JCW 2016 JCW build thread - The Red Baron
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
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
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 105
....
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.
......
Cheers,
Ryan
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.
......
Cheers,
Ryan
John
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 475
Likes: 6
The Brembos are awesome, but seem to be the hurdle when looking for wheels to fit.
I saw your post on that. Sorry, I haven't measured that. I do look forward to seeing what BBS comes out with.
Trending Topics
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.
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.
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 124
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio
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.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 105
Well I realized that this car did not come with a homelink (garage buttons) and that sucked because I hate the standard big clicker with the clip that indents the visor. So I went to Home Depot and got the smallest transmitter I could get and used a little velcro. Not as good as a integrated homelink but it will do.
Attachment 119355
Attachment 119355
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,390
Likes: 576
From: earth PNW
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/
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 42
From: Bothell, WA
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/
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 105
I got my front windows tinted today. Dealer only did the back and was already done or I would have had my place do the whole thing.
Attachment 119378
Attachment 119378
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 375
Likes: 3
From: The OC
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.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 105
John
Looks very dark because its on white silver I bet.
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,602
Likes: 107
From: Arizona
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.