hi,
i have to first apologize, because i dont know much about cars (or warranties).... except that i like to drive them. but my major qualm with my mini is that it isnt fast enough for me, and i suppose i should have solved this originally by buying a manual transmission. the reason i didnt is a long and stupid story and its a little too late for that now.. but my question is, what can i do to make my car faster but not void the warranty? the car is a little too slow on the pick up sometimes and i feel like i really have to use a lot of force to get it past 85 mph.... what can i do?
-amanda

 

You can do most anything to the car if that mod doesn't or can't be proved to break the part the mod is modding! i.e. brakes, exhaust, intake, skid plate, etc. basically external stuff.

Or, drive it for a while longer until your S comes in.

 

Interesting: besides the slight hesitation when pulling out from a stop, I've never had any trouble with power at higher speeds.

Have you gotten through your break-in period yet? If not, ask again after that. If so, you definitely shouldn't be afraid of getting it into the 4k RPM range. It really isn't pushing it that hard.

Also, using the M+S "Sport Mode" helps significantly at cruising speed to push it up into the higher rev area where there is more power.

 

Are you driving in Germany?

 

i'm well past the break-in. i've got about 3,600 miles. it just feels like i have to use a lot more force on my mini than any other car i've driven.....

 

Get an MCS

 

>>Are you driving in Germany?

 

if i could afford a mcs i would get it... but i cant which is why i dont have one. secondly, i frequently take 3 hour trips from school to home and home to school.... and when i want to go faster it takes a lot of force...

 

Got CASH? Put the 6-speed Getrag trans in. (about $3000!!)

 

There are all kinds of aftermarket parts that can increase HP (new wires, exhaust, cold air induction kits, etc. etc. )and most won't kill your warranty. It's just how much do you want to spend? Also reducing weight can help, how about a carbon fiber hood???

 

Aside from the "Sport Mode" - the only other *cheap* thing I can think of is weight. Do you have run-flats? Are you hauling a load of stuff?

It's generally only me in the car (my wife is only 115 lbs, so she almost doesn't count anyhow). When I put non-run-flats on the car seemed a bit quicker. I think less weight makes a big difference. You'll find a lot of AutoXers being almost fanatical about unsprung weight (and rightly so for the track).

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thanks for the suggestions.. i do have run flats... mainly i am the only one in the car and occasionally im hauling my dirty laundry. i might look into getting rid of the run flats.
thanks

 

>>thanks for the suggestions.. i do have run flats... mainly i am the only one in the car and occasionally im hauling my dirty laundry. i might look into getting rid of the run flats.
>>thanks

Nomonstersinme,

I would start with an intake and an exhaust. The options out there have been discussed in the performance modifications forum, but here's what I would do:


Magnaflow exhaust $550

Viper/Pipercross intake (or wait for the Green Filter application - very soon!) $327

Nologoy Hotwires $150

some light 16" wheels (Rota) and Azenis tires - Talk to Peter at RSpeed for pricing.

That should get you on the way, and none of these mods will void your warranty. Is your drive from school on a straight road? The other way to enjoy your MINI is to find a different drive that has some curves in it!

Feel free to give me a call with any questions or to place an order.

Randy Webb
Owner, MINI-Motorsport
randy@mini-motorsport.com
720-841-1002

 

What's the green filter application????