DaKineMini-
My order is being worked on. I know that the rims and the tires are in stock. Working on the package price right now but no set dates as usual. My previous wheel order was one month back ordered so anything sooner would be fine. Shipping will take about 5 days longer if I send it by slow boat. Most businesses say they "MUST" send it by 2nd day air which could be Fedex, UPS or airborne. A few are willing to work with me and send by US postal which tends to be much better. Shipping is such a monopoly and a hassle. Businesses here in Hawaii have to deal with it all the time. Adds to the cost of living because you can't just truck it in. You ship by container or fly it in at a premium. When there is a dock strike or slowdown we get hit hard.

As for the tirerack reviews by customers- YUP, I know they are by "customers" not experts. I read the other official reviews too plus additional resources. And yes I know the AVS sports and the AVS ES100 are in different categories.
Your comments are all very reasonable. Ultimately you have to try them out and see how they work.
SSR Comp in 16" with Kumho would be great. But more wheels and more shipping. I hope you have lots of storage.
Get a two car garage and park the mini on one side and put the spare sets of tires on the other side.
Tirerack someday will get in the long awaited SSR CompR wheels which are the light 16 x 6.5 size , under 11 pounds per rim. They don't look as good-anthracite finish, no machined lip and no centercaps but I think they are about $275 per rim and should work on the track well. I would say try your current wheels as is first then decide if you need the added lightness.- probably not.:evil:

 

minihune,

How can you stand waiting so long?! I am somewhat impulsive and would go nuts waiting for everything. You are a patient man.

BTW, I read in some post that you wanted the alernate tips for the quicksilver. Which did you get? I like the standard ones.

 

Since everything is about 3500+ miles away- when you live on an island-you learn to be patient and wait because there is simply not much else to do. I do have friends in the shipping industry and I can get things quick but it just costs double to triple. I just give myself more lead time and place the order and let it "brew" for a bit and act surprised with it arrives.

Today on a freeway entrance I was in third and did a wide open throttle just a bit about 3200 to 4500 rpm and I was amazed to find out the quicksilver has a definite midrange HP boost effect. It was like I had a pulley upgrade I was going so fast. That didn't happen before with just the intake so I think the madness intake and exhaust are working really well together right now. More power needed? Maybe I can add the London Stainless exhaust header for about 9-12 HP more with no additional loudness. Today the loudness is OK, a bit down from yesterday. I think I have permanent hearing loss from yesterday so that could be a factor. Also if you drive with skill on the throttle you can keep the sound down or up to some degree. The single tailpipe looks great and is very distinctive. I will keep it. the double looks too much like Magnaflow or Borla. In Hawaii I would say about 15+ MCS have the borla and maybe 3-4 have Magnaflow. I have the only QS so far (it has the highest cost). Borla is carried locally and installed is about $895. I paid $650 plus shipping and $66 to install. Not bad and 23 pounds. It is louder than borla by alot.

The alternate tips are available but you would have to cut off the single tip and order the doubles from London stainless. I don't see the option listed from any source yet- it is a new product.




_________________
ALOHA

 

minihune,



Check out the August issue of European Car magazine. They have a good article on their Project Street S Mini starting on page 128. They test out the Magnaflow and Supersprint exhausts. They also test out the BMP intake. The conclusion was BMW created a pretty great stock exhaust. The two aftermarket exhausts added maybe 2 hp max but the Magnaflow's was in high rpm (about 5450) while the Supersprint's was in a more instant 2900 rpm range. The intake by itself gave the biggest gains seeing about 5.9 hp. BTW, all hp were at the wheels. They did the testing at Evosport (here in Orange County and well known in the M3 world; in fact, I got my tires and wheels for M3 from them). The magazine stated that although it did not need it, they were keeping the Supersprint for the sound with the BMP intake.

I guarantee if you add the headers it will get much louder!

I really like your exhaust because of the weight loss and it looks like a very clean install. You got a good price on the install.

Well, happy Dad's Day to you.

 

DaKineMini-

Thanks and Happy Father's day to you too. We should be served breakfast in out minis! Except I don't allow eating in mine. It's the thought that counts.