I ended up buying a 2009 r56 base from my mom with 80 thousand miles "gently driven" she did me a favor and got a decent amount done (coolant system replaced, transmission pan gasket, pan and fluid, same with oil pan and gasket, air filter replaced, "gonna get the belt changed", new rims and tires (same rim size as originals), getting the brake booster vacume pump changed soon, cover gasket replaced and a few more things I can't think of off the top of my head). I do have a few things in mind like cold air intake, strut tower braces (since I can't find the braces with a strut bar that fit non s), rear seat delete (then drop the spare donut off and have a full size spare strapped down on the rear seat delete section), rear strut brace, but not much else I could think of or find for the non s. It is the model with the sport mode and manual shifting and paddle shifters, in good condition and the engine bay is stock and just needs a cleaning any idea for upgrading it at all?

 

Being a former owner of two Justas, I would say the best things you could do for this would be:

Torque arm insert (helps with power transfer)
Rear sway bar
Springs/shocks or coilovers
Adequate tires
Good brakes

Those modifications should yield you a great driving experience that can help train you to be a great driver. I now have a stage 2 MK7 GTI and I owe much of my driving training to the years I had my Minis. Good luck!

 

Original shocks and struts? At 80K they are getting tired. Check all your wheel bearings too. I've replaced all four; two were in a state of failure.