As the title states. Am finally returning to Mini after being with BMW for 2.5 years....really glad to be back with a Mini.

I don't have a price limitation, but I want to make the biggest bang for my buck (hopefully not destroy warranty).

Thanks in advance.

 

What do you want to do with the car? And what do you find in the car that you feel needs to be improved?

 

Well, I would love to reduce the wheel gap, but am afraid of lowering too much since it will become a snow plow in the winter months.

Also, I would love to get an aero kit or a dash trim kit (carbon leather like in M3's)

Not sure if I also would consider a tune (Dinan? JCW?).....just new to the Mini world coming from a BMW, so I am not sure how different things are with the Mini

 

Sounds like lowering is more for looks versus handling. Over lowering can be a source for some issues such as vibrations as well as ride harshness. Many like the NM engineering alpha spring with bilstiens or Komi yellows.

The appearance stuff is available from Mini as well as aftermarket vendors.

Tune is a good way to add hp. Be careful with what you do here as there is increasing info that the Mini engine can be a little on the fragile side.

 

Thank you for the details....what is the average cost for aero parts?
Do the NM springs make the ride a lot stiffer, or marginally so?

 

I think the suspension when done well can be more comfortable on the street than stock. I went with AST 5100 coil overs after trying others and find them to be great for the street. These ASTs are also full race capable.

 

I agree that AST is a great coilover and is also highly recommended for BMW's

Was it hard to make them set-up to perform and ride at a comfortable level? I am worried about spending MANY hours playing with settings and never finding the right feel.

Essentially I want a daily driver ride/feel, but am also able to take it to the mountains and play on some twisties. Since there are no tracks within 1000 miles of where I live, the likelihood of a track day will be slim.

 

Two clicks to four clicks front and back and leave it for the street. Very comfortable, nuch better than stock.

 

Glad I found this thread. I'm interested in getting a nicer feel on the road. Won't likely be doing track days, but definitely want to have the ability to tighten up the ride and also back off to make it plushy mcplush plush.

Anything new occur in this realm in the past seven years since this post went up?

Thanks - I'm in a 2012 Cooper S vert.

Jeff