So I bought my 2002 Mini Cooper S about 3 weeks ago. I got it for an incredibly low price and it's not my only car. So it was sort of just a fun car to mess around with. Historically I've always had fast cars and done my own work. Currently I have a Formula WS6 with 513rwhp. The mini is def the opposite end of the spectrum.

I bought the car with 117,118 miles on it. So far I've replaced the oil pressure switch as it was leaking through the connector. Replaced a rear sway bar end link, the rear sway bar bushings, sun roof rubber drain connectors, fuel filter, plugs, wires, BPV and don't an oil change.

I've added an airtec intercooler, AFE intake and a prosport boost gauge.

I've got a list of items on the to be fixed list. It needs a new drivers side axel. The boot is ripped. Also the drivers door actuator has died so the door lock doesn't respond to the unlock signal from the key or dash switch. The car is lowered on ST suspension coilovers. The previous owner had is slammed. It wasn't very drivable. So I had to buy a a replacement wrench and raise it up. It still needs a little more raising.

The biggest issue currently is the exhaust. The previous owner was clearly an idiot. He cut the exhaust directly after the cat and welded in a resonator. Then straight pipe to the battery box, piped around the battery box and then out the back. There's no mufflers on the car. Just the resonator. I knew I was going to replace the exhaust so I just welded in a universal resonator to kill some sound for the time being. It helped. I took a road trip to Pennsylvania this weekend, a 5 hour drive. It was awful at 3k rpm. Also as you can imagine, low end torque doesn't exist....at all.

I know everyone will give me crap about this, but I've ordered an eBay exhaust for cheap money, $250. My justification is simple...currently taking got nothing under there but welded together pipes. I'm either going to have to weld a new flange to the header or cut the exhaust I buy and weld it all together. Whichever option I go with will absolutely be better than the hack job under there currently.

Once that is all sorted out I plan to install a 15% pulley.

It's got a few other small issues I need to resolve...the dash rattle and such.
But so far my experience with the Mini has been a good one. Pretty easy to work on. Information is available. And there's really not too many speciality tools needed, aside from the old software for special codes. (I bought a cable and g1 software on eBay for $73)

Anyway that's my current Mini situation. Thanks to this site for being so helpful.

Ahhh, Your recount brought a smile to my face... you are not alone.

Motor on!

Yeah...unfortunately as these cars get cheaper there are lots of folks who try their hand at modding...with varying levels of success....

My stock exhaust was falling apart. Replaced it with a BORLA one and I love it. More performance, and it's not loud at all. I believe I got the touring one. it's a little quieter. I paid $750 for it.

Plus, 1 Million mile warranty! I found a leak and they sent me the replacement part within a couple days.

At least you're slowly but surely getting things fixed up! If you need any help with the work you're performing be sure to check out our tech articles here. If you need any help or have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Post up some pictures of your progress with the MINI too.

-Luccia

Thanks! And I actually ordered most of the parts from you guys at Pelican Parts. Super fast delivery!


Today I replaced my drivers side door actuator, because it was not responding to unlock commands from the key or the dash mounted switch. After doing the complete swap.... it STILL doesn't respond to unlock commands. So it seems that its the body control module. Which wouldn't be too far fetched.... see previous comment about having to replace the sunroof rubber drain tubes... I suspect it got wet and I've been fortunate enough to only have the unlock function on the drivers side door be a result of the damage. So if that's all that is wrong, It'll stay that way for a while. I can't see it being worth the expense of a new BCM.

I learned a valuable lesson today also... My car had recently felt very slow and sluggish with little to no whine from the supercharger. Today it was a cool rainy day, the first in a while where I haven't ad to use my Air Conditioning. Started her up, A/C turned off and instantly felt like a new car. I don't know if the AC being on had hindered performances as much as I thought it did or if the AC running somehow caused the Belt to slip on the SC Pulley. I'm hoping its a slipping belt, because I'd love to have that performance with my A/C running. I suppose this will be rectified when I replace the pulley with a 15% reduction and a new belt.

My pleasure. Awesome! Happy to hear this.

-Luccia