If you could design your own MINI
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 679
Likes: 27
If you could design your own MINI
I’m coming up on a having owned my R53 MINI for a year. I’ve done quite a bit of work to make sure she’s up to snuff, but part of me thinks what could have been done better from BMWs end.
I think for starters I would have contracted for Honda to supply a K series engine and transmission for the S model and maybe a D series for the Justa.
The modular front end would have not used composite. I would have just used steel or alloy and integrated the bumper rebar onto it. The front end is just way over fiddly and takes a bunch of time to align right.
I would have used normal power steering none of this electric stuff.
The cooling system would have two fans one for normal cooling duties and an aux fan for a/c operation.
I would have put the coolant and power steering tanks in a better spot. Just think of all that heat wafting from the exhaust.
I would have made the belt system easy to change with no special tools required.
I would have offered a club sport model with just a/c and a basic audio system. When I say club sport I mean no power windows, fancy fragile headlights, heated leather seats, pano roofs, cruise control, rear wiper, etc.
I would have made an S lite style wheel in 16x7. I like tires with meat on them.
I guess they could have just made an EP3 in a MINI body
I think for starters I would have contracted for Honda to supply a K series engine and transmission for the S model and maybe a D series for the Justa.
The modular front end would have not used composite. I would have just used steel or alloy and integrated the bumper rebar onto it. The front end is just way over fiddly and takes a bunch of time to align right.
I would have used normal power steering none of this electric stuff.
The cooling system would have two fans one for normal cooling duties and an aux fan for a/c operation.
I would have put the coolant and power steering tanks in a better spot. Just think of all that heat wafting from the exhaust.
I would have made the belt system easy to change with no special tools required.
I would have offered a club sport model with just a/c and a basic audio system. When I say club sport I mean no power windows, fancy fragile headlights, heated leather seats, pano roofs, cruise control, rear wiper, etc.
I would have made an S lite style wheel in 16x7. I like tires with meat on them.
I guess they could have just made an EP3 in a MINI body
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Lost Angeles Area, Solar Cal
I dunno, man. I've got a '13 MCS Clubman, which I special-ordered, and as far as I can tell, it's just about perfect, except that it needs more horsepower. Of course it does. And it could have much less expensive. Wish it was supercharged, rather than turbocharged, because I miss the whine. But I pretty much like it just fine the way it is.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 25
I wouldn't want to redesign the MINI, but I'd have a stripped down R53 w/ the ff:
-manual steering rack
-Stretch fit belt w/ No belt tensioner
-ball joints & bushes that can be accessed w/o subframe removal
-easy oil drain & fill for the SC
-coilovers as stock suspension
-no body control module
-Canton type coolant expansion tank
-Some aerodynamic tweak to keep dust off the boot
-dual cooling fans
-Battery on the side to have straight pipe exhaust system
-canister type oil filter
-manual steering rack
-Stretch fit belt w/ No belt tensioner
-ball joints & bushes that can be accessed w/o subframe removal
-easy oil drain & fill for the SC
-coilovers as stock suspension
-no body control module
-Canton type coolant expansion tank
-Some aerodynamic tweak to keep dust off the boot
-dual cooling fans
-Battery on the side to have straight pipe exhaust system
-canister type oil filter
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ECSTuning
Vendor Classifieds
0
Aug 10, 2015 02:03 PM
ECSTuning
Drivetrain Products
0
Aug 10, 2015 01:59 PM