Just picked this up last night. Pepper white with white top 2010 S 6 speed, no mods. I bought this to be a DD, as I have another toy car for the weekends and track days.

I have been interested in MINIs for sometime and have driven a few S's, but this is the first R56. Seems to be a perfect fit for my needs, and I'll be driving it ~100 highway miles per day.

It looks better in person than in this pic, but is a tad plain. I think adding some black or bare aluminum wheels will spice it up just a bit, though (any pics/suggestions would be appreciated, and I will go through the "Peerage" threads). As far as other mods, I am not going to do much. I'll probably get a leather key pouch to protect the key. Other than that, I would be interested in anything that would help efficiency and reliability, with a little poer boost being a bonus Thoughts on the following, or suggested sources? Other things to consider?

1. Turbo heat shield (reduced intake temps and hood scoop protection)
2. Intercooler (better cooling for turbo - reliability and power)
3. Lightweight, better looking wheels
4. Strut tower reinforcement (apparently they are a little weak there? Combine with strut brace?)
5. Dipstick (I'll try reading mine a few times before I decide, can't be much tricker than a 911)
6. Any obvious weight reductions I should do?

Thanks a ton for any input, and I look forward to being in the MINI community.

 

First things I did on my 2010 S was a FMIC and lighter wheels and better tires. Stayed with 16" wheels (lighter). I also got a set of Eibach pro springs (lowers, better handling and just looks much better). These mods alone made a huge difference....I then spent some time on exterior and simple nice cosmetic changes to the car.

My wife got me the Alta Accessport for Xmas and the wait is killing me!!

Another thing I did and might look good on your car it to de-chrome it a bit. I used Plasti Dip forthe headlights rings and back light rings as well and the JCW front grill and balck trims Might look good on your car. Congrats.

Mine is DD also and got a weekend/track car in the garage...Is your a 911?

 

An intercooler has nothing to do with cooling the turbo or reliability, its sole purpose is to cool the charge air (cooler air helps create more power or sustains the same intake temp over consecutive runs) before it gets to the engine. Unless you have future plans to increase power you're better off putting that money elsewhere.

But most importantly, if this is your DD then you're better off sticking to the factory powertrain; adding complexity to the mix wouldn't make your DD as reliable as it should be.

 

I'll be looking for some lightweight wheels. If I get black, I may look at blacking it out a bit more, which is kinda my style. I probably won't lower it anytime soon, as much as I would love to.

Yes, the toy is a 993, presumably yours is an M coupe?



I was thinking a better intercooler would help turbo life, but I guess you are right. I don't have any plans to go after big power.

I do want to keep it as reliable as possible, hence the verbiage of my first post. I tend to not be able to leave things alone, but you are talking sense.

 

Oh, one other thing - is there anyway to bypass or trick the TPMS? I am thinking I am not going to like that...

 

There's still plenty of things you can change and some of which will be for the better!

Definitely look in to a heatshield (I went with the NM Titanium shield) and combine it with the OEM foil that mounts to the hood if you want that extra bit of protection.

 

Used to be a M Coupe long ago. My track/weekend is a 2006 Lotus Elise. Black wheels are great on a white car like yours. I went with the OZ Superturismo GT.

 

Loti are great! I'm glad for te few that still carry the flag of the lightweight rear drive sports car. I considered a Scion FR-S before I decided on the MINI.

 

We are a dying breed.....

 

Welcome. First things first. Get an oil catch can setup. The DI engine will carbon up the intake valves if you don't. (And probably will anyway, just not a much if you don't)

Second, everything else is subjective. For me the r56 needed more spring, better shocks, a bigger rear bar, lower camber arms, and a good alignment. It's now a great daily driver.

Regular Bilsteins ( not sports) don't work for crap. If you go for new shocks, (that is sorely needs) go with the sports or Koni's.

What else you want to know?

 

Some of the best places to get those things. I lived with 2 low cars for a long time and sometimes you just need one not so squatty. I'll probably end up lowering it, but we'll see. Not really sure what the catch can does, but I'm game for that one: Teach me.

Also want a removable roof rack.

 

This is a great place: http://www.minidynamics.com/default.asp

And Scott is first class to deal with.

 

The oil catch can goes into the breather/pcv line from the engine to the turbo. It gives an opportunity to trap water vapor and oil vapor before it goes through the turbo. Downstream of the turbo it can coat the inside of the intercooler, and get sucked into the intake and head. In the heat of the head, it can turn into carbon, and coat the back of the valves and the port. This can dramatically reduce airflow into the engine, and result in some driveability issues.

Personally, I like black bonnet stripes on pepper white, but that probably fits better on a car with a black top. You could play with some electrical tape to see if you like stripes. I also like silver or gold wheels, but that is just my preference.

There are lots of threads in the Modifications: portion of NAM.

Oil changes are really important, IMO, especially on a DD. The reccomended MINI change interval is really long.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Another Porsche owner! Welcome to NAM. That is a gorgeous 993.

 

First thing I did was replace the wheels - mine came with the same wheels as yours. they are now destined for snows for ski season!

I also picked up a 22mm rear sway bar and I have some sport springs OEM ready to go in once I pick up some Koni yellows for it. I think that will pretty much do it for me and keep the car legal for SCCA autox in DS should the urge surface!

Mine was picked up to ease the daily grind miles on my E39 M5.






Wheels are 17x7" Motegi Racing from tirerack with stock sized 205-45-17 Pirelli p-zero summer tires.
They weigh about 16.5lbs so couple lbs lighter than the OEM 16's with runflats.

The car looks a lot more mean and less cute with the aftermarket 17's. Which was my goal!
Handles much better and even rides nicer too!

 

Wheels and some stripes will do the trick. Maybe black stripes and black wheels?

 

I'm leaning toward shiny wheels and painting these black.

Washed it today and waxed the top and hood, also put 303 on the plastic bits. Looks good. I'll post pics later.

 

I have a pepper white r56 just like this, Cept black roof and pano on mine. I have black 17inch wheels on mine and it looks great! I do wish they weren't shiny but after a few trips the break dust takes care of that lol

 

Don't have a lot of time so I'll say this. Strut tower reinforcements are not needed on the R56.

 

Ordered some parts from outmotoring. Aaron was very helpful and friendly!

- BSH Gen II oil catch can
- Tan leather key holder
- Wheel giude tool
- MINI heat shield

Probably get some new wheels soon. Other than that, washed and did a partial wax this weekend, so here are a few more pics:

 

Nice chandelier ! Can you see around it?

 

 

Thank you! What do you have? I live Porsche and have been to the factory and museum in Stuttgart. The MINI replaced a 968.

The M5 is a beast! Wouldn't mind having one of those, especially if I needed back seats.

Ha! I noticed that as well.

 

I've been told the Dread Pirate looked angry... Sigh.

 

Very nice! Love the wheels, but then again I am partial to S-Winders.