Hey guys! My first post, all help is appreciated:

So I bought a 2005 Mini Cooper (R50) a couple of months ago. First car, screaming deal, minis are my dream car...just had to get it. Summer is coming, going to be working, so now its time for some fun.

Heres my goal list of mods/improvements:

- Wheels: OZ Ultraleggera 17x7 (15.9lbs). Currently have the OEM 7 hole 12lb 15inchers

- Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3 Tires (live in Vancouver lots of rain)

- DDM Cold Air Intake

- Alta 19mm Rear Sway Bar

(upgrades will probably be done in that order).

Now I also want to eventually get a new exhaust. I don't want to look like a punk kid running around at night through neighbourhoods, but I want it loud enough to where I see it as an upgrade to the stock muffler. I have since looked into Borla, Megan racing and Magnaflow. I would ultimately like the Borla 140030 Cat-Back, but I'm seeing mix sites saying that it won't fit with anything 2005+ but then I seen other NAMers with 06 justas with it...mini mania said it won't fit my car... is it just 05 that it won't fit? Some clarification on that would be AWESOME. If it doesn't fit which of the two (magnaflow/megan racing) is better? Deeper noise, not obnoxious but still loud. I drive the highway about 30 minutes 4 times a week if that matters

Looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say. Any other mod ideas are greatly appreciated!

 

Sounds like you've got a good handle on what you want to do. I can't help with exhaust, I'm still running JCW with the resonator deleted. I liked the improvement on throttle response when I added the D1-Spec throttle controller.

 

Scorpion also makes a nice sounding exhaust for the R50.

 

Replace the control arm bushings with Powerflex.

 

I have an '06 with a fairly extensive list of mods. I have the Borla catback and an aFe cold air intake. It sounds pretty good, not tinny or ricey, but it does drone a bit around 3-4k on the highway. If I were you I'd keep the imola holies, those wheels are great. I went from 16" OEM to 16" Konigs (feathers, 15lbs.) and now I'm on R100 15" stockers and I'm really liking 15" wheels. The car feels much lighter on it's feet, very nimble. They're 15x5.5" so I'm going to put on some 205/55/15 summers when I burn through the OEM all seasons that came on them. I'd get some coilovers or upgraded shocks and springs if I were you, that was a drastic improvement in driving feel. Also window tint and a loud stereo, you can never go wrong with those! I'm in Victoria, nice to see another BC R50!