I saw this on NAM last fall and was very impressed (original post seems to be gone now). anyhow...I thought I'd post up my conversion to keep the topic alive...

need to relocate fogs. ...not hard at all...about an hours work.

although what's hard is swallowing the $91CDN cost for the licence plate holder from the dealer!

MCS sides are going on in a weeks time also....I'm sure you've noticed the x-lights already

Was going to install the MCS rear bumper but decided against it after realizing the amount of work required for the exhaust. i ended up just getting the single REMUS one after seeing and hearing it at MotoringFile.com

before


after

MotoringFile

 

what's your end goal?
I see you have the stock MCS rims are you looking to make you MC look just like an MCS?

 

Looks good. I see your X-lyte rims off of a stock MCS.
Some have added MCS side markers and chrome gas cap.
Rear bumper can be switched but the lower valence needs to be replaced for the side exhaust tip on a MC.
Have fun.
What is your goal?

 

>>Looks good. I see your X-lyte rims off of a stock MCS.
>>Some have added MCS side markers and chrome gas cap.
>>Rear bumper can be switched but the lower valence needs to be replaced for the side exhaust tip on a MC.
>>Have fun.
>>What is your goal?

there is some style and performance to my choices...

the style: the MCS bumper is a little more agressive than the MC bumper.....the MCS sides I picked up but have yet to install finish the side look The rear bumper from the MCS wasn't worth the trouble...I heard that the lower valence piece from the MC doesn't fit on the MCS bumper....hence going with a REMUS exhaust instead for the MC

wheels: I chose the x-lights for it's weight compared to the S-lights. Although there was some costs savings with 16" wheels/tires...not to mention finding a guy dumping his 16" x-lights cause he's gone aftermarket.

I like the chrome gas tank cover from the MCS but will probably stick to the MC one....waiting to find a chrome side marker withOUT the "S"..don't want to be labelled as a poser.....the "goal" or theme I'm going for is just a little distinctiveness...but NOT a full out body kit... The audio part is pretty modest too...Nak CD400 deck...plus new speakers front and back...still debating on putting an amp or not...no sub is planned though. My main car is the Jetta you see in the back ground....The mini is really the wife's car...

 

>>>>What is your goal?
>>
>>there is some style and performance to my choices...
>>
>>the style: the MCS bumper is a little more agressive than the MC bumper.....the MCS sides I picked up but have yet to install finish the side look The rear bumper from the MCS wasn't worth the trouble...I heard that the lower valence piece from the MC doesn't fit on the MCS bumper....hence going with a REMUS exhaust instead for the MC
>>
>>wheels: I chose the x-lights for it's weight compared to the S-lights. Although there was some costs savings with 16" wheels/tires...not to mention finding a guy dumping his 16" x-lights cause he's gone aftermarket.
>>
>>I like the chrome gas tank cover from the MCS but will probably stick to the MC one....waiting to find a chrome side marker withOUT the "S"..don't want to be labelled as a poser.....the "goal" or theme I'm going for is just a little distinctiveness...but NOT a full out body kit... The audio part is pretty modest too...Nak CD400 deck...plus new speakers front and back...still debating on putting an amp or not...no sub is planned though. My main car is the Jetta you see in the back ground....The mini is really the wife's car...
vwmini,

I see a VW and MINI! OK well then.
When you say MCS side you mean the side skirts which are more aggressive than on the MC side skirts- good choice.
Just leave the rear MC bumper alone esp if it does have that MC bumper trim which is chrome is likely to match whatever other chrome you might have- maybe consider side mirror covers in chrome.

You could have kept your MC wheels if you had the 5 spokes but if you had the 8 spoke or holies then the X-lytes are nicer and not too heavy. The S-lytes are quite heavy-maybe too heavy and too rough with the runflats for your wife.

For side marker in chrome there are quite a few. Check out Rspeed and Outmotoring
http://outmotoring.com/chrome_side_markers.html

http://www.rspeed.net/mini/item.asp?...p;prod=M20-485
for $39.95

or even chrome nozzle caps
http://www.rspeed.net/mini/item.asp?...p;prod=M20-570

On the audio upgrades- I have the Nakamichi CD400 dash and MB Quart speakers. The rear speakers are run off the power from the CD400 but the fronts are powered by an Xtant four channel amp with two channels bridged for a JL steathbox sub in the boot. I'd say leave well enough alone for now with your audio upgrade and if anything add Dynamat extreme or Cascade audio VB max for sound deadening in the front doors (that is where they make the most difference). While it is true there is a lack of deep bass it isn't too bad and the CD400 isn't that powerful but it won't matter unless you really crank up the volume. One thing to keep in mind with the Remus exhaust is a noisy exhaust will drown out your audio system. I had quicksilver on my MCS and it was loud. I had to change to Milltek header and exhaust to keep things a bit quiet and that works well for me.

You might just keep the stock exhaust or consider Rspeed MC exhaust as it is not too loud, not as expensive and works well for a little more power and looks good. Cost is $457.95
http://rspeed.net/mini/item.asp?dept...p;prod=M20-105

If interested in an MC intake consider
http://rspeed.net/mini/item.asp?dept...p;prod=M20-145
or for $74.95 this basic intake
http://rspeed.net/mini/item.asp?dept...p;prod=M20-107
Or a drop in foam filter is good for less and not as noisy.
Have fun.

_________________
MINIlani home of Jasmine Trias

 

thanks for all the links...definitely planning to spend more money now

first off...yes, the MCS side skirts...gotto thank all those aero kit guys who dumped their origina MCS body parts

the rear bumper is not chromed...preferred it without....

I debated hard on which wheel to run for the summer and which for the winters...I've decided to use the 5 spoke 16"'s for the winter....delivered the car with Michelin Alpin snow tires 205/55/16 (non run flats) and traded in the 16" OEM tires to my tire guy for Pilot Sports 205/55/16 on the x-lights (again not run flats)....I read everyone's "mod list" and they all announced LOUDLY to not run with the run flats.

looks like the side markers is about the same cost as the gas tank...about $99-140 afterr painting...something to pause and ponder before going forward...

as for audio...I ordered some Nak rear 6x9 and a set of Nak 6" co-ax last week...wasn't going high end on this car...but a friend is dumping a high end component set from PG (the one with the carbon fiber cone) so I may go that route. I have a spare Xtant3150c that I yanked out of my car after I upgraded to a PG ti475...but my thinking is to put back the xtant in the Jetta and run the PG in the MINI since it's smaller...

i already have an exhust...the REMUS...it's quiet...and even less than the Miltek...a sound clip review at http://motoringfile.com/exhaust/

lastly....intake is the next consideration...although...no idea which one...I don't have on in the jetta exactly for the reasons of AUDIO...like to hear the car, but I like to hear the MUSIC more...

 

you said something about relocating the fogs... what do you man with that ? do you need to drill a new mount on the car ?