Wait a minute,if I get snow tires can I still do 180"s in reverse from a stand still,spin on a dime.

 

My car is stock, and I love it!!!
I find all the performance mod talk interesting and in fact, I have learned a thing or two.
It does seem as though adding to your car is the thing to do, and if I had more money, I might. The only reason to for me at this point is to give my husband something to play with !!
I plan on just enjoying Fitz for a good long while, and enhancing him at my own sweet pace, and as my heart desires.

 

Stock is good! I have added a MagnaFlow cat-back exhaust (I LOVE this thing), Pilo CAI, Whalen shift ****, and tinted the windows. I also installed clear plastic covers over the headlamps for stone protection. I do not plan on doing anything else in the near future. When it comes to selling a Mini, the buyer is looking for one that is 100% stock as possible.

 

I hope you and fitzs have a good long run together,kind of my plan for Poco and I

 

Hey where you get those headlight covers?

 

My Cooper is stock except for the stubby antenna (5 hp max). I've got an appointment (two week wait time ) for dealer software updates, and I'll probably add a short shift kit before long. That's it. The few times I've considered my MINI to be underpowered are when I'm climbing serious mountain passes -- not exactly everyday fare in Sacramento. Post attitude adjustment, I've decided to view those occasions as opportunities to practice creative shifting. My stock Cooper has more than enough power to get me into plenty of trouble.

Nonetheless I like reading about the mods other MINI drivers are making. Those MINIacs really know their cars, expect perfection, and have pointed me to low-tech solutions for problems I ran into with my stock MINI.

I am also keeping my eyes peeled for a good deal on a used MCS -- and may have to eat my words at some point !

Lombardstreet -- Welcome to the Sacto MINI community! Let us know when your baby arrives! And BTW, where exactly in Sacto is Lombard Street?

 

The short shift does make me consider

 

Not unless you have changed numbers . 55 is running DSP.
----------------------------------------------Index--PAX-OA
April
96 04 Cooper 67.058 64.082 62.492------------48.806 152 90
55 02 Cooper 64.774 64.130 65.212(1)---------52.522 173 176
May
96 04 Cooper 53.095 56.891(1) 53.862(1)------41.467 159 98
55 02 Cooper 53.911 53.377----53.100--------43.489 160 163
July
96 04 Cooper 55.933 54.876 54.076-----------42.233 134 55
55 02 Cooper 56.310 59.143 55.582-----------45.522 174 177
July
96 04 Cooper 56.661 55.212 54.812-----------42.808 104 37
55 02 Cooper 57.482 56.371 57.005-----------46.168 133 140
August
96 04 Cooper 50.748 49.616 48.994 48.754----38.077 104 48
55 02 Cooper 51.335 50.697 52.549(1) 50.959-41.521 140 138
August
96 04 Cooper 50.379 49.909 51.213 49.635----38.765 107 48
55 02 Mini S-53.656(1) 52.668 51.578 51.536--42.208 139 144

 

I got the MCS for the same reason I loaded up on an expensive set of PINGS and I'm lousy at golf. For some psychotic reason I've got to stretch myself into the top of the line, loaded up on equipment, etc. car when the Cooper would have been plenty fine in its own right. Probably an American/Texas state of mind. Anyway, I found the Cooper to be plenty powerful and I like the scoopless hood better, too. Don't get me wrong, I love my HB/W MCS, too, and I always waive to other MINIs, regardless of whether they're supercharged or not.

 

I just thought you Texans got everything as big as it comes

 

You're right it is 55. I thought he had 15k in his car. Is the last set from GG fields?

 

Oh, btw, our MCS is stock...I like the warranty.

 

I could not afford this car without the warranty

 

Yes Round 14.

 

Your times are great. You must be an excellent driver.

 

Many options, try this link... http://www.autoanything.com/products...8&v_id=1852627

 

I second that!

 

Uhm, uh, well - Lombard Street is in San Francisco, actually. Claims to be the "crookedest street in the world" - something like one dozen switchbacks in one city block. Down the side of one of those notorious SF hills!

I chose that moniker as a tribute to my first ride in a Mini Cooper S back in 1968. One of the hairiest rides I have ever had in my entire life!

But, yeah, I'm in Fair Oaks (Sacramento suburb) now. You a member of Gold Country Minis? I'm going to be out of town next weekend so I can't make the foothills run, but I'm looking forward to meeting everyone. (My car will be here sometime in late Nov/early Dec.)

 

As a person who does not auto-X or engage in "high performance contests", I feel that me spending thousands of dollars for 20-30 more HP would be a ridiculous waste of money! I'd rather put money into appearance enhancements or comfort features. No one can see what's under your hood, unless you open it, and then most don't know what they are looking at, BUT, show them your shiney new bling-bling ON your hood, and they go nuts!
I already drive too fast as it is, with a stock MCS!
Now, for those of you who go to the track, knock yourself out, enjoy! It's up to you! Everyone has different reasons for loving their MINI!

 

Here's a pic:



One of the first things I plan to do when I get my MINI is motor down Lombard Street. Maybe about 1/3 the speed that my friend drove me down back in 1968, but I gotta go back and pay homage!

 

I try hard but still get my tail handed to me. I've had a few people point me in the right direction. Junkman, Motoring and Slanger to name a few. This is my first season.

Back on topic I just wanted to point out that it isn't necessary to mod in order to go fast. It's just diffferent strokes for different folks. Most important thing is to go out and have fun.

 

Actually, I am going to join the scca soon and take it out for the occasional fun run to get used to autocrossing.

 

From an engineering standpoint, stock cars come from the factory with a number of compromises that collectively make a civilized, reliable (and typically boring) vehicle which is suitable for most driving environments. But well-thought-out and executed tuning takes into consideration the needs of a particular driver and then tailors the car’s handling and performance characteristics to that driver’s requirements. An enthusiastic driver who takes their cars through twisties at every opportunity has different needs than a person who uses their car to do real estate appraisal, like myself. In fact, I get carsick and avoid twisties like the plague! I believe that the S has more power than I will ever need and handles perfectly for my needs.

 

I just took my 2004 MC in for its 10,000 mile service. While at the dealership, I made the HUGE mistake of test driving a MCS. I could not believe the raw power of the machine I was driving! I didn't think I could love any car more than my MC, but it is now like a fever raging through me....I want, need, MUST have a MCS. What to do? I've only had my MC since the end of March. Trade? Try to sell? Any suggestions?

 

You need to ask yourself ONE question:

Do you CARE what anyone else thinks about you and your car?

If your answer is NO, then this thread should never have been. YOU bought the car, YOU drive it, YOU make what you want of it.

With or without mods, as long as you enjoy it, why does it matter if someone else thinks you "get it"? For some, modding makes it even MORE enjoyable. And remember, the dealer has to PROVE that the mod directly caused or contributed to a failure. I have yet to be refused warranty work because of what my car does/doesn't have.

Key points: HAVE FUN and DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE NAYSAYERS!

Marty