I've got some spare money amazingly, so what should I invest in for my stock 02 R50?

 

When I bought my slightly used '05 the first thing I bought was strut tower plates to prevent mushrooming.

 

The strut tower plates are a great investment to prevent mushrooming.

But if it's power you want get our Way/DDM intake. It will get you the most power for the buck.

If you want handling get an Hsport rear swaybar.

 

Kinda depends on what you're after. I've tried a number of things with mine and what I've liked most have been my JCW Sound kit (picked one up on the cheap with shipping from Ralph Schomp MINI) and VMAXX Coilovers (great service). Rolling low, sounding low... Tite.

 

Megan Exhaust. Best exhaust for an R50 and the cheapest. Got mine for 350 i think. And visually, the "S" spoiler. It looks a million times better than the stock cooper spoiler or non at all. One on the market place for 50 bucks right now

 

DOn't worry about gaining power.. Hard to do without spending big bucks..
Go for handleing. Sure the CAI and exhaust MIGHT gain you alittle.... very little ( I have both DDM and Megan love them ) sway bar and adjustable camber front and rear will get you results..