Hello NAM,

I'm new to the group and Mini's. Looking to pick up either a clubman or coupe in the near future and have a general question about tuning/modding. I know I want to mod my Mini as a way of learning more about cars, and as I get better at driving (from reading on NAM it seems the first/best mod is to take a driving course) know what type of mods I want/need. I have a few questions though.

1. If I know I am going to be eventually changing the suspension does it make any sense to order my Mini with the Sports Package (I couldn't tell if this added something more than just suspension or a sway bar.

2. It seems that the aftermarket mods available (M7, Alta, etc.) compare or exceed quality and performance of the factory JCW options. Is the only real advantage of the JCW tuning that it technically keeps the car in warranty? Is there something that JCW adds (in either their JCW edition Cooper S, or by installing the factory kits) that would not be avaialble or wise to do with aftermarket mods?

Thanks for helping a newbie out.

 

Alot of those questions could be answered with some quick reading on the forums. Aside from that as far as modification it all depends on how far you want to go.
1) Depends on what you plan to do to the suspension. Sports package adds stiffer dampening, 17" wheels and DSC. So if you are going to go with aftermarket wheels and coilovers then i would just get the DSC by itself. if you are just going to get lowering springs then the sports package is probably worth it.
2) You will always get more power through aftermarket over factory accessories the advantage of JCW is the warranty

 

1. I'm sure you'll get differing opinions on this, but mine is to forego the sports suspension even if you're not planning to eventually upgrade. Given that you are, it'd definitely be a waste of money IMO.

2. Another somewhat subjective question, but the warranty is about it. Granted that "about it" can be the difference between having to purchase an entire new engine out of pocket (absolute worst case scenario, but it has happened) or having it done by your dealer no-cost.

Going off that, it also gives you a certain guarantee of longevity. Since the R56 is still so new, no one is sure just how much of a beating the factory parts for which aftermarket upgrades are not available (think transmission, valves, pistons, etc.) will take. Frankly the fact that the factory JCW kit 'beefs up' some of the aforementioned parts, shows that MINI/BMW only has so much faith in them above 192hp. Of course it's quite fun to increase the performance of your car, but you must also consider just how much power the factory parts which you won't be replacing are designed to handle.

Hope that didn't scare you at all... I knew all of this from the beginning and still went aftermarket

 

no need to clarify that the expressed opinion is my personal opinion - I'm an expert in the IT business and therefore my expertise is only my 20 years of driving cars and what I can tell from my own MINI experience

1. If your are not 100% sure if you are going to change the suspension, then I would strongly suggest to take the optional sports suspension and see how it feels. For most drivers it is more than sufficient. I took the sport suspension and added some H&R springs lowering the MINI by 30mm. It is now just a little harder than stock and I love it. I am still considering to get a replacement suspension (KW Var.3), but might not bother. If - on the other hand - you have your mind set to replacing the suspension (dampers & springs), there is no point. My recomendation is to go for the stock sports suspension and upgrade as you have money or feel the need to do so.

2. There are a couple of really good reasons to go for the JCW motortuning on a new MINI as first option:

• warranty stays intact
• exhaust sound will improve
• some engine parts are exchanged (due to higher heat with added power)
• used cars sell much better with "original" parts/tuning

Only real drawback (for some) is the price - because you can get better sound or more power for less money.
My recomendation wuold be not to tune the engine at the beginning, break it in properly. Do the JCW tuning if you really want ton tune and after the warranty is over go for additional tuning (if you really want to).

Personally I went with the JCW tuning kit just to get the better sounding exhaust and had it installed upon delivery of my MINI, so I never had the 175bhp to begin with.
I am more than satisfied.