I'm axiously awaiting the arrival of my indi blue S, b/b, premium, sport, cold (my girlfriend likes the way the warm seat feels) lapis. It's scheduled to start production on 11/29, and I should see it sometime in early January. I've been reading the posts and I have mixed emotions as whether to MOD or not to MOD. I understand all the benefits of modding, (intake, exhaust, wires, etc.) you get that extra horsepower boost, the extra sound.

BUT . . . .

Don't you ever wonder, if the mods are so good and so great and they are made by all of these other companies, why didn't BMW just go to them to design the mini exhaust or the mini intake in the first place??

I think that all of the individual components of the mini are made and designed to work together perfectly to provide the best possible combination of POWER, durability, longevity, effeciency, driveability, comfort, etc. And, when you start to change or modify one or more of these components you begin to sacrifice one attribute for another.

And although many of these mods increase POWER, I think that the main component that is sacrificed is durability and longevity. I don't know about you, but I want my mini to last. This car is a true collectible in every fashion.

I think the only part of the car that I will ever modify is I would swapout the 17's for a phat set of Kahn RSS 18" rims with the 215/40/18 tires pic of rims. Now that is a SERIOUS mod that won't affect anything except looks.

Any thoughts ? ?

 

I picked up my Mini 2 and a 1/2 weeks ago. Just like yours, IB B/B Lapsis interioretc, only difference is I got the GPS, you didn't state that you did or didn't get it. Its a great car. I was a little dissapointed at first because I didnt think the Lapsis matched the Indie Blue. Once I got over the new car blues and everyone complimented it I really began to fall in love with it. The mod thing is a good question. I grew up in a Corvette shop and saw so many people dropping superchargers, Nitro, and whatever they could get their hands on, in their vette. I t always cut the life short on the car, that is the engine, tires, body mounts, ignition, and a bunch of other stuff. My car is great the way it is. It has plenty of power, and I live in Germany (some of the fastest roads in the world). I've only taken it up to 4500 RPM ( breakin period, yes it is important to break it in propperly). I can't wait to see how much power this little rocket has at about 6000 RPM. You stated that you were upgrading to 18"s. If you have good roads then cool. Me, I drive on a bunch of real bad roads (back roads in Germany suck, Autobahns are perfect). The Mini w/ sport pack rides rough, it's built for cornering, so it has to be. The 18"s are going to make it rougher. Less tire give. Although, the RS 9000 sport Dunlops have extra thick sidewalls for the runflat thing, so the 18"s with standard walls may feel the same. You just won't be able to drive on them when you get a flat (Fix-a-Flat should work fine). Anyway, I'm rambling on, have fun with the new toy. Congratulations, I hope you have as much fun as I'm having.

Cheers,

 

The thing to remember is that MINI like all car manufacturers is trying to appeal to the largest possible swath of people within a given part of the market to sell more cars. So while I may like a stiffer suspension, you may not. While I may want a lower car, MINI may want to give people some ground clearance. While I may want a sport exhaust, MINI has to meet emissions AND noise restrictions around the world, not just in the U.S. The car accellerates quicker on regular tires (less weight), but MINI decided the S should have run-flats and that people might be more comfortable with that than say carrying a MINI issued ///M mobility kit.

Just some thoughts.

 

>>BUT . . . .
>>
>>Don't you ever wonder, if the mods are so good and so great and they are made by all of these other companies, why didn't BMW just go to them to design the mini exhaust or the mini intake in the first place??
>>
>>I think that all of the individual components of the mini are made and designed to work together perfectly to provide the best possible combination of POWER, durability, longevity, effeciency, driveability, comfort, etc. And, when you start to change or modify one or more of these components you begin to sacrifice one attribute for another.

>>Any thoughts ? ?

I think that you just typed the singlemost optimistic, forgiving, sympathetic, if not naive, view of the auto industry as I have heard to date!

Let me proceed to give you one of the most slanted, cynical, if not calloused views.... (some would call it realistic)

My main point is that there are too many variables involved to allow me to believe that any car is perfect - or designed with a perfect balance. The balance is different for everyone. If you are 100% pleased "out of the box," then GREAT, no mods necessary. But, I venture to guess that in a few years (2, 3, 5?), when the MINI has undergone some changes, you will be thinking to yourself that you wished your MINI had at least some of the new features.

/END OF RANT.

 

Well said, Mini2Go !

I agree with all of your points. Compromises are always made based on cost vs. benefit/quality - i.e. how can we provide a high-quality car in almost all respects while still making it at a reasonable price? Some minor concessions/sacrifices due to cost must be made. Even true for MINI, which to my experience is a well put-together car that I have not found any significant fault with.

One of the main factors which made me decide against the S --
as you said "it seems that the bulk of the work on the existing platform was crammed into a very short amount of time at the end. It is inevitable that some things slide in to production that weren't quite perfect." I believe this is probably especially true of the supercharger addition.

 

I say GO FOR IT!

 

I'll make this short and sweet.

Cars are designed by engineers but those designs must always be approved by the accountants. So the bean counters never let the engineers do everything to the best of their ability.

I would love to see a 200hp kit, but I have a very strong feeling that MINI is going to stand out from the crowd and support the enthusiast crowd with some higher quality factory warranteed performance parts like Dinan BMW stuff, etc.

Having just spent 2 years and $5000 trying to build my VW GTI 1.8L Turbo into a great car for the track, I have learned that I can make the car faster, I can make it handle a bit better, but I cannot change the basic geometry and design of the chassis that limits its chance of being a top performer, and VW as a car company will void my warranty the first time there is a tiny problem with something that they can blame on an aftermarket part. I have been lucky to have a dealer that is cool with me, but there are no guarantees that they would not void my entire warranty if they were pressured by a bigger fish in the pond.

Although my stock MCS is going to be a tad bit slower in a straight line, it is going to ruin cars like my VW on the road track. The handling of the car is so tight and almost perfect as is that I am going to leave this car stock until someone puts out a complete, engineer designed, and proven 200hp kit.

I consider my VW experience to be "dumb kid" stuff even though I am 30, and I am so thankful that I can buy a car that handles better than my wildest dreams just as it is off the dealer's lot.

Also, if I want to do some amateur stuff like auto-x, it is easier and a LOT cheaper to do well in competition in the stock classes.

 

Or what if we don't want the cost of all the extra more expensive parts? Or maybe the auto mfgs know that someone else will do the work for them, so why bother?

Or, take the JCW kit for example... Sure, MINI/BMW could start making MINIs with it standard. But you know what? I really don't WANT 200 horses... My MINI is already powerfull enough for my tastes. Not to mention, all them extra horses won't mean Jack when there's snow on the ground. So unless MINI/BMW, or other mfgs want to start making 5 different versions of EACH car/trimline, why bother? Not to mention, look at all the auto mfgs who have their own line of aftermarket 'tuning' parts.

Rocketboy_X

 

Morn'n all......
All very passionate posts.... from rants.... to objective comments...& everything in between :smile:

If you have too little or enough....unfortunaely you must play by someone elses rules... in our example here...it's the rules of the car maunfactures..
It's there decision whether you are waranteed??? or not ???? in the long run.
Whether or not your MOD's effects your life or your cars...is THEIR decision...ultimately....
We have laws that protect us,,,,but in the end ..they have ...much ..much ..more money.

But....
If you are lucky enough to fall into the ...."more than you need group"....
Well now we can have some fun :smile:
You can...MOD away.... the skies the limit...cauz...u have to answer to...no one...
Let's use O.J. as an example of being in this particular group....


Final point....
The MINI is a great little car....but as most cars out there go...it has it's limitations...
We as consumers...choose or not...to alter the car ..for our own "personal" ....needs and/or requirements....
I live by the old addage...
"If it ain't broke.....don't fix it...."
We all must ask & answer that... very personal.....question
...
Peace,
D