idk if this is already on the forum but im looking to buy a stick MCS and i hear bad things about the older R56's and i dont have the money for the 2011 or 2012's. i want to tune my mini and thats why i wanted the R56 bc there turbo. idk much about these cars and what to learn more can u get the same HP out of a R53 as a R56 and is there pros and cons to each

thanks and sorry again if this is already on here dont no how to use the forum well yet

 

This ought to be interesting...lol

If you are looking for speed, look for a different car. A MINI will never be a 4 second 0-60 car. That's not what it's good at. It is good at corners and being agile. It can be quick, but it will never be fast.

Next, always remember that at it's heart it's a BMW, with a MINI badge. That means, it will expect and require more maintenance and parts than a Toyota or a Honda. Think precision instruments vs blunt force tool. The tool requires almost nothing, and will work for years, the instrument doesn't respond well to neglect or abuse.

Also BMW stands for "bring money withya", or Break My Wallet". You gotta pay to play.

 

About a million threads on this question....
The difference in cars is not so much about the motor, as it is the different feel of each...they look similar, but FEEL totally different...
Shame you don't want an early r56...those are the ones the alta access port will work on for easy tuning. Generally the gen1 (r53/r52-s) is more moddible....but it is a different skill set modding a SC car as opposed to a turbo.....
+1 on big $$ if the car was abused or neglected before you got it!!
Both cars have different issues....both can be fix or compensated for...so it is mostly about finding a good car to start with. If you wanna drag, the MINI is not about straight line power...but turns and finesses!! It is kinda like a surgeons scalpel, as opposed to a sword!! Both can do amazing things,,,it just takes skill.