Seeing the 'improvement' thread gave me the urge to ask others what they are doing to personalize thier Mini.

Me being new to the Mini-mania thing, I am assuming one of the great joys of Mini ownership goes towards peronalizing your Mini. I could be all wrong here and full of poop (well, I may be full of it, regardless, ).

I have not gotten mine yet, but the list of things I will be doing to it is growing.

1) Roof graphics: I will be adding a star chart to the roof panel which reflects my new Mini's name.
2) New speakers and amp for the audio system.
3) Rear sway bar.
4) Better shocks.
5) New speedometer housing to separate the audio controls better from the speedometer. (CNC/laser cut)
6) matching tach housing (CNC/lasr cut)
7) Bonnet stripes which traverse the bonnet (hood), up the A pillars, down the roof sides (framing the star chart) and closing at the rear.
8) New wheels
9) New grill and insert (CNC)
10) New bonnet exhaust vents and covers (CNC)

I have some other idea, but need to get the car so I can rip it apart to see what else may be possible.

 

So far (I'll try to remember chronologically):

-Boot Stripes
-Clearbra
-Checkered License Plate Frames
-Personalized Tags
-Glove Box Organizer
-Grocery Bag Holder
-Boot Mat
-Red/Black Cocomats
-Red lighting in door sills and foot wells
-Custom Warning Label Covers (checkered)
-Custom Wheel Center Caps (checkered)
-Custom Gas Cap Lid Decal (checkered)
-Custom Door Sill Plates (checkered)
-Checkmate Eyes (checkered)
-Rear View Mirror Cap (checkered)
-Additional Chrome for Interior
-"Cooper" badge on interior dash
-Custom Shift Boot
-Custom E-Brake Boot
-Stubby Antenna
-Clear Side Repeater Lenses
-MiniMates 3-Flag Metal Badges
-"Actual Size" sticker
-Grille Badges (set of 6 which I alternate)

And one rather significant mod forthcoming.

 

This is my first time really messing with a car too

but heres the list:

paint a lot of the molding and chrome body color
wheels/tires
suspension (coil-overs, camber plates, sway bar ect)
turbo-back exhaust
JCW seats
JCW steering wheel
more....? probably...

luckily some of these parts can just be replaced as they wear out so it isn't really additional cost.

guess i need to start saving though :impatient

 

I'm going to get a set of these ...



I'm going to put one of these stickers on each of the side, rear windows...



...and I'm going to swap out some of the speakers.

That's it ...I think (hope).

dean.

 

I personalize my MCS by removing rubber from the tires driving very intense roads extremely hard.

 

Great thread, I just cant wait for these dreams to become reality:
1. bonnet stripes
2. jolly roger roof graphic
3. black out beltline
4. black out tail lights
5. black out chrome in headlights
6. door handles and gas cap in body color
7. color coded arches
8. additional LED's in boot, footwells and doors.
9. limo tint
10. possibly a euro plate
11. new wheels
12. replace speakers and add a sub.

o and the list goes on and on :D

 

1. personalized license plates
2. new gear shift ****
3. glove box organizer
4. heavier duty rear sway bar
5. front strut bar

 

Hard for me to count the clearbra and mud flaps as personalization... but those will be there. With the interior and eterior chrome kits... and I think the Redwood Red will be a "personal taste" kind of touch, too.

The big non-factory things on my list right out the chute though, will be the ride height (H&Rs go on right the day after delivery) and window tint. Followed by a set of 18" OZ Tribe Evo's (anthracite with polished lip):



Should look nice with the lowered DS/W car w/tinted windows me thinks.

 

Interesting how people chose to customize/personalize the car.

I am even considering molding up some replacement parts for the exterior sheet metal, but that will be down the road.

I'll post my typical transmorgrification (tm), as I move forward on it.

 

So many mods, so little time....

- Atlanta Minis club sticker
- Personalized license plates
- New rims & tires
- New springs
- Replace all stock speakers + small sub and amp
- Aero kit side skirts

Thats all I can come up with for now that Im sure I will be doing. Of course there's always intake, exhaust, upping the boost, new chip, etc etc. Those depend on what products come out and my cash flow.

 

I added my old 1966 minivan license plate number to the hood of the car. Wisconsin requires a front license plate, so I couldn't do it there. Check out my gallery. Yeah Baby, England in the 60s was groovy.

 

Nice wheel choice
Love the Lip.

 

Sndwave...you have your priorities straight! Heat em up, scrub em, then scrub em some more!

 

Of course I will acquire a personalized plate, and possibly a stubby antenna... probably a sub...

Other than that I can't imagine what else I would want to improve on. After driving around for a while that might change...

 

I doubt I'll do anything to my MINI since I'll be pretty content with the factory options I'm selecting (very carefully). Lots of ways to approach these cars...you can do a lot or do a little, just so it suits you!!

 

Skuzzy,

What kind of CNC router are you using? My brother-in-law builds them in Texas.

 

I have access to a Kent 4VKF, a Kent JM-450 and they just got a new EDM mill in, but I have not had a chance to see it yet.

The company lets me come in after hours and use the equipment in exchange for translating design work for them. I just have to pay for the raw material and bits (actually, they would let me use their bits, but I don't think that is right as they are pretty expensive).

I have a friend who runs a laser cutter for another company. More difficult to get access, as they are very busy, but I barter with them as well.