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Congrats! Great color combo.

I had my entire front end Xpel'd too. If you can swing it, get them to do the bonnet in 1 piece, pop the windshield washers, and wrap the edges. It'll be perfectly seamless. The paint on the F56 is super fragile compared to previous gen MINI's.


The stock sport suspension actually handles really well, it just doesn't feel that connected. The JCW Pro coilovers (I have them) provide slightly higher measurable cornering speeds with the same tires, but the big improvement is in the feedback and non-floating but also non-harsh ride quality. If you're an auto-x'er then coilovers will put you in a different class, so this might not even apply to you.

Take a look at what member mct and GregoryK did for wheels. He had Neuspeed adapt VW wheels that are among the very few wheels that clear the unusually protruding Brembo calipers. There are 17" and 18" options and they're all quite lightweight. Tire Rack is really behind the ball on figuring out this caliper, unfortunately.

As for power, in the USA there's currently just piggyback's for most of us, but since you're in So-Cal you can probably already get an ECU flash, though nobody reputable (and I do mean that) has stepped up yet to advertise one in the USA. The safe bet at the moment is an NM, Burger, TMC, or Racechip piggyback.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Ryan, I am working with BBS for a wheel design for the F56 JCW in 18" dia.....likely 7.5" or 8" width. I need to give them a measurement from disc wheel mounting surface to outer edge of the Brembo. Do you have that measurement?

John

 

The Brembos are awesome, but seem to be the hurdle when looking for wheels to fit.

 

Nice!

Looking forward to following along with this build.....

 

I saw your post on that. Sorry, I haven't measured that. I do look forward to seeing what BBS comes out with.

 

Very nice again, lots of people ordering very loaded F56 JCW's . If you xpel the whole car, that will save the paint over the years. Its like a right of passage for high end cars at cars and coffee.

 

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If you look over at the wheels thread I also had Jerry do a custom set of 18x8 wheels, I just put them on today and I've only driven like 10 miles on them but I can feel a big difference compared to the stock wheels. I'm really happy with them.

 

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I just put my garage door opener in the center console on a small towel (so it doesn't rattle around)...out of sight to boot! I hate those things hanging on the visor personally!

 

If I didn't have homelink I'd be looking to use this in my car. Thinking of buying for our golf vw. https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...ner/ES2960259/

 

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This would be an awesome thing to put in that blank spot on the climate controls where the heated windshield button would be. In the US, that button is always blank.

 

Looks nice, but that's really dark!

 

Thanks. It's actually not that dark. I think it is the way the angle is. It is only 35%. They go 5%, 20%, 35% and 50% at my place so it is one darker than the lightest they have. I also think the black interior makes it look darker.

 

Understood...probably the lighting as well. Car looks awesome though. I'm sure you're happy with the Silver White/Chili combo....really sweet look!

John

 

Looks very dark because its on white silver I bet.

 

Beautiful car!! I'm excited to see your build come together.

 

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You mentioned "lots of plastic to cover up" a ways back. Could you go for what some consider the ultimate Mini mod: having the black plastic wheel arches painted either body color or red? Very few have done it (including me) but when you see it it looks like a different car. I don't think anyone with an F56 have done it. I'm told it's about $2000. Heck, people spend that on the JCW suspension which lowers the car about 1/2". BTW mine came with a great stubby antenna (mine's not on the top it's on the right rear side). Sounds great.

 

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