So, I decided to take the MINI out of the garage and put it back on the road. There is nothing wrong with the MINI, I just have not been driving it. My plan was to sell the MINI, but I got in her and drove around and fell back in love. So.......

My question: I have a unique MINI, the only 2003 MINI MC40. I got it as a demo from MINI when I was an employee of a local dealership. First owner and it is an MC40 - even though they were not made until 2004.... that being said - I wanted some thoughts on what you all think - keep it stock or shoot the moon.

My thoughts:

The MINI is a Chili Red on White. I was never a big fan of the white and would like to do the following:

Paint roof or vinyl entire roof black
Blackout all chrome
Remove racing stripes
Body color all black trim pieces

This will change the car so that externally it will no longer look like an MC40 - and there in lies the dilemma - so I turn to you.

I would also like your thoughts on what upgrades are worth it. I have made zero changes to the MINI from stock, and am not interested in those that sound better, only the ones that actually assist performance. I plan on keeping the car for a long time now so I do not mind spending the money, but I do live in the people's republic so SMOG is mandatory.

The planned upgrades (under the hood) are:

Coil over suspension
shock tower braces
upgraded brake/rotor kits

The questionable ones are the ones having to do with the engine / emission components:

CAI
Exhaust
Head
Cam
Pulley(s)
Software
Injectors


I would love excellent mileage, but the 1st gen's never got excellent mileage (I average 26.4mpg) and I am currently split between my truck with 12mpg and my bike at 44mpg, so if I can stay above 20 I will be happy. The car really should be fun.

I will continue to look on the forum, but I am having trouble finding the information that I am looking for and it is especially difficult with a rare vehicle.

Thanks in advance.

 

Personally, I think you have a great MINI, and factory color scheme.

Considering how rare it may be, If it were me. I would stick to mods which were reversible and undetectable once removed.

 

I agree with Gray Raven, the MC40 should keep it the way it is.

 

Ditto to the above. And, I cringed recently when I witnessed a GP being modded.

 

Can't see doing the things you want to an MC 40, leave it as is and enjoy.

 

I have to agree with the said above. Vinyl on the roof might be fine as it is totally removable. You might get a JCW grille set to replace your grille and either vinyl or replace the mirror caps to match the black. Removing the stripes is fine they can be replaced. I would be weary of painting things though. The black plastic to body color maybe but messing with the chrome beltline would be something I'd cringe about. As far as the mods go. Is it a JCW MC40? I am assuming not then a JCW tuning kit may be in order (would make the car more rare) or doing a JCW intake and exhaust with an ALTA 15% underdrive pulley and some one step colder NGK laser iridium plugs. I can get you the part # for those if needed.

could you post some pictures of the car? Might help with the ideas.

 

I would leave it as is... no mods or changes, if you change it then it won't be unique imo.. but then again it's your car...

 

do what ever you want to your car to make it the way YOU want it.

I cringe everytime I see a stock MINI with huge wheelgap

 

+1 to Gray Raven's advice.

 

The way I look at it, that car was sold as a money-maker. Granted I just did some light reading to see what was special, but it sounds an awful lot like my MCS as far as features. The vinyl graphics look stick-on, 3rd grader style to me. The interior is sharp though. And they said it was special because of the 'unmistakable' or 'memorable' color scheme. Red and white with extra chrome accents...really? I think the wheels are slick and the interior is flashy, but the exterior leaves much to be desired. If you're not going to sell it, why are you holding on to an exterior look that you don't like (I assume you don't like it)? I would go ***** to the wall with whatever mods you have in mind, but I think if you peel off the stickers, you have everyone else's Cooper, and they all modded theirs, right?

I don't mean to offend anyone that really likes this look, but it's just not for me.

Good luck bud