Where to begin?

[shortkid201]

I am 19 years old and I have a 2005 Cooper S and am at the point where I am ready to start modifications. I have been talking to fellow enthusiasts and from my conversations I have come to this list of, "beginner" modifications; strut bar, short shifter, power pulley, and a cold air intake. If anyone has any information on additional modifications, or any recommendations on who to buy the above parts from, I am all ears.

Thank You for any help.

Drive On!

[Candlepin]

I am 19 years old and I have a 2005 Cooper S and am at the point where I am ready to start modifications. I have been talking to fellow enthusiasts and from my conversations I have come to this list of, "beginner" modifications; strut bar, short shifter, power pulley, and a cold air intake. If anyone has any information on additional modifications, or any recommendations on who to buy the above parts from, I am all ears. Thank You for any help. Drive On!

Awesome! Great car.

Possibly not the best choice for modding, since IMHO, they got so much of it right at the factory. In contrast to every BMW I've owned, I've never felt compelled to change a single thing on a MINI.

Correction: the one thing I added to my R53 was a set of rally driving lights, and that was just because I thought they looked cool.

What's your goal? I could get behind the short shifter, which is something I've done in other cars. Since the MINI transmission is so smooth, I never bothered. I also have an old school bias that it's harder to significantly change the driving dynamics of a FWD vehicle for the better.

Or more likely, I just haven't looked hard enough into it. For me the MINI is the perfect all-season city car, and that's how I like it.

Still, have fun, and let us know what you come up with. This board needs more posts.

[KeysCoupe]

I have an '03 R53 I bought new. The only significant modification I would consider is a 15% S/C pulley and a cat-back exhaust. Also, add something to reinforce the front shock towers from mushrooming.
Don't waste money on short shift, strut bar, or cold air intake. The factory got these items right unless you are building a dedicated track car.