Most people have New Years resolutions. MINI owners have New Years mod lists. And being MINI owners here at MotoringFile, we’d like to start the year off by hearing what everyone has in store for their cars. To get things started, here’s a quick list of some of the projects I’m considering for 2006:
- JCW Intake (For those who want a cold air intake without wanting the neighbors to know they have an intake.)
- H&R 19mm Rear Sway Bar (The way it should have come from the factory.)
- A Supersprint Exhaust (okay technically this was done and 2005 and yes the review is coming)
- JCW Injectors? (still undecided)
- Something in the braking dept… still undecided.
So let’s hear your New Years mod lists. What do you have planned for 2006 when it comes your MINI?
05 JCW – 19mm rear bar and a set of SSR with R compound tires…a camber kit if I can find one that works with stock struts.
SSR is going thru a financial reorganization. These may be difficult to find until late spring according to Tire Rack.
first, pick up 06 RG/RG MCS tonight…. 🙂
I already have the alta intake, front mudflaps and Autometer gauges waiting. I will pick up my IceLink Plus on the way home from the dealer tonight. Also, waiting on a set of black Cooper side vents to arrive and my Rota rims.
I will add a pulley, rear sawy and maybe one-ball the exhaust as well.
Gabe, why the H&R over the Alta 19mm? I am about 100% set the 19mm, i was just looking at the alta mainly fro price reasons.
thanks!
EBC Green brake pads. I made the mistake of switching to white wheels with the stock pads. Now I have gray wheels…
<blockquote>Gabe, why the H&R over the Alta 19mm? I am about 100% set the 19mm, i was just looking at the alta mainly fro price reasons.</blockquote>
The H&R bars come with teflon coated bushings so they won’t ever squeek or need lubrication. I’ve heard reports of many other bars including Alta (and seen some first hand) squeaking after a few thousand miles.
I am 10 months into my second MINI. This one is a JCW with probably every stock performance feature included. The first one was the base Cooper and I had a lot of fun modifying it. I’ve been unsure what modifications to make or even consider for the newest version, but I certainly want to tinker and don’t know which way to go. Any suggestions or footnotes to your comments with specific suggestions for JCW owners would be very appreciated. Thank you and Happy New Year, Paul
1. Driving Classes
2. Ditch the runflats (the driving classes should take care of them).
3. Good radar detector (2 tickets since I bought the MINI, doubling my lifetime total)
— Mr.V
I now have in my garage, a freshly ported cylinder head by CHR Motorsports in Thornton, CO. Ferrea oversized valves, dual springs and titanium retainers. This head also has a Schrick cam and minor tweaks to the combustion chamber to improve flow. Waiting on MINI-Madness for my oil cooler and 375cc injectors.
Before track season I will also switch out the stock shocks/struts for Koni Golds, the H-Sport springs and Madness rear sway bar and control arms will remain.
– Nokia Bluetooth carkit with NewMiniStuff interface
– Active cradle for PocketPC (TomTom)
– If I manage to waer out the original tires this year, non-runflat tires.
I’m going to ditch the s-lite’s and runflats for a set of ASA AR1 black wheels and some sticky rubber. I’d also love to do a 15% pulley.
parcel shelf
intake
pulley
MTH software mod
sway bar
tires
wheels
harnesses
brake pads
hi-perf brake fluid
’04 rearview mirror
GPS antenna
sunroof wind deflector
[The Bag Lady – seat straps](<a href="http://www.njbaglady.com/Products/straps.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.njbaglady.com/Products/straps.html</a>)
short antenna
caliper stiffening kit
Not a short list. First up will be wheels, tires and a Schroth harness for the driver’s side. Then track time, then the other items, as I get some spare cash. 🙂
• New tires
• H&R Sway Bar, as well
• Driving lights
My Rota Slipstreams should be arriving today. I’ll order the V710s after the car gets here. (Yes, the car isn’t even off the boat yet.)
Dension Icelink should be shipping to me today.
Whalen en route as I type.
More than likely the Euro Parcel Shelf will get purchased on delivery.
I’m going to go to my club’s test and tune in February and decide if I want to get the Schroth rigs—I’m sure that will be a yes.
I’m tempted by driving lights: PIAA or the Maddness kit.
Replacing the 18×7 Centerline RPM’s with 18×7.5 Rota Subzero’s, new tires (something with a treadwear higher than 280), KW Springs, 22mm Sway Bar (most likely H&R), and an exhaust of some sort (I like Alta’s), complete with a header. Short and sweet list. Oh yea, and definately the auto up switch, that’ll be #1.
– Goodyear F1s on x-lites
– BMW CCA Driver’s schools
– OEM Ipod setup
– H&R swaybar (won it at octcooperfest) if I decide I need it from doing the driver’s schools
mb
Why the 19mm instead of the 22mm? I understood it was better to get the 22 so you could go stiffer if you wanted to. Or did you not get the SS+ suspension?
One other thing I have heard about sway bars WITHOUT the tabs or detents to hold it in place at the bushings is that it can shift side to side on you during use. I have seen this happen on 2 different cars.
IF I could………………..
1. JCW
2. upgrade brakes
3. R90’s ….Anthracite
4. Atla rear sway bar 19mm
5. better tyres
6. better shocks
7. LSD
8. JCW’s GP wing
9. paint roof silver
10. add silver Cobra style stripes
What I will do in ’06………………
1. direct wire Escort Passport 8500
2. hookup PIAA’s
3. replace front S-Lites….(original, bonehead, owner ran into curbs, allot)
<blockquote>Why the 19mm instead of the 22mm? I understood it was better to get the 22 so you could go stiffer if you wanted to. Or did you not get the SS+ suspension?</blockquote>
Well among other things I don’t want to freak out my wife with any unexpected oversteer so I’m going to keep it at 19mm. And yes I have the SS+ – the only suspension available from th factory for the hardtop MCS.
Oops……..I was thinking that the stock size was 19mm. Oh well, so much for thinking without coffee !
My list is short….
19mm Rear sway
Lower springs
OEM cameras (front AND rear) for factory Nav
OEM full bluetooth kit (esp. if price comes down)
* OEM power folding mirrors (if I can track down the part numbers!)
I just put on the 19mm sway bar in December. I have a non S cooper though if that matters. I plan on upgrading the Exhaust and Cold Air Intake. I’d like to get the car up to 135 to 145 hp which would be slick for a base cooper.
Tim
I resolve to get the SES light to finally go off once and for all, or end up forcing a buyback. Sorry, but that’s how frustrated I am. After that, then I’ll think about other mods.
I think it’s interesting that there’s a rear sway bar on almost everybody’s list, but JCW doesn’t offer one (at least not that I can find).
<blockquote>OEM power folding mirrors (if I can track down the part numbers!)</blockquote>
Check out <a href="http://motoringfile.com/ad_redirect.php?id=13" rel="nofollow">NewMINIstuff</a> for the folding mirrors.
<blockquote>I think it’s interesting that there’s a rear sway bar on almost everybody’s list, but JCW doesn’t offer one (at least not that I can find).</blockquote>
MINI will never offer one because it dials out some of the understeer in the car and makes it a little less “idiot proof” for the average driver. With liability laws being what they are in the US and elsewhere we’re unfortunately left to turn to the aftermarket.
JCW kit for my mcsa…PLEASE!! ; )
I don’t have any performance mods but I have a few interior electronics and a couple of exterior cosmetics mods that I like to do:
Interior
1. Alarm
2. ICE Link
3. Some kind of bluetooth to use the MFSW
4. Glovebox organizer (On order from outmotoring.com)
Exterior
1. Chrome enhancements that weren’t included in the Chrome package. (on order from outmotoring.com)
2. Have rear calibers painted red to match the front jcw brake calibers.
Ronald
’06 MCSC / Factory JCW
Mostly modding the Driver this year. DE’s ad AX’s
A 15% pully.
Euro parcel shelf and other convenience/cosmetic items.
wait – Cant forget: Vinyl numbers for AX (cowboys style).
In April after my stint in Kuwait is up;
JCW
JCW suspension, brakes
That should do it..
Sparky’s Dad
1. Further tightening of the nut behind the wheel of my ’05 JCW everything MCS. (To quote Gary Anderson, Editor of MC2: “We can tell you that, without a little training and some practice, no one is capable of driving the MINI anywhere near its limits, even with the equipment it comes with right out of the showroom.”) My 2006 mod will be to try to get closer to that limit with training and practice at:
2. SCCA High Performance Driving School.
3. Track days at Thunderhill, Laguna Seca, Sears Point, Buttonwillow and Reno-Fernley with Trackmasters, Hooked on Driving, NASA, UnlimitedLaps and T.E.A.M. Racing.
4. More instructing. Helping others start to go fast safely clarifies and reinforces good track habits as well as improving their driving ability.
“Motoring – Getting the Maximum from Your New MINI”
by Gary Anderson and Don Racine
Enthusiast Publications LLC
Copyright 2005
Recommended reading!
“I think it’s interesting that there’s a rear sway bar on almost everybody’s list, but JCW doesn’t offer one (at least not that I can find).”
I’m here to tell you that my JCW suspension is neutral and doesn’t need a thicker rear sway bar, although it was on my list as well at first. After a little tinkering with tire pressures, however, I found I could 4 wheel drift it around corners in perfect balance (on warm tires) and induce understeer or oversteer at will with the throttle and a judicious dab at the brakes with the left foot.
First the auto up cicuit. Then I’m going to replace the crappy 18″ Centerline RPMs I have with some 18″ Rota Subzeros. Then it will be time for KW springs and a H&R 22mm sway bar. I’ll be happy at that point and probably won’t do anything else at the point for a while.
i’ve yet to receive even my first issue of mc2…. ; (
Hmmmm, let’s see….
this is what I’m planing to add on the first quarter of 2006.
to my 2005 MCS Convertible.
01. Alta 15% Pulley
02. Alta Intake
03. Milltek Exhaust
04. Milltek Header
05. Aero Kit
06. Stop Tech Big Brake Kit
07. Webb Motor Sport rear sway bar
08. Tein Street Shocks
09. Alta Lightweight Crank Pulley
10. Unichip ECU Upgrade
11. Good year F1 Tires
12. R90 Wheels
13. Denso Iridium Spark Plugs
14. M7 CATCH CAN
15. Alta short shifter with custom shift knob
16. M7 strut bar
17. Nology Spark Cables
There are few things left
but with the new mini webpage
I’m putting together (minijunkies.com)
don’t have too much freetime.
Happy New Year’s Everyone
regards,
Charles
Get ’06 Cooper latter this month!
At Dealer;
Graphics, Front mud guards, SS foot rest, Grocery Bag Holders, Boot net, & White Side indicator covers.
Already at home;
Second-hand 16″ Silver Monza wheels for cone dancing, Side Steeps for wife’s Honda Element [gotta get her baby something too ;-)], Canadian rubber mats, short antenna, and stealth bulbs.
Planning;
1. Aux-input
2. Coco floor mats from MyMini for non-snow months
3. Tires for those silver shoes
4. CG Lock
5. Novice autocross school day(s)
6. MyMini or Supersprint sport Cat-back exhaust
6. Red Shift knob
8. Shift & E-brake leather boots
Gabe
1. Use adhesive teflon tape around contact area of sway bar on Alta – problem solved.
2. I think you meant to say that 19mm swaybar dials out the factory understeer (not oversteer).
For 06, my MCSC will be getting:
1. Koni FSD’s
2. RSpeed rear sway bar
3. H-Sport front strut brace
4. Brake stiffening kit.
Got an MCS’06 AstroBlack/CordobaBeige
Done:
– Glovebox organizer
– 2nd light break (in lieu of fog light)
– MCAW auto-up windows
– Mini antenna (Alta)
Doing: (Today as we speak)
– JCW Intake Filter
– JCW Strut brace
– Sway Bar (from MyMiniParts.com)
– 15% Pulley (from MyMiniParts.com)
Planning: <strong>(Feedback and help is appreciated)</strong>
– Exhaust (Don’t know yet which one)
– MTH ECU
– Aerokit
– Chromed Mirrors
<blockquote>JCW kit for my mcsa…PLEASE!! ; )</blockquote>
DITTO!
I’m hoping to buy a 2006 MCS, but I need to wait until MINIUSA re-releases the Cloth Seat “mod”. heh
Had my 06 MCS for 1 month. For now I cant imagine needing more hp. So my mod list is
R99 anthracite rims to match in interior
tinted windows
Dash mount for my Ipaqrx3115, either a 35mm film canister over the dimmer switch or the Kuda mount with some kind of mount that powers it at the same time.
Aux input
Glove box orginizer
Video system in the headrest’s hooked up to a slim PS2 in the glove box (you know…for kids)
Auto up windows
For 06 I would like to install an i-pod adapter, not sure which one to go with Ice-Link, HK Drive & Play etc. (Suggestions please). New gear shift knob. I would also like to add Carbon Fibre mirrors and hood scoop.
Happy New Year everyone.
How could I forget the Euro Parcel Shelf to
I plan on installing Brembo drilled rotors with EBC pads to cut down on the brake dust. I also plan on doing a 19mm sway bar from MyMINI.
over to Helix to use the gift certificate Santa brought for a pulley (hooray!)
DOT-approved harness
* remaining chrome goes bye-bye
<blockquote>Check out NewMINIstuff for the folding mirrors.</blockquote>
Come on Gabe… we’ve gone over this before… surely you remember? I don’t want the aftermarket solutions available at Newministuff… I knew about them, of course… but I want the <strong>OEM</strong> parts, which is why specifically said “OEM” in my comment. 🙂
Have you talked with Mike from NewMINIstuff about getting the OEM parts? Typically he’s the best source for UK OEM parts.
My top mods for 2006:
1. Get MINI to fix the ABS sensor
2. Get MINI to fix the clock
3. Get MINI to replace the cracked windscreen
I don’t have time for real mods – the car is broken too often to spend time doing fun things! Like my Dad says, the Brits sure know how to build low quality cars.
Before anyone gets too unhappy… 1, I’m British so can insult my people if I want; 2, this is my second MINI and its proving as poorly constructed as the last one; finally, 3, despite these things I still love the MINI and think its a great car. I just wish I could get my hands on one that was built well.
I’m going to:
Hardwire my Valentine 1, and install the remote display. I’ve had the parts for a while, just been too busy.
Try to get a toggle switch panel with chrome finger guards like Ian’s. (anyone have the proper part number for the full panel w/dsc?)
Swap out the chrome mirror caps for the Union Jack ones.
I’m considering adding the JCW brake kit. Anyone have one? Any feedback on it?
Rawhyde
<blockquote>Hardwire my Valentine 1, and install the remote display. I’ve had the parts for a while, just been too busy.</blockquote>
I did that last week. It was pretty easy; the hardest part was finding a suitable ground point. I’ve got the remote display stuck to the dash next to the tach, but I want to do something more integrated and have approached Ian about building me a circuit that will allow me to trigger the mute with one of the “extra” MFSW buttons. I’m thinking about either building a bracket to hang the remote display off the tach (easy), sticking it in a gauge pod (harder, expensive) or embedding it in the dash (even harder).
If I had an in-car computer (a la the Mac Mini), I’d get [one of these](<a href="http://www.definitivestudios.com/V1/V1VD.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.definitivestudios.com/V1/V1VD.html</a>) and tie it in with my GPS. But there’s already too much stuff going on in the car and I need to work on minimizing the distractions, not adding more.
Hmm, not sure what will actually happen – but:
Auto-Up circuit (probably MCAW).
Performance driving school, BMW or SCCA probably.
Auto-X?
Bluetooth integrated to the MFSW/car speakers/mic would be nice – for less than $1200.
GPS/NAV using my PocketPC would be neat.
HW/SW interface with the cars computer would be neat (BIM-COM?).
’06 MCS ~ JCW + JCW suspension
Well, Today is 4 weeks to the day since i picked it up (and 1500 km). And i have big plans for it, and i already started. But next on the list, and hopefully by summer will be
Braided stainless brake lines
exhaust manifold
paint the calipers (when my summer tires go back on)
white side bulbs
cold air intake (want a piper but too much money)
rear sway bar (h and r 22 mill, i hate understeer, and plan on beefing up the front end next year)
-Beecher
opps, i ment an alta rear bar, and i might as well add a front stress bar into the mix as well.
Here is what I have done to my 05 CB MCSC – all packages, rear foglight, Hk sound system
Performance;
17% Alta Pulley
NGK – Irdium Spark Plugs
Crane 8.5mm Spark Plug Wires
Vivid Racing Oil Catch Can
ITG Air Filter
Brembo Rotors – cross drilled and slotted all wheels
Steel Braided Brake Lines
Blue Hi-Temp Brake Fluid
Red painted Brake calipers
Mintex Red Front Brake Pads
Front Strut Brace
Appearance;
Blue Aluminum Engine oil cap
Blue Aluminum Oil Cap
Blue Aluminum Radiator Cap
Blue Aluminum Washer Fuild Cap
Body Color painted Full Skid Plate
Body Color painted Intercooler Cover
Body Color painted Strut Caps
Electrical;
Passport 8500 hardwired
Escort ZR3 Laser Switcher
Garmin GPS V Navigation – hardwired
SkyFI2 XM Radio
Aux port
EuroShelf
Power port in EuroShelf
Passport GT2 Performance Computer
Give Me A Brake Light Modification
Blinker third brake
Nice to have;
Drivers side 2005 Cup Holder
“Lights in Sight” prizm
Cruise Cam Mount
Wind Deflector
Arm Rest
Hot Pocket
Glove Box Organizer
Shorty Antenna
X-Pel Light Protection
15% Window tint all windows
Saddlebag
Euro FirstAid Kit
Installing this weekend;
ALTA Gauge POD with Autometer Boost and OIL Pressure gauges
Future Mods;
Rear Sport Arm Links
Aluminum Coolant Expansion Tank
I second the day tripper:
“I’m going to ditch the s-lite’s and runflats for a set of ASA AR1 black wheels and some sticky rubber.”
The ASA AR1 black wheels are so choice – I highly recomend them if you have the means…
My tire pick will be Goodyear Eagle 1 GS-D3 215/40 YR17
I’ve had this on my list for several months. The run flats should be plenty used up in another month or two-around 12,000 miles.
Cheers!
TURNDICULOUS
New for 2006? How ’bout a new 2006 MCS ordered and now waiting finishing once the plant starts again. Won’t go into particulars, but the first upgrade at the Dealers…JCW FILTER..35% TINTED Windows, GLOVE BOX Impr. Trading my trusty and first born 2003 MC today. MINI of STERLING has agreed to a very nice trade-in BEFORE mine MCS arrives. So I leave this morning to the 110 mile R/T. I have a 1994 JEEP I drive in the winter, so this is a good deal for all involved. Will Announce the “coming” out party of my new MCS PS/BL with all the bells when she arrives at her “home” port.
My new 06 MCS….
Built 12/2005….. burning gas…. 12/2005 !!!
Delivered it to myself (I am a MINI M.A.) on Christmas Eve 🙂
DS w/ PR roof/ mirror .. & PS V stripe.
PP/SP/CW/gray/blk leatherette)
Completed as of 1/8/06
Helix 19% reduction pulley
Helix cold air intake
Helix short shifter
H Sport lowering springs
H Sport rear sway bar
Refitted Whalen Shift Machine (from my 02 MCS)
Borla Street Exhaust
Pioneer DEH-P7700MP Sirius Radio w/Ipod adaptor
Garmin 2620 GPS
Shorty antenna
To be completed…
JCW injectors
MTH or GIAC chip remap
Kosei K1 TS Rims 17 x 7 w/ Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
Tinted Windows /decals
Should be done by 01/31/06
Peace,
D. MINIero
Milltek exhaust
H&R rear sway bar
JCW suspension
a set of nice rims
A MINI.
Is there a supersprint exhaust that works with a 2005 MCSa? I wonder if Gabe’s exhaust does? He seems to really like his…