Hey guys,

My Dad bought an 07 Cooper S about 8months ago. He's a repeat BMW buyer and loves his CooperHe's got the dark silver with white stripes. Equipped with the six speed, sunroof, and comfort access. He put about 13,000 miles on his car so far. I just thought I'd buy him some cool sort of accessory for Christmas. Is there anything worth buying for him? I would like to keep it under $200.00. Thanks in advance!!!


-Barry

 

A gift pass for a track weekend. Might blow the budget a little but what a way to really learn what the MINI is capable of.

 

Hmm^^ I thought about that. How much do the typically run. I'm almost positive his dosent have the Limited Slip. I'm not sure how much that will dampen his experience. He really regretted getting the sunroof b/c of all the light that come through. And yes, he tinted it.

 

Check with the local BMW Club, they usually have HPDE's and are open to most all. The lack of a LSD will not be an issue. This is all about going out and having fun while learning the limits of the MINI as well.

The old Moroso Track has been redone and is now the Palm Beach International Raceway. I'm sure they have all kinds of Club type events there that will fit the bill.

 

Well, what I'm giving myself for X-mas is the JCW shift indicator lights. Can be bought at Morristown Mini for $199. Easy to install from what I hear and makes a nice little DIY for you and your dad.

 

For around that kind of money, I'd go with a Whalen shift ****.

 

The lack of limited slip won't dampen a track day, its more about the driver than the car. I've been taking the justacooper recently (no limited slip either).

The people I've done track days with have a Father's Day event at Seabring for $295.

 

Get him the JCW shift ****. He'll love it.

 

With all due respects to Mr John Cooper and his Works, there is no shift **** like a Whalen. And you can customize yours to suit your personality:

 

All above are good suggestions. Since Ft Lauderdale was mentioned,

you might check out http://www.minspeed.net/aboutUs.php

since they are located in Pompano Beach.

 

I perfer the feel of the **** to bling.

 

Wow, thanks a lot everyone!! I really appreciate the responses. I need to get him on NAM since its always so entertaining and informative. :-)

 

I 2nd the Whalen Shift ****. It changed my driving experience.

 

And you really think a Whalen Machine shift **** is all about BLING ???

You are ill informed.

 

What is the deal with whalen shift *****? I wouldn't put that huge metal baseball on my shifter, what am I missing?

 

Maybe some side scuttles? Those can be pretty cool, and it'd spruce up the exterior a little more. The blackjack ones look pretty good on DS! or even carbon fiber if hes not into all the chrome

the whalen **** is probably the best for a gift though since its personalized

 

Not sure if your dad enjoys detailing his MINI but how about one of the care care bundles from www.detailersparadise.com? They are a NAM vendor and their products are outstanding. This would have been at the top of my Christmas list but I just couldn't wait that long.

 

Hmmm...detailers paradise looks nice. I visited him this past weekend and it took me 20min to clean his front two wheels. BMW's brake dust is ridiculous! I wont see him and the fam again until the 30th so I still have some time.

You guys have me going back and forth on the Whalen ****!! Ahh!

 

That was my first thought, too.

Car car bundle is a good idea, too...

If he doesn't have rubber and carpet floor mats you could get him the other kind (even spring for the checkered JCW cloth ones), it's nice to have them both, even if you just have a rainy and a dry season.

Um... the rubber boot mat is nice.

The next $200 I spend on my car will be for PDR. Do'h. But then gauges (coolant and boost) and then a CravenSpeed short shifter, Whalen Shift Machine, and new boots the e-brake and shifter.

 

It's like the difference between a pair of flip-flops and a pair of Italian leather shoes.

If you had a Whalen shift ****, you'd realize your OEM shift **** is mass produced with the goal of being reasonably priced (read: cheap).

 

If you search the web, you will find that a lot of people prefer a heavy shift ****. They say it makes the shifts smoother.

The Whalen ***** are CNC machined from stainless steel* with a choice of finishes. You can have a custom logo machined into the top of the ****.

The shift **** was the first thing that I changed. Second to the steering wheel, it is something your hands come in contact most frequently in the MINI.

IMO, the OEM **** is rather uncomfortable, looks cheap and nasty, and is totally devoid of any redeeming social qualities. The spherical shape of the Whalen **** should be much more comfortable than the bezel of the OEM ****.

Having first learned to drive on a mid-20th Century sports car, I have a fondness for wooden shift *****. I like the feel, of wood. Also, it tends to be cool in summer and warm in winter, compared to other *****.

*Doug also does a line of billiard ball *****.