Hi there, new to the forum, signing the paper work this week to pick up my 08 this week, but would like to get things straight as to what options and how to set up to win HS.

I come from a DS ITR car, and assume that the mini cooper would be similar in set up. After researching on the forum, I couldnt find a good thread for 07+ set up, so really wanted to start one up.
questions to consider

1. year(07, 08, 09) what package/options to get
2. wheel
3. tire
4. suspension
5. alignment
6. intake
7. exhaust
8. harness

your .02 is greatly appreciated

 

The obvious, skip the sun roof and xenons. Get the sport suspension, and maybe the sport seats for the increased side bolsters, minimize anything else that adds weight... and dealer install costs. Get some light weight wheels (hollies, Rota's) and A6 tires. Set the front camber full neg (does the Cooper even have adjustable camber?). Get some adjustable shocks and set the rear to full stiff and the front to full or near full soft. Align the toe neutral to 1/8" out in the front and 0 in the rear. K&N type drop-in filter, and a mangaflow cat back. There's not much else you can do in the stock class so your next best mod will be to the nut behind the wheel. Since you have experience you cant take higher level lessons from national level instrutors.

 

Can you be a little more specific?
like what size tire and wheel would be better, 15 or 16?

 

my preference is the 16s, the tires fit the wheels better. rota slipstream...

 

It should be noted that magnaflow does not offer an exhaust for the r56 Cooper. At least according to their website.

Been there, looked for that ("its great on my r50, you should get it!").

 

Sorry about the Magnaflow reference. I don't know what exhausts are available for the '07+ Coopers.

The tire choice might come down to what rim widths the Cooper comes with. I don't have that data though.

 

Tire Answer

Kuhmo V710 215/60-16

 

OR if you want a fast tire

Hoosier A6
205/45/16