Well, I'm getting the MINI bug again. I never should have traded in my 03 S, but the 08 G8 GT was awfully fun when you stepped on the loud peddle. I miss the gokart-ness of the MINI though, so I'm looking at possibly getting an '11 S with the manual (is there any other way to get it? )

So, being out of the loop for a while, I need some questions answered by you NAM gurus. I'm sure some of these have been covered, but I couldn't find good answers to what I'm looking for, and the level of detail on the MINI USA site is lacking compared to what it used to be years ago.

1. To those that have owned both generations, especially if they were back to back, which did you like better? The turbo pulls nicely, but there was something decidedly wicked about the sound of the SC.

2. What is actually upgraded in the "sport suspension" package? I'm wondering if it's just a spring change, and if I should just hold off and get the H&R Sport spring set.

3. Long term, are there any major maintenance issues? The first gen had issues with the LCA bushings destroying themselves after about 50K miles. That was actually one of the last things I did to the car before selling it. I see that Alta is selling what looks basically like the same PRS system, so I'm wondering if the new MINI has the same issues there.

4. Is the rear sway bar still the best handling mod without going to coilovers?

5. What's a good starting point for performance mods? Looks like programming gets the most gain when used in conjunction with intake and exhaust. Any other good, simple mods out there?

6. I've looked, but haven't found an answer yet (may not have been searching correctly), but is there a work around for the sport button? There doesn't seem to be a point to having it off if you like to drive hard.

Thanks in advance everyone. I wish I had kept up with things over the last year and a half, but I went to the dark side, but I see the light again

 

Cant speak on behalf of the first gen cars but i can say this about my 08 and 2011 ... my 08 was giving me a headache at the end of its life with me ... i had two cluthes in the past 6 months and Mini said it wasnt how I drive it was just two defects (dont believe them and i know i drive stick correctly been driving it for 10+ years) ... On my 08 the engine would make this raddeling sound like it wasnt fit correctly, but as i started to notice it i said the hell with sinking more money into this, im getting anew one. I enjoy the 2011 a lot and its been an amazing drive and the technology in it is amazing also !! I have a CAI and front strut bar as of now, my handeling has def improved and the car makes a cool sound now my next mod is the rear sway bar which ill be getting in a month when its on ill PM you details on the perforamance i got from it ... and the sport button theres no work around if you want an S .. its nice when you just want to granny drive the mini cause when its not in S mode i notice better gas mileage !! hope i helped a little lol

 

Needless to say, gas mileage is not a concern. I have a 6.0L V8 currently running on premium, so anything I get is an improvement. It's the numb throttle response that I think I have the most issue with with it off. I'm sure that something can be figured out for it. Thanks for the input though.

My 03 had some serious issues too, including a clutch (bad throwout bearing), and a complete engine (blown rod bearing), but fortunately, they were all covered under warranty. I was hoping to find out what issues could creep up after the warranty was over, like the LCA bushings. I like working on my own car generally, but changing those bushings was a PITA.

 

Ive read some really horrible stores in this forum and other mini forums but i think its people just beating there minis and not maintaing them while driving them that hard. the regular maintance check up is if you drive like an average person, in my mini i find it extremely difficult to drive like that especially when im in the mountains and all these turns are coming my way lol ... Theres always going to be things that happen to the car but we just need to hope its not the expensive things that mess up (like 2 cluthes) an fyi i didnt pay for either of them ... hope more knowledgable people can give u imput cause im not that tech savy when it comes to engines and what not. i just appreciate all of it

 

i believe the tune and replacing the "cigarette carton" size intercooler with a larger one are the two best engine mods. people have done intake and returned it back to stock, and it seems like if you want gains out of an exhaust, your best bet is to go turboback. i've only owned my '11 MCS for a little over a month, but this is what i've gathered on NAM so far.

 

This will let you keep sport mode on among other things:
Auto SportPlus Module by FES Auto
Sold at outmotoring among others.



The sports package gives you slightly stiffer springs, but no ride height reduction. I actually like the 17" alloys on the 2011 MCS but if I were to bend one wheel, I would end up buying new alloys anyways plus I am not a fan of run-flats.

This is for Canada:

Sport Package C$990:
Sport Suspension
17"" Silver Conical Spoke Alloy Wheels
Performance Run-Flat Tires

 

I have been seeing that a bit. The IC might have to wait a while, as that's not exactly a cheap option.

Now, that AutoSport unit is pretty slick. I see that as a must have.

If the Sport Suspension kit is just springs, then I won't get it. I was curious if it was more than that, and changed the damping rate, and the sway bar diameter, like they did on the first gen car.

 

Anyone else care to comment? I'm really curious to see if the sport suspension really is just a spring change.

 

Perhaps I can help a little. My '03 MCS had the Sport Pkg. but NOT the Sport Suspension. I put a thicker, adjustable rear sway bar on it along w/Falken Azensis and thought that car really handled well.

On my '10 MCS, I went w/both the Sport Pkg. and the Sport Suspension, and the handling on this one is significantly better...even w/the rather lousy runflats! I'm not 100% certain, but I believe I've read here that the Sport Suspension not only adds a thicker rear sway, but also a front sway bar and different shocks. Perhaps you could check that out with a dealer?

I'm totally happy w/my '10 as it's quicker, gets better gas mileage AND handles better than my first Mini.

 

I would be very interested to know if the Sports Pkg has more than just a spring change. I am considering not ordering the sports pkg and picking my own lighter weight 17" alloys with non-run-flat tires and later updating the suspension.

 

there's no difference in the suspension of a cooper S with the sports pkg and without the sports package. the sports suspension is a separate option not included in the sports pkg (go figure). the pkg includes dynamic traction control, xenons, bonnet stripes, white turn signals, and upgraded 17"wheels (conical spoke).

 

Oops- I keep forgetting most people answer based on US specs. In Canada the Cooper S 'Sports Pkg' has 17" wheels, performance tires and 'sports suspension'.

In Canada the Cooper S comes standard with xenon, white signals and DTC (with EDLC and stripes optional).


My question then is how is the 'sports suspension' different from stock suspension. My assumption is that only the springs are different.

 

Right. The first gen MINI had a lot done to the suspension when you went to the sport package, if I remember correctly (I had that on my old one). Of course, things change, so if I can save some cash by not ordering the sport suspension when I don't have to, that's all the better.

 

I couldn't answer this, but i have an 11 model with sport and premium packages and I am very happy with it. Luxory coming from my last car's suspension setup. Handles pretty good too, and I actually like the stock wheels they put on the car; the conical aluminum wheels. Although the run-flats are meh.

I'll have the hsport rear sway 19mm installed in about a month. So can't comment on that yet, but i hear a lot of good praise for it.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/h-sport...-bar-19mm.html

Alta DV spring will help smooth out your shifting and is a cheap 20 dollar spring.
http://www.altaperformance.com/produ...Spring-Upgrade

The DOS CAI seems to be the best intake for the vehicle. I just installed mine 2 weeks ago. Gives more sound to the car and more sound to the DV (pssshhh). Although I did notice a drop in MPG from the intake. Clint sent me a filter cap this past weekend to counter the loss in MPG (but you lose some of the sound of the intake; however you can take the cap off whenever you want and put it back on). He says the r56 has seen a drop with a few customers in their MPGs and the cap should clear that up. I installed it yesterday and on my drive to work this morning i notice my instant MPG on my tach were back up to stock levels in 6th gear at 70MPH. But to you it may not matter either way. You can still get 400 to the tank with the DOS intake. I was just used to getting 450 with the stock intake. If you are lucky enough he has group buys for this intake about every month(ish) and you can get it for 20-30 bucks cheaper.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...announced.html

I've heard the alta accessport doesn't work with the 2011s yet, but I haven't checked recently so I am not sure if the tuner works or not with the 11 models.

I have NM's motor mount inserts coming the mail this week. Should provide some solid shifting for a cheap 60 bucks.
https://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coo...rm_insert.html

A short throw shifter should be on your list, as the stock shifter feels like you are turning butter. You might already know of this from the previous mini ...

A catch can would be good to invest in.

Getting some ceramic pads would be nice too. The brakes shed like crazy. So annoying.

Also get a heat shield. The factory will only replace your hood scoop once when it melts. Anytime after that they will not replace it unless you pay for it. I drove a few days without the shield and the scoop get so damn hot, i can see why it warps fast and easy. After installing this it was cool to touch after each time i drive the car.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/mini-co...5-r56-r57.html


The autosport module will take care of that.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/auto-sp...de-module.html

Also some cosmetic things ... the 2" stub antenna is wonderful. The stock height is a monstrous 16". You will have no problems with radio connectivity in reducing the antenna.
http://www.altaperformance.com/produ...nna-Shorty-R56

That's about all I can input for the 2011. As that's all I've done or getting ready to install on my car.
Good luck!

 

Thanks for the feedback rohicks.

I loved the sport suspension on the last MINI. It did get a little tiring after a number years with the way Michigan roads are deteriorating. Runflats were the first thing to go. I understand that the extra shock travel has helped make the car a little more manageable for daily driving in not so ideal conditions.

I was looking at the Alta DV spring recently, and seems like a no brainer for $20. If it doesn't work, no big deal.

The DOS intake does seem to be getting the best reviews overall, and the concept makes sense. Harks back to some of the intake options for the R53. I had the HAI setup on mine, and I loved hearing that SC whine. I'd rather listen to the engine than the radio. Sounds better than a lot of the crap being played now

I was a little disapointed on the AP not currently being compatible with the '11. You would think that with the model year being on the market for over 6 months now, there would be options available now. Maybe they do something with the new setup that is making life difficult for Alta. I'll have to ask them directly on that one.

Seems motor mounts are a weak point again. Thankfully, they are an easy upgrade. That might be one of the first things on the list. The short shifter was one of those things that I considered a no brainer, which is why I didn't mention it before.

Brake pads will be the first thing that gets changed, without question. My old R53 had the white crown spokes (I'm disapointed that there are no white wheel options any more), and the brake dust stained the wheels bad. I loved the EBC Green Stuf pads I replaced them with. Liked them a lot better than the Hawk HPS pads that were on the car last. Seems a lot more grabby.

 

The DV spring does wonders. Great little cheap mod. It's not a go fast mod ... more of a drivability mod. You will feel your shifts smooth out a lot better. ***** to install, but with some patience and cussing it's not terrible. Just as a reference to when you go install it and lose one of the 3 bolts for the DV. They are m6x16 and can be retrieved from any hardware store. Home depot has them as well as lowe's. However they are black and not silver like the factory has them, but you'll also pay 9 bucks a bolt if you want the silver ones from the factory. Color is up to you.

However you may come across a thread where people were upgrading the DV internals to the AUDI's DV internals. The audi internals will leak so don't do it. I had bought the audi DV and just as it arrived everyone found out about the leaks so i returned the package unopened and just left my alta spring in.

My motor mounts seem pretty good, but I also only have 2500 miles on the car so far. I suppose after probably 15k with hard driving the motor mounts will loosen up. With any car I've had; i have added in polyurethane mounts (inserts) and the mini will be no exception.

I've been following this thread for a new catch can that looks to be the best one to come up for the mini to date.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...u-think-4.html

They are in the process of developing a dual can setup that will be released soon. And i'm waiting to pounce on that setup. Right now they just have the 1.
http://www.custombilletstore.com/

 

I haven't been a fan of the direction that the entire automotive industry has taken with bushing design, so it's not surprising to see so many options for urethane bushings (both inserts and replacements). The ones I'm really concerned with is the control arms. Hopefully they improved things over the first gen, as those were a major pain to replace. I'd really like to not have to do those if I don't have to.

 

One thing I haven't heard about (or researched much) is how well the MINI's axles hold up under load, and constant beating in autoX.

I'm curious, but seeing as i haven't seen any aftermarket options. I suppose they are not to shabby.

 

I don't ever recall there being a mass produced replacement even for the first gen cars. I'm sure some custom ones were made for high HP applications though.