I also have a Scorpion exhaust and header. I love the sound and fitment of the cat back after it settled in. I would not buy the header again if I had the choice. If someone lived close by I would swap it for a stcok one. The fitment was substandard.

 

Finally bought a GoPro hero 3 and made a test video. Sound is a little windy since I used the skeleton backplate so lesson learned.

Little idea of how it sounds while driving.

 

Returned to original photo-shoot spot:

 

Since it's been about 5k miles since my brake job I'd like to share my thoughts on the set up I went with. Akebono pads-$80 pelican parts/Ecs can't remember Zimmerman z coat solid rotors $60 ea. front $40 rear. Pelican parts This setup is amazing for hardcore spirited street driving, I haven't experienced much fade at all. I can drive the car hard in and out of corners on the brakes, get out of the car and put my finger on the rotors. Heat dissipates very quickly, dust is very low, noise is inexistent. I would definitely recommend the combo.

 

How is the z-coating holding up on the rotor hats?

 

Looks real good still, holding up well.

 

you need some stickier tires =)

 

That's for sure, next year it's getting dedicated summer tires.

 

Plasti dipped my side scuttles black today, came out pretty nice. I think I'll keep it this way.

 

I originally did it to mine before switching to base cooper scuttles. It's a lot better black with the red S than the chrome bit.

 

Nice video, the Go Pro has so many uses. On the Newer MINIs with Nav there is an app to link the Gopro.

 

Glad to hear some good feedback on the brakes, something soon for my parts list too. Great progress on the car so far.

 

Got myself a set of17" Motegi FF7 wheels off craigslist, wheels have definitely seen better days but the tires are basically brand new. Paid $325 so I can't complain, here's a couple quick shots;

 

I actually don't mind those. They'll look great if/when you get it dropped.

 

I've been thinking about getting a new suspension setup, really wanna drop it a bit during the snow free months. Unfortunately I know nothing about coilovers and lowering other than it cost a lot to do it right. If I can get a quality setup that will allow me to drop in spring and pick up in winter for under $1,500 I'm all ears.

 

For that money, and considering you want to use them in the winter, I'd probably suggest the KW V1s. You can get ST coilovers for less which are 99% the same thing but they key difference is that the KWs are made of stainless and the STs are not. That is really important if you want something that will withstand the winter. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, its actually a pretty straightforward install, the rears especially.

 

At what point do adjustable end links and control arms become required? Can I just get a coilovers kit for a slight drop?

 

With those wheels you can really see the brakes time for you to do the JCW/R56S Brake Upgrade

http://www.c0op3r.com/MINI/Mini.htm

 

Yea i know it, just wanna see how the wider 17s are in the snow first.

 

I'm just lowered on springs for about a 1" drop. If thats all you want to lower it, control arms and endlinks aren't really that necessary. If I were to to go lower though I would definitely make the investment. Really though an inch or so is all you want to go if you want to maintain a decent ride quality and not have to worry about scraping everywhere.

The V1s have an adjustment range of of like 1.2-2.5" or something like that. So if you want to slam it in the summer and go back up to an inch of drop in the winter that would be the way to go. On the other hand, if you only want to drop your car by an inch in the first place you should just get a decent spring/shock combo and call it a day.

 

I only want a slight drop, but I can't afford to loose any ride height in the winter, so the adjustability is unfortunately a must.

 

Unfortunately most coilovers at full height are still at least an inch or so lower than stock. So yes, you'll have adjustability, but its only from an lowered a bit (1") to fully slammed (ie 2.5")

 

That is unfortunate, back to the drawing board.

 

By the way, the reverse lights arent in the tails, these are made for a prefacelift car with the reverse in the bumper.

 

Thank you!