It seems easy to get caught up in modifying MINIs, but is it worth it in the long run? There is something to be said for finding a 20 year old Mini (or any other classic car) that is perfect shape and has had NO mods.

My MCS won't be delivered until June and my urge to mod it is strong so I'd like to hear arguments on both sides.

 

Wait 6 months and then start modding.

 

Good point about the 20 year old stock Mini. If you have a secure garage or a spacious bedroom you can save all the stock parts you replace with mods. One caveat is that I would not keep tires in the bedroom because they can stink. You might store them in a shower. The exhaust system might work well framing your television or fireplace. Etc. Just kidding.

One point against modifications is the sort of response they elicit from your dealer's service department. Another is that many mods violate apposite warranties. Someone on NAM suggested modifying the car after the warranties expire. That also makes sense because by then some parts may need to be replaced.

I'm in the same position as you. Just wondering what to do when the MINI finally arrives. Happy waiting.

 

I think it depends on your approach to MINI ownership: are you keeping your MINI forever or do you typically get a new car every few years?

If you plan to get a new MINI every so often, I'd say keep yours stock for best resale value.

If you like to race, tinker, and will keep your MINI for more than 5 years, I would say modding is a fun hobby and the way to go.

Wanda's at about 44K miles, so I have 4,000 miles left on her extended maintenance warranty. Being so close to the end of it, I've decided to pulley and UNIchip Wanda now. I did install a CAI last year, and enjoy the heightened whine it provides and the small jump in HP.

Clover

 

I've personally opted out on modding for the most part ( I do have a brakelight mod and a shorty antenna, though ) but I have gone back and forth on it, mainly because of "mod fever" which seems so infectious. I've chosen to sit back, watch, and really carefully weigh any additions to my MINI. In the end, I think I've learned to love the car more and more "as is."

See, I'm one of those guys that'd probably be content w/ a One or a OneD. When I was spec'cing out a classic Mini a few years back I was going for a simple 998cc engine. And I really prefer the look of a restored classic. That's my thing. So I've focussed on keeping my cheeky little '03 Cooper in the best condition I can....and it looks pretty awesome!! Several interior parts (silver trim) have been replaced due to damaged paint, so the inside looks brand new as well.

It seems like performance modding is something everybody does, judging from all the networking and discussion going on, along with the robust presence of sponsors and vendors both here and on every other web site and magazine in MINIdom. It's definitely a direction one can go in and I have NO agruement at all with my friends who choose that course. It's just not the direction I'm heading towards.

I hope we can continue to build a MINI scene as diverse as the classic community where a carefully restored Mk I can evoke as much admiration as a VTEC-powered Mini. It's all about owner enthusiasm.

 

Let me tell you a story of my old BMW. I had up until about a month ago a VERY nice E36 BMW, completley converted to M-tech spec. I had everything done to this car, suspension, exhaust, intake, chip, brakes, a new interior, body kit, wheels, diff, tranny, you name it... over $20,000 total invested. But it started to need serious maintenance, radiator, cat, etc. and I decided to sell it for a new MCS.... do you know what my top dollar amount the buyer paid was? $6800.00.... this is what will happen to your money spent on modding... it will get wasted, yes the car will be fun, and you will with out a doubt enjoy it, but don't expect to recover that money once spent.... its worth nothing in the long run.

Mod if you are going to keep the car and dont care about recovering the money, or are going to take the mods off upon the time you sell it. But don't mod thinking it will make the car more valuable to a consumer down the road.

 

Thank you for your quality replies. Not quickies and I appreciate that.

I am leaning in the direction of not modding...mainly because that is what I'm most comfortable with. In the end I'll probably spend my time and $$$ on keeping the car immaculate instead of on mods. Having said that, one exception might be to switch rims and if I do I'll store the originals in the garage.

 

I have owned 3 MINIs and have not performed any engine/suspension or otherwise modifications at all. I like to keep my cars stock as they come out the assembly line. In early February I sold my 100% bone stock 2004 MCS with 17K miles for $700 ABOVE original MSRP window sticker. You read that right I kept the car for 16 months (bought brand new) and sold it in just 6 days after I placed an online ad. The car was an easy sell due to its outstanding condition, balance of factory warranty and above all, the car was stock..Original pulley, exhaust, intake, etc. That fact alone was a big selling point.

There is nothing wrong with modding as long as you know what you doing. However, keep in mind that modding comes at a price: You may lose your factory warranty (Or at least you risk doing so) and you will contribute to negatively impact the resale value of your car.

It is a very personal decision. My decision to not to mod is difficult since it is the "IN" thing among enthusiast MINI owners and and almost universally praised activity. So leaving your MINI stock is a sort of tough decision but well worth it IMO.

Also in regards to the 2005 MCS, I feel that many of the performance issues of the 2002-2004 stock MCS have been successfully addressed in the new cars, to the point that once you take delivery and begin driving it you may develop second taughts about doing any kind of mods. The car is wicked fast right out of the box!

 

I hung mine up in my room.

In regards to modding, I spent about 10-15k on modding my miniS I really modded my car because I had a second car for every day use. Also I wanted to smoke my sisters crossfire. The mini was a great car to mod easy and since its new there arent many parts to choose from so its less confusing. I would suggest waiting till you get the car then mod it. Its a great car to start modding. A minor suggestion is not to waist $300 or more on a neon undercar kit.

 

I read about a guy that hid his new 1954 Corvette behind a concrete wall so his wife wouldn't get it in the divorce settlement.... 30 years later his kids sold it auction. Great for the new buyer, sad for the first owner, he never got to enjoy it(...maybe he didn't deserve to...). DRIVE your car, have fun, mod if you want to, just don't buy it to make money, cause you probably won't, but if you do make money, great. Mods typically reduce the resale value of a car, unless they are factory or dealer mods like the JCW, but you bought the car to drive and have fun, right?

 

I'm thinking ahead 20-30 years and keeping my MINI 100% stock. I'm even buying replacements on things which will wear out (like floormats) and stashing them away. I'll spend my "mod money" on a classic Mini.

James

 

I agree. I have a 04 MC right now and working out details on a 05 MCS and I have the same issue. But some mods I can't live without now. Such as an intake and other cosmetic and user things. Such as Ian's auto up windows and auto fog lights, brake light mod.

But for performance I'd say sit and drive the car and see if you could really see adding power or noise to it. I say noise because some mods add more growl then go for the money. Such as my intake But I like the noise.

Maybe there are some easy user needed mods you will want as I call them. Ian's auto up window, auto fogs, tint and other issues. Maybe focus on how the car works for normal issue and not raw horsepower

 

If that is your concern get the JCW kit. For all intents and purposes you can get the extra power and still be "stock" 20 years from now.