Newbie to Mini's, not sure to get S or non S

[Trinispeed]

Hey, getting a mini is on my list of cars to get for my birthday(along with a 328ci and a Mazda RX-8). I am mostly interested in getting a Mini. The thing is I like superchargers and all, but my heart is with the turbo's. What are the differences between the S and non? I know the newer model S come with turbo's intstead of superchargers? But im looking to get an 06 and down. I have about 13k to put out on one and about 3 grand initially to start the modding. Should I go with a S mini and upgrade? Or non S mini and turbo? Why or why not?

[pup]

s

[MrBlah]

S for sure, if your gonna mod then you really want an S

the older supercharged versions will save you a lot of dough

[Trinispeed]

S for sure, if your gonna mod then you really want an S

the older supercharged versions will save you a lot of dough
why do you say the older ones will save me more cash?

[pup]

why do you say the older ones will save me more cash?

because they cost less than newer ones.

[MrBlah]

yep, they cost quite a bit less, and there's a well developed and competitive modding market for them

it's getting better for the R56, but chips still cost a fortune, as do most turbo back exhausts

its' highway robbery for exhausts on the r56, only 1 place so far has come out with a reasonably priced setup (exhaust depot, 800 $ for turbo back)

[Ghery]

Go for 05+ R53

R56s aren't the same. The quality isn't as good, they're more of a pain to work on, aftermarket will cost you A LOT more, you don't have many options, etc.

Plus, R53s look cooler too.

[Brad5161]

S

[Trinispeed]

S seems to be the way to go, I guess thats what I'll be looking into. Thanks guys.

[kalbone]

S

[tenfifteen]

Go for 05+ R53

R56s aren't the same. The quality isn't as good, they're more of a pain to work on, aftermarket will cost you A LOT more, you don't have many options, etc.

Plus, R53s look cooler too.
Quality isn't as good? Based on what, exactly? It's an entirely new car, there are certainly going to be 'new model' issues, but I'd say the tradeoff is worth it. There have certainly been far fewer issues in the first two years of the R56 than in the first two years of the R53.

Costs more? JSC Speed ftw, but there's no magic bullet mod like the pulley on the R53. The engine is simply better from the factory. Modding my M3 costs more than my '02 MINI, I wouldn't call that a big negative, but ymmv.

R53 was a great looking little car, but I really have come around to the R56. I like the higher shoulder and bull-nose appearance. Appears a little more squat, which I think is cool.

[MrBlah]

I thought the build quality went up with the r56

as for options, you cant order a r50/53 anymore, so I'm not sure what you mean?

[NJREDZ06]

Hey, getting a mini is on my list of cars to get for my birthday(along with a 328ci and a Mazda RX-8). I am mostly interested in getting a Mini. The thing is I like superchargers and all, but my heart is with the turbo's. What are the differences between the S and non? I know the newer model S come with turbo's intstead of superchargers? But im looking to get an 06 and down. I have about 13k to put out on one and about 3 grand initially to start the modding. Should I go with a S mini and upgrade? Or non S mini and turbo? Why or why not?


S

pulley
cat back
cold air
tune

done

:redspot

[Trinispeed]

S

pulley
cat back
cold air
tune

done

:redspot
Eh im not a fan of cat backs. Is there any good sounding exhausts instead of those ricey sounds?

[MrBlah]

Eh im not a fan of cat backs. Is there any good sounding exhausts instead of those ricey sounds?

there are mild sounding catbacks

[NJREDZ06]

Eh im not a fan of cat backs. Is there any good sounding exhausts instead of those ricey sounds?

Then leave it out, but look at the stock mufflers and you will change your mind. :D

[Trinispeed]

Then leave it out, but look at the stock mufflers and you will change your mind. :D
Im not saying I want the stock one. But are there any other ones that sound better than the cat backs? Links would help too.

[MrBlah]

aftermarket muffler = catback, it's a muffler and a pipe that goes up to the cat

there's lots of brands and lots of different sounds, you don't have to get a loud catback

if you want to hear different ones I would post over on NAM in the 1st gen mod forum

[tenfifteen]

Milltek S had a great sound, imho. That's what I had on my R53. Quiet when you kept your foot out of it, not obnoxious at WOT, and no drone at highway cruise speeds.