It looks GREAT that I will be an R53 owner in 9 days (yes I'm pretty excited, but who's counting days?). I've been looking at some aftermarket accessories and upgrades from performance to appearance. I wanted to know from those who have experience and have added multiple mods/upgrades; "If you could only pick one modification or upgrade for your Mini, what would it be and why?" I want to do a lot but dont necessarily have the budget to support my ambition/dream, so I must strategically buy mods/accessories. Just wanted to start a cool discussion with no "right" answer.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

Since modifications is such a HUGE category, i think you need to brake it down to aesthetics or performance?

 

Not being a R53 owner I have personally seen the most happiness expressed from those who added a S/C reduction pulley, or rear sway bar, or CAI to hear that whine.

 

Favorite performance: reduction pulley, ecu tune
Favorite handling: huge rear sway bar, front camber plates

I can't really narrow it down more than that because I love, not only each thing, but how they work together to reach greatness. Modifications work best as a system working towards a plan.

 

If you live in an area with a lot of street lights then the "Light in Sight" is a great first option.

Also knowing what is on the car would help to narrow the list down. For some people adding driving lights might top their list, but not so much if they are already on your car.

 

All stock, nothing extra, but it has the Premium Package. It is a Dark Silver and has NAVI, sunroof, automatic A/C, DSC, Fog lamps, rear spoiler, Xenon headlights and back up sensor.

 

personally, if I could do just 1 mod, I'd go with something that works both aesthetically and performance wise... coilovers makes the car look 1000x better by elimiating the wheelgap, and also makes the car handle much better, so it's a win win But I have a feeling you're referring to something much less extreme since not all of us install new suspension on a brand new car within a month of ownership like I did back in 07 when I bought a brand new GTI, I also did the same with a used Audi I owned last (I had the coils ordered before I even picked the car up), and my coils were on within about a month of getting my used Mini which I have now... I have priorities .

 

I would say a CAI to hear that supercharger whine. That and it is so easy to install




just remember one mod leads to another.......

 

Might want to post your dollar limit. That alone will
narrow things down substantually.

 

I would change out the run-flats for some performance tires. Then a rear sway bar. You'll feel like you have a totally different car with respect to handling.

 

Pulley reduction

 

Radar detector :D

 

I'm definetely not only performing one mod, I just wanted to see what everyone thought was the most effective/appealing mod they have done to start a plan. It will be my daily driver (except in snoe, I have a truck for that). I kinda want to get rid of the chrome trim, but saw a M7 hood scoop and love the looks and performance gains. I need to learn more about the pulleys everyone talks about. This is my first supercharged vehicle and if it is as easy as removing the belt and replacing a pulley I'm game. No money limit I just wanted opinions. Ciol overs sound great too. I can see this getting really fun.

 

1st- 15% Way Motor Works or Alta reduction pully
2nd- Ultrik cold air intake
3rd- Milltek or Stratmosphere high flow exhaust system

 

I agree.

I ordered all of my upgrades as a kit, but I did them over a period of several days to see how each one added to the experience.

I will say the reduction pulley was the best bang for the buck and did add a good amount of power.

For interior ergonomics the Ian cull auto up module was great.

But in your quest for mods, don't forget the importance of maintenance.

 

after owning a non-modded MCS for several years, and then another MCS which i modded a lot, i would say the following:

(1) stiffer rear sway bar (eliminates understeer)
(2) reduction pulley + colder spark plugs (helps with the dead spot in 1st gear in the low RPMs).

these two were the ones that made the biggest difference. i am planning on getting another MCS next week and these are the only two mods I plan on doing... perhaps a CAI down the line, but i did not see a huge difference with the DINAN i had on my other one, other than a slightly louder supercharger whine... although having a louder SC whine always made me think the engine was going to explode in the higher RPMs

 

Def a pulley should be your first mod.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package.html

 

I'd agree with the majority here, the Supercharger pully (15%) is the quickest, easiest, cheapest performance mod.
For looks... I'd have to say the 35% tint made a massive difference.
Of course, if you look at my signature I've been bitten (pretty deeply!) by the modding bug!!
Keep it tasteful... Performance and looks. You'll not go wrong!

 

Pulley, 17%..... Big grins!

 

How hard is the smaller belt to get if I would need to replace it?

 

Very easy, this may be the single most popular mod in the r53 community.

 

Favorite Performance Option: 15% supercharger reduction pulley
Favorite Non-Performance Option: JCW Steering Wheel

 

A Union Jack decal on the roof!

Dave

 

Shorter springs. Improves the look and adds a little handling performance.
Of course a supercharger pulley is a great mod but the engine is OK stock but the looks need a little help.

 

DneprDave, it has a sunroof, forgot to mention.