I have wanted to buy a Mini for some time, now I am ready. I currently drive a Subaru Impreza STi with 320whp and love going to track days. I will more than likely modify the heck out of my Mini. The less I spend on the car's price means more mods. So what model and year should I buy?

 

A lot depends on what you want to do. The '06 MCS is the last supercharged MINI; starting in '07, the MCS will be turbocharged, as will the MC, but I am unsure as to what kinds of mods will be able to be done on the new cars.

That said, the current MC is 115 HP from the factory and the current supercharged MCS is 168 HP from the factory. Both are easily modded, but if you are seeking huge power gains thru mods, the MCS is the way to go. If you just want a bit more power and still retain economy, a modded MC will do.

Since the '06 is the last supercharged year, a lot of MINI owners are selling their earlier models to get an '06. This doesn't mean there is anything wrong with the cars, but the '06 MCS does have a bit more power [168 HP, as opposed to 163 HP in earlier MCSs]. Either way, the '02-'06 MINI was born to be modded.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

 

I was wondering how much whp can you get from a MCS? I assume there is stages you can purchase. My goal is probably around 240whp for a MCS if it is possible. I might consider an 02 MCS because of the price, and that I dont care for warranties, is there any common problems among each of the years?

 

Try to get an 05-06 as they have different transmissions/gearing.

02-04 have a rover trans and 05-06 have a getreg trans. 05-06 have alot better gearing from what i hear.

Also alot of the bugs have been worked out over the years and the 05-06 will most likely be less of a problem. Also less milage, hope this helps!

Edit: about the HP goal. You can buy a twin charge kit for the car (supercharger+turbo) and achive those numbers, if you got the $$$. Also a new M62 supercharger kit is comming out soon (bigger SC) and will hopefully make it easier to achive those numbers.

 

I believe, and I could be wrong...that team Fireballed! Reached something like 500+hp out of a MINI. Now, needless to say...I don't think that would be very drivable on the street, however 300+whp MINI's are not all that rare.

As for the year....I would say get an 03'-06', whichever you can find. 05'+ has new gears, and more hp (5 more), but if your going to mod it that much...I honestly don't think it really matters. I personally like the looks of the 02'-04's more than the 05'-06' models. Just another thing to think about.

-Cody

 

Actually, someone correct me, I believe that with a lot of HP like he's looking for the taller ratios of the 02-04's are actually better (faster.) I would still try to get an 05 though, the build quality seems to have gone up, if not I'd stick with a late 03 or 04, if you're building it up you don't want to have to deal with "new production issues."

 

How many 300 Wheel HP MINIs exist?

Since there are NUMEROUS thread on just trying to get 200 whp and numerous threads about trying to get past 230 whp ...

Even with TC, how many exist ...? I really do not know as I would bet most are running 250 - 300 BHP.

I would get maybe a handful of cars, if that?

Anyone know? How many 300 Wheel HP MINIs are on the road (and Tuls dont count).

I'd like to know.

 

Hrmm, I must be wrong in my impression then? I thought there were quite a few turbo kits producing 300whp, or at least close to it.

Tuls, Fireballed!, and Dominic are the only MINI's I can think of right now that are 300whp+, but I thought there were more?

I guess I was thinking a little too high. What kind of numbers do the various turbo kits produce? Turbo Kompressor, Helix 13, Fireballed!, ALTA.

-Cody

 

I didnt think there was very many, from reading the forums it seems breaking 200whp with conventional mods is tough, but do-able. I thought the twin charge cars would be running somewhere around 250-275whp. (depending on their setup and other mods). 300/+ whp, its possible....but thats going to be rough on the little 1.6L. I dont think it would be very streetable/reliable.

But then again im only guessing...

 

I think Helix is about 250 BHP, not whp to start but goes up to 300 BHP.

The reason I said that was because I think 300 WHP is for the Fireballed cars and very few at that but I can be wrong, thats why I am asking

I think some will tell you that 250 - 300 bhp IS streetable.

I just think 300 whp MINIs are rare. Please correct me if wrong.

 

Hrmmm, now I'm really curious.

What exactly is the difference between WHP and BHP? Let me see if I know, but I'm probably wrong. WHP is Wheel Horsepower, which is the power you are making to the ground. BHP is Brake? Horsepower, which is the net engine HP?

Anyway, to get a little bit back on topic (okay, not really lol) here is the video of Tuls and Dominic's MINI's, which I think Tuls was 250 at the time, and Dominic's was, I think 300.

http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j9...eMovie_web.flv

-Cody

 

Correct. BHP is done on a Bench. Engine just sitting there with a dyno attached to the driveshaft. Big difference than WHP. NO dyno, that I know of, measures true whp. They are all calculations based on Parameter. Dr. O would know more about this. Driveline losses can be 15% or more depending on all kinds of things, I believe. Thats why JCW 210 is really about 180 at the wheels.

 

So it sounds like you suggest starting off with a 03-04 S, but do you think it is worth finding a JCW or just doing your own build up of mods?

 

If your going to mod it...DO NOT buy a JCW. Depending on how much you mod it...you will most likely replace the JCW anyway, so imo you would just be wasting money!

My suggestion: Buy an 03'-04' MCS and mod the hell out of it, and have fun!

-Cody

 

Thanks for the help, its nice to see a forum that has alot of support and help for fellow members.