I own a Mini cooper S – March 2003 model.

I seek help from the FORUM on clarification whether I can fit the following optional equipment to my mini cooper S ?

Currently have alloys OZ superlegga 17” x 7” with offset ET37 fitted to car – is it possible to fit a big brake kit without wheel spacers as current offset near maximum ? What brand / size of big brake kit recommended – KAD 4 or 6 pot cailper kit with either 304mm or 330mm discs ( supplied by Cool New Mini Ltd based UK ), or Alta Performance front and rear 328mm discs ( supplied by Alta Performance based US ), or other recommended kit that fits without wheel spacers ?

For front alloy tower brace – which brand / supplier recommended, as many available ?

For adjustable rear anti roll / sway bar - which brand / supplier recommended ?

For adjustable control arms ( supplied by Alta Performance based US ) – any great improvement over factory control arms ?

For end links to compliment rear sway bar ( supplied by Alta Performance based US ) – any great improvement over factory end links ?

Any problem to fit adjustable rear anti roll / sway bar, adjustable control arms, end links etc with current alloy wheel offset ET37 ?

Should I later consider fitting an uprated coil / spring / shocks to car any problem with current alloy wheel offset ET37 ? or recommend stay with factory suspension system i.e. no lowering etc ?

For adjustable short shifter and shift **** ( supplied by Alta Performance based US ) – is this recommended / or good feedback from anyone ?

For changing factory seats to more extreme sports seats – Sparco Seat Milano 2 adjustable back or equivalent, any problem to fit, or recommend good sports seat to fit ?

For fitting additional instrument gauges / gauge pod – Alta Performance provide a gauge pod to mount to existing rev counter but not supplied with boost or oil pressure gauges. Any make / brands available for complete kit i.e. gauge pod including two 52~60mm mm instrument gauges ?

HOPE YOU CAN HELP TO GIVE ME ADVICE.

Best regards
Charles

 

For the gauges check out ProMini's Gauge Cluster Click Here - The boost gauge is electrical - NOT mechanical and it allows you to set a Warning level as well as records peak boost. This is a complete kit will all sensors, gauges and a custom wiring harness.

For the sway bar - depends on how you like to have your car handle and what you plan on doing with it...for normal street driving i would recommend a bar in the range of 19-20mm. It won't rub with the wheels either so no need to worry about that. ProMini sells H&R bars in either 18mm and 19mm rear versions as well as a front sway bar. Click Here

For the tower brace you need to know what Intake your goign to be running as several of the intakes on the market don't allow for a brace to be fitted, or require some modifications to get it to fit. Click Here

If you aren't going to be tracking your car - I would suggest just getting a set of good quality rotors, street performance pads, and stainless brake lines - for most very aggressive street driving this is all you will need. We sell the Tar-ox Triple Heat Treated cross drilled and slotted rotors and Mintex Brake Pads (M1144 Street Performance Pads would be the pad from the Mintex line I would recommend for aggressive street driving) and Stoptech Brake Lines.

As far as springs/coilovers/etc again it depends what your going to be using your car for, where you live (midwest has very harsh roads to begin with for example), and if you drive it during winter as well.

 

Many thanks for info, very useful and need to check.
Best regards
Charles

 

Mrcharles,
Aloha and welcome to MCO-

>>I own a Mini cooper S – March 2003 model.
Great. Just like my Feb 03 MCS.

>>I seek help from the FORUM on clarification whether I can fit the following optional equipment to my mini cooper S ?
This is posted in MINI Talk but belongs in the Performance Mod forum- Moderator- please move as needed.

>>Currently have alloys OZ superlegga 17” x 7” with offset ET37 fitted to car – is it possible to fit a big brake kit without wheel spacers as current offset near maximum ? What brand / size of big brake kit recommended – KAD 4 or 6 pot cailper kit with either 304mm or 330mm discs ( supplied by Cool New Mini Ltd based UK ), or Alta Performance front and rear 328mm discs ( supplied by Alta Performance based US ), or other recommended kit that fits without wheel spacers ?

Do you have rubbing now? Have you had rubbing and done shaving of your wheel wells? Most likely with the 17x7 wheels you should have space but it might be a good idea to consult with Alex@tirerack to check on other problems and which big brake kit to install for the fewest problems. Esp if you already have had to shave the wheel wells. ET of 37 is not recommended for the MINI and you did not mention the tire size which is crucial to avoid rubbing.

>>For front alloy tower brace – which brand / supplier recommended, as many available ?
Generally most people believe that the Tower brace of all designs is unnecessary from a strength point of view. The MINI is extremely stiff. Other than for looks, the money spent on a tower brace would be best allocated elsewhere.
And I have a BMP tower brace!

>>For adjustable rear anti roll / sway bar - which brand / supplier recommended ?
Lots of choices here- go over to the perf mods forum and search for rear swaybar. There have been recent discussions with pictures for the various choices. Tubular bar is lighter but higher cost. Most have 2 or 3 holes for adjustment. Alta, H-sport, madness are all good places to look. 22mm for the rear bar is standard upgrade.

>>For adjustable control arms ( supplied by Alta Performance based US ) – any great improvement over factory control arms ?
Some brands have slightly lower weight than stock arms or they look nicer. Some are adjustable to help increase or decrease negative camber in the rear. You can buy two or four control arms for the rear. A minimum of two adjustable will work in the rear. Just leave the top two stock. The improvement comes from slight weight loss, and ability to adjust camber easily. Otherwise you can add camber plates- but more cost.

>>For end links to compliment rear sway bar ( supplied by Alta Performance based US ) – any great improvement over factory end links ?
The look nice and they are a little stronger but they are mostly a small upgrade when used either in the front or rear.

>>Any problem to fit adjustable rear anti roll / sway bar, adjustable control arms, end links etc with current alloy wheel offset ET37 ?
Yes- this is of concern. It isn't the offset that is stock for a MINI. We see mostly ET 42-48 range. I would recommend you call RandyBMC (webbmotorsport) and ask this question.

>>Should I later consider fitting an uprated coil / spring / shocks to car any problem with current alloy wheel offset ET37 ? or recommend stay with factory suspension system i.e. no lowering etc ?
If you don't have rubbing now with the factory suspension then when you do lower you will get rubbing.

>>For adjustable short shifter and shift **** ( supplied by Alta Performance based US ) – is this recommended / or good feedback from anyone ?
There are many choices for short shifters depending on how low you want to go and which shift **** you want to use.
Alta is pricey and has adjustable heights from about 0 to 40%. Cheapest is Rogue Mini Mania for about $60.
B&M short shifters going for about $129 each- see vendor announcement today.

>>For changing factory seats to more extreme sports seats – Sparco Seat Milano 2 adjustable back or equivalent, any problem to fit, or recommend good sports seat to fit ?
Call RandyBMC. You'd loose the side airbags in the stock seats.

>>For fitting additional instrument gauges / gauge pod – Alta Performance provide a gauge pod to mount to existing rev counter but not supplied with boost or oil pressure gauges. Any make / brands available for complete kit i.e. gauge pod including two 52~60mm mm instrument gauges ?
See promini gauges
http://www.promini.com/products/gauges.shtml
Model Gauges Item Price
Cooper "S" Electrical Boost / Oil Pressure 154814 $475.95

Good luck,