OK big spenders... move on to another thread. This is for people who max out at $25k including tax and license. I figure that qualifies for an MCS with about $1k in upgrades. Let's have some fun...

If your initial mod budget was "only" $1,000 what would you do? I see lots of bling, lots of crap and lots of opinions. But here's the challenge: base MCS with goal of most performance. Start with PW or CR as colors (no upcharge), go with leatherette (no upcharge) and let's say you spring $500 for the LSD (not as part of the upgrade budget). That brings the base car to $22k. Now you've got another grand. Do you...

Put in a rear anti-sway bar?
Change out the 16" tires?
Go for a pulley?
Change the CAI?
Or...

This should be fun. Let's not kill the warranty, but realize that most of what we're talking about will cause major MM problems. Depending on your point of view that may or may not change your choice of mods.

 

rear sway bar: 220
Ipod adaptor: 180
CAI: 199
MTH: 180
aero grilles: 80
=860

leave the 140 for detail supplies and food!

 

I would avoid major engine mods. The stock S is plenty quick and there's no need to risk your warranty, which could end up costing you a lot more than $1k.

I would say rubber and rear sway bar for handling. Then I think you should still have enough left for a one-ball exhaust mod and intake for sound.

 

where do you get an MTH for $180? I thought they were in the 300/400 range.

 

for aesthetics, i would do h-sport springs and rear swaybar. perhaps
get dampers too.

 

Uh oh, here come the Fabulous Fashionistas... Queer Eye for the Stock MINI.

 

^ or just eat a lot of burgers and pizza back to back and you'll simultaneously lower the ride when you get on..

 

For a "goal of most performance," the biggest bang for buck mods are pulley, one-ball and rear sway bar. On such a tight budget I'd get things like better struts, brake pads and tires after the originals wear out. And you can make your own CAI from the stock airbox: take it out and note the small hole that leads into the cowl. Cut a really big hole there and in the plastic cowl plate, fabricate a soft gasket and put everything back. Looks completely stock.

 

well.... I am an average human, not one of those cool people that can do DIY installs.... so here's what I am thinking...

ALTA CAI: 260 (with tube) (free install)
ALTA 15% pulley: 120 (230 install)
H-Sport rear sway: 230 (forgot the price of install)

that all totals out to $840 and leaves a bit of cash for sway bar install....

 

I agree with the queen...
pulley and sway bar have, and continue to be, cited as the most effective budget mods you can do for performance. Tyres are next....and they can come when your stock ones wear out...

These two mods, however, do not cater to your desire to avoid warranty issues...

 

15% pulley, CAI, Sway bar, Whalen

 

3 driving schools.

 

$25k would build a kick-*** Cooper. :D

Actually, it's probably a high enough price that an S is a better choice, but if your budget is lower than that, the Cooper is the right answer.

 

I just got back from Helix w/ a bill of $1066 (incl tax)
Pulley, CAI, rear sway, and short shift kit.
Car sounds more agressive, MUCH quicker, turns much flatter and more direct, and I'm not stirring a bowl of jello while shifting.
Per Eric at helix, the mods i did are the biggest bang for the buck.

 

Non-runflat tires. Roughly $400 mounted and balance for 16".
Swaybar. $230. Get a friend and do it yourself. I don't usually work on cars but was able to do this with a friend and instructions within 3 hours.
Phil Wicks or similiar driving school. $300-$350 for a one day event that will show you how well the MINI can handle when driven properly.

At most. That is $980. Take the other $20 and get some water and snacks to take with you to driving school.

From there. When you save up some money, like me , you can add stuff as you see fit.

 

She is correct, after having a 15% pulley installed on our MINI last week by Detroit Tuned, I can honestly say GO FOR THE PULLEY !!!!
And by the way her JCW MINI really is metallic Pink, WOW!

 

the standard chip im talking about

 

300-400 For Pulley. 17% for more power
200 For Rear Sway. Free Install, self labor for 3-4 hours
100-150 for a used CAI, (you will see these occasionally in the marketplace forum) So easy to install, < 1hour self labor.

Which totals up to 750. Rest, you can lurk more at the market forum, find some goodies you need such as used springs, used exhaust, used wheels with tires, tires,..

I'm about to complete the top 3 list next week. pulley....

 

Webb HDI
set of non runflats (and skinny)

Take the leftover and spend it on mods a few months after you've had the MINI.

 

pulley - for power
swaybar - to overcome excessive understeer
tires - once you get the runflats off you will experience "total consciousness"

 

1. Non-runflat tires: Yoko AVS ES 100s mounted and balanced for $450ish

2. Talk to your dealer, and if they do them, have them put a pulley in ( I know my dealer, MINI North Scottsdale does this). Should still honor your warranty if they do the work. Do 15% as this is closest to the JCW pulley and better likelihood of again having warranty coverage. Probably $450ish installed.

3. Save the last $100 for a nice dinner with your spouse as once you get the mod bug, you won't stop at $1k, and you need all the brownie points you can get!

 

- Lightweight wheels & non-runflat tires - around $800-900 less what you can get for your brand-new factory stock wheels/tires (around $500-600).
- Rear sway bar - $200.
- 15% pulley - $300 installed
- K&N panel filter ($40)

 

Well, your going to HATE this answer but ...

Go to DRIVERS SCHOOL.

If you cannot drive your current car to its maximum potential NOW, all the mods in the world arent going to do much of anything because you won't be able to take advantage of them.

Not a popular answer, is it, ... much easier to seek more HP but in reality, if you can't drive at 9/10s confidentally now, whats a few more HP going to get you because you cant use it.