I'm going to open myself up for all your comments both positive or negative!

I have a '03 MCS with only about 23 k. miles on the clock. Car is a summer toy and has never seen a winter. I purchased it two years ago from a family member that needed a "Yellow" Mini rather than the BRG!!!

Being totally stock, I immediately set about modding the engine with a DDM CAI, Helix 15% pulley, JCW 380's, Miltek header and cat-back, RMW tune, Alta boots, DT bypass, DT tensioner stop, Sprint Booster v2, Semco intake tube, MDS coil, Kingsbourne wires, cooler plugs and a Scan gauge II.

Being in the dead of winter here and awaiting spring. I decided to make up a list of spring tune up needs for a car entering its 10th year and its owner entering his 60th year!

Here's what I will have done: Coolant flush, oil change, brake fluid flush, new pulley belt and a full car inspection. All work is being done by a Mini specialist, so he will know exactly which high wear/weak items need to be checked. I wondered about a thermostat change, transmission fluid change, clutch fluid flush, power steering flush and fuel filter change but was recommended that if all systems are running perfectly, work is not needed. A complete brake job was done at 15 K. so I'm leaving them alone except to check pad wear.
While I'm at it I decided to dump the runflats for Conti Extreme Contact 205/50/16 on my R84's. Why stop there? So, I'm going for H-Sport springs, H-Sport rear control arms, H-Sport Comp rear sway bar and Koni Yellows.
Then decided to go a little further with a Gp intercooler and DDM diverter and a ATI Super Damper 2%. Finally an alignment to pull all the suspension pieces together.
That's it for now! I've already sent payment for all the parts so there's no going back! Comments???

 

You forgot camber plates. May as well add them to round out your suspension setup prior to getting it aligned.

 

So much more than is necessary. There is no separate 'clutch fluid flush' as the reservoir is common to both clutch and brakes.

 

Actually power bleeding up from the clutch will remove the older contaminated fluid in the clutch master/slave....keeping the orings in good shape. Very smart move. Same issues as with brakes, minus the heat. So frsh fluid is good.

 

I am really curious to know how this turns out for the final performance comparison? Hopefully after all this you do notice stickier turns and quicker starts/excelleration....

Look forward to the final analysis!

 

Many of the things done are just good, basic mantaince...
The performance mods are nice....
with all the inspections, new parts, etc, the owner has possibly lowered his longterm ownership costs, and ensured a more relilable future. Not all work on a car is about speed!!

 

Thanks Zippy for your positive thoughts. I'm planning on keeping my Mini long term so thought that simple oil and filter changes were not sufficient to keep it running to its ultimate. A few performance mods, not to get too extreme, just add to my overall satisfaction with the car. My first car was a '66 Mini 850, the Mini is in my blood.

 

Guess we'll see you on the track after the snow melts. How far are you from Calabogie?

 

One suggestion...
if the car already has been tuned, changing the crank damper to a +2 may results in issues...your tune may need to be adjusted or redone since custom tunes are much less forgiving to changes than the oem tune. Check with the tuner to be sure. I would hate to have you run lean from the extra 2%.
while you are having the car worked on, you might want to have the brakes flushed...
mini suggests doing it every 2 years using dot4 fluid...simple to do with the pad check...you may want to consider stainless brake lines...better feel, and them oem ones sre getting upthere in age....
also on such a low mile car, the coolant tank, which oftem leaks at the seam, may be the early desgin....might want to keep an eye on it...easy diy...newer ones are kinda yellowish if i remember right....simple to determine new/vs old, but newer ones just last longer...
doing indepth mx on a var is kinda like remodeling a house....always one more thing to do if you want! It sounds like the mini place you are using knows a few things about mini's....a huge help. Heck that simple fact can make the difference between a great ownership experance, and a nightmare!!
A few basic checks..like the ps fan, etc should get done by a good mini shop, no request needed.

 

Zippy,

I already changed the coolant expansion tank, as you said it was leaking from the seal.
When Jan did the tune, he left it a little rich because I did say that I was considering a cam down the road. So he said that I could install a cam and still be good to go. However, I will post him an e-mail to see what he says.
I drive a good 4 hour trip to Detroit Tuned and Chad for major work. He must have the cleanest shop I've ever been in. The idea that he only works on Minis gives me confidence in his work and opinions.
Cheers, Ed

 

I see nothing wrong with what you arr doing and en courage it. As waif before camber plates will help. Have fun with your newly transformed car.

 

I will smile to these.