[robscoop]

Hi everyone !!!! new user just wanted to say hi and ask you about all my queries !


First of all im 17 ! and in the next few months ill be getting a mini cooper 05 GEN 1....


ive been researching loadz about th minis and what to do to my mini etc etc

i have a few questions so here they are

first of all what wud my mini be ? r50 ? 56 ? etc i wana know =]

i will deffinately be getting an exhaust system on th mini but im in 2 minds ! whats the one to

go for ? Borla ? or Miltek ?....

and ive also been thinking of getting ( in the future ) the Level 2 performance pack from lohen

which includes the miltek exhaust system. is that good ? and has any one got a video of a mini

cooper with tht package on ? and whats the sound like ?

and about the lights on the mini standard they wont be xenon, so how much will it cost for xenon

lights ? what will i have to buy ?

and lastly i really like the aero style body kit ! how much would that set me back ?

all of this is alot i know but i want my mini to be great =] and i'll hopefully buy all this bit by bit and

in the end create my perfect mini ! haha...

look forward to your replies !

[ScottyBoy]

Hello there and Welcome to MINI2 the madnes is beginning with you already which is great!

If you get a 1st Gen Cooper or One then that will be an R50. R56 is the 2nd Gen cars.

I would say that the Milltek is one of the best systems to go for performance wise and also for the sound!

If you look around you will get a Cooper/One with Xenons if they were specced from new, otherwise they can be fitted but its really not worth it as it would be VERY expensive if you do try it!

The Aero kit is quiet expensive from the dealer you will be looking over £1000 for the full kit fitted and painted but your best getting a MINI with this already on aswel.

Hope that helps,
Scott

Edit... This is the cheapest place to buy the Aero kit that i no off

Mini Sport Ltd Mini Aero Kits

[humph]

Welcome To MINI2 and good luck with the car hunting. Think Scotty has done a good job of tackling your questions, but I'll try and add a bit more too.

Model history and model codes can be found here

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...ni_generations

General FAQs & DIY here (See the red strip across the top of the forums page).

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php

Both the exhaust systems are considered popular amongst members. You may also wish to consider JCW, Playmini etc. But the Miltek is certainly one of the better systems.

Don't know much about the Lohen LO2 package. The parts seem to be good, although have never been convinced about the benefits of a Blufin on a Cooper. Many suggest it's the best thing to do with a ONE, but not many have it for the Cooper. As for sound clips do a youtube search for miltek and MINI and there are plenty of clips there, such as this one.

YouTube - Mini cooper sound

Retro fitting Xenons is very pricey so a set of Xenon style bulbs from Mikey at newministuff.com is probably your best bet. I run these and they look the part when on. Don't forget the clear side repeators and front indicators. These will give a much better look. Full selection at the link below.

NewMINIStuff.com

As for Aero kit Scotty is right, buying a car with the Aero kit may be the cheapest way of getting one. If not the link Scotty gives is indeed the cheapest, but they are the American spec kits with the orange reflectors in the wheel arch sections. For a UK spec kit you may want to check out the special offers thread and look up Chris at Woodman MINI.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/derek-woo...t-1st-gen.html

Hope this helps. Don't forget to support the site sponsors and get your discounts.

One comment though is that the Aero kit and other mods will seriously effect your insurance which will already be high at 17. There are numerous threads on here regarding insurance and young drivers. Sorry to be negative. Please don't try and fool the insurance companies, it will only end in tears. Good luck with it all.

[Richard Crofts]

Hi everyone !!!! new user just wanted to say hi and ask you about all my queries !


First of all im 17 ! and in the next few months ill be getting a mini cooper 05 GEN 1....


ive been researching loadz about th minis and what to do to my mini etc etc

i have a few questions so here they are

first of all what wud my mini be ? r50 ? 56 ? etc i wana know =] - Basically its not an R56 (GEN2). The Cooper and ONE are both is R50 (R52 for cab versions) and the S is R53 (GEN1)

i will deffinately be getting an exhaust system on th mini but im in 2 minds ! whats the one to

go for ? Borla ? or Miltek ?.... - On the Cooper and ONE I'd say Milltek. One the S I'd say Milltek and Borla are both great

and ive also been thinking of getting ( in the future ) the Level 2 performance pack from lohen

which includes the miltek exhaust system. is that good ? and has any one got a video of a mini

cooper with tht package on ? and whats the sound like ? - They sound great lots of roar on the Cooper/ONE and lots of whistle and whine on the S package. Personally I like 1320 autos and GTT stuff , but my car is a missmatch of parts from places including Lohen, I have found them very good!

and about the lights on the mini standard they wont be xenon, so how much will it cost for xenon

lights ? what will i have to buy ? - Lights can be obtained for £300 each, but theres lots of wiring etc ...TBH its not really worth it on the MINI IMO

and lastly i really like the aero style body kit ! how much would that set me back ? - £600-1000 depending on where from and if you need to have it fitted. MINISport do them in US spec for £600 or so I believe

all of this is alot i know but i want my mini to be great =] and i'll hopefully buy all this bit by bit and

in the end create my perfect mini ! haha...

look forward to your replies !

[robscoop]

Heyy all thanks for those great informative replies ! really helped

yea i know insurnace is a tough one 1900 pound on parents name ! noo good haha

worth it in my opinion though...

what about wheels on a mini ? i am very interested on some 19s for th mini... from Project Kahn

they look great and fit on the mini without any modifications ? whats

your views on 19s on a mini ? too big ? is there such thing as a perfect size for the mini ?

and about the bluefin chip from lohen ... say if i just wanted to chip the mini without getting any

mass packages or more work being done to it, what is the best CHIP/REMAP etc to get done

to a mini cooper GEN 1

look forward to your replies

!

[Rakey]

Don't forget that all these mods could effect your insurance, and not informing them could invalidate the policy, sorry to sound like a kill joy, but its best to know up front as I know I'd not like to be hit by an un-insured driver in my car or as a pedestrian

[Richard Crofts]

19s are a bit OTT on the MINI. Kahn do some really nice stuff in 18" which will fit the MINI without mods, also can fit lowered MINIs

[Richard Crofts]

Oh and on the Cooper a remap is OK, including Bluefin (just not as big a hike as the ONE). Fit a manifold/sports cat, ehxaust, air intake (closed cold air not an open cone) and it'll be pretty smart. TBH anything like that will hike the insurance massive, so for a few years I would not bother.

Oh and if your on a parents policy make sure your listed as the main driver not just a named, cos if the ins find out your the main and your not on as that they can and will void a claim!

[mubimbo]

Rob 1900 sounds reallly good for insurance at 17, who is it with?

[robscoop]

so what other chips are out there available to the mini cooper and which is the best ?



yea i know guys i wont be doing any kind of performance modification to the car for atleast 8-12

months ! im just getting prepared haha

i shall do wheels / aerokit / and maybe a chip within th first few months , does any one know if

the chips are completely unditectable ?

sorry for all these questions ! just i like to know and sooner thani know it ill know all this and that

haha !

and 1900 pound isnt too bad mayte !, im not 100 % sure but i think it was more than , but my

parents NCB will affect the price etc. and im named main driver tooo which is kool

does any one have any tips nd hints on little facts or suggestions about the minis that may be

useful for me to know ?

and what do you guys think is the best colour !?

my personal choice is BLACK roof with SILVER body and BLACK mirror caps with SILVER

wheels

Look forward to your replies !

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by robscoop (original)

so what other chips are out there available to the mini cooper and which is the best ?



yea i know guys i wont be doing any kind of performance modification to the car for atleast 8-12

months ! im just getting prepared haha

i shall do wheels / aerokit / and maybe a chip within th first few months , does any one know if

the chips are completely unditectable ?

sorry for all these questions ! just i like to know and sooner thani know it ill know all this and that

haha !

and 1900 pound isnt too bad mayte !, im not 100 % sure but i think it was more than , but my

parents NCB will affect the price etc. and im named main driver tooo which is kool

does any one have any tips nd hints on little facts or suggestions about the minis that may be

useful for me to know ?

and what do you guys think is the best colour !?

my personal choice is BLACK roof with SILVER body and BLACK mirror caps with SILVER

wheels

Look forward to your replies !

A chip is a performance mod, and totally detectable and if not declared to an insurance company will invalidate your policy.

Aero kit, wheels, and other styling mods also are mods and need to be declared as they make the car more visually appealing to thieves, not informing them will invalidate your policy.

I know this is your first car and you are excited, but if you are insuring with your parents on there then such invalidation of the policy would have repercussion for them, not just you and other road users and pedestrians.

[humph]

As much of a spoil sport as Rakey sounds, he is very right.

Remaps and chips are detectable, don't be fooled. Even those that can be reversed don't use the original MINI map when they are reverted to "stock". As I said in my earlier post many of the maps/chips available don't boost the Cooper much anyway, so is it worth the risk of having an undeclared one.

As for alloys and bodykits, insurers have mixed views on these. When I tried to declare my Aero kit to MINI insurance the premium went up £300, and I'm 32. My current insurer isn't bothered about it at all, but then I have all my many performance mods declared, and the bodykit is only minor. Think you'll find your £1900 rises rapidly when you start modding, even on your parents insurance. You'd be best buying a car with the 16/17" OEM wheels than going aftermarket. Just choose your car carefully so it's as close to how you want it without the mods.