[GTT 280]

Anybody out there with a 260 BHP Upgrade?

[scroll down for a review and some pictures of the GTT 260 package]

Cheers,
K.

[M1OY CS]

I WISH!! only 230 for me!

[Shorty]

Only 220 here

[tnoy66]

Quote: Originally Posted by 260 GTT (original)

Anybody out there with a 260 BHP Upgrade?

There's some guy called Roland that's got one

Where's your review
You can't be doing things like this and not share with everyone

[GTT 280]

Yes, of course. One will follow shortly, I am just having my "private" moment

I can report so far that I am grinning like a looney (no offence to loonies, I think you're great!!)

Have been busy with work and sleep, and of course driving the rest of the time.

So, I will write a full review of what I think by the end of next week. (don't worry Roland, it's all good - couldn't be anything else really!)

*GRIN*

Cheers,
K.

[Paul Webster]

Must be nice to have a 13 sec 100mph daily is it hard to drive slowly

[Checkie_checkmate]

The review better not be too good otherwise Roland maybe be too busy for the next few weeks tuning up all of us that have under 260 BHP conversions on their cars

[M1OY CS]

why am i getting that feeling too?

[Jaffa Racer]

RickyS had one, but i know hes sold it now. He also did some extra stuff on his own back. Have a search for posts started by him

[Jonesy]

Come on... you've had a week. Spill the beans Mr 260 GTT!!!!!! Where is the YouTube link to you flooring it? OMG I get far too excited about these kind of things!

[GTT 280]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jonesy (original)

Come on... you've had a week. Spill the beans Mr 260 GTT!!!!!! Where is the YouTube link to you flooring it? OMG I get far too excited about these kind of things!

Sorry folks, was at MPH in Earls Court at the weekend, am in Hamburg working today and yesterday, and am diving on Wednesday. Won't be back at home driving and writing review until Thursday/Friday.

All in good time

Cheers,
K.

[Jonesy]

Well if I must wait......

[Rigsey]

I've just booked my MCS in for the GTT220 package+ a few other bits and pieces ....

Please do not post your review until after Nov 18th therefore making it easier for me to resist temptation :-)

Just kidding, I'd be interested to read.

[M1OY CS]

great news Rigsey! you will love it!

[ScottishcooperS]

Cant wait to hear all about it!!

[GTT 280]

To feed your appetites....





....and check out my personal gallery to view more pictures.

Cheers,
K.

[roland2003]

....hes a good little picture taker That second shot particularly is excellent.
Best Regards Roland GTT

[GTT 280]

All,
It's difficult to know how to write a review, especially when the modifications in question can be experienced by someone arriving from a factory standard 163bhp MINI Cooper S or a John Cooper Works 210bhp product, and the individuals perception can be so different from one person to another.

I consider myself a petrol head, someone who really likes to understand and appreciate the why, what, and how of a car. I feel I know true quality from hyped quality.

I myself have owned 3 MINIs - a '51' reg MINI Cooper, an '03' reg MINI Cooper S, and my current vehicle a '54' reg MINI Cooper S Works 210bhp.

Just under one year into ownership of my '54' plate, I fitted fully adj. coil-overs, AP Racing big brake kit, JCW upper strut brace and a JCW motorsport 4-2-1 manifold system. In addition to 18" Dare X4 wheels and an OMP lower strut brace. I felt these would give the MINI the edge it needed. (some may argue 17" wheels are better and I would have to agree)

So, as you can see, I already have the moding bug and quite a responsive and drivable car.

I was not content. I wanted something extra special for my car, away from the marketing game that is BMW and JCW. I heard about, and reviewed in depth, all the 3rd party (non BMW approved) MINI modifiers out there and to be honest with you, after reading, learning, quantifying and appreciating all the finer parts of modifying the MINI, I could only feel comfortable and confident with one brand - GTT.

I'd never met, nor spoken with Roland until the week during the actual fitment of the GTT package, so my judgement was not biased, nor was it rushed or coerced by anybody other than my own good judgement. It was simply a decision of self education.

So. Cash at the ready and my B&B and hire car organised in Dorset, off I went on my merry way to go and find the MINI Mecca!

Day 1
Met up with Roland and John at the GTT HQ. So this is where all the good work happens! After discussing the work that was to be completed during the week and having a walk around my car to visually check it, we went out for a very necessary benchmarking test drive. Yes, it accelerated quickly already, took the corners well, and was able to return back to 0mph in a few seconds but as I told Roland, it just wasn't right. There were issues with the suspension, steering, brakes, and overall responsiveness of the car. In all fairness the JCW kit was working well, but it needed more power and substance - it felt empty, and something had to be done about the handling - PRONTO! We both agreed what needed attention and I handed the keys over to Roland. I left the MINI feeling it was only offering me 60% of its potential.

Day 2
The pub!

Day 3
The pub, and quick drop into GTT to see how things were progressing, purely for my own interest and to catch up with Roland in the event he had any questions. Well, a large part of the kit had been fitted, the JCW exhaust system was neatly removed and attention was being made to the brakes, wheels bearings, steering and suspension. I'm not going to go into any detail here, but we both noticed there were some basic and quite worrying issues with some of these items and with the way in which they had been setup. Some quite dangerous, some just plain stupid.

Day 4
The pub (again) and now getting really excited about my car. let's skip to day 5...

Day 5
Last minute modifications and waiting for some parts from BMW

Day 6
Hey Presto! the final product. So, what do we have here. Well, the entire 260GTT package, with all the extras (apart from the Quaife Diff & Lightweight flywheel). With some final adjustments being made to the MTH mapping, and the rev limit being raised to 7,200 it was time to head off home. 60mph on the motorway with a few flutters up to 70mph. Nice exhaust! nice power delivery - but just cruising at this time. The combination of GTT manifold and Milltek catback exhaust quietly impressed both myself and Roland in its quality and performance. You could hear the modified engine literally singing through the bowels of the car. After talking with Roland in some depth about each GTT part, it was very clear to see that the design and application of each modification added purpose and true benefit to the car - why apply it otherwise. Nice ethics.

Back at home
So, the car actually stayed in the garage for 2 days while I rested and regained my focus. Now remember, I am commenting on this package from a JCW 210bhp perspective...

WOW - Power! Pull, torque, and range - great delivery. This car will do 7000rpm+ with ease in 1st - 4th gear. It will get to the legal speed limit in the drop of a hat. The tone of the engine is superb with firm progressive pressure applied to the throttle - no need to floor it in this car now to realise the energy. The tone of the engine seems so much more confident and solid, the drone of the exhaust is more akin with true motorsports and feels firm like a block of carbon, instead of like a loose block of wood. It is very special. It is well engineered.

The engine breaths, and you can hear a whoosh at low revs as the engine spools into life and demands air - 1500rpm, followed by a supercharger whine 2500rpm and a boost resonance through the exhaust 3000rpm+. At full power the traction control light switches on and can't be reactivated manually - it can't cope with the power - but who needs it anyway (at normal acceleration rates it will remain active and be able to cope with those icy roads) - it will always reset after the car is restarted too - so perfect.

Driving on the road day to day can be approached as stealth or full on 'here-i-am' to the other cars. Those in the know may consider the GTT badge to be a warning. 1st gear can quite easily get you to 40mph and through the gears the mere thought of looking at the accelerator pedal will get you up by 10mph instantly. Acceleration is a funny thing, because it is the initial torque load that people perceive as the bhp power, but really bhp is how easily you can get to your top end speed. Saying that, the torque load presses you back in your seat but with minimal fuss, looking up at the speedometer expecting 40mph and seeing 70mph is both interesting and shocking - power never drops, it just increases. If anybody considers teaching you a lesson because you are a mere MINI (*smile*) then woe betide them, with a progressive press on the throttle you are being pulled forward on a mystical bungee rope emitting a tuned deep note resonance as you pass and disappear. Bliss.

Something I used to have on the '54' plate was torque steer, but not now. Why? - because Roland took the time (1 day+) to pay special attention to the tuning and fine adjustment of the front suspension, steering and wheel bearings - all of which were drastically under attended to previously. Based on the toe-in of the front tyres, I calculated that for the distance they had travelled forwards, they had been dragged sideways over 3,500 miles - no wonder they were worn out. Loose steering and suspension parts were tightened and the car raised slightly on the front coil-overs. Tyre pressures where also reduced at the rear.

So with the toe in, wheel bearings, and suspension all setup correctly, the car now drives, corners, and brakes with utter precision (even on 18"s). Perfection.

Now with the fitment of the new lower middle strut brace, upper strut brace, and already fitted lower front OMP strut brace, the car can corner and communicate its handling to the driver like nothing else. It is simply remarkable. All of this while offering 260bhp.

Lifting the bonnet up is a real joy, not only to see the parts that had been fitted and enjoy their ultimate quality, but to see the very clean and well presented engine bay thanks so Roland and John at GTT taking time to clean and check all the parts.

Driving around in my car now feels like GTT have really achieved something great. You are constantly reminded of the power and quality of the build.

It's really difficult to get over the true message of this car without presenting it in real life 3D, but now the MINI feels like 100%

Good work Roland & John.

Cheers,
K.

[Checkie_checkmate]

Wow!! Cracking review there and hat of to Roland and crew for what sounds like another fantastic job done!

Glad your happy with the car too, enjoy!

[T-bone S]

Brilliant