Mini Cooper S performance modifications

[PorscheGuy79]

I posted this in the Mini Forum but I dont know what kinda traffic is there and I do know that a lot of you have these bad boys so here it goes.

Recently my mother has put on order a Mini Cooper S with all the goodies (LSD, Sport Suspension, etc.) She opted not to go for the Works package but in turn have myself and my father modify it to get similar power at a fraction of the $8,000 the you have to fork over for the Works. My question is are there any quality manufacturers or parts that are available fro the Cooper S? I see a lot of different parts but I don't know if there is a standard quality manufacturer to look for. Also of the exhausts available which has the best sound to it? (remember this is for my mother, she likes a growl but a roar would be too much for her) Anyway, Thanks in advance.

[dd74]

Well, I would still go with Works. Well-designed by the heritage of the Mini master himself, plus it has a warranty from BMW/Mini. The other aftermarket stuff probably isn't nearly as good, and probably voids the car's warranty.

[Jims5543]

Works kit gets you:

Ported Head
Intake upgrade
Cat-back upgrade
Reduced Supercharger Pulley (you used to get an upgraded S/C as well but it is standard now)
Bigger injectors
Re-Flashed ECU with JCW software

I was unaware that was running8K I paid 6K for mine installed.

You can do the aftermarket thing but be warned it is not a s smooth as the JCW kit. You will get more raw peak HP but you will not get as much mid-range as the JCW gets you.

That said go here and look around this is a comparable forum to Pelican.

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/

I have used MYMini in Florida for my upgrades to my suspension and I strongly suggest giving Pete a call, he loves to talk to new owners and help them with decisions. His customer service is great.

http://www.myminiparts.com/

[PorscheGuy79]

The hard thing to swallow is, even at 6k, I can get the same effects at around 1.5k which equals 4.5k difference. And im doing all the same stuff, less the ported head.

[Yellowbird RS]

John Cooper web site

[1967 R50/2]

Originally posted by PorscheGuy79

Recently my mother has put on order a Mini Cooper S with all the goodies (LSD, Sport Suspension, etc.) She opted not to go for the Works package but in turn have myself and my father modify it to get similar power at a fraction of the $8,000 the you have to fork over for the Works.

The "Works" is offered from the factory for MY06, whereas previously it was a dealer install:

Cost $6300.
Includes 207hp engine kit
PLUS a Limited Slip Differential
PLUS JCW Brake Kit

Of course you could still get it from the dealer, but they would charge installation.

There are two main advantages to getting the JCW kit vs and aftermarket kit.

1. JCW parts do not effect you warranty.
2. If you get them from the factory, they are lumped in with the cost of the car. Because MINIs have very strong residual values, when you go to seel the car, you will probably get more for it than if you go with the aftermarket stuff, which can actually invalidate you warranty AND lower your residual value.

Try these sites:

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com
http://www.motoringfile.com

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by PorscheGuy79
The hard thing to swallow is, even at 6k, I can get the same effects at around 1.5k which equals 4.5k difference. And im doing all the same stuff, less the ported head.

Yup, I toiled over it too. I desired to keep my factory warranty so I opted for the JCW.

You will not get the same affects for 1.5 K you will get more peak HP but the car will be jerky and will not have the performance through the entire power band.

It is agreed by most aftermarket tuners that have driven a JCW that the aftermarket is O.K. but the JCW is seemless and not a smooth.

That said.

I just sold my JCW for what a regular MCS sells for so dont sweat the resale. Banks do not recognize the JCW kit at all neither does Kelly Blue Book.

Would I do the JCW again? (I might buy a 2006 in 2006 before the turbo 2007's come out) Absolutely! Is it worth it? Depends on what you want. The next JCW I buy I will never sell. So resale will not be an issue for me.

I already miss my JCW and it left this morning. I need to get a 911 in the garage stat to fix this.

[dd74]

Here's a 250 hp MCS...


Here's the link to where I found this car...
http://www.minisport.com/cars/new-mini-sport-cooper-s-250-bhp.html

Here's a short blurb on a MCS superlite that's planned for when the latest model goes out and a new one comes in: It's a 200+hp Works MCS stripped down to 2200#. Talk about a Porsche killer!
http://www.mini2.com/news/news311.html

And here's the answer to the question I've always had about the MCS - when will they build an AWD version. Well it seems someone already has, and Mini fans are hammering on BMW to follow suit with a production version...

http://www.autoblog.com/entry/6167518185341507/

All-in-all, the MCS is one of only a hand's full of cars that interest me. The Elise is another. But for function, I'd probably take the Mini.

One like-minded car that might smoke a factory Mini Cooper S is the new Golf GTI. Check this out just for information's sake...

http://www.automobilemag.com/photo_gallery/hatchbacks/0412_2006_volkswagen_gti/

It has that 2.0 FSI Injected turbo inline 4, which uses the same FI as what made Audi such a dominant road racer for the last couple of years.