Hi guys just brought my first mini today 2004 Mini Cooper S silver with black stripes on the hood and checked side mirrors (not a fan of those). It came with a K&N typhoon cold air intake, slotted rotors and ceramic brake pads, and 16 in rims. Let me know guys if you've got any suggestions or must gets for it! Thanks guys!

 

Congrats! Looks great.


As for mods, I haven't done much but I agree with you on the checked mirrors. I'd look for the body colored ones that probably should be on the car. Also, a quick mod would be switching out the grille for the black JCW one. Really adds to the sporty appearance. First thing I would do though is to pull off the Audi supercharged emblem from the boot lid. That one just looks so out of place. Like the guys with the r56's and the Porsche turbo emblem.

 

Lol yeah I thought soo too, but I don't want to maybe scratch the paint. Do you really I should get the same body color or should I get white ones? And I agreed with the grille that would look pretty nice!

 

Nice car, I agree with you on the mirrors. Something I'm looking at doing with mine is swapping out the hood scoop for a different color (my car is pepper white with black roof, so im thinking gray) and maybe having the mirrors to match.

 

I like that idea I might just plastic dip mine black, maybe even do the mirrors black. You should do black hood scoop and black mirrors that'd look sick on white

 

Hmm you just gave me something to think about.. My mirrors are already black so it'd be easy to just have the hood scoop plasti dipped, and I have black wheels on too.

I just kind of wanted some color in the mix.

 

I agree with removing that tacky extra decal on the back... just warm it up with a hair dryer and wiggle some dental floss behind it, I don't think you'll harm the paint. That's how I removed all my OEM decals.

Otherwise it's a sharp looking R53, nice find I like the wheels. I'd lower it a bit if I were you, then look into a pulley upgrade.

 

Lol yea I hear yeah in the color mix that's what I wanted to do but the roofs the same color as the body so I think black mirrors and scoop and maybe even plasti dip the headlights?

 

Yeah I'll think about it. Thanks man it took me a month to find one in my price range and lower miles! I just wish the wheels were 17's

 

I love the color. One mod you should definately do is a rear sway bar. It will be a major difference in handling.

 

I am not going to lie just buy a faster car, because once you go black you don't go back.

 

LOL!!!

What to get for the new car? Eight year old car... bushings and such because yours are probably shot. Fix it first, the mod. Explore here

 

Wait, before all those mods mentioned, I'd get those strut tower reinforcement plates; listen to that low-speed fan if it's still there; check lower control arm bushes; ready an ATI or fluid damper; check tensioner damper; do all the fluids for a fresh start; replace or recrimp those PS hose clamps.
Then, those said mods of lowering, charger pulley, messin' w/ paint, etc. I'd prioritize preventive maintenance & getting the car to shape & stance, then, bring out its full potential. All other mods are for addressing boredom.
Merry Christmas!

 

When I picked up my 2004 Mini Cooper S the first things I began doing was running checks on all needed maintenance work. I had a great carfax record on the cars history but still needed to do some bits here and there that had been looked over by the previous owner.

Now that the car is up to date I am exploring mods. I am fortunate that mine came with a number of great upgrades, K&N Typhoon CAI, 15% Pulley, Black Grille, one ball exhaust mod and 16" Ultra Racing Alloys.

On your ride I think a black grille and black mirrors would look great.

Have Fun and Merry Christmas!

 

Thanks guy I appreciate all the ideas! I will defiantly be doing all the maintenance first that is for sure before I even put any mods on it my self. Where do you guy think i should take it? Just get it inspected and they'll tell me everything that wrong with it or needs replacing? Should I set up an appointment with a mechanic to go over it fine tooth and comb?

 

Merry Christmas to you all!

 

Post your location, I'm sure guys here will point you to trustworthy MINItechs & garages in your area. Good decision on the 1st gen, most maintenance work & mods are DIYable.

 

I'm located in Portland Maine

 

after all required/recommended maintenance items are done, 2 questions to answer before you start modding: what are your GOALS? what is your BUDGET?

 

That is the Best advice, kromdom.
Before I stat doing anything to a car I get my concept figured out. That way I don't wast my time adding things that I am disappointed with later. Lets say you want to make it a track car, tinting the windscreen would be a bad idea. Or you want it to be a daily driver in an area that has bad roads, extreme lowering with large soft wheels would not be such a good idea. As far as appearance changes go you should have a concept and make changes that are consistent with your personal concept. Racing stripes and advertising on a car that you drive real fast on the street may get you tickets but on the race track the same stickers may support sponsors that help you keep racing. Doing what everyone else does is fine unless you want your car to be different. Just so you know Mini is all about being different as much as Mini is about being fun.

 

supercooper53,

I purchased my Mini from Bill Dodge in Westbrook. They performed a few services on warranty issues and were a real pleasure to deal with and treated me very well. They are working to acquire a Mini dealership. They have a number of preowned Mini's for sale and are a BMW dealership for service related issues. Granted they are a dealership but as I said I was extremely pleased with the way the treated me and the work that was performed.