Lounge leather isn't too common, so you may be looking for a while to find one with that option. One other option I would keep on the list is xenon headlights. the halogen base headlights are marginal at best.....

Have fun,
Mike

 

R56 Justa here.

I have had one hell of a time with this car, and I'll NEVER get rid of it. I worked at a dealership, drove hundreds of different kinds of cars, and tens of thousands of cars altogether. Nothing I've ever driven comes close to handling this well, while also being completely comfortable. I've taken turns at speeds that would have rolled my previous cars, and this thing just stays glued on all fours around the turn, like it isn't a big deal. I think the only other thing in this handling class is probably the Miata, but I've never really been a fan. The Mini is more practical.

In five years, I've busted a transmission, gone through a clutch (not my fault), killed a radiator fan, and blew out my thermostat housing. The transmission isn't even really broken, it's just some linkage that needs to be replaced. I've still got it, just in case. I would call that a win for reliability. I'm almost at 100k (of which, 61k are mine), and I've never touched the timing chain. I think I'll do a pre-emptive strike on that, and media blast my intake. That's all it should need.

Outside of the necessary, I got a carbon fiber hood (FOR FREE). Back when I worked at that dealership, the owner of the company backed into my OEM hood with a Yukon XL. Needless to say, I didn't want to use it anymore, and since I'm mechanically inclined, my insurance just cut me a check for the damages, and I did the work myself.

The only thing I want to do is improve the handling, reduce a little weight, add a personal touch to the interior and exterior, and maybe buy a wrecked S model and throw the ECU and engine from that in there one day. Or go electric, it's a pretty simple looking car to modify.

This will also be by far the latest model of Mini Cooper I'll ever buy. What the hell even is the third gen? It looks like dog ****!

 

You don't need to media blast the intake ports on your N12 MINI, it doesn't have direct injection, it has port fuel injection, so the fuel washes the oil from the PCV system off of the intake valves. Also, an "S" ECU won't work on your car, it is designed for a direct injected turbocharged motor, the N14 is neither.

The best bang for your buck is an aftermarket exhaust manifold, the stock exhaust manifold flows very poorly.

 

If you re-read my post, you'll notice that I intend to swap an S motor over. I WILL need the ECU, and the computer in the Cooper S Tachometer in order to get it to work. I've seen it done before, and the guy I met handed me all the info I need to do it. I think I'll at least allow my current engine to die before I take on a project like that, but I do have the means.

Also it's good to know that the N12 is port injected. Honestly should have known that by now, but it isn't like I've ever taken the valve cover off. I won't have to 3D print that port cleaner part now, but I can make them if anyone is interested.

I intend to do just that next month, as well as a cat delete. Don't tell the EPA! What do you recommend? Megan, or Magnaflow or whatever?

 

I've read good things about Magnaflow.

 

 

After losing my 2003 R50 which was supposed to last forever, my new to me 2009 JCW Clubman with only about 30K miles
has had a bit of updating and sprucing up the last several months to make it last somewhere in the neighborhood of forever.

 

I may keep my 2014 JCW Coupe for a long time. It's a beast (I put an ECU tune on it too). I'll skip the 3rd Gen Minis and see when/if they come out with a Gen 4 model. The current cars are pretty luxurious but I think they weigh like 3300 lbs. I might even tow my Coupe behind a motorhome someday. Nothing's gone wrong with it yet either. I like it a better than my 2007 MCS (which I liked a lot).

 

I've had my 2012 since it was new, and it now has over 100,000 miles, but I'm not going to keep it forever. Too many other nice cars out there to enjoy.

 

210k miles and counting. I'll be here. It's definitely not for everyone though, and I've got other cars. No way in hell I'd still be alive/sane if the mini was still my daily.

 

Goodwood owner here. Love my car and will likely keep it forever. I've driven everything including Ferrari and Lamborghini. The Goodwood is still my "daily" driver though I do often drive other stuff. 26k miles on it though so have definitely used it.