When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
1st GearNew members: make an initial post and introduce yourself as you shift from Neutral to First Gear. Current members: meet some of the new members.
I drive for UPS and was driving by this dealership that had a dozen or so Mini's outside. I had some time before my next pickup so I pulled over, clocked out for lunch, went inside and asked for a test drive. Holy **** was it a blast!!! Walked out with the keys and title before my lunch was over. But where do I start? Can you tune them? How do I find out what services are due and when (it didn't come with an owners manual) What are some good brands for shift ***** and wheels? Am I supposed to wave to other owners like I do in my Jeep? I have too many questions. I should've researched before buying but I've had way too much fun the past 48hrs. I just wanted to say hi.
Yep i seen that now, yes they always have some different MINIs. Yep now i see it, its a custom green and looks to be painted and not wrapped. " 10-15k professional paint job."
They have a very nice R52S in BRG that I'd love - except it's an automatic.
Oh and OP welcome to the fold.
cheers
MacMini34
Yes! That's the place. I've delivered there a couple times but never had time to check the cars out. I initially wanted a Clubman but they didn't have any in stock in manual.
Yup - MINIs will grab you just like that. We got our first one that way. Sat in one in the showroom and never drove it. Had to order it and wait, and wait, and wait… for it to be delivered…. that was in ‘03.
R56 Tunes… Do a search on Google for Northamericanmotoring Manic tunes. I believe Way Motors still does them. These cars need to benched tuned, so the ECU needs to be plugged directly into a computer. So for Way to do it, you will need to send them the ECU. From the reading I have done, the Manic is probably the most reliable. Maybe not the Highest HP, but reliable. If you are going for a tune, you will need a good intercooler upgrade (Helix comes to mind) and consider exhaust up-sizing (Miltek, there are others depending on how loud you want to be). Also get a ScanGage II from Way so you can watch things like water temp, oil temp, etc. Both of those run higher than you might think. Also plan on changing oil every 3 - 5000 miles with something good like Redline, Motul.
There are other tunes and tuners out there, but Manic is the one I have read the most about.
There might be others out there who know of other good tunes/tuners out there that I am not familiar with.
Yup - MINIs will grab you just like that. We got our first one that way. Sat in one in the showroom and never drove it. Had to order it and wait, and wait, and wait… for it to be delivered…. that was in ‘03.
R56 Tunes… Do a search on Google for Northamericanmotoring Manic tunes. I believe Way Motors still does them. These cars need to benched tuned, so the ECU needs to be plugged directly into a computer. So for Way to do it, you will need to send them the ECU. From the reading I have done, the Manic is probably the most reliable. Maybe not the Highest HP, but reliable. If you are going for a tune, you will need a good intercooler upgrade (Helix comes to mind) and consider exhaust up-sizing (Miltek, there are others depending on how loud you want to be). Also get a ScanGage II from Way so you can watch things like water temp, oil temp, etc. Both of those run higher than you might think. Also plan on changing oil every 3 - 5000 miles with something good like Redline, Motul.
There are other tunes and tuners out there, but Manic is the one I have read the most about.
There might be others out there who know of other good tunes/tuners out there that I am not familiar with.
Have fun and motor on…
I would not recommend Manic, or any other canned tune. I am preparing to tune with @Lou@Prototype-R because he does custom tuning. Data-logs the car and tunes the car specifically. Not the platform.
@DogueParamour for the handles and gas tank: Handles, they just come as a cover that sticks on. Fits snug and feels good. Gas tank cap, you can get a gloss black or carbon fiber cover that snaps on in place of the factory chrome one.
Also, search for a Gen 2 Beltline kit, and put that over the chrome beltine. Does wonders for the cars looks.
Here is a link to a thread where the OP has gone with Lou at Prototype-R. It looks like a really good tune. But the OP has also done a ton of things to his car and it takes effort on the owners part to get it done and it may take a few iterations. Take a look to see what is involved.
I personally know people with the Manic tune on their relatively stock engine R56, track their car and have no issues with it. It is simple to do and it works. Maybe not optimized for the car. it is more like getting the JCW tune on the R56S although it makes a bit more power.
There is a lot of info on NAM and tunes, like a lot of things, are dependent on what you are looking to achieve and how much effort you want to put into achieving it.
Manic is no longer in the tuning game. So if you actually get a Manic tune loaded to your car, prepare for zero after support. I had a Manic tune, and it never ran at 100%. Finally got tired of the inconsistent operation and went to @Lou@Prototype-R for a recalibration. Also, no need to remove and send your ECU. Lou can do everything remote.
I would not recommend Manic, or any other canned tune. I am preparing to tune with @Lou@Prototype-R because he does custom tuning. Data-logs the car and tunes the car specifically. Not the platform.
@DogueParamour for the handles and gas tank: Handles, they just come as a cover that sticks on. Fits snug and feels good. Gas tank cap, you can get a gloss black or carbon fiber cover that snaps on in place of the factory chrome one.
Also, search for a Gen 2 Beltline kit, and put that over the chrome beltine. Does wonders for the cars looks.
Thank you for the guidance! I really appreciate it. This forum requires hrs of reading each night just to learn all the lil nuances to this car.
Manic is no longer in the tuning game. So if you actually get a Manic tune loaded to your car, prepare for zero after support. I had a Manic tune, and it never ran at 100%. Finally got tired of the inconsistent operation and went to @Lou@Prototype-R for a recalibration. Also, no need to remove and send your ECU. Lou can do everything remote.
Can I start off with just a tune, or is it recommended to get intake/exhaust/etc. first?
Prices go up at the beginning of the month from time to time.
This is a replacement full set and not just a cover. It has the back clips and the weather seal built in just like the factory pieces. This was the first time MINI made a factory blackline for MINI on the beltline. You either used black tape, plasti dip (looks crappy up close), or professional paint which would be much more then this kit. When they were launched they were not much less. Most places will give you little to know info on MINI parts.
This is for F56 MINI 2014+ , not R56 ( they never made a factory kit)
