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I've been wanting to get a GP2 and found a great one with low miles but I've been thinking recently of making a standard S that's just as capable. I've always had offroad cars and half the fun is the project in modifying it to make it my own. Also buying a S and changing it looks like it would even be cheaper than buying a GP2.
What I was thinking of doing is
- Mini Cooper Turbo K04 Gt Dominator™ Hi-flow Gen2
- ECU upgrade
- Forge Intercooler
- Oil cooler
- Duell AG Frog Instrument Panel
- DEFI coolant/boost gauges
- Duell AG body kits
- AST Suspension
- AEM air intake & strut bar
- Eventually new seats/interior accents/paint job or wrap
- Black wheels & tires
Does a 2013 Cooper S have the N18 engine?
Which Brakes and Tires?
Any other suggestions on parts?
Yes it has the n18. This is some of the most popular upgrades and kits. Lots of info. With the front red brake ducts and the GP2 rear duffuser you will need the JCW aero boy kit II or higher.
Oooor... get the GP2 and mod it. I think that when you get finally an S to handle and run as a GP you will spend as much as the GP. I agree on the DIY journey, but believe me, the GP is not just the parts.
Thanks for the links. MiniMoic..thanks for the insight...beyond the parts and being part of the cool kids club of having a limited edition..what's the difference? resale value is slightly higher than a JCW but I expect to drive the **** out of it. There is a S near me for around 14k and the GP2 I'm looking at with the same mileage is 27k so lots of room for parts. The GP2 would definitely be easier but that's no fun.
An S with the mods you mention, plus a tune, plus the necessary forged internals to take care of what the dominator can push, will eat stock GP2s for breakfast....
(Take it from me: do not push big boost into stock internals.)
An S with the mods you mention, plus a tune, plus the necessary forged internals to take care of what the dominator can push, will eat stock GP2s for breakfast....
(Take it from me: do not push big boost into stock internals.)
At the end of the day it is what you want in a car. If special letters or numbers on a car make your day, spend the money and buy the GP. I just got back from a tour on the Blue Ridge Parkway here in North Carolina. I have some mods but had some "big" Gen3 4-doors in our group that hit the twisties off the Parkway. I left that tour with a completely different take on the 4-doors as they handled pretty darn good in stock form. There was a N14 there with 225,000 miles and that car went pretty darn good as well.
Unless you live with "dragon" like roads nearby, any S or JCW Mini is more than capable on the roads. If you can turn a wrench, you can buy a lower cost Mini and with mods create a pretty hot little number. My modded Gen1 had no issues what so ever with the Gen2 turbo cars on the curves. My buddy had his Gen1 S on the tour. He does have lowered coil overs but only a 15% pulley yet he was right on the butts of some Gen2 JCWs.
The only bad thing on mods, is that you will not get the money back out when you sell the car so you gotta decide how much money you are going to throw down the hole of owning most type cars.
At the end of the day it is what you want in a car. If special letters or numbers on a car make your day, spend the money and buy the GP. I just got back from a tour on the Blue Ridge Parkway here in North Carolina. I have some mods but had some "big" Gen3 4-doors in our group that hit the twisties off the Parkway. I left that tour with a completely different take on the 4-doors as they handled pretty darn good in stock form. There was a N14 there with 225,000 miles and that car went pretty darn good as well.
Unless you live with "dragon" like roads nearby, any S or JCW Mini is more than capable on the roads. If you can turn a wrench, you can buy a lower cost Mini and with mods create a pretty hot little number. My modded Gen1 had no issues what so ever with the Gen2 turbo cars on the curves. My buddy had his Gen1 S on the tour. He does have lowered coil overs but only a 15% pulley yet he was right on the butts of some Gen2 JCWs.
The only bad thing on mods, is that you will not get the money back out when you sell the car so you gotta decide how much money you are going to throw down the hole of owning most type cars.
Ya definitely agree, I've done several off-road truck builds and know all to well you don't get back what you put into it. My budget is around the price of a gp2(27k) and had originally decided to go that route but I think I'm gonna go with an S and then make it my own and spend up to what I would on a gp2. Not gonna go crazy race mode (yet) but just something fun to drive.
