This is now my second post and I've just ordered a 2008 mini with only the convenience package, but I plan on upgrading it. I actually haven't even gotten it yet. My question is what are the first and best things that any Mini-er should upgrade. Anything from exhaust-suspension to windshield wipers. I thought this was a rather open question that others would benefit from. I've searched on NAM but only found reasons or how to's on upgrades. I can't believe I'm already thinking about upgrades when I haven't even gotten the car. Motor On!

 

A glove box tidy!

Cheap, risk-free, indispensable, and installs in a second.

 

Here are my recommendations for improving the R56 in terms of precise handling and power to weight:

1) A turbo back exhaust...I built my own 'cuz I'm a fabricating nutcase, but ALTA or Milltek's are both good quality. This will gain you about 10 wHP and you'll be able to actually hear the car! On top of that, an aftermarket exhaust will remove about 10 pounds.

2) JIC/Cross Coilovers from RMW. Go from great factory handling to OMG kick-butt handling & lowers the car to give it a MINI look, not an SUV/factory look.

3) ALTA PSRS eccentric spherical bearing front control arm bushings to tighten up that nasty wandering steering.

4) Get a good set of wheels and tires! The R56 loves wide tires; a 17x8 et37-ish with a 235/40-17 will give crazy grip and a more aggressive look...and if you're smart about it, you'll lose some weight from the boat-anchor factory wheels.

5) Toss the rear seats! Nobody's going to squeeze back there anyway, so removing the rear seat backs and bottoms will free up about 40 pounds.

6) Swap out the heavy lead-acid battery with a lightweight Braille or Odyssey battery, saves about 20 pounds.

That should give you some naughty ideas!
Cheers,
Ryan

 

Funny you mention this, but it seems to me that the wipers are terrible! I've started to look into higher quality replacements...


Do you have a budget?

<edited post for irrelevant info>

 

You mean the shift ****, right? The R56 shifter itself is much better feeling than the R53! ****'s would be a personal choice, not something I'd put on an upgrade listing, per se, right there with bonnet stripes and checkered mirrors. Just my perspective here.

 

Wheels, Tires, Springs!

 

Fixed. Yes, I was referring to the gear ****. I didn't realize the R53 was worse.

I still want new wipers...

 

CAI - healthy power gain, look great under the hood and you'll actually be able to hear the awesome sounds of that little turbo.

Ditch the RF's. Hard ride, lots of road noise, expensive to replace and, other than initial turn in, they don't handle so great.

Lowering springs to lose the SUV look.

Short antenna to lose the RC car look.

Tint - keeps the sun out, diverts curious eyes and IMO it gives a much better look.

 

I'll second the shift **** replacement. The stock plastic/vinyl **** is uncomfortable and cheap looking, IMO.

Besides the JCW version, Doug Whalen makes stainless steel ***** with custom engraving. He also makes pool ball *****.
http://www.whalenshiftmachine.com/

I make shift ***** and ebrake handles from exotic hardwoods.
http://www.robincasady.com/ShiftKnobs/

Other mods I've done:
1. Replaced heavy OEM wheels with lighter wheels, and switched to non-runflat tires.

2. Replace antenna with aluminum stubby. I got the one from Craven Speed.

3. Clear headlight and foglight protection.
http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...on-system.html

4. Racing stripe.



5. Then there is the rear seat delete, Dynamat, and cabinet...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=117453

 

Wow thanks guys! This is just the info i needed. Oh and my budget isn't toooo tight but I'll have to see coming into the new year exactly where I stand. It probably won't be until the beginning of the summer since I'm a wildland firefighter and I start getting overtime for fires. In my searching on NAM I understand and have experienced myself the difference in the go-kart feeling in the older Mini's i.e. r52-53 than the r56 so my question is and this is probably a hot topic in NAM, how can i modify my 2008 to feel like a 2001-2-3? Keep the other ideas coming this is great. (oh and does anybody know about changing the interior ambient lighting to different colors)?

 

The switch for the ambient light is on the right of the sunroof toggle switch or if you don't have the sunroof it's to the left of the toggle switch for the passenger reading light.

 

Not threadjacking. I just want to know can I remove the backseats without tools? I just want to remove the seats not delete.

 

Pretty much. You might need a screwdriver to pry something. I can't remember.

 

Lower it - springs or coilovers, its the first step towards making the R56 look and feel right.

A pipe & intake - Cat or tubo back... adds a little power and makes the car sound right

Wheels and tires - looks good and makes the car grip right.

Evrything else is just fine-tuninig.

 

The first two budget-minded mods that will work with future mods are:

1) wheels/tires http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/home.do -- mounted, balanced, and free shipping. Neat.

2) 22 mm addjustable rear sway bar; add the springs, shocks, exhaust when you figure out what you like.

Meet other Mini owners. See results. Wait for new/better/cheaper stuff to develop. The R56 has only been around a year; there's going to be so many new things coming down the pike that you don't want to waste a fortune that you'll regret later.

 

Light-in-sight
Whalen shift **** (or one of Robin's)
New shoes

 

Check this out:
http://www.miniacal.com/remove_rear_seats/

 

My first function over aesthetics upgrades were:

Rubber console tray $8
LightInSight $15
Gominigo Glovebox Tidy $35
Philips Visionplus H13 headlight bulbs (halogens) $40
3rd brakelight pulser $40
Stratmosphere Sunroof Shades $50

I'll stop for now. My list gets more and more expensive the further on down.

The more you lurk here, the more it's going to cost you.

 

What is the Light In Sight?

 

Check out lightinsight.com

 

It's a fresnel lens thingy that allows you to see traffic lights without bending down. Definitely the most utility for the buck IMHO.

Check out the website lightinsight.com

 

Looks like a see thru sticker that works like a fish eye lens.

Thanks for the link.

 

You will not be sorry if you buy a LightInSight. One of the salesmen at my Mini dealership suggested it to me when I griped about having to stop way back from stop lights to be able to see them. VERY highly recommended! Get one for your other car now and save on shipping.

 

I love the 2 upgrades that I have done so far. They are small but I love them.

1.) Rubber mat for the boot. It has already saved my carpet from a spill! (Got free rubber floor mats from my MA)

2.) Checkered valve stem covers. They just make me feel a little more MINI without going too checkered out.

I'm sure you will enjoy any upgrades that you make! Good luck with the wait until your car comes

 

One of my best upgrades was to go back to the dealer and get the little velcro discs that go under the rubber driver side mat to keep it from slipping.