stock brakes is weak with the heavy wheels the car comes with.
one of the most effective brake mods is to get lighter wheels.


but $500 isn't going to net you much. i'd just save up more and
get real mods or just go out and get some polish and waxes for
lower co-ef of drag.

 

Forget the fluid ... you got free brake bleeds every two years anyway. If you want to change fluids, do it then.

 

For lowering without going too extreme:

The new lowering springs from Texas Speedwerks: $199
www.texasspeedwerks.com

I'm the beta test car, but they should have 25 sets of full production springs by the end of the week. They drop the car by 1 inch in the rear and 5/8 in the front... much less extreme than most springs on the market, but it still settles the car nicely and does wonders for the nose-dive that comes with limit braking on the stock springs.


Before:


After:


See the lowering effects in action:
A Photoshop merge of the two pictures, above. I overlayed the 'after' picture over the 'before' and tried to size them so that the wheel hubs were concentric. It gives you a general idea of what the springs do to the car. It's not a perfect representation.. I just did my best to put the image together in the best way I know how.

If you look at the line created by the bottom of the door, you can see that the rear has dropped just a smidge more than the front, reducing the factory forward-biased rake of the car. I always thought that the rear looked a bit 'hopped-up' from the factory.

 

^^ oh man, i need to get new glasses...

 

I was cross-eyed by the time I finished the photoshopping! :impatient

 

I kinda like the "hopped up" hot rod look of the MINI. Maybe it's just a generational thing?

 

OK- If your tires are not up to par, you can get Azenis or Toyos from Edgeracing, as others have mentioned - with mounting, balancing you might go a few bucks over $500. If you're running the stock brake pads, and get as sick as I did of cleaning the instantly-accumulating black dust, you could switch to Hawk ceramic pads and have your calipers painted for well under $500 (I paid a little over $300 for all at Central Coast Coopers). Slightly better braking, your wheels stay better looking and the calipers look sweet. With the $$$$ left over, a supply of premium detailing stuff like Prima, Klasse, or any number of good products with proper microfiber towels, clay bars, sprays, etc. will go a long way toward keeping your ride looking good and holding its resale value.

 

So do you really have to change the control arms and have the car alligned if one was to do say an H&R lowering spring kit and 22mm RSB?
I am doing this to mine real soon and have not yet heard of the alignment and lower control arms. We drive aggresively, but no track yet...

I just want it lower for looks and handling, and the RSB for more neuteral cornering without the push. Also, it sounds like the 22mm 3 way Alta with 3 adjustments is the way to go?

Am I wrong? Or is this another can of worms I'll be chasing around?

Ay yay yay!!???

It's always something....:impatient

Please help! I do not want to be "that chick!"

 

I thought I already posted but apparently not.....

if you do a lot of driving the "twisties" get some better brake pads.... the stock brakes fade like crazy after a few minutes of hard driving.....

 

The most bang for the buck has to be the M7 Under Strut System. It is under $500 so you'll have some cash left over for other things. It's soooo easy to install and makes a big difference. I'm extremely happy with mine (if you couldn't tell).