Is it possible to install the center dual exhaust on the Mini Cooper base or is that only in the Cooper s models?

 

Base Coopers have a spare tire mounted under the rear of the car. That would be the first thing you would have to eliminate. Then, you would need to source the exhaust system and the heat shields, as well as the rear bumper for the center exhaust. Do-able? Sure. But it will cost you a bunch, unless you have a parts-car available.

 

Do you happen to know a rough estimate of how much it'd cost? At the time I bought my mini I didn't really have a whole lot of time to look around because my old car just went and I needed a new one asap, I wish I'd have gotten the s cuz I wouldn't mind the turbo and I like the look of the center exhaust a lot better as well. So I figured I'd at least look into changing it and hope for the best, I knew about the spare tire and rear bumper but wasn't sure what else would go into it

 

No idea, honestly. Maybe someone here has done something similar? I hear ya on the time-pressed deal. I was lucky to find my S at the right time. I had a ride, but she was getting old. Timing is everything.

Honestly, the handling is the greatest part of the MINI. More power and mods bring on more problems. I say stick with your base model, and go for suspension bits and tires. Lots of tires. They may pull you on the straightaways, but you WILL eat them in the corners! You can gain some power with cold-air intakes, much more than us turbo guys.

 

Hmm alright. Ya I've been kinda stuck on what I should do to it, I'm most likely going to go with a cold air intake and new wheels. But sort of undecided as of now. And with new wheels I'm going to need new tires, which idk anything about really, like what the difference is between different ones, so what tires would you go with? Or does it really matter? And what upgrades do you think I should do? I'm trying to get a few different ideas and input from different people before I decide on something and put money into stuff.

 

Not being familiar with the drivetrain you have, I would start with a rear swaybar (I have an Alta 19mm adjustable) and your wheels/tires of choice. Size and type of wheels/tires will depend upon where you drive, and what you want. I live on a dirt road, and drive on 2-lane twisties to and from work. The roads here are not the best, so I like a 16" wheel. I am running Cooper CS-5 Ultra Touring tires. They handle and grip well, but I only get about 9,000 miles from a set of 4. Roads here are abrasive, and I drive pretty hard. Tirerack.com has reviews on different tires. You may want to look there, or ask around here some more. I can tell you that the rear swaybar made a big difference, and I am on the lightest setting. A cold air intake is a great idea, especially on non-turbo cars.

 

Ok awesome, thanks for all your help. The roads where I live sound pretty similar too except there aren't many dirt roads around here so I don't think I have to worry about that as much, but ya thanks

 

Do you happen to have the stainless exhaust already? If you do, there isn't much more performance to be had from the spendy stuff. The local exhaust guy can do you up a set relatively inexpensively. A drop in K&N filter alone will accomplish a great deal of driveability with just a bit more intake noise. A torque arm bushing upgrade helps the throttle control. I personally prefer 15"x7" hyper-lightweight wheels with the stickiest tires available, but there are some compromises on bumpy roads with that setup - in reality it just sucks. Really corners well tho, and that goes up another level with something like the Alta 19mm rear swaybar and the rear spare tire removed. You won't need the front camber adjusting plates unless you go on the track, but that will save your tires if you do. Enjoy your car, it is a demon on tight turns, city driving.

The center exhaust is just silly, please don't take offense.

 

Ya I have the stainless exhaust, and I don't take offense, don't worry lol I just like the look of it a bit more. It's not that I don't like the look of the single one to the side, it's just a preference and I wasn't sure if there was a way to do it without a whole lot of trouble. What exactly does the new sway bar do?

 

Holy crap! That's alot of frickin tires!

 

MiniTigger, yeah, I know. Treadwear rating is 620. Driving like I stole it doesn't help. I have a set of GoodYear Authority tires up next with a 440 treadwear rating. Maybe the hard compound is going away rapidly because it is sliding more on the abrasive and rough roads I drive? No idea....

 

xNickh8x--The rear sway bar upgrade will reduce rear body roll, and reduce or eliminate understeer. The car will tend to not "push" or "plow" in the front as much into the curves when driven hard. And adjustable bar allows you to determine the stiffness of the rear bar. A stiffer rear bar (or a higher setting on an adjustable bar) can even induce some oversteer, where the rear of the car steps out, especially when lifting off of the gas in a corner. This is what I have heard, and have experienced with my Alta 19mm adjustable rear bar.