I decided to quit being such a Sally and start doing some of the upgrades/mods to my R60 on my own. Years ago, I used to tinker around on my cars all the time, but then again those cars were all no newer than 1991... Much has changed. Still, there are a few upgrades I'm looking to do.

I'm thinking of doing the entire JCW exhaust system, I watched a video on Youtube posted by the member "MSPRO" from this forum and it doesn't really seem like it's all that hard. There's no welding involved and I have the basic tools with the exception of the pipecutter and the lifts which I can go grab at Sears. It seems like it might only take an hour at most. Anyone have any additional advice or info on that in case I'm way out of my element? I was just going to do the tips, but after hearing the sound difference and some mentioning a possible hp gain, I figured go for the entire system.

I'm also thinking about the DRL/LED foglamps since they match my Xenons better or the Driving lamps. This seems a bit more in depth and time consuming with the bumper needing to be removed for the DRLs and additional wiring that runs into the cab and under the carpet by the side of the door. I found a pretty good video on youtube for the DRL's and someone on here posted a link to the Driving light instructions. Neither seem to require any special tools or cutting involved but it does look like it could take a bit more time. I'm guessing about 3 hours or so??... Possibly more? Any comments on that?

With both of those, I know the battery has to be disconnected and I'm wondering of that would require an update to the computer from the dealer. I've never worked on either of my MINI's before with the computers involved. Am I going to have to end up taking it to the dealer to get MINI connected working again?

I'm also thinking about switching out the side sills and mirror covers, but there are lots of topics on this and it doesn't seem too difficult.. just be patient and gentle.

The only other things I'm looking at are cosmetic, but they actually scare me the most. I'm thinking about the racing stripes on the bonnet and the sides and a the Union Jack sunroof graphics. I'm also one of the ones who got hosed on their 2013 because they didn't put the "COUNTRYMAN" letters on my hatch. These worry me because I can see myself EASILY screwing this up and having a hard time getting them on straight. I can hear the Benny Hill music in the background and see myself going bananas trying to get these things on, not only correctly and securely, but also on straight. Do they come with any extra length so that you can have a little room for error? So when you finally have it aligned with the "All4" badge on the sides, that you can run it to the rear wheel and then cut off the excess? Not to mention that I have a clear bra and cutting around the letters and emblems on the rear hatch. Maybe I'm making too much out of it, but they quoted me 800 bucks parts and labor just to do the stripes and the rear lettering!

So, any advice for a budding MINI backyard mechanic?

 

Start slow....
Small projects first...
When everything goes as planed life is easy...
But bolts break...things rust....that is when you learn... And spend hours cussing!!

 

Starting slow won't be a problem... Neither will cussing!

Hopefully, nothing will break or be rusty... The car is only a year old after all..

 

Ahhh, Benny Hill. One of my favorite comedians!

 

MrsPro put together a great video, i did my exhaust using it as a guide as well. i was lucky enough to have a lift available tho so that made it a whole lot easier. you should have no problem replacing the exhaust.