Have you joined the $10K upgrade club yet?
Thread Starter
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OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
Have you joined the $10K upgrade club yet?
Just the other day I was totaling up the damage to my wallet and realized that I am rapidly approaching the $10K upgrade club. For those with great audio upgrades this is easy to reach in a hurry. For those with great wheels, ditto.
For anyone with the JCW kit they can get right up there in a day or two. But for most of the rest of us we eek up closer and closer over time doing little or big mods to performance or appearance in a search for MINI uniqueness or perhaps just getting caught up in the hype and energy of MCO and it's enthusiatic members.
It's been a fun journey nevertheless and my MCS looks, rides, and sounds great. My suggestion for new owners is to lay out a budget and a thoughtful goal about what is important. That way you can have fun, not break the bank, not get divorced, and not get out of hand and have to join MINIs annonymous (or should we call it MA for short).
So all you "upgrade addicts" out there- fess up and tell us if you belong to the $10K upgrade club yet. It's easier to reach than you think. Probably some have exceeded the $15K club.
Oh yeah, and don't forget the important driving school driver upgrade if you do performance mods. It's really cost effective and the highest thing on my priority list
For anyone with the JCW kit they can get right up there in a day or two. But for most of the rest of us we eek up closer and closer over time doing little or big mods to performance or appearance in a search for MINI uniqueness or perhaps just getting caught up in the hype and energy of MCO and it's enthusiatic members.
It's been a fun journey nevertheless and my MCS looks, rides, and sounds great. My suggestion for new owners is to lay out a budget and a thoughtful goal about what is important. That way you can have fun, not break the bank, not get divorced, and not get out of hand and have to join MINIs annonymous (or should we call it MA for short).
So all you "upgrade addicts" out there- fess up and tell us if you belong to the $10K upgrade club yet. It's easier to reach than you think. Probably some have exceeded the $15K club.
Oh yeah, and don't forget the important driving school driver upgrade if you do performance mods. It's really cost effective and the highest thing on my priority list
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 402
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Hmmm.... here's my upgrades, to the best of my memory....
1. Two sets of driving lights with labor, installed at different times, about $1200.
2. Polk EX speakers, dynamat extreme, and installation about $400
3. Sony PNP Satellite radio cradle and upgraded antennae, allready owned the radio, about $200.
4. "Cooper S" windshield logo about $15.
5. Window tinting about $125.
6. PIAA silicone wiper blades about $50
7. EBC Green lowdust brake pads, with install, about $150.
8. Antitheft wheel locks about $50 (I think)
9. Blitzsafe adapter $120
10. Alpine S634 MP3 changer $400
11. MINI bracket for cd changer $40
12. Monster Audio cables for Ipod $20
13. John Cooper Garage WORKS floor mats (w/shipping from UK) $160.
14. MINI rubber floormats to replace the above, that didn't fit because they are for right hand drive cars, about $50.
15. Misc. John Cooper Garage decals, logo's, etc.... $30
16. John Cooper Works kit with labor and taxes (was gonna keep the price secret but here goes) $5700.
17. BMP air intake system $180.
18. Doug Whalen shift **** - $120
Not including repairs to my wheels and suspension for my little highspeed curb accident of last year.....
That would bring the total to around.... $9010.
I'm getting there....
some roof graphics, upgraded wheels, brakes, and tires, and maybe changing out the headunit and adding an amp and better speakers will take me to the magic number.
1. Two sets of driving lights with labor, installed at different times, about $1200.
2. Polk EX speakers, dynamat extreme, and installation about $400
3. Sony PNP Satellite radio cradle and upgraded antennae, allready owned the radio, about $200.
4. "Cooper S" windshield logo about $15.
5. Window tinting about $125.
6. PIAA silicone wiper blades about $50
7. EBC Green lowdust brake pads, with install, about $150.
8. Antitheft wheel locks about $50 (I think)
9. Blitzsafe adapter $120
10. Alpine S634 MP3 changer $400
11. MINI bracket for cd changer $40
12. Monster Audio cables for Ipod $20
13. John Cooper Garage WORKS floor mats (w/shipping from UK) $160.
14. MINI rubber floormats to replace the above, that didn't fit because they are for right hand drive cars, about $50.
15. Misc. John Cooper Garage decals, logo's, etc.... $30
16. John Cooper Works kit with labor and taxes (was gonna keep the price secret but here goes) $5700.
17. BMP air intake system $180.
18. Doug Whalen shift **** - $120
Not including repairs to my wheels and suspension for my little highspeed curb accident of last year.....
That would bring the total to around.... $9010.
I'm getting there....
some roof graphics, upgraded wheels, brakes, and tires, and maybe changing out the headunit and adding an amp and better speakers will take me to the magic number.
OVERDRIVE
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,365
Likes: 2
From: Yinzer in Exile
Tiny wood bobble-head turtle from Dominican Republic: $3
Velcro stickies to attach turtle to corner of dash: $4
Alf claspy-hand doll formerly belonging to my father: free
Total cost of mods to Ollie: $7
_________________
Ollie.... 18 Jan 03... adoption day.
Velcro stickies to attach turtle to corner of dash: $4
Alf claspy-hand doll formerly belonging to my father: free
Total cost of mods to Ollie: $7
_________________
Ollie.... 18 Jan 03... adoption day.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,782
Likes: 0
From: los angeles/san francisco
>>Tiny wood bobble-head turtle from Dominican Republic: $3
>>Velcro stickies to attach turtle to corner of dash: $4
>>Alf claspy-hand doll formerly belonging to my father: free
>>
>>Total cost of mods to Ollie: $7
>>
>>
>>
>>_________________
price of inviduality: priceless
sorry coudlnt resist, too much mastercard commercials for me
>>Velcro stickies to attach turtle to corner of dash: $4
>>Alf claspy-hand doll formerly belonging to my father: free
>>
>>Total cost of mods to Ollie: $7
>>
>>
>>
>>_________________
price of inviduality: priceless
sorry coudlnt resist, too much mastercard commercials for me
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2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Dallas
i've spent alot of money on my mini, but probably not as much as you guys...
-1 jl audio w3v2
-1 set of 165k2 focal speakers
-1 alpine fold out dvd player
-dynamat extreme all around
-1 jl audio 300 watt amp
-1 pg 500 watt amp
-passport 8500 radar with hardwire
that plus all the labor came out to about $2000....
-1 jl audio w3v2
-1 set of 165k2 focal speakers
-1 alpine fold out dvd player
-dynamat extreme all around
-1 jl audio 300 watt amp
-1 pg 500 watt amp
-passport 8500 radar with hardwire
that plus all the labor came out to about $2000....
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma, WA
Normalizer,
I'd like to see a picture of your double driving lights set up. Also, if you have an '03 head unit, I'd like to try to strike a deal with you on it when you upgrade.
I've been thinking about doing the four lamp thing as well.
C
I'd like to see a picture of your double driving lights set up. Also, if you have an '03 head unit, I'd like to try to strike a deal with you on it when you upgrade.
I've been thinking about doing the four lamp thing as well.
C
Thread Starter
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OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
That is a really great looking Cooper S! Wow. Plus I know it has "guts" to back up the good looks.
Your wheels are so clean! It makes me happy to just see the picture.
Your wheels are so clean! It makes me happy to just see the picture.
Coordinator :: Mid-Ohio Motoring Club
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
I've done typical mods (Intake, Exhaust, Swaybar, Wheels) plus a few little things and gotten to about 2300. Can't see going much further - perhaps taillights and a few little things like floormats and window tint.... Awfully hard to spend 10k on this car.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Florida
>>I am sorry, but unloading $10k into a MINI is just retarded...
Did you not notice that $5700 of his upgrades was the JCW kit?? If you take that off he's just around $3300 and hell you can just spend half of that on tires and wheels.
So far for me...
Union Jack Sunroof decal...$120
Driving Lights...$240
Glove box organizer...$29
Seat belt pads...$20
BMP Intake...$160
Window tint...$140
Just a meesley $709
_________________
Member #47
2002 Dark Silver Mini S white roof and mirrors with Premium and Sport pkgs.
He has come and his name is MINI ME
Did you not notice that $5700 of his upgrades was the JCW kit?? If you take that off he's just around $3300 and hell you can just spend half of that on tires and wheels.
So far for me...
Union Jack Sunroof decal...$120
Driving Lights...$240
Glove box organizer...$29
Seat belt pads...$20
BMP Intake...$160
Window tint...$140
Just a meesley $709
_________________
Member #47
2002 Dark Silver Mini S white roof and mirrors with Premium and Sport pkgs.
He has come and his name is MINI ME
Thread Starter
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OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
In my neck of the woods, when I went to the Italian Job screening, all of the MINIs parked in the same area all lined up. Maybe 10 of the MCS there were heavily modified. Custom wheels were common (got to be really expensive- way over $2500 per set) a few had custom audio (one with a $6000 full redo). Most of those people are not on MCO.
They do it for various reasons. People spend alot on mods to their trucks and SUVs. Mods to MINIs are not that costly in comparison. Other makes and models like Honda Civics are much cheaper to mod but not the same as driving a MINI.
Now those really upgraded MINIs looked really nice so I don't think it was a wasted effort by any means. Sometimes the mods are for show and sometimes purely performance oriented. Anyone doing autocross and track driving can choose to run stock or close to stock or do the upgrades. My observation is that while some owners don't spend much at all (I have a 1995 Maxima bought new that had only an added drop in K&N filter as an add on- and now has 100,000 miles on it), others do alot to make their cars unique.
I've done more than my share but I enjoy doing it more than taking a trip or gambling in Las Vegas. It's a hobby and it's fun, I meet more owners in my area and we get together and trade stories about what we have done. I'm not trying to outdo anyone. I don't think I'm even close to some MINIs that I have seen. Honestly, I think they are passing the $15 club and going on and on into the sunset. If they are having fun doing it and can use those mods then fine. For them it is getting to the point of being like a "show car".
On the flip side, some owners like their cars stock and will spend very little on extras. And that is absolutely fine. That is cool. Just drive it. No fuss and no worries. That's how I got to 100,000 miles on my Maxima. I would say that my MCS is much more fun to drive and to mod. When I replace my Maxima in the future I will have to decide what type of car I want to get. Then my kids can get the MCS to drive around!
They do it for various reasons. People spend alot on mods to their trucks and SUVs. Mods to MINIs are not that costly in comparison. Other makes and models like Honda Civics are much cheaper to mod but not the same as driving a MINI.
Now those really upgraded MINIs looked really nice so I don't think it was a wasted effort by any means. Sometimes the mods are for show and sometimes purely performance oriented. Anyone doing autocross and track driving can choose to run stock or close to stock or do the upgrades. My observation is that while some owners don't spend much at all (I have a 1995 Maxima bought new that had only an added drop in K&N filter as an add on- and now has 100,000 miles on it), others do alot to make their cars unique.
I've done more than my share but I enjoy doing it more than taking a trip or gambling in Las Vegas. It's a hobby and it's fun, I meet more owners in my area and we get together and trade stories about what we have done. I'm not trying to outdo anyone. I don't think I'm even close to some MINIs that I have seen. Honestly, I think they are passing the $15 club and going on and on into the sunset. If they are having fun doing it and can use those mods then fine. For them it is getting to the point of being like a "show car".
On the flip side, some owners like their cars stock and will spend very little on extras. And that is absolutely fine. That is cool. Just drive it. No fuss and no worries. That's how I got to 100,000 miles on my Maxima. I would say that my MCS is much more fun to drive and to mod. When I replace my Maxima in the future I will have to decide what type of car I want to get. Then my kids can get the MCS to drive around!
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
Cool thread minihune!
My add-ons so far:
(Excluding options I ordered with the car such as H/K stereo, roof rack...)
Floor mats: $100
Saddle bags: $110
Air compressor: $15
Walmart Windshield Sun Shades: $9
Road Runner mascot: $8
Birding guide book (special purchase as I got a narrow format to fit in glove compartment, so I think it counts): $25
Total add-ons: $267
Planned add-ons:
A small set of birding binoculars: approx $100
Air intake, probably Mini-Mania or ALta: $250
Rear sway bar: $200
Considering:
JCW kit: $6300 with installation, tax etc...
Driving lights, self install: $250
Maybe: NZO Monza wheels and Falken Azenis tires: $1200
My add-ons so far:
(Excluding options I ordered with the car such as H/K stereo, roof rack...)
Floor mats: $100
Saddle bags: $110
Air compressor: $15
Walmart Windshield Sun Shades: $9
Road Runner mascot: $8
Birding guide book (special purchase as I got a narrow format to fit in glove compartment, so I think it counts): $25
Total add-ons: $267
Planned add-ons:
A small set of birding binoculars: approx $100
Air intake, probably Mini-Mania or ALta: $250
Rear sway bar: $200
Considering:
JCW kit: $6300 with installation, tax etc...
Driving lights, self install: $250
Maybe: NZO Monza wheels and Falken Azenis tires: $1200
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: argyle texas
Confession is good for the soul: I have exceeded $13K so far. My spouse even confers her approval on ALL my Mini mods and seems to find the process exciting too.
My moto "If less is more, more is more too":
-17" SSR Competetion wheels w/ SO3's
-320mm. Brembo Big Brakes (F) w/ slotted Pro-mini rotors (R)
-H&R springs
-Pro-Mini intake
- F tower stress bars
-Supersprint exhaust (sans center resonator)
-JCW kit (2nd install in Texas)
-partial ground effects kit (rocker only) w/ matching painted plastic trim.
-little bitty 3" milled antenna
(03' Cooper in solid D. silver.)
and suspension mods forth coming.
Not that I am proud of my extravagant spending habits but the car is SO much fun to drive the project just grew in scope. I will ( & need to) have my base insurance adjusted to reflect the value of my car : Wondeer how thsi will wash w/ my insurance company?
03' Cooper, solid dark silver car.
My moto "If less is more, more is more too":
-17" SSR Competetion wheels w/ SO3's
-320mm. Brembo Big Brakes (F) w/ slotted Pro-mini rotors (R)
-H&R springs
-Pro-Mini intake
- F tower stress bars
-Supersprint exhaust (sans center resonator)
-JCW kit (2nd install in Texas)
-partial ground effects kit (rocker only) w/ matching painted plastic trim.
-little bitty 3" milled antenna
(03' Cooper in solid D. silver.)
and suspension mods forth coming.
Not that I am proud of my extravagant spending habits but the car is SO much fun to drive the project just grew in scope. I will ( & need to) have my base insurance adjusted to reflect the value of my car : Wondeer how thsi will wash w/ my insurance company?
03' Cooper, solid dark silver car.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland, OH
I never really added it up before. Let's see...
Driving lights - $700 installed by dealer
Super blue brake fluid - $20
Rogue Intake - $240
Alta Pulley - $400 installed by Randy
EVOTek ECU - $700
Madness sway bar - $170
Wow, only $2230 for much improved speed and handling.
Yet to add:
Front slotted rotors and Frodo 2500s - $450
Magnaflow exhaust - $570
maybe the oversize throttle body - $160
After that the discount speed mods get pretty scarce. I'm waiting for a header that performs like the London Stainless but for something less than the $1300 (ouch). Man at this rate I'll never get to $10k unless I go through a bunch of brake pads. :smile:
Driving lights - $700 installed by dealer
Super blue brake fluid - $20
Rogue Intake - $240
Alta Pulley - $400 installed by Randy
EVOTek ECU - $700
Madness sway bar - $170
Wow, only $2230 for much improved speed and handling.
Yet to add:
Front slotted rotors and Frodo 2500s - $450
Magnaflow exhaust - $570
maybe the oversize throttle body - $160
After that the discount speed mods get pretty scarce. I'm waiting for a header that performs like the London Stainless but for something less than the $1300 (ouch). Man at this rate I'll never get to $10k unless I go through a bunch of brake pads. :smile:
Thread Starter
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OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
marksmith-
No need to "confess" I was just kidding. Your MCS sounds great. And with all that must drive great. I got a question though. With the JCW kit you get an exhaust. But you already had the Supersprint so what happened? Did you add the JCW exhaust and have a spare Supersprint? If so then you can sell it and recover some money. Or are you like me and save the spare parts to add to your next MCS-maybe a convertable for your wife in 2005? I think she might deserve somethng down the road for her support. I know of several couples that allow upgrades to their MINIs that are approaching mods like yours. They seem happy about it. It's like a family project car.
"If less is more, more is more too"- interesting moto. For your MCS-more is definitely more- a lot more.
Suspension mods can be quite a few $$$. I got springs, rear swaybar, tower strut and rear control arms. With installation and shipping it came to about $1500. Koil overs would be alot more.
You might check with your insurance agent. If you keep all reciepts then the value of the car is documented. I'm not sure if they have any category for show car or collectible car. Thanks for sharing-you have a great MCS.
>>Confession is good for the soul: I have exceeded $13K so far. My spouse even confers her approval on ALL my Mini mods and seems to find the process exciting too.
>>My moto "If less is more, more is more too":
>>-17" SSR Competetion wheels w/ SO3's
>>-320mm. Brembo Big Brakes (F) w/ slotted Pro-mini rotors (R)
>>-H&R springs
>>-Pro-Mini intake
>>- F tower stress bars
>>-Supersprint exhaust (sans center resonator)
>>-JCW kit (2nd install in Texas)
>>-partial ground effects kit (rocker only) w/ matching painted plastic trim.
>>-little bitty 3" milled antenna
>>(03' Cooper in solid D. silver.)
>>
>>and suspension mods forth coming.
>>
>>Not that I am proud of my extravagant spending habits but the car is SO much fun to drive the project just grew in scope. I will ( & need to) have my base insurance adjusted to reflect the value of my car : Wondeer how thsi will wash w/ my insurance company?
>>
>>03' Cooper, solid dark silver car.
_________________
ALOHA
No need to "confess" I was just kidding. Your MCS sounds great. And with all that must drive great. I got a question though. With the JCW kit you get an exhaust. But you already had the Supersprint so what happened? Did you add the JCW exhaust and have a spare Supersprint? If so then you can sell it and recover some money. Or are you like me and save the spare parts to add to your next MCS-maybe a convertable for your wife in 2005? I think she might deserve somethng down the road for her support. I know of several couples that allow upgrades to their MINIs that are approaching mods like yours. They seem happy about it. It's like a family project car.
"If less is more, more is more too"- interesting moto. For your MCS-more is definitely more- a lot more.
Suspension mods can be quite a few $$$. I got springs, rear swaybar, tower strut and rear control arms. With installation and shipping it came to about $1500. Koil overs would be alot more.
You might check with your insurance agent. If you keep all reciepts then the value of the car is documented. I'm not sure if they have any category for show car or collectible car. Thanks for sharing-you have a great MCS.
>>Confession is good for the soul: I have exceeded $13K so far. My spouse even confers her approval on ALL my Mini mods and seems to find the process exciting too.
>>My moto "If less is more, more is more too":
>>-17" SSR Competetion wheels w/ SO3's
>>-320mm. Brembo Big Brakes (F) w/ slotted Pro-mini rotors (R)
>>-H&R springs
>>-Pro-Mini intake
>>- F tower stress bars
>>-Supersprint exhaust (sans center resonator)
>>-JCW kit (2nd install in Texas)
>>-partial ground effects kit (rocker only) w/ matching painted plastic trim.
>>-little bitty 3" milled antenna
>>(03' Cooper in solid D. silver.)
>>
>>and suspension mods forth coming.
>>
>>Not that I am proud of my extravagant spending habits but the car is SO much fun to drive the project just grew in scope. I will ( & need to) have my base insurance adjusted to reflect the value of my car : Wondeer how thsi will wash w/ my insurance company?
>>
>>03' Cooper, solid dark silver car.
_________________
ALOHA
Thread Starter
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OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
MG-BGT,
Aloha and thanks for sharing with us. When you get done you will have quite a high powered birding MINI!
I would think you would have to be quiet and stealthy so the exhaust on the JCW kit would be nearly perfect.
Just enough upgraded sound but not too shocky on the birds!
>>My add-ons so far:
>>(Excluding options I ordered with the car such as H/K stereo, roof rack...)
>>
>>Floor mats: $100
>>Saddle bags: $110
>>Air compressor: $15
>>Walmart Windshield Sun Shades: $9
>>Road Runner mascot: $8
>>Birding guide book (special purchase as I got a narrow format to fit in glove compartment, so I think it counts): $25
>>
>>Total add-ons: $267
>>
>>
>>Planned add-ons:
>>A small set of birding binoculars: approx $100
>>Air intake, probably Mini-Mania or ALta: $250
>>Rear sway bar: $200
>>
>>Considering:
>>JCW kit: $6300 with installation, tax etc...
>>Driving lights, self install: $250
>>Maybe: NZO Monza wheels and Falken Azenis tires: $1200
>>
>>
>>
>>
Aloha and thanks for sharing with us. When you get done you will have quite a high powered birding MINI!
I would think you would have to be quiet and stealthy so the exhaust on the JCW kit would be nearly perfect.
Just enough upgraded sound but not too shocky on the birds!
>>My add-ons so far:
>>(Excluding options I ordered with the car such as H/K stereo, roof rack...)
>>
>>Floor mats: $100
>>Saddle bags: $110
>>Air compressor: $15
>>Walmart Windshield Sun Shades: $9
>>Road Runner mascot: $8
>>Birding guide book (special purchase as I got a narrow format to fit in glove compartment, so I think it counts): $25
>>
>>Total add-ons: $267
>>
>>
>>Planned add-ons:
>>A small set of birding binoculars: approx $100
>>Air intake, probably Mini-Mania or ALta: $250
>>Rear sway bar: $200
>>
>>Considering:
>>JCW kit: $6300 with installation, tax etc...
>>Driving lights, self install: $250
>>Maybe: NZO Monza wheels and Falken Azenis tires: $1200
>>
>>
>>
>>