Hello all,

I am an owner of a BMW '01 325ci and I am thinking of buying a new Mini Cooper. I am still planning to keep my Bimmer but having a Mini on the side would not hurt if I wanted to take the little monster out. I have no knowledge in the MINI world and would like if you guys would lead me in the way. I am planning to get a new Mini Cooper off the lot or build one myself. A couple questions:

What are the options for MINIs when it comes to Body Kit wise?
What kind of performance parts can be added? (Superchargers, Turbos?)
Would you guys recomend getting a reg Cooper and modding it or just get a Cooper S and leave it alone?

Thanks

BTW, I don't think I will start to mod the MINI until after 1-2 years of ownership.

 

There are 2 factory aero-kits; the hyper sport and the JCW. Most people seem to prefer the JCW kit, but to each his own.

The MCS comes turboed, and the stage one JCW kit is on the way. The kit will bump HP from 171 to 191 along with a few other performance upgrades, all while keeping the manufacturers warranty. There are a bunch of threads on the JCW kit, with more detailed info.

Sounds like you would want the S more. I would recommend building one online, so you can play with options and find what will suit you best. Either way, you'll love the car. Welcome to NAM!!!

 

Firstly, Welcome to NAM.

From your post, I would start with the MCS with options ordered to your tastes for comfort and drivability. Since you don't plan to 'mod' the MINI for at least 2 years, then the turbo on the MCS should be high on your consideration list. Many folks find it hard to resist the 'mod-bug'.

Go online with MINI USA and play on the configurator.

Another thought, is you can get a MC for less money and they are a fun MINI, lots of folks swear by them and they are a great platform to build into a strong AutoX or track car.

Enjoy the research, buy soon, post pictures when you get one.

 

Go to your dealer and spend a couple of hours talking with an MA.

 

As was said, there are two so far. The JCW looks a little better, but none are very appealing to me. The MCS looks pretty good as is. The existing aero kits seem to be change for the sake of change, not an improvement.

Someone needs to design a more radical aero kit.

Get the S. It is turbocharge, and a fairly sophisticated engine. The (coming soon) stage I JCW mod will involve improved intake, improved exhaust, and ECU mod. Most of the currently available mods have to do with suspension.

 

I like superchargers. I hope I don't offend my R56 brothers, but I prefer the supercharged engines. I also like the pre 2007 body. In any case my suggestion no matter which way you decide to go, is to buy the MCS and modify the hell out of it...you won't believe what a screamer it can be...good luck

 

Right. This is a good way to understand what is available.
http://www.miniusa.com/

 

Does that mean that the new JCW will fall 16 horses short of the 1st gen JCW? Not good!

 

MCS. Drives like no turbo I've owned and I've owned 7 or so. Torque hits at 1400 and peaks at 1900 rpms. It'll try to jerk the wheel out of your hands. Best 0-60 time recorded on runflats was 5.5 sec. Most are getting ~6.2. That's stock. H&Rs turn it into a go kart and preserve ride quality. Park it anywhere, almost. 28-38 mpg. $22-38K depending on how extravagant you'd like to go. Faster than the supercharged car, but harder to mod the motor.

What exactly are you trying to decide?

Kidding aside, they're all fun.

 

As its been said before, horsepower is only one number. As it sits now the R56 is faster than an R53 JCW.

 

weird... my post showed up twice.

 

Thanks for the tips guys! Now I'm thinking about selling my 3-er to trick out the Mini to the max, but it's going to be very hard to pry me apart from BMW.

 

Have you driven the MCS yet? I can almost guarantee that once you drive it, it won't be too hard to part from your BMW. I came from an 2003 M3 and a 1999 euro spec M5, and I don't miss them one bit. If you drive you WILL buy it. Happy shopping!

 

Get a Cooper S with things that you need from the factory. I'd add JCW go-fast bits for the motor (warranty purposes) and aftermarket for suspension and other whatnots.
DINAN parts follow your factory warranty as well and do a very nice job.
http://www.dinancars.com/Mini.asp
They don't have much for the R56 yet but that won't last long...

http://www.promini.com/
http://www.minimania.com/
http://www.outmotoring.com/
http://www.helix13.com/
http://www.altaminiperformance.com/
http://www.minicarparts.net/MiniCooperS/
http://www.mossmini.com/

And then don't forget this:
http://www.minidriving.com/

 

the s is gonna have more performance parts on the market than the cooper just with the experience i had with my 03 for 4 yrs and itll prob keep up with your bimmer... the guy at the dealership told me it would probably beat my audi a4 2.0t....dont get me wrong i love driving my cooper but it got getting use to at first coming from an older a6 ....either way there a blast to drive !


pickin the mcs up at 4pm!

 

I went from an M3 to a mini

it's a little tough getting used to the front wheel drive feedback into the steering wheel

once your over that, it's a FUN FUN FUN car, I do not regret the "upgrade" to a mini, upgrade in fun factor for sure

 

I found these posts encouraging to me as well. I have a 2000 E46 coupe that I have had since new and love dearly and just faxed off my MCS order to the closest dealer (150 miles away) yesterday. I have been apprehesive about the change (I guess I could keep the Bimmer, but waaay too many cars in my stable as well as the grief from the wife...).

 

I too am going from an M3 to a MCS. While the M3 is a great car, it does not have the fun factor of a MINI. I got my first MINI in April of 02 and loved every minute of it; that's why I'm going back!

 

We sold our 2000 e46 coupe for the mini. Since it was a coupe we didn't really lose much space and gained a lot more fun. I would say just sell the BMW unless it's a sedan and you need extra space.

Also go with the MCS, then mod it later. That's our plan.

Good luck!

 

I think not.

Official specs are 0-60 6.3 sec for the '06 JCW and 6.9 for the '07 MCS. I've heard unofficial times of 5.6 for stock JCWs and 6.2 for the '07 MCS.

My test ride of the '07 felt a bit sluggish against my stock JCW. I can imagine though that a similarly powered (207hp) turbo could be close to the 5.0 holy grail.