Hi there,
I just recently picked up a 2006 MCS with about 67k miles on it and I'm very stoked on it! I've been looking into modifications and wondering where to start because I've been told different by many others where to start. Just off the top of my head I've been looking into exhaust ( debating custom or brand name), intake, brakes, suspension. Not to mention smaller things such as a Thule roof rack with fairing and a radar detector of some sort.... Any suggestions where to start or where anyone started their build?
Thanks!

 

pulley/intake #1
brakes
exhaust
suspension bits

 

1. Pulley/Belt/Intake
2. Rear Swaybar
3. Sticky Tires

 

I did it in this order:
One ball mod
16% pulley
Intake
Lightweight wheels / sticky non run flats

 

I've seen most people use 15% pulleys, does it make much of a difference? And I was planning on getting a new system so the one ball would be kinda pointless right?

 

Eric at helix has it nailed. That is the order I did it on my 02. Motor on

 

I'm starting to feel that. Motor, intake, exhaust, brakes, suspension

 

Once you have an order sorted out in your mind, compare that to any work that needs to be accomplished due to normal maintenance, you might as well try to combine the two.

Happy MODing

Motor on!

 

Yeah! I'm getting it checked out by my mechanic sometime this week to see what needs to be done If anything and all that fun stuff before I'll touch modifications haha

 

I agree with helix, except I would do a strut tower brace/tower defenders first to prevent the front shock towers from mushrooming. Then, pulley/intake ect.

 

Yes I felt a noticeable difference between a 15% and 16% pulley - my suggestion is if you cannot decide between a 15 and a 17 then get the 16.

As for the order of mods, personally preference comes into play. Personally I would rather spend $1k on a lightweight wheel (especially if you have heavier stock wheels) and sticky tire setup or springs/struts rather than on noisemakers like exhaust or intake that are not going to do much power-wise on a engine with stock heads.

 

depending on what wheels you have, I would completely agree with this. the slites are actually quite heavy, they are the heaviest wheel I believe that mini offers.


lightweight wheels make a big difference

 

Yep. No sense replacing tires or brakes until you use up what you have.

 

I would check the date your tires were manufactured. If the tires are over 6 years old, I would consider replacing them. Even if the outside looks good, the oxygen on the inside of the tire may be effecting the sidewalls.

 

+1 This was the first mod I made to my MINI.

 

What's YOUR order of importance? Do you have more power first? Better handling first? Better braking first? Looks? It all depends on what YOU want.

Most of the MINI mods are pretty simple, proven, and easy mods to do. It all boils down to what's more important to you

 

It depends how much you want to change the look, or even sound of your car.


If you don't want to do either that much, just fit a 15% pulley, a JCW airbox (without any butchering internally) and get a BytetroniK tune specifically for it. The car will be significantly quicker, discreet, and save a lot of fuel. Then ditch the runflats in favour of some very sticky road legal tyres, non runflat, I used 215/45R17 Federal RSR595's but use whatever, big difference.


I used 17% pulley, but am tempted to go down, but that's my car.


You need not worry about changing the exhaust, or making the car stiffer if your prime concern at the moment is a bit more performance. The air kits which are open change the look under the bonnet a lot, and I feel make more noise than gains. Like I said, it depends what your after. Next I'd do is some bigger brakes, as stickier tyres will maybe highlight their weaknesses.


Only my 2p

 

I recently purchased a r53 after years of looking, trading cars, purchasing, etc... I have owned a couple GTI's, two Focus SVT's, as Impreza WRX wagon, a Legacy GT, I could go on but I think you get the picture. I really have enjoyed every car I've owned for what it is, but I do regret not purchasing a Mini earlier on (I never could get past that "girly car" stigma and sadly never gave it a chance even though I loved the look). I test drove one this year on a whim and having been searching for the perfect r53 ever since. Like a said about 2 weeks ago I pulled the trigger on exactly what I've been looking for. I've always loved upgrading, modding, and tinkering with my cars and so it had to be stock and it's exactly that a stock 2003 Mini S with 55k miles. Anyways I promise this all has a point and I promise I'm getting there. I quickly got to purchasing parts and components for my upgrades I have installed so far...

1: Brembos (technically JCW's)/rotors
2: Konig Forward 17" wheels with Pirelli p zero's
3: Koni Yellow's with Tein's

I've done some various appearance things as well: legal tint, blackout the trim and such but mechanically those are the aspects I've altered. The more I read and the more I think about it.... I think I went the wrong way first, with all the other cars I've owned handling of utmost importance to me, and the same is true of the mini.... but it's handling is already so damn good I should probably gone ahead and swapped the pulley, and gone that route. don't get me wrong my mini turns and stops on a dime I absolutely don't regret doing things in the order I did at all but I think you have to take the car into account and I may have missed that on this one.

Anyways sorry for the long first post but thought I'd share. I do love this car, definitely my favorite to date!

 

It always depends on the use of the car. Daily, Weekend ripper or dedicated track car.

Chassis bracing is always a great start and you WILL feel the difference. Power and sound as you like. Better brakes and tires


Strut Tower Brace
Rear Swaybar
Under Chassis Brace
Rear Chassis Brace
16% Pulley
Cold Air Intake
Hawk Brake Pads
Better Tires


Make sure you check the oil and change it as recommended

 

I've only recently had my 05 mini, the previous owner has already put on the ATI super damper crank pulley. Then my order was 17% pully, intake and then magnaflow catback. I agree with what others are saying though. It all about what's important to you and go that route.

 

I would replace the items that need to be replaced first and do all the maintenance stuff that likely hasn't been done (I am in this boat with mine).

Air filter, bushings (Motor mounts, sway bars, control arms, trailing arm), ball joints/cv joints, brake/coolant/trans flush, fuel filter, belts, Clutch, plugs/wires, check shock towers for mushrooming, check radiator overflow for leaking... this all really adds up price wise, even if you do the work yourself...

Get to know the car and where you feel the downfalls are... (are you used to more horsepower, better handling, oversteer, etc) and figure out what direction you want to go (track car, daily driver, autocrosser, show car)

Happy for you! I love my '06!

 

This is the best suggestion yet. With the prices of R53 MINIs dropping we have seen many people get a MINI new to them and immediately come in for a bunch of mods. Then only to find out the car needs bushings and several other repairs to keep it on the road. Real bad news if you spend all your budget on mods first.

But after that the first thing and best bang for the buck would be our supercharger pulley kit.
Then a rear sway bar, Hsport Comp is ideal for R53
And for Exhaust check out our Stratmosphere exhaust as it makes good torque, and not loud and annoying.

 

I'm replacing the motor mounts and sway bars next, any suggestions as to what to purchase? Do they make any solid motor mounts for the r53?

 

I got my 06 R-53 a few weeks back. Putting in a new front motor mount ( showed signs of leaking) The strut tower bearing were shot, so installing new Koni yellow's all around. Oh, and the PSP was noisy. Replaced that first. I guess this is leading up to: Do what needs to be done to make it safe ,before fast. Breaks next for me.

 

The car I bought had enkeis on it and new rubber so I'm, good on that thank goodness haha