MINI2

Blanket · Feb 20th, 2007, 11:21 AM

Hi,
i'm new to this board, been reading around for a couple of weeks tho.
i've got a silver 2002 mini cooper (NON s), everyone seems to have the S!!! lol
oh well, anyway i tried looking up some mods for a non s and didnt come up with much info.
i've never really moded a car before and was wandering what is good to start off with?
i've been looking into some cold air intakes - one by K&N.
does anyone know how much they cost in aus, experience with them, and where i can get one in melbourne?
any suggestions for other mods, or pretty much anything i sgreatly appreciated!

nylo · Feb 20th, 2007, 11:37 AM

Hey Blanket, welcome to mini2

Which road do you want to go down? Performance or looks or both?

Looks-wise, you can't go far wrong with an Aerokit and wheels. Performance wise, there's the JCW Cooper package which will get you a beefier exhaust etc.

If you have a look round some galleries, you'll get plenty of ideas, probably more than you'll be able to cope with!

85NIXMIN · Feb 20th, 2007, 01:49 PM

Heheh... I only have a Cooper as well... so your not alone :P

Rampant Lion · Feb 20th, 2007, 11:59 PM

Ditch the run flats and look at suspension, eibach's and rear sway bars - relatively cheap and will totally change the handling of your car for the better...

SupeRub · Feb 21st, 2007, 12:20 AM

Hey Blanket,

Getting a pod filter (I Have a K&N Typhoon) will give a slight increase but make you sound good. Think it cost me about $300, easy to fit yourself takes about 15 minutes. Supercheap ect sell them.

MTH as well makes a bit of a difference to a Cooper as well.

Rub

dsakko · Feb 21st, 2007, 03:36 AM

Intakes won't do much at all, but they'll make you feel like you have an extra 20hp with all that noise!

Just a precaution before you start - the pre-July 2003 Mini Coopers have a 5 speed gearbox made by Midlands Gears. They made the synchro baulk rings too soft, and with an increase in hp you'll find your gearbox won't last much more than 50,000km. And at maybe $5k - $6k for a new box you'd want to know what you're doing.

There are kits out there, and there's no evidence that a stock motor will help it last any longer.

All that aside, what do you want?
More power? ECU, intake, exhaust. You have to do both sides of the motor, then tweak the maps.
Better handling? Springs, sway bar, strut braces, adjustable arms, full coilover kit.
Brakes? Big brake kit (will need 17" wheels), brake pads, sleeve your master cylinder, synthetic racing brake fluid.

Ultimately the only significant difference between the S and the non-S is the engine and gearbox. All other mods you can make on both the S and the non-S.

minigolf · Feb 21st, 2007, 04:06 AM

I don't mean to be rude, but if you're chasing outright performance, I'd suggest one of the best mods you can do is to save all your pennies and put it towards buying a Cooper S when you can. Either that, or buy some Nissan thing for a few bob with a garage full of turbos on it.

dsakko · Feb 21st, 2007, 04:29 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf (original)

I don't mean to be rude, but if you're chasing outright performance, I'd suggest one of the best mods you can do is to save all your pennies and put it towards buying a Cooper S when you can. Either that, or buy some Nissan thing for a few bob with a garage full of turbos on it.

Good point (except for that bit about buying a Nissan

), considering I've spent maybe $4k on engine mods. But then I wouldn't have been one of the first 5 people in SA to have a new MINI

85NIXMIN · Feb 21st, 2007, 02:03 PM

I dunno what to do with my Cooper... hmm whether to get decals and stuff for it and really make it stand out or just leave it as is... Astro Black with White roof and White mirror caps...
Kinda makes it hard as most of the places that do all the MINI stuff are overseas...

OZChris · Feb 22nd, 2007, 04:27 AM

I managed to do a few things to our old Cooper: exhaust by Remus, 17" wheels w/o RFs, suspension by King Springs / Whiteline, K&N air filter and a ECU flash.

Was happy with mods until we upgraded to an S

And then the journey began again

85NIXMIN · Feb 23rd, 2007, 03:13 AM

I bet it did...
Ahh I'll get an "S" one day...

n00b · Feb 25th, 2007, 02:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf (original)

buying a Cooper S

+1

I did exactly that and I think a few more current and ex-S owners are on the same boat. You can only get so much outta the MC from a set of exhaust, header, Schrick cam, ported head and CAI.

85NIXMIN · Feb 25th, 2007, 02:47 AM

That's why I don't think I'm really gonna do any mods to my Cooper.. I'm just gonna hang out and wait for a "S"

Feb 20th, 2007, 11:21 AM	#1
Blanket MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Local Time: 07:07 AM Posts: 1 Offline	Modifications for a Cooper non S Hi, i'm new to this board, been reading around for a couple of weeks tho. i've got a silver 2002 mini cooper (NON s), everyone seems to have the S!!! lol oh well, anyway i tried looking up some mods for a non s and didnt come up with much info. i've never really moded a car before and was wandering what is good to start off with? i've been looking into some cold air intakes - one by K&N. does anyone know how much they cost in aus, experience with them, and where i can get one in melbourne? any suggestions for other mods, or pretty much anything i sgreatly appreciated!

Feb 20th, 2007, 11:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
nylo Swig & pass, swig & pass! My Classifieds Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangor, Norn Iron Local Time: 08:07 PM Posts: 19,378 Offline	Hey Blanket, welcome to mini2 Which road do you want to go down? Performance or looks or both? Looks-wise, you can't go far wrong with an Aerokit and wheels. Performance wise, there's the JCW Cooper package which will get you a beefier exhaust etc. If you have a look round some galleries, you'll get plenty of ideas, probably more than you'll be able to cope with! photobucket with lots more pics of runs clicky clicky!

Feb 21st, 2007, 03:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
dsakko MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Adelaide, S.A. Local Time: 06:37 AM Posts: 734 Offline	Intakes won't do much at all, but they'll make you feel like you have an extra 20hp with all that noise! Just a precaution before you start - the pre-July 2003 Mini Coopers have a 5 speed gearbox made by Midlands Gears. They made the synchro baulk rings too soft, and with an increase in hp you'll find your gearbox won't last much more than 50,000km. And at maybe $5k - $6k for a new box you'd want to know what you're doing. There are kits out there, and there's no evidence that a stock motor will help it last any longer. All that aside, what do you want? More power? ECU, intake, exhaust. You have to do both sides of the motor, then tweak the maps. Better handling? Springs, sway bar, strut braces, adjustable arms, full coilover kit. Brakes? Big brake kit (will need 17" wheels), brake pads, sleeve your master cylinder, synthetic racing brake fluid. Ultimately the only significant difference between the S and the non-S is the engine and gearbox. All other mods you can make on both the S and the non-S. Feb 02 R50

Feb 21st, 2007, 04:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
minigolf Blue is the colour! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canberra, Australia Local Time: 07:07 AM Posts: 13,849 Offline	I don't mean to be rude, but if you're chasing outright performance, I'd suggest one of the best mods you can do is to save all your pennies and put it towards buying a Cooper S when you can. Either that, or buy some Nissan thing for a few bob with a garage full of turbos on it. Sabine Schmitz: Fear disturbs your concentration.

Feb 21st, 2007, 04:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
dsakko MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Adelaide, S.A. Local Time: 06:37 AM Posts: 734 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf (original) I don't mean to be rude, but if you're chasing outright performance, I'd suggest one of the best mods you can do is to save all your pennies and put it towards buying a Cooper S when you can. Either that, or buy some Nissan thing for a few bob with a garage full of turbos on it. Good point (except for that bit about buying a Nissan ), considering I've spent maybe $4k on engine mods. But then I wouldn't have been one of the first 5 people in SA to have a new MINI Feb 02 R50

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Feb 20th, 2007, 01:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
85NIXMIN MINI on the brain!!! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 1,084 Offline	Heheh... I only have a Cooper as well... so your not alone :P

Feb 20th, 2007, 11:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rampant Lion MIA Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The LC Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 1,021 Offline	Ditch the run flats and look at suspension, eibach's and rear sway bars - relatively cheap and will totally change the handling of your car for the better...

Feb 21st, 2007, 12:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
SupeRub Becoming Stealthy Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brisbane City Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 477 Offline	Hey Blanket, Getting a pod filter (I Have a K&N Typhoon) will give a slight increase but make you sound good. Think it cost me about $300, easy to fit yourself takes about 15 minutes. Supercheap ect sell them. MTH as well makes a bit of a difference to a Cooper as well. Rub

Feb 21st, 2007, 02:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
85NIXMIN MINI on the brain!!! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 1,084 Offline	I dunno what to do with my Cooper... hmm whether to get decals and stuff for it and really make it stand out or just leave it as is... Astro Black with White roof and White mirror caps... Kinda makes it hard as most of the places that do all the MINI stuff are overseas...

Feb 22nd, 2007, 04:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
OZChris MINI2 Master Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 07:07 AM Posts: 2,507 Offline	I managed to do a few things to our old Cooper: exhaust by Remus, 17" wheels w/o RFs, suspension by King Springs / Whiteline, K&N air filter and a ECU flash. Was happy with mods until we upgraded to an S And then the journey began again

Feb 23rd, 2007, 03:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
85NIXMIN MINI on the brain!!! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 1,084 Offline	I bet it did... Ahh I'll get an "S" one day...

Feb 25th, 2007, 02:44 AM	#12 (permalink)
n00b Twincharge??? My Classifieds Join Date: Jun 2004 Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 2,283 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf (original) buying a Cooper S +1 I did exactly that and I think a few more current and ex-S owners are on the same boat. You can only get so much outta the MC from a set of exhaust, header, Schrick cam, ported head and CAI.

Feb 25th, 2007, 02:47 AM	#13 (permalink)
85NIXMIN MINI on the brain!!! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Local Time: 06:07 AM Posts: 1,084 Offline	That's why I don't think I'm really gonna do any mods to my Cooper.. I'm just gonna hang out and wait for a "S"

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