So say a guy bought a 2011 MCS with 30000 miles on it. This car is pretty well loaded with sound, navi, heated seats, and so on..

Say this guy was looking to do, or have done, some work to this car to not only increase power, but improve the already fantastic handling.

He isn't looking to make it a race car, it still needs to be reasonable for daily use.

If you were in his (my) shoes, and was willing to invest approximately 2k into the project, with easy things done yourself, and more complex by a shop, what would you do?

What collection of modifications would you all recommend as a starting point?

I am brand new to the MINI world and appreciate everyone's sage words.

 

22mm rear sway bar is a good place to start

 

And a set of KONI FSD struts.
It's also a little known fact, held by a select few that know for sure, that calipers painted red make it go faster too.

 

This is pretty much where I started when I first bought my Mini. I had a $2k budget and wanted to go faster. I went with an akrapovic down pipe, tune, and forge fmic.

Here's what I'd recommend. If it were me I'd wait for some of these parts lightly used on the marketplace to cut down on the prices, specifically the fmic. I've done everything on this list myself in my garage. I'm pretty handy with cars and whatnot but I'd say some people might find some of the items a little involved if they are worried about putting the car up on jack stands and getting dirty under it.

If you want any info on the parts listed below just search for them on the forums. There are literally hundreds of threads about each item with all the info you could want

-JB+ Tune
-Akrapovic Downpipe
-Forge FMIC
-NM Torque Arm Insert
-NM 22mm Rear Sway bar

Before shipping that ends up being around $2,050.

That'll get you going pretty fast and help you handle it a little better.

 

Thanks guys! This gives me food for thought.. If anyone else has thoughts, I am all ears. Sooooo much to learn.

 

Akrapovic DP is a little over priced and will eat almost half of that budget. If you get it tune you might as well just go full catless.

 

Springs and Sway Bar