I have a 2006 MC Cabrio which is still all stock.. Wondering if people have some ideas for things I can do to it, not wanting to spend 1000's of dollars but need to make some changes .

 

The very first mod I recommend for a cabrio is to get a Multivex mirror for the passenger side: http://www.multivexmirror.net/technology.html. It really helps a lot with the blind spot when driving and parking.

A wind deflector makes driving with the top down more comfortable by greatly reducing wind turbulence and noise. It also allows for top down driving in cooler temperatures. You can get the MINI accessory wind deflector, or consider this very promising aftermarket version by a NAM member: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=99742

Other than that, what are you interested in? Performance? Handling? Styling? Specifically for a cabrio, I highly recommend the M7 Under Strut System. A cabrio has much more body flex than a hardtop, and the M7 USS stiffens the body to make the handling more immediate and precise.

 

What kind of changes...Handeling,power,styling,comfort?

 

I was in the same situation you were a few months ago- bone stock.

Since you have an MC I would say go with some suspension-type work, like what rkw was saying. That's obviously if you want to have better handling. Since MC exhausts are only about $500, I'd say go with that...should sound great (depending on the exhaust), and you'd feel it. Maybe get a K&N drop-in foam filter if they make one...those are a couple of ideas. Just my 2 cents.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions I'm new to this car mod thing, I never had the desire to do anything to previous cars I owned, but I love this car!

I guess over all I want styling and power.. and also maybe a change to my sound system... I have the ipod adapter but I only got the stock system because by the time I was all said and done the price of the car was outrageous lol...
the exhaust sounds like a great Idea and the multivex mirror sound good also! I bought my MC Cabrio after test driving it with the top down lol so the first rainy day a month later was definately an interesting experience.. i avoid letting some people drive my car because of how enormous the blind spots are..

 

You have to spend serious money to add any significant power a non-S Cooper. It is worthwhile to upgrade the air intake and/or exhaust. They would yield just a few extra horsepower, but enhance the sound of the engine and exhaust. When looking for an aftermarket exhaust, you have to be careful that it fits a cabrio. I have the JCW Sound Kit which includes intake, exhaust, and ECU tuning. I like it a lot but it is more expensive than aftermarket.

 

A lot of people start out with something like Ian Cull's (aka GBMINI) auto-up module, which allows you to automatically put up the front windows without having to hold the buttons (great for pulling away from drive-thrus and toll booths). You can also program it to turn on your fogs (if installed) when you turn on your lights.
Worth every penny of the $45, and it's something you can put in yourself.

Aside from that, you should also consider the wind screen as noted above. There are many threads discussing the ability to protect items in the back seat from the wind, and to extend top-down motoring into colder temperatures. Available from Morristown MINI for about $325 (including shipping).

I found, especially in a cabrio where I lock a lot of stuff in the glove compartment, that a glovebox organizer is a great item. Gominigo has them in multiple colors. . . wish I'd bought mine there.

A lot of people like to replace the antena with something that doesn't make the car look like an RC car . . . I just cut mine down with wire cutters -- still works and it's a free mod.

All these are style/comfort mods 'cause I'm not as familiar with the MC, and I will defer to others who know more about that.

Be aware that once you start moding, there's no stopping.

Edit -- another free mod: as evidenced by the pic in your gallery -- those airbag stickers are hideous and must be removed!! There are several discussions on different methods. . . if you can't find one, I'll point you in the right direction.

 

LOL thank you for all your suggestions I was completely clueless of where to start, please point me in the direction of removing those stickers I HATE THEM!!!!!

 

I was looking at the JCW sound kit a few mins ago, if I were to do exhaust I think I would go with JCW sound kit even though in Canada at the Mini Dealerships it is really expensive . If I were to buy parts outside of the dealerships in Canada (ie go buy from morrison mini), how would I put them in my car? I am no auto mechanic haha and I'm sure the dealerships wouldnt be too willing.....
Thanks for your sugestions

 

what about just the JCW exhaust system?

 

I love the roof decal I got from Cooper Flags

 

Here's how I removed my stickers, following recommendations I found in the forums (there are several different techniques). The visors come off easily by removing the attachment screws. Lay them flat and put paper towels soaked with denatured alcohol (available from hardware stores) over the labels. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. At that point the adhesive loosened enough that I was able to pull off the label in a single stretchy sheet.

Actually dealerships seem okay with installing genuine MINI parts purchased elsewhere, it's just aftermarket parts they hesitate to do. However, I don't think MINI dealers here will ship to Canada (you should check). Another dealer to check with is Classic MINI in Ohio. To get a discount price, you may need to have a friend in the states ship it to you, or go pick it up. The intake and exhaust can be installed by a competent garage. The ECU software needs to be installed by a dealer. The installation instructions are here: http://motoringfile.com/howto/jcw%20mc_soundkit.pdf

 

Ya i doubt US dealerships will ship up here, but I do have a US house address I can ship things to helps for things like this.. ok thats good to know that MINI dealerships may be ok with OEM parts

 

Stock is good but if you must mod then...

add this grille badge:
http://www.motoringbadges.com/Badges9.html

Or
Shift **** if manual- Whalen with custom engraving
Window tinting- legal of course
Miltek exhaust for MC

 

Just do all this stuff. Skip the pulley since you don't have one.



Oh - wait - you said you didn't want to spend thousands of dollars...

OK then,

+1 for multivex mirrors - I vote for BOTH sides, personally.
+1 for the M7 USS - makes the car handle like a different (and better) one
+1 for the wind deflector - especially in northern climes
+1 for the MCAW (auto window-up)
+1 for the GoMiniGo glovebox tidy

Also, LED lighting conversions (footwells, dome light, puddle lights, glove box light) are swell and make the interior of the car look cool.

Also, MiniFini cupholders rock. And the GoMiniGo third brake light flasher makes folks behind you STOP when you hit the brakes (and your brakes probably stop better than theirs...)

Also, the "Euro Parcel Shelf" rocks.

Oh yeah - call Mike at Aesthetic Creations (www.aestheticreations.net) and tell him what you like - he can set you up with an entire "youification" of your cabrio based on your taste.

All these are DIY mods.

 

I own an 06 Cabrio. The best bang for the buck is the M7 USS[ Under Strut System] basically, a body stiffening brace, stictly a bolt on affair, that will transform your car into a canyon carving omnivore! You will be amazed how much better your car handles. I gained at 10-15mph per curve, on average. I think it should be standard equipment on all Cabrios

 

I own an 06 Cabrio. The best bang for the buck is the M7 USS[ Under Strut System] basically, a body stiffening brace, stictly a bolt on affair, that will transform your car into a canyon carving omnivore! You will be amazed how much better your car handles. I gained at 10-15mph per curve, on average. I think it should be standard equipment on all Cabrios

 

I own an 06 Cabrio. The best bang for the buck is the M7 USS[ Under Strut System] basically, a body stiffening brace, stictly a bolt on affair, that will transform your car into a canyon carving omnivore! You will be amazed how much better your car handles. I gained at 10-15mph per curve, on average. I think it should be standard equipment on all Cabrios

 

Rare triple post... the USS is THAT good...

 

^ I hope so 'cause that's my next mod . . . but what does it take to take the MINI from omnivore to full out carnivore?

 

good question.... why make it an omnivore though??

 

Pretty handy, being an omnivore. Has served me well.

(Anyone who saw me at MOTD knows what I mean... )

 

A lot of good suggestions so far Here's what I've done so far...

1. Multivex mirror (at least the passenger side)
2. M7 SRP
3. windscreen
4. MyMini 3rd Brake lite (a must have IMHO )
5. M7 USS
6. AUX input
7. tons of grille badges
8. DDM/Works CAI

I added a green mickey mouse topper to the antenna I was thinking about getting a stubby instead, but decided to leave it alone for now...

 

Another option is to cover them with warning label stickers, such as:

http://www.aestheticreations.net/vin...icstickers.htm

 

Are there any good aftermarket CAIs for the MC? If so, I'd say that would be a nice mod. I have intake/exhaust and it makes a nice difference. I'm not going for major power gains or anything - I'm trying to preserve the warranty, as hard as it is!