I just bought a used S and it's getting modded every day. Friday was a big day as it spent some time at Dinan, Mountain View. On the menu were:
Dinan Boost upgrade kit
High Flow -Cowl Induction Intake
High Flow Throttle Body, 59.75mm , Stock is 56mm
Performance Software

The car already has the one-ball mod, h&r springs and an r-speed swaybar.

I've been driving it around every day and am just in awe of the power of the car. The car whirrrs and pulls, whirrs and pulls. I've driven some 300 hp cars recently (Shelby GTH and Infiniti G35) and the Dinan Mini seems to hit just as hard.

Anyway, here's a photo and couple of videos.





And here's the videos:

catching up to a motorbike:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...55946285&hl=en

from a standing start:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...10190252&hl=en


What's next??
I have to get rid of these run-flats. What do you recommend for tires?

What's the next mod? Can anyone guess identify these roads? It's 5 minutes from my house!!

francois

 

Nice car. It's a good idea to ditch the run-flats. Although I have never used these tires, I was thinking about getting them.

You wouldn't happen to live near The Dragon would you?

 

I was just wondering if anybody knew if the upgrades for the 2007 Cooper S's were available. Not even the service reps knew. Or would it be best if I were to upgrade bit by bit??

 

mountain view CA? bay area?

 

Where is The Dragon? I live in Saratoga, fairly close to Dinan.

fc

 

It will be a while. 1 1/2 years, maybe, according to the GM of Dinan? Dinan is heavy into R&D so they are slow and deliberate when working with new cars.

fc

 

Yes, but that's too easy. What is the road??

It is seven windy miles long, has a pause at the ridge, then descends for another twelve miles.

fc

 

Please post the HP & TQ after the upgrade.

 

I'm going to Dinan Gilroy in a couple of weeks and might get on their Dyno. However, their upgrades are pretty well documented and dyno'd. this is from their site:

Part #:
Price:

SR53-S2
$4976.20
Labor Hours: 19.90
Emission Status: 49 State Emission Legal
List of Included Items: Stage 5 Engine Software; Boost Upgrade System; High Flow Cowl Induction Intake; High Flow Throttle Body; Free Flow Exhaust; Strut Tower Brace; Stage 3 Suspension System; Signature Floor Mats; Dinan Deck Lid Badge; Serial Numbered S2 Plaque.
Special Notes: Not applicable for cars equipped with automatic transmission.
Peak Horsepower: 205 @ 7000 rpm
Peak Torque: 180 lb/ft @ 4500 rpm

Hp:


Torque:



I have all their engine mods except the exhaust. Instead I have the one-ball. Or the politically correct term is the 'OE exhaust resonator delete'.

fc

 

couldnt tell cuz of the glare, but looks like the 9 and skyline

 

Deal's Gap, North Carolina

 

Cool videos

 

Great car, pics and videos! Eventually, I'll outfit mine as an S2 - so far just have their suspension, but it's been great.

Say, you were actually at Dinan HQ, right? If so, it would be interesting to get your impressions of the place and their operation. My MCS is my first BMW-related car and I realize that Dinan is a well-established name with BMW, I just want to make sure that they aren't going to abandon our first gen MINIs now that the second gen is out...

 

Yeah, looks like the 9 from Saratoga up to Skyline.

 

Dinan... yes I was at Dinan Mountain View. I wrote a detailed article about my visit here:

http://reviews.carreview.com/blog/ca...mini-cooper-s/

fc

 

That's correct my friend. What a great road. The uphill is a delight. The downhill is a challenge. And there's so many great roads in the area.

fc

 

Francois, thanks for the additional link - great write-up. I'm looking forward to the next wave of mods even more now!

 

Thanks! Here's my muffler tips. These are available from Mini. They are overpriced at $100 retail. But hey, I saved a ton of money on my Geico, err I mean one-ball.

They definitely needed to be painted. The inside rim was silver and had black spotty gunk on it. Now, it looks right.

The tips are actually made really well since the inside cones rest inside the muffler pipes. The other end is secured with set screws. Thus, they're nicely positioned and are not going anywhere.

fc