I need some opinions since I'm willing to admit 100% of you on here know more about my car than I do.

I've been getting ancy with my '06 GP and I keep looking through pages and pages of mods, both bolt-on and more invasive, and I always come to the conclusion that I'm being too greedy and I need to enjoy the car for what it is. That being said: are there any recommendations out there for possible mods that might make my mini a more viable opponent to, say, my buddy's '05 M3? Or do I need to stop dreaming above my weight class for this car?

Forgive my immaturity. Please be gentle but any and all thoughts are appreciated.

 

How fast you want to go is usually a function of how much money you want to spend. Cubic dollars.

Lots of vendors sell speed parts. Cams, injectors, pulleys, even bigger/better superchargers. Do a search.

Can also consider suspension upgrades, although the car handles pretty well. Biggest disadvantage against an E46 M3 will be FWD vs. RWD.

Dust off your wallet!

Regards,
Jerry

 

Well you did ask.

I am of the belief that the GP1 was more marketing than anything else, marketed so well that many will pay big money for the fancy decals, increased camber and a bigger intercooler. There are numerous modified Gen1 MINIs out there that will outperform the GP1, they just do not have the stickers.

Leave the GP1 untouched and buy a Gen1 beater to fix up and kick the GP1's butt.

 

 

no context but if you want to race him challenge him to autocross, m3's shouldn't be a problem for a gp

on the track if it rains you can beat him, if it's dry he can turn almost as fast and he has almost 150 more hp, he will destroy you on the straights

 

I don't know your current level of competency but, no matter what, go to a good club or professional driver's school with the car as it is. Get as good as you can with what you have. Then start the mod process beginning with the suspension. Then add the engine mods. If the e46 M3 remains stock, you can make mods on the GP that will make it very competitive but it will depend on what track you're running. The more twisties, advantage GP. Go with lighter 17-inch wheels and sticky tires like NITTO NT-01's or Bridgestone RE71R's. You'll need increased negative camber front and rear and go lower. Good coil-overs will cost more but give you greater adjustability. Get a larger adjustable rear sway bar. Go with high performance, race compound pads. Get a cam, a header and a tune. Everything you will have done will be reversible. Save all the original stuff so you can put it back to stock whenever. Oh, yeah...get the front end wrapped with a good clear bra.

 

The GP is a fun car stock...but once you add a few mods it really comes alive and you can really hang with much more serious cars.

I have a RMW big valve head, cam, header, injectors and tune. Car rev's to 8k RPM and its an absolute blast...260hp at the wheels. Also have RMW Coil-overs and the car handles like a dream. Your buddy's E46 M3 will be no problem.....

I sometimes consider selling my GP as its pretty much only a weekend toy...but every time I drive it, I get out saying "I will never sell this thing!"

 

 

r53 gp

 

 

It's usually best to just call Jan if you have questions....his website isn't always up to date nor does it tell everything that's available.

 

Jan might chime in here.

 

Agree with much of above with following caveats if planning to mod a GP (or any BMW MINI I suppose) for improved performance:


#1 You must really like being the underdog, because there are easier (and in the end cheaper) ways to go fast.

#2 You must really appreciate the intimate/communicative experience the MINI offers (R53's anyhow). I've driven/owned many old school simple sports cars and the R53 provides a lot of that purity of purpose feeling while having benefits of modern safety/reliability. Again, because there are other modern cars that can go fast with less invested time and $$.

#3 You must be into the experience of working and modding the car yourself. Otherwise the journey will be prohibitively expense plus you may never get to the 'goal' if you don't know how to tweak on your own.

If all above fits then go for it!


And def agree with checking out RMW....their webpage is all but dead these days. But facebook page is active, or just call Jan.