Some money to spend!!

[colink24]

Hi guys

I have an R56 - pic herewith - and wanted to maybe add a few little mods here or there. I have upto 1k (possibly a little more!) to spend and just wanted some insight into what you guys think would be a nice addition to the car

Any thoughts or idea's would be appreicated - many thanks

[mel deabreu]

The obvious ones would be either the JCW aero kit or a set of wheels.

nice looking mcs by the way.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

I would say a set of alloys The Crown's are nice but im still not totally convinced by them - look like S-spokes that have been flattened

Or how about a nice set of JCW Side Skirts

[KPKalle]

I'd go for the JCW aero kit too

[FergusM]

Exterior... JCW Aero Kit

If you want something for inside... a stereo upgrade from newminisuff

[minicabrio]

The world is your oyster

You could even go for the Stage 1 works kit

[colink24]

Thanks for the replies guys. Do you have any more info on the aero kit? i.e. cost, improvement? etc etc

I was looking at the full JCW upgrade on the other forum at around £1100 including fitting so possibly go for that but not sure if that will up the insurance or not

[FergusM]

Well... I got the JCW aero kit, got a deal with dealer to get it fitted for just over £1k at the time...and it added nothing to my insurance as car was supplied from dealer with it on at time of registration (nice wee loop hole). It will add something to your insurance as it is going on after registration.

Aero kit is new front, rear bumpers and side skirts. Kick plate on sills also get changed and the chrome grill on front of car gets swapped for a black one. see pics below.

[kmpowell]

Quote: Originally Posted by FergusM (original)

and it added nothing to my insurance as car was supplied from dealer with it on at time of registration (nice wee loop hole). It will add something to your insurance as it is going on after registration.

Fergus, you might want to double check with your insurance company on that one. When I got my brand new MCS with JCW bodykit, I queried with my insurance company what was covered if the car got stolen/written off. I was told that insurance company valuations are done from the base price of the car (in the MCS case, £16k) and wouldn't include any options unless the policy holder had declared them. I therefore declared ALL my paid options including JCW bodykit, Chilli, Panoramic roof, LSD, Hi-Fi etc etc.

It all added £100 to my premium, however £100 is nothing in comparison to the £6k of options on the car that I would effectively lose if I hadn't.

It now states on my policy a complete rundown of what options are on my car, and also the invoice price (I faxed them a copy). So if it gets stolen or written off in the first year it will be 100% 'like for like', and if anything happens after the first year then the car will be valued WITH the options.

[FergusM]

I did check, twice, just to be 100% sure... They said as long as fitted at "zero" miles and they treat it as factory fit. They fully understood that it was fitted at dealer. I had a couple of insurance companies that were happy to treat it this way (Swift cover and A-plan).

I also listed my car as being a £21k car in value...not a base £16k car...again they said that covered the numerous extras that I had spec'd. I supplied both companies with a full list of all the extras on the car when I got the quotes.

I also have the additional reassurance of gap insurance, which will make up difference between what the insurance company would pay and the new value (up to £10k) for the first 3 years.

[kmpowell]

Quote: Originally Posted by FergusM (original)

I did check, twice, just to be 100% sure... They said as long as fitted at "zero" miles and they treat it as factory fit. They fully understood that it was fitted at dealer. I had a couple of insurance companies that were happy to treat it this way (Swift cover and A-plan).

I also listed my car as being a £21k car in value...not a base £16k car...again they said that covered the numerous extras that I had spec'd. I supplied both companies with a full list of all the extras on the car when I got the quotes.

I also have the additional reassurance of gap insurance, which will make up difference between what the insurance company would pay and the new value (up to £10k) for the first 3 years.

That's cool then - I hope I didn't come across as sounding like I was preaching, it is just that after my experience I wanted to bring it to peoples attention just in case.

[FergusM]

Nahh...its good. Better to point out these things. Like you said not everyone will have checked into these things.

I was very careful with the quotes and made sure they knew about everything I added. Afterall it is almost impossible to stick to a standard mini...

[CC07ERS]

Get The Engine Upgrades

[Lawrothegreat]

I'm not keen on the aero kit for the 2nd generation car.

Definitely get the JCW engine upgrade, and chrome mirrors. I like chrome mirrors but I guess we all have a downside.

[KenL]

Personally (no offence intended to those who have it) I don't like the aero kit.

In fact, I like your car as it is!