Right now I have a MKIV GTI 2002, 5 speed 1.8T. I love the car but it's been a little less reliable than I'd like, and it's warranty expires at 88K. I looked at the MKV GTI, and while it was nice I was more impressed with the new mini. My GTI has the GIAC X+ chip, Forge 007 DV, ECS Tuning N75 valve, AEM intake with K&N filter. It's pretty quick, next on my agenda was going to be a turbo inlet and 2.5" exhaust but I figured I may as well just throw that $$ into a mini since it won't exactly increase the resale value.

So really, I want to know what advise you might have for me as a new purchaser. Also what mods can you do to a MINI without voiding the warranty. I'd like to keep the warranty since this is the first new car I've ever purchased. I was also going to do the whole extended "car care" package for what, $1500? Didn't seem like to bad of an investment especially since I get a car to drive while mine is in the shop (a huge problem with my VW).

So has GIAC tuned any of these new turbo minis? Chip tuning was the best thing on my GTI, and I am assuming since the mini is turbo it will have the same sort of potential.

Thanks in advance for all the replies.

Now if I can only decide on Pepper White vs the dark grey I saw at the dealer....

 

Mods for the R56 are slowly making their way too market. Milltek and a few other companies have begun producing exhaust components (cat backs and downpipes) for the R56 with some impressive gains. Some other various mods, like boost tubes and intercooler air diverters hav also made their way to market.

Suspension components are luckily more available. Rear Sway bars are the same, so they will bolt right up. Coil-overs made for the R53 can be adapted to work with a set of rear shock bushings and modified drop links in the front. H&R is the only company I know of that has released a set springs for the R56, but they are currently on backorder to my knowledge.

We are actually working directly with GIAC for the tune on the new car. We will post up the information when it is ready to be released.

 

To maintain full warranty, you would probably have to the stick with the yet-to-be-released JCW engine mods. There is a stage 1 coming soon and there should be a stage 2 coming later. Stage 1 is supposedly a cool air intake, exhaust mods, and ECU software upgrade.

 

Hey RG. I'm also coming from a MKIV GTI 02 and should be taking delivery of my ordered cooper sometime this week.

The only advice I can give you is do it right the first time... I specced my MINI with as many as the options as I wanted but I missed one... LSD. I'm not sure if I'll really need it or not but for 500 it seems like a good deal considering how much LSD would be after the MINI's been built.

I was also torn between the two colors you're considering, dark grey or pepper white. Check them out side by side if you already haven't. Good luck bud.

I'll admit though, I had a blast in my GTI when it was fully modded (chipped, dp, n75 etc) but I've had way too many problems such as faulty coil packs, faulty window regulators, and that paint rubbing off of the interior plastics.

 

I know that whole story (barely any paint left on my plastics, thinking about ordering aluminum replacements before I sell). I've had 3 faulty coilpacks, 2 water pumps - not to mention the $1,000 timing belt job. Thank god the Mini has a timing chain!
I'm not a total gearhead, infact I'm pretty noobish when it comes to cars, so I am not too sure what advantage having LSD would give me, I suppose I could do the LSD instead of the Xenon lights, I have no idea what Xenons are anyway so I suppose I wouldn't miss it.

EDIT: so GIAC is going to do Mini tuning! Sweet! Count me in!

 

The MCS has lots of torque for the weight of the car. If you are heavy-footed you definitely want the Limited Slip Differential. You can pass on the Lysergic Acid Diethylamide.

Xenon headlights are very bright and they don't scatter light as much as standard headlights. They are great if you only drive around with high beams and there are no other cars on the road. The low beams have a very distinct cut-off point. So the area close to the car is very brightly lit (blowing your night vision), and everything beyond your headlight beam is pitch black. I hate 'em.

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll switch out the Xenons for the LSD (as I love the pedal to the metal), I guess that's like the ASR in my GTI - they are the same price so I won't notice the difference.

I'm likely going to order an 08 model though, so maybe it will be standard?

EDIT: is the HiFi system still Harman Kardon?

 

The LSD is a mechanical device that distributes power to the wheel that has grip. I don't think there is any computer control to it.

ASR is traction control where a computer uses the brakes and/or slows the engine to help maintain control of a vehicle losing grip. There are two systems on the MCS that are similar. ASC is a computer system for preventing the front wheels from spinning when too much power is applied. It brakes the spinning wheel. So it wouldn't get as much power to the ground as LSD. ASC comes standard.

The other system is DSC, which is optional (or comes with the Sport Package). This has to do with handling, rather than acceleration. It senses when the car is not travelling in the direction the wheels are pointed. It can brake individual wheels to try and regain stability. Some of these systems are too aggressive and interfere with having fun on twisty roads. The MINI version is not that aggressive, and is a good safety feature. I would highly recommend it.

ASC is already standard. I doubt that LSD will be.

 

Of my many cars in recent years, I most miss my '02 MkIV 337 that was well tuned (milltek turbo back, revo, etc.) and saw plenty of track time. I loved accessibility of aftermarket tuning parts and the fact that it was pretty cheap to work on.

That said, I loooove our R56 MINI. It's far superior to the VW in terms of fit-and-finish, luxury appointments, and overall form factors. Plus, the driveability and handling response are pretty darn solid in factory form.

I'd echo sentiments shared by others in this thread in saying that you should spec your MINI just the way you want it. Skew your options for performance, luxury, or a little of both. You can't lose. It's a fantastic car.

 

wow, thanks for all the input. I live in houston and the most action the mini will recieve will be on the occasional trip to austin. So I may just pass on the lsd and dsc.

 

No matter how you spec it bud, you're going to have fun. Go out for a test drive and bring 500 bucks with you .

Oh and another thing go through a good amount of pics of the various colors that you prefer with various roof colors because I'm sort of regretting not getting white for the roof/side view mirrors. I mean I'll eventually love my choice of black but after seeing so many pics of LB with a white roof dang, I'm starting to have second thoughts. Good luck... ... .. Order now!

 

Is that the cost of the deposit? I think ive fallen in love with the dark grey with black stripes

 

Is that the cost of the deposit? I think ive fallen in love with the dark grey with black stripes

 

Yep 500 dollar deposit... DS/B is hot. Do eet!