I need some convincing to do it. I want to get the MinSpeed Touring exhaust (love that sound on Youtube), get TSW springs, possibly (hopefully) Koni yellows and maybe camber plates. I actually should do wheels first. I already have the DDM intake and a Hotchkis 19mm rear bar. But, there's a sweet R53 for sale locally but the dealer more than likely won't come to my price. And, instead of driving a boring, mostly stock Cooper, I need some convincing to mod it!

 

Sell it and buy an R53...

Discuss...

 

What are your driving goals? Needs?

 

I said it a lot before but I'll do it again because it was asked. As of now, it a street car, 100%. I'd like to join NASA and maybe do a driving event once or twice a year. I honestly don't need anything. I just love what the sway bar did and would like to take it to the next level. Nothing outrageous, just basic stuff. No coil-overs, no BBK. I want a better handling Cooper basically. I like it now I want more. I keep telling myself to keep my R50, keep the money that would go to gas and a higher car payment, live with the straight line boredom, and start on the chassis and suspension.

 

If you don't need anything, don't buy anything.

Get to a driving event, then you'll know what you need.

 

I too own just a cooper. I love it. I have done only the mild mods. New tires mounted on holies: 205/55r15 Brigdestone Potenza RE750 summer only tires. K & N panel filter. Custom exhaust: replaced the stock muffler with a race glass pack and put a stock tip on the end, looks stock but sound bad a$$, for only $65 installed. Replaced the stock rear sway bar with an "s" bar. These mods have really made this car handle, very neutral, almost loose. The pick-up feels faster, while it might be just louder. I have the another set of holies with some conti's for the cooler temps. and another stock exhaust that I swap back when it time to behave.

To do list: better brake pads. Would love to do the heads, but won't due to the cost. Run a lot more driver's schools, this is the best money spent to make me and my car go faster.

Would I love to have that extra 50hp of an "s", of course. But I do find it satifying when an "s" driver has a hard time keeping up with me either at the track or on the Dragon. I also, do enjoy getting 34-38 mpg.

If you want an "s", go for it. If you want to go fast, either way, go back to school.

 

But I want both!

 

I'm JustACooper owner too.

A set of TSW springs and Carbotech Brake Pads would help. Might think about a TSW Engine damper too. Check out my site for more details about TSW mods.

I encourage you to replace worn out parts with upgraded parts. Our R50's are a ton o fun and great at the AutoX. Why spend the money until you need too replace worn out OEM parts.

I'd love to hear the R50 with glass pack.

 

I actually already have the TSW damper and EBC pads on all 4 corners, I should have mentioned that. Between those 2 and the sway bar, that's the only chassis mods I've made.

 

I have the MinSpeed, (formally MyMini), touring exhaust. I love it, sounds great with zero annoying highway drone.

 

I went through the same thought process and ended up staying with my MINI and doing mods. So far I've added an Alta 19mm sway bar, Alta adjustable control arms, H&R springs, TD Dynamics wheels, JCW sound kit, and TSW engine damper. All have made noticable differences to performance and appearance and were well worth it. And I still get great mileage. At almost 36,000 miles in 20 months, the mileage was a big factor.

 

take some driving lessons w/ an instructor if you haven't already. thats the best advice IMO

 

Why are we convincing you, again? Seriously - I'm not trying to give you a hard time, but it's YOUR car - if you want to MOD it, MOD it and if you're not sure, don't. When you decide that you DO want to perform moditications, we can help you with suggestions based on your goals.

 

Only buy things for your r50 that are able to be swapped into an r53...so when you decide to buy one, you can swap all of the goodies over and have a modded r53 off the bat.

 

You do not need convincing from anyone. Either you know you want to mod or not. It is always your decision.

Do not mod searching for something that you don't really need.

If you have a purpose then do it, if not then go fishing or play music or do something constuctive.

First on the list of mods is always-
Improve your driving skill level. You cannot do better as easily as you would with instruction vs teaching yourself on the street. Go to driving school whether a High Performance Driving school (see your BMW car club or the Roundel magazine at your nearest BMW dealership- see the back section for all the events they sponsor across the nation at tracks with instructors) or an EVO autocross school.

For the Cooper you can change exhausts- mostly for being different and getting an exhaust note you like.

Suspension upgrades are helpful but not for street driving for the most part. Improved handling can lead to a stiffer ride and less comfort. Be careful how you upgrade and think what is your priority.

How are your roads? Smooth everywhere or bumpy and full of potholes? If you roads are clean and smooth then you can go stiffer, if bad then a stiff suspension will be risky and noisy.

Do you want an adjustable suspension? This increases costs but allows you some ability to change to street settings for some comfort or stiffer settings for more performance. Coilovers allow for this. Perhaps you want suspension that self adjusts- then look at Koni FSD shocks- a good solution for street use with some performance driving.

What tires are you using now? Your tires are the easiest suspension mod you have that can be adjusted for your own needs. Tire size and model can be fine tuned for your needs. Do you have snow or rain in your area? Any winter tires and wheels in storage?

What is your budget? Plan way ahead and think before you buy. Many mods are just not a good idea unless you have some coordinated plan about what you want to do short and long term.

If you are considering NASA you need to contact them and learn the requirements and rules for what they do. Check if there are different classes and what you qualify for. See if your planned or present mods put you into a more competitive class or not. In performance driving having a stock car is usually best, you can check the rules and modify to the limits of the class only. If you can dominate the competition then do more modding if you like.

You cannot go wrong with driving school- you are the biggest limiting factor when doing high performance or normal street driving.

 

Well, I see the overwhelming vote has been driving instruction. I'll have to check into what available locally. I still want to swap out the wheels and tires (someone put run flats on my '50!). Other than that, as stated about roads, I think I'll leave the suspension alone. I do live in PA, voted worst roads in the nation. I think with my Hotchkis bar and 16" Slipstreams, it should be more than good enough for me at this level and than some. When I leave work, I'll go home and check more into NASA and driving schools.

 

 

we need UKSUV to chime in! One of my favorite MINI's and it's Justacooper!!

 

OK! Just put the gun down and let the dog go...looks up best price for 16" Slipstreams.

 

Oh, I don't know how much longer I can resist it:
http://www.jlbmotorsports.com/rims/rota-list.html
$480 for 16" Slipstreams shipped to my door. That's in the proper backspacing, the color I want (gunmetal, BTW), and in the MINI specific hub bore.

 

Don't do any mods that can't be undone. Get a nice exhaust, and intake. The car will sound AWESOME. If you're concerned about your driving skill, go to school. Other than that have fun. IMO the R50 is the secret weapon in the MINI aresonal (the R53 guys don't know that yet).
If faster meant more fun, everybody would be driving a 'vette.

 

I guess it all depends on what your are expecting from this car.
I decided to leave my cooper bone stock with only dedicated wheels and tires for winter and summer.
As a daily driver and car that I will only track and do autox ocasionally, it handles perfectly fine with good brakes, handling and suspension.

I know that this car will never be fast and I don't expect it to be. For me it's a waste of money and effort as you will end up with just a very expenssive car that will never be fast. For me it makes more sense to spend all this money towards better performing vehicle. By the time you're sattisfied you will be about $5k poorer and for all that money plus your R50 you could've bought yourself much better ride.

 

CAI and Cat-back exhaust.

My favorite mod on my JustaCooper (and there are many), is my Megan Cat-back. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROWL !!

 

Street car keep the Cooper, fuel efficiency.
HPDE's MCS can be fun, but even funner if you got justaCooper and develop mad driving skills to be on MCS tail like flies on *****.
If Auto-X is in future Cooper more competitive.

Here an article that dyno runs several Cooper intakes, exhauts, etc.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/mini-go/

 

Unless your into Auto X, why go for the R53 when you already have a sweet ride ?
Besides, who know's where this economy is going too

How about installing the aero grill or side skirts ? Pete should be able to set you up with those. I have seen "justacooper's" out there with aero body styling and IMO look absolutely fantastic and they are just as much fun on the road.