Stock clutch.

 

Hey You All!

Based on your great advice just finished with a few mods....15% Pulley, Alta 2.5 Exhaust, Alta Diverter, and an Aero Gel Heat Shield.......Yikes. ...what a DIFFERENCE....it's a little Dark Gray Rocket......Yee Ha!!!

Thanks for the great advise you all....BTW 1fastmini (my Bud Eddie D...did a great job!)

 

How's that Alta 2.5 for sound? I'm considering one but also have 3-4 hour drives on occasion and don't want to go deaf on the highway... Glad you're having fun! I'm only at the "I" part of PIE, next is likely E, then P. Actually I have to come up with another acronym, since I also need "T" (tires) since I balded my runflats...

 

The Alta Pipes are excellent....just enough growl low end, a nice "yap" when your downshifting but not offensive and not nausiating "getting on down the road" ....but the performance difference is incredible. The real difference is running 70 in 6th and just letting it lose....lots of guts, great acceleration. And first and second gear is whopeeee Next....got to take some ying-yang out of the frame.....

 

What did it take to make the Alta exhaust fit on your cabrio? Any spacers, etc.? This is intriguing...

 

Before you spend on suspension upgrades invest in the M7 Under strut system, it really stiffens the Cabrio body flex and improves handling by a huge amount. Also get the Multivex passenger side mirror for improved visibility when the top is up. you won't regret either one of these mods.

 

Heck, I'm loving the multivex DRIVER's side mirror. Once you're used to it the thing is fantastic, well worth the thirty or so dollars.

So the Alta is pretty sweet, and not bad on the highway? I'll have to have a discussion with Mrs Claus...

 

I'm not the real expert.....my Bud....Eddie @ 1fastmini.com did the work but it looks as if it was a pretty clean "bolt up" with the exception of the rear splash plan which has to be cut to allow the rear header to fit. I'll shoot some pics this weekend and post them for you. Eddie can be reached at service@1fastmini.com. (Orlando)
I was actually in his shop about a month ago when he had an 07 HT on the rack and it was a very clean bolt up including integrating with the stern....