Just bought a Cooper S.

[otgixxer]

Been on bimmer forums for a bit now. I talk mostly in the NorthWest area. I have a 2005 ZHP Coupe Dinan3. Just recently picked up this Mini for my commuter.

Any advice for a new Mini owner? Mods that are a must? School me.

http://uploader.ngsthings.com/files/5/mini%20001%20%28Medium%29.jpg

http://uploader.ngsthings.com/files/5/mini%20003%20%28Medium%29.jpg

[elttes reven]

what does the dinan3 entail? im not familiar witht the ZHP.

[tenfifteen]

Very nice. Pepper White is a favorite color of mine. We're on our third (an '08) but had two ('02, '04) before. Mine was moderately worked.

The mod that is absolutely a must is a -15% pulley for the supercharger. Safe, effective, tons of fun. Figure $150 or so for the pulley, another $200 for the install. May be able to find it cheaper.

If you want to get the most out of it, have it custom tuned. Not going to disparage any OBD tuners, but you really need to take it somewhere and have it done right. Expect to pay $500-$800 for the privilege.

Two other mods that I would recommend for the aural factor, and that may gain you a few hp are a cold-air intake and a catback exhaust system. If you're at all mechanically inclined, you ought to be able to do these two on your own. I
had the Alta CAI (w/the hose) and a Milltek exhaust. The people who sell them will really overstate how many hp these mods impart, but they will definitely bring a smile to your face. I used to love hearing the throttle body open when I'd goose it.

Suspension? Meh... it was plenty stiff for me, and I never threw any more at it than it could handle. Enjoy it, in any case.

This was mine: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/20/reader-ride-2002-mini-cooper-s/

[tenfifteen]

Oh... and consider lighter wheels. Yours (S-Lites, iirc) are around 27 pounds per. Don't quote me.

[elttes reven]

yeah i went from a stock 05 S to CAI loved the noise. i just recently had the 15% pully installed love the power. next week is header and exhaust. it's going to be loud.

[otgixxer]

Any loss in MPG from the 15% pulley?

[catseye]

If you do any track events, or simply want to make the car rotate better, you may want to consider a 19mm rear sway bar as well as the other mods suggested above. Oh, yeah, if those are run-flats on there, dump them. There are lots of nice tires out there that will hook that car up.

Have fun! You are going to love that car!!!!! :thumbup:

[tenfifteen]

Any loss in MPG from the 15% pulley?
Not much. With the mods I had, I saw 22-23 city (even with my heavy foot) and 31-32 freeway (70mph or so, a/c running).

[ding]

my last car was a mini, traded it towards the ZHP, i had a 15% pulley, Air intake and light weight wheels, the perfect go fast mods with out ruining the daily driveabilty of the car. the wheels actually made it a better ride too.

[otgixxer]

my last car was a mini, traded it towards the ZHP, i had a 15% pulley, Air intake and light weight wheels, the perfect go fast mods with out ruining the daily driveabilty of the car. the wheels actually made it a better ride too.

AVERAGE MPG? WITH ALL THE MODS?

[tenfifteen]

Look up one more post...

[ding]

AVERAGE MPG? WITH ALL THE MODS?

over all 27, with little interstate driving,

[UZ4PLAY]

22mpg in a mini? I get that in my 8. Bytheway nice car. I've come to respect the S. Little turd sure kept up. :buttrockhttp://images.bimmerforums.com/vb3images/misc/progress.gif

[tenfifteen]

22mpg average city, with my foot in it constantly. I get a little more than that freeway in the M3. I'll take the tradeoff though. :D