My wife and I just bought an '06 MCSa. I haven't seen too many of the auto transmission MCSs on this site but I assume they are around. I would have liked to get a manual transmission but it is primarily my wife's car and she can't drive a stick. The car is chili red with a black top and bonnet stripes. It has the sunroof, leather/red cloth sport seats, sport steering wheel, navigation, and of course the auto.

I have an old 911 that is a stick so that keeps me happy. I looked at several MCSs before buying the 911 but I really love those old air cooled cars. I have heavily modified all of my past cars so I know having a plan is a huge money and time saver.

The Mini is actually the first car I've ever seen my wife get excited about, she loves it! She has been looking at all the Mini websites for modifications I was wondering if this looks like a good plan.

1. DICE Ipod integration

2. Ian's Auto-Up window module (no fogs or DSC on our car so I guess those functions are not needed)

3. M7 strut brace to stiffen up the shock towers and prevent mushrooming

4. Checkerboard roof decal (my wife loves to look different!)

5. Flying Checkerboard bonnet stripes to replace the OE ones

6. My wife wants some magnetic numbers for the doors, maybe black on white roundels with black trim?

7. I'd like to sneak a 16% pulley in there (are stock injectors and programming fine for this combined with an intake of some sort?)

8. Maybe a JCW intake as well (any measured gains from this airbox? Can it be used with a MCSa since the engine is higher?)

9. European Shelf (where do you get these things? Stealership?)

Is this site the best place to find out about Mini Meets? My wife would love to see some of the different styles you give your Minis!

 

Congrats on the 06 Mini!! I have an 06 MCSa as well, and have been pleased with the mods I've done... 15% pulley and shorter belt (JCW belt is right), colder Iridium plugs are best with the pulley... stock injectors and program are just fine..Pete at Minspeed in Miami has a great cold air intake that I have installed... really helps.. Also am using the modified and blue printed by pass valve by Pat Wallis.. Also available from Pete at Minspeed... These mods will give you a real kick in the pants. Auto up window module was one of the best things I've dome... Makes toll booths a snap, and really an easy install.
Next for me is an exhaust... Only holding back 'cause I'm not wanting a drone while on the highway at sustaned speeds...
The automatic can be just as much fun as a stick... Enjoy!!

 

Put a 15% pulley don't need a new belt don't need new plugs new CAI if you want have fun.

 

Thanks for the info! I will look around for the 15% pulley. I've seen Alta V1 and V2 on eBay a few times. If we get any pinging I'll definately go with the colder plug but I am partial to standard copper unless Mini specs iridiums. From what I gather the 15% pulley is good for around 15hp at the crank?

Speedee I'll take a look at Pete's CAI for the MCSa. Does he have a website or is it just out of his shop? How do you like the EBC greenstuffs on the Mini? I have a set to go on my Jeep although I realize given the difference in vehicles and the difference in compound they can't be compared.

 

I'd second the 15% pulley - but for reliability reasons. I DO recommend a shorter belt - because the the auto, the stock belt puts the belt tensioner at a kinda weird place with a 15% pulley. I have a Dinan airbox and love it - but JCW will work fine as well and is worthwhile with the pulley. The one-ball exhaust mod is also worthwhile IMHO. And, personally, while you CAN drive the car with these mods and the factory programming, an ECU re-map will definitely smooth out the performance of the car... Lots of reading about all these things on my blog...

 

Dunno on the pulley. Got to have it. Run the correct belt, less chance for errors - human or vehicle!!! check out customminishop.com for a pulley and intake. you can get the SRP [strut reinforcement plates] from them as well. They usually have all M7 products in stock. Check the Alta intake, works much better with an auto S. The silicon boot fits great too.

 

The euro parcel shelf you metioned is the #1 convenience/comfort mod you can do, IMO (easy too).

They're no longer available at dealerships though (something about US crash test standards require a knee bolster...the shelf replaces that). You can still get them at a lot of the accessories/parts places (Moss MINI, OutMotoring.com I think both still have them), but they're a bit more expensive than they used to be.

The DICE iPod integration is way better than the OEM. Wish I had it, it's on my list of things to do but I have the OEM adapter so it's way down on the list right now.

Can't go wrong with Ian's Auto-Up.

The M7 brace is cool if you want to stiffen up the handling up front. Otherwise, they also have reenforcement plates to protect the strut towers from mushrooming without tweaking the handling.

Decals/stripes - go with Mike Aesthetic Creations. He does great work!

Have fun with the new MINI!

 

congrats, i have the MCSa also, looks like you have a good list going there haha

 

Congrats - I have one too - I started with wheels and tires - I had to get out of the runflats. Then I got an M7 STB, M7 extreme hood scoop and M7 (to match my husband's WRX), and M7 stubby antenna - I'm working my way up to an intake.

Good luck!!!

 

Another 06 MCSa here. Check my sig line for my mods. This thing really screams now, and the STB and sway bar keep things under control. (add rear sway bar to your list; 19mm for street , 22mm for hardcore auto-x or track).
The cosmetic/convenience mods sound like a good start.
Next up should be replacing the stock run-flats with some serious rubber.

Good luck, and how about some pics?!

 

Your plan sounds good to me. Even though you don't have DCS you'll still want to enable track mode to disable that god awful traction control.

 

Thank you all for the warm welcome! Mini people really are nice! It's funny the car just makes you smile every time you walk up and get in it.

I've been flying all over the web looking at the sites you have recommended. I really like Blimey's Blog and Asthetic Creations has some great graphics! It's good to know the pulley install isn't the same for an auto transmission car, I'd hate to get halfway into it and realize I didn't budget enough time.

I'm amazed at some of the power increases the Minis have with just a pulley, CAI, and a tune! I didn't realize Ian's Auto-Up would also disable the ASC. I had an experience with how badly the traction control cuts the power today using a freeway entrance!

My wife isn't used to driving a car this low so I definately don't want to lower it at all but I could see doing the USS, some better (perhaps adjustable) struts, and a rear sway bar.

I've been looking into finding a second set of wheels with some DOT-R rubber or at least something more sticky. My wife drives about 6000 miles a month so running on sticky tires all the time wouldn't be the best thing. Well it'd be good for the TireRack but not for my wallet!

I need to take a few shots of the car, all I have right now are a few from when we picked it up and the drive home. Maybe I can get some local sunset shots in tonight.

How can I tell if my car has Bluetooth? Is the grill near the passenger airbag light a microphone? I found the Homelink transmitter on the mirror already.

 

It probably *doesn't* have bluetooth because the option is pretty pricey from the factory. The microphone is in the little grill above the airbag light, indeed, but the microphone is already in all the cars. The bluetooth box/wiring itself, wired to the steering wheel (I'm assuming you have phone buttons on the steering wheel), runs a little under $300 from Mikey at newministuff.com. I'm pretty sure he's currently got the least expensive unit, and he's a nice guy, too

But I'm honestly not sure how to tell if it's already in there...without a phone that it's paired with, if you push the buttons nothing would happen whether or not you have it. Short of getting under the dash/behind the stereo and checking for the box, I'm not sure how else to tell. I bet someone knows, though - the beauty of NAM!

 

Glad my blog was helpful!

IMHO, for street driving, DSC/ASC is a VALUABLE safety feature - some tunes (including MTH) make it a little less aggressive to reduce occurrances of what you experienced today - while still leaving it on to be there when you REALLY need it...

 

Well he doesn't have DSC & IMO is very lucky not to. I was almost in a wreck because of that darned traction control nanny cutting power when I pulled out in traffic. Ian's auto-up with track mode was my first mod. My traction control has been off since January '06 without any issues.

 

Congrats. I'm happy for you.

Did he say he didn't have DSC? I missed that - I saw him refer to ASC - but DSC includes ASC, and lots of folks lump them together...

I, too, have nearly been T-boned due to the ASC cutting in when I DIDN'T want it. So I learned to turn it off before those types of maneuvers...

Now I have MTH, and it's not much of an issue anymore - less likely to cut in, and when it cuts in, it's MUCH less obtrusive / aggressive in the amount that it cuts engine power

DSC has SAVED my hiney at least three times on aggressive twisty driving. So it stays on while I'm driving. But I'm truly happy that there are people with the combination of driving skills and self control to never need it.

I hope you never need it.

 

I'm also happy for you. If you feel safer with the car driving for you then great.

Yes the ASC is the worst part of DSC. It's a darned shame it's so aggressive though. Nice to know that the MTH flash makes it less so.

My car doesn't have DSC. Only that super aggressive ASC. Even with a LSD it still cuts in too much. It is a shame that you folks with DSC can't turn off the truly bad part of it & leave the other safety blanket on.

In my mind a MINI with an auto box needs DSC more that a manual boxed one. With a manual you have much better control of the car. Also no LSD is available in an auto boxed MINI. I'll never understand MINI's reasoning on that one. I'm not knocking auto's just stating a fact.

I hope I never need it too. In the future when they iron the bugs out maybe I'll have it then.

In the mean time I drive to the conditions of the road or the race track.

 

Cool!

Yep - I wish LSD + auto were an option... I would own it...

 

Speedee I'll take a look at Pete's CAI for the MCSa. Does he have a website or is it just out of his shop? How do you like the EBC greenstuffs on the Mini? I have a set to go on my Jeep although I realize given the difference in vehicles and the difference in compound they can't be compared.[/quote]

Contact Pete at Minspeed.net... Those of us in Florida have found Pete to be a real stand up guy, a devoted Mini supporter, and on the cutting edge of neat stuff for your Mini.... I put the greenstuff pads on primarily to reduce the tons of brake dust coming from the stock pads... Then found that they really are more effective than stock as well as about 20% of the crud on the wheels. Also installed M-7 tower caps to prevent the common "mushrooming" from happening... If you do the pulley, a new shorter belt is cheap insurance, and easy since you are already there.... Good Luck!

 

My wife has an 06 MCSa as well. It actually drives pretty well, for an auto. The only mod we've done was to pay the dealer for the BMW iPod adapter (pretty poor functionality, frankly) and a clearbra that we had put on before taking delivery of the car.

I can only speak for what I've had done, but if I had it to do again, I'd go with a different iPod adapter (probably the icelink or USASpec). I have the USASpec in my 07 Tacoma and it's really nice - text display, combined thumbwheel and steering wheel control, etc..

Good luck wih the other mods. We'll probably not do alot of that, because it's alot easier to get dealer support on a stock car (I'm too old and lazy to turn wrenches any more)

-- mike

 

The JCW intake fits nicely in the automatic (at least in my MCSca). I like it because it looks more stock than most aftermarket intakes.

 

Yes it does

So does the Dinan - which looks quite "stock" - and makes a little more sound than the JCW and costs quite a bit less. Only downside of the Dinan that I know of (other than warranty) is that you MAY get some throttle whistle at lower RPMs - this is unlikely on the JCW with its flap.