New 06 Chilli Pepper Red MCS in the garage.. managed to put over 100 miles on it today, just around town. Fun stuff.

I've been lurking a bit but now that I have the car I have new questions - feel free to direct me other places.

How long did you wait to put on a 15% pulley? Aside from the immediate weight gain in your right foot, how much did it effect your mpg - both flat out and general highway cruising?

How long before you decided the run-flats were not good enough? I had some pretty good tires on my old car so.. Too soon for me to know for sure but I think they are not so grippy in the corners. I have the stock all season runflats, 16" so surely a compromise in a tire.

Thanks!

 

Congrats on the MINI! Happy Motoring!

 

Congrats on the new family member!
I've had Basil for 3 months and the pulley is on the "as soon as financially possible" list. Installed a CAI last month, love the sound. Ditched the runflats yesterday and can't believe the difference! Do it; you won't be disappointed!

 

Congrats! Happy Motoring!!

 

Congrats! I like the color!

I waited until I found the 15% pulley and Alta CAI on sale. Then I pounced. I think I had 4000-5000 miles on the car at that point. I can't say I've seen a change in mpg, but I do get more power now. I guess that fact that mpg didn't go down with more power is a great trade-off!

My snows are non-runflat; my summer tires are 17" runflats. I'll probably let the runflats wear out before getting non-runflats for the summer. I guess I'm cheap that way...

That being said, I'm pretty sure I'll go non-runflats when I do replace them...

Congrats again!
Ed

 

Unless you are on a racetrack, I really don't see the big problem with the runflats. I may try something different after i burn my rfs out, but I haven't had a problem sticking in the turns.

 

Congrats! Perfect color choice! And oh, it's normal to go out to the garage at weird hours of the night to just look at it and smile.

 

Congrats, I love the CR look! I haven't started modding yet, but I know many people barely get it home before they get going.

 

I haven't done a lot of mods . . . just the M7 strut bar and support plates after finding mushrooming. I've so enjoyed having a car I don't have to work on. As it gets older though, I'll start modding it.

I bought Cooper wheels and tires from the dealer (club discount) for winter use. The non-runflats are much, much more comfortable. I can think of few situations when it won't be more convenient to call for road service that to change a flat tire. I haven't had many roadside tire replacements in 40 years of driving . . . most flats are discovered in my driveway . . . most puctures have still had the nail or screw in them and could be pumped back up and driven to the tire shop.

That said, I've put the runflats back on for summer use and have just about got them worn out. They do represent nearly a grand of tires. I'll probably put them on for one more road trip at the end of March and then replace them with non run flats.

I don't feel the need for more power and speed. I'll do mods for the sake of efficiency and style. Sound style and looks. The strenght of the MINI, in my view, is that you can enjoy a performance car at street speeds. I have a real sweet Saab, but if I drive it hard I"m going very, very fast. Speed really isn't that safe. I can drive the MINI "fast" around city corners and have a blast.

 

Boy am I glad to hear that... I thought it was just me... my family (wife and 4 kids) all think I'm nuts... actually my oldest son (18) gets into Coopers also, so I think he understands. Everyone else just shakes their heads...

 

Really?? I thought I was the only one!

Haha.

Congrats on your car.