I've got an 05 non-S mini and want to do the one best performance mod. Specifically, I'd like to gain a couple of horsepower without killing gas mileage. So, what's the biggest bang for the mod? Things I'm gleaned from reading this forum: New air intake? New exhaust? New Tires?
Either way, what is the noise difference? I would like a little bit of a rumble, but I don't want to sound like a teenager with a loud car. I also like to listen to music while I drive, so some noise is OK, but want to still hear the music.

thanx.
TS

 

GO intake, exhaust, not too much hp (5ish) but you will see a healthy MPG increase.

 

I flashed the ECU on my 05 Cooper, and am very happy with the results. I did the MTH Standard file, (not the Tuner), since first and foremost, this is a daily driver and reliability is the most important issue for me. I want to get 150k miles out of this puppy. Torque rolls in at 3k now rather than 4k, throttle is crisper, mileage is a tad better. No other engine mods at this point, might try a catback one day, but hey, I like it just as it is.

Talk to Don if you're interested.

http://www.precision-mini.com/default.asp

 

+1!

 

I installed an air intake and an exhaust header and they removed the low end lag while give a nice growl when I'm on it. My wife drives our it during the week and she has never once complained about the noise. (there is no extra noise on the high way so you can hear your music) I also suggest upgrading the ECU.

 

Bang for the mod would be a turbo or head work but those are nowhere near best bang for the buck.

I think if you can afford to do an intake, exhuast then ECU tune you'll have quicker, louder peppier car. How you go about doing that will determine how the car sounds, I've heard a Cooper with an HAI (Green) and a custom exhaust (local muffler shop upgrade) that was the best N/A sounding car I've heard short of an F430.

 

OK, I will:
Intake then exhaust then see about the ECU. I'll need to find a good local garage, because I am not the type to do this work myself. This is going to be fun.


TS

 

for best gains, high to low...

i will be headed to MTH soooooon...then maybe an exhuast for more aural pleasure....

 

Just had the ECU on my 03 MC reprogrammed with the latest version at the dealer. It revs quicker, feels peppier, and it's easier to take off from standstill with the AC on without bogging. It's free, just ask for it.

 

so that was $190 plus the $80 cable? how many miles since you flashed? i have only heard good things about mth....

 

Yep, $190 plus the cable, which with shipping is about $90. You might be able to find someone local, like in your area MINI club, that has a cable you could borrow or rent, which would save you a few bucks. I installed back in August, about 3500 miles ago, including a track weekend. No problems, just good stuff. The car is stronger down low, and smoother. The Cooper used to have a spot about 4000 where it felt like you got on the cam or something, and really started pulling. That spot comes in as low as 2500 now, pulls smoothly all the way to redline, although I always shift at about 6200. Coming up out the Oak Tree corner at VIR, I could really feel the difference. No starting or driveability issues whatsoever.

The best part, for me, was the throttle response. There used to be maybe a .5 second lag between the time you blipped the throttle and when the engine decided to do something. That's much better now, blip the throttle and it responds much quicker. Makes downshifting much better!

Some people like MTH, others don't. Don at Precision knows what he's doing and I found him to be an honest and straight-forward guy, no problems. He comes off a little gruff maybe sometimes, but he's from North Jersey, that's just the way it works. I don't think anyone can question his knowledge and experience, or his willingness to go the extra mile.

I'm happy with it.

 

I just had the GIAC flash done (see the GIAC thread on this forum) and so far amn getting similar results to what Bullfrog described about MTH. I would put an ECU flash at #1 or #2 on the mod list (possibly going with lighter rims/wider tires first). I waited awhile to do the ECU remap, until I was just about out of warranty.

 

My 2006 MC seems to accelerate faster with the 15 inch holey wheels over the 16 runflat 5 spokers.

of course the 15s don't have as much bite....

 

It should be faster - you are saving as much as 16 lbs. per corner! (depending on the tires, stock vs. stock is approx. 43 lbs. for 16" and 27 lbs. for 15")
My winter set-up with holies and 185's weigh 28 lbs. vs. the summer set-up of X-lites and Toyo non-runflats which weigh 35 lbs. and the difference is definitely noticeable, the lighter the better feel, although as you mentioned ultimate grip is reduced.
I think holies with wider performance rubber would be a great compromise.

 

Best bang for the buck? Not a hp mod at all... camber plates, bar none!

 

Absolutely. Some more camber up front makes the MC into a monster... you will be amazed at how much faster your can take corners. My MC with camber and skinny 175/65/15 snow tires had better cornering grip and speed than my MC with no camber plates and Azenis autox tires. Best $500 I have ever spent.

 

When I first got my Cooper, I rushed out to put on a CAI, a catback and better. I hated the soft OEM sounds and those two items really did improve the sounds while giving me a quick and cheap minimal performance boost, too.

After a year, I noticed that the CAI and the cat just were not getting it done in mountain twisties like the Dragon, so I had Chad [Detroit Tuned] install a UniChip. Wow...what a difference! Not only did my power shoot up, but also greatly improved was my mileage.

These 3 items were, IMHO, the best and cheapest mods without going into debt to make my Cooper perform better.

 

I love the Coopers..... if I had one I would do intake exhaust and a flash...... because I think what Minis do best is run in the twisties I would concentrate on handling....

I'd go 15s, brakes and suspension.......(ask for specifics and you will get a lot of help) with these mods on the right roads you will have the stock "S" guys wondering what is going on....... handling.....will mean a whole lot more than power on your car..... take advantage of its strengths

 

The best mod is the one that addresses what you see as the biggest shortcoming in your car.

If you've never felt like you needed more brake fade resistance, then a brake upgrade would be pointless. If you have experienced brake fade on the track at an HPDE, a brake upgrade is a great place to start.

It all depends on what you think your car needs help with. If the answer to that is "I don't know", then just spend the money on gas and / or driving instruction until you do have an answer to that question. :D