Wife and I just took delivery of our new Pepper White MCS last week . We're already burning with Mini fever! Our ride will get ~ 100 miles a day round trip to work, so we're not thinking about getting crazy. What would you suggest for our first mods?

 

If you're driving long distances on highway, and especially before the autumn (fall) season, a grill for your intercooler air scoop would be useful.

http://www.tech-esq.com/MINI/how_to_...oop_grille.htm

At PSMini's show n shine, most people that did this, used the plastic stuff from Home Depot. I've used the aluminum stuff. The aluminum adds bling to the look of the car. The plastic, being black, disappears and you can't really see it unless you're close up.

Don't use too dense a material or it will restrict air getting in.

 

That was very informative, think that will be the first thing I do when we pick up ours in Dec/Jan

 

How about a nice new set of wheels and tires?

 

Light wheels, sticky (non-run flat) tires, Alta 15% pulley, Alta CAI, and ECU remap - should be able to do all for under $2,000

 

Wow, what to say?

How about something totally practical like BLUETOOTH!

I might add that I am totally convinced that BT was THE BEST mod I ever did. Oh yeah, and the knee pad thingie mentioned here: http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/08/...ymini_knee_pad

That thing rocks!

 

personalize w/ good decals!!

i'd wait on the serious mods til all the initial warranty issues are wrung out.

(the aux input is a great quickie mod if you have an ipod or mp3 player)

 

storage and organization mods. Glovebox Tidy for the glove compartment and the Euro parel shelf

 

performance mods? visual mods? interior mods? I do not know where to start from. Let me know

 

Rear sway bar is a first step for me.
After that, GIAC chip, bigger injectors (I have 400cc from M7) and reduction pulley.
That would put your car in a fun lane!!

 

Ok if we going to go all the way, what about Turbo over your supercharger............:impatient lol

 

Probably not performance mods right away. I guess we're probably initially looking at functional / visual enhancement type mods. I'm leaning toward the Parcel shelf, PIAA driving lights, and probably the screen install for the scoop (great idea!). I just pulled a huge bug out of the cooler yesterday.

Something else I am planning is extending the bonnet stripes over the boot. One of the MA's in Nashville had them on his MCS and I really liked it.

Is there somewhere other than the dealer to get the stripes and save a little $? I was considering talking to the guy @ www.vigdesigns.com to see if he could match the stock stripes. He came well recommended for a hood blackout vinyl for my 02 Landrover Disco II. Looks like he does a ton of other work too.

 

How about an Actual Size Decal? I have the decal and it will be applied before my MINI leaves the Dealer! Just can't be satisfied with a stock MINI!

 

Ohh, I like the look of that grill.

But he says you can buy a made-for-MINI grill for $30? I think that would be worth the amount of time it must take to manually shape the $2 material to fit...

 

actually www.viggdesigns.com. Left out the extra g. I like the actual size decal. I'm not above pasting decals all over our mini. You should have seen my Land Rover before the tree got it....n[font=Verdana]ecessitating[/font] the purchase of our MCS.

 

In that case, definitly BT. Everyone needs to talk on the cell while driving.

For stripes, try http://www.cooperflags.com or one of NAM vendors. http://www.aestheticreations.net/

 

First mod for us was different stripes and a clear-bra (installed within 2 weeks).
Second, various interior mods (parcel shelf w/ AUX input, leather boots, etc).
Third, wheels - 7-holes w/ snows for the Winter, Panasports w/ SP9000's for the other 9 months.
Last, performance: Moss intake, Helix SSK, 15% pulley, slotted rotors & low-dust pads.
No further mods are planned.

 

Gabe of Motoringfile had some great reccomendations on Woofcast #5 for first mods.
Check it out here:
http://www.whiteroofradio.com/woofcast-5/

 

Tint, stripes, parcel shelf.

 

Go to www.gbmini.net and order the auto-up window circuit. That is a mod that I use every day. Also, get the euro-parcel shelf. I had mine added at the dealer before I took delivery.

Rawhyde

 

I agree on the Parcel Shelf and on the minicircuit offered by gbmini.

 

These are all great ideas, but no one has suggested the one 'mod' that not only puts the biggest smile on your face, it can save youe live, and help you go quicker and saver. And what mod is that you ask? Take you money and time and go to a good driving school.


Motor on

 

Glovebox Tidy, Ian's auto up, and the parcel shelf were the first mods I added to my Mini as well. Next up will be winter tires, and new summer wheels/tires once the snow melts next Spring.

 

I would lean towards comfort items before performance mods... storage items and tunes always seem to be popular initial steps.

Congrats!