Was wondering what would be suggested for my first performance mod? I'd like to be able to do it myself but don't want to buy something that you don't notice either!
So what would you do for your first mod on a R56?
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The first rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs. The second rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs.
An intake will most likely lose power, but it will sound cool! If you want real performance go with a tune, FMIC, or downpipe. Coilovers and a rear sway bar will make the car stick like glue.
Do you guys just carry a bottle of the fix a flat stuff just in case? When I bought the car it got a set of brand new run flats (all season) so maybe I'll get a new set for summer, would probably make the best sense for that!
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The first rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs. The second rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs.
I just take the chance for the most part, but I should get a bottle of slime and a compressor. If I go on a long trip I throw another wheel in the back just in case.
The question is, are we talking performance increasing mods or bling?
First up, get some new light rims and good summer max performance tires. keep the not quite good in summer or winter runflats and the too heavy stock rims to store the car or beat on during the winter until they are worn out. then get real winter tires. you will be amazed at the difference.
Get some camber plates and a good alignment. The car is set up to understeer and some more camber at the front really helps. If you don't want camber plates then do knock out the stock alignment pin on the front struts and add the other half a degree of camber that is waiting to be used. Thats cheap and included in the alignment costs anyway.
At this point the car is still drivable daily and you won't have any issues if you drop it off at the dealers for any work. Plus, it will corner like nothing else on the road except a gokart and they don't have windows or heated seats.
Get HAWK HPS pads installed all the way around. that or Cool Carbon pads. Both are very low dust compared to the stock pads and offer better bite and temperature ranges. Get some slotted or drilled rotors, zinc coated. Some small improvement in braking and lots of bling value.
Go to a couple of high performance driving schools. The car has more performance hidden away than most can extract. Skill will enlighten you as to the weak points in the car.
From there, let maintenance requirements dictate what you do. Get a better exhaust system when its time. Do the shocks and coil overs when that comes due. With some experience from a driving school in hand you can set the coil overs up and use them better.
At this point, you have a car that will go from zero to "but officer these cuffs are a little tight" faster than needed for the highways and it will still give great gas mileage daily.
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2007 MCS Laser Blue 2010, 2008 BMW Oktoberfest Autocross - Stock Mini First Place
2009 BMW Oktoberfest Autocross - Stock Mini Second Place BMW CCA Driving Instructor/Engine Mechanic/Speech Recognition Specialist
Thanks for the great suggestions! To answer your question, I'm largely interested in performance mods but I will probably do a few bling mods just for looks. Right now looks like I'll probably be waiting for the summer/spring to grab some to wheels and tires. All season tires are reasonable for now but I'm thinking summer motoring needs a bit more!
As far as the cheap camber adjustment, thinking I'll start with the cheap option, is this link all I will need to do (besides alignment)? http://www.minicooperspeed.com/minicooper-frontcamber-adjustment/
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The first rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs. The second rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs.
I agree with everything gvcmel has said. While the extra hp is fun, I know I don't have the driving ability to take this car anywhere near it's limits. If driving schools were more convenient around here, I would be there every weekend.
Stock MINI rims are like cruise ship anchors, get some lighter ones with some new (non-runflat) tires and you'll immediately feel a difference (sadly, my winter rims are lighter than the stock challenge spokes were).
Coilovers are cool too but now my car literally feels like a race kart with no suspension at all. Long drives are a huge headache.
Any specific reason why it is such a headache? On a side note I'm probably going to do the camber adjustments and maybe the brakes (sooo much brake dust) over the winter months. Seems like a simple job after all.
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The first rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs. The second rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs.
It's just really stiff. I also added a 22mm rear sway bar at the same time. Awesome for quick handling (and for getting the car to drift a little) but it didn't exactly help the comfort level.
-- Edited by drewstermalloy on Monday 7th of November 2011 09:33:23 PM
Makes sense, the stock ride isn't exactly smooth either. I'm expecting to be quite pleased with the non run flats, not sure how far I will go with the suspension but it is definitely on my list!
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The first rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs. The second rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs.
Yes, that's the low buck but big improvement change.
as to driving schools, the local BMW club holds two each year down at Watkins Glen. Less that two hours from Buffalo so it's easy to make it there. Also, go to some autocross events. they will teach a lot about car handling and if you identify yourself as a first timer there is always someone experienced to sit in the right seat and give you pointers. we all started at the bottom and had to learn.
Drewster- thinking about a thicker rear bar myself. Wondered how much roll it would transmit on the street. sounds like quite a little.
-- Edited by gvcmel on Tuesday 8th of November 2011 03:03:52 PM
-- Edited by gvcmel on Tuesday 8th of November 2011 03:05:05 PM
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2007 MCS Laser Blue 2010, 2008 BMW Oktoberfest Autocross - Stock Mini First Place
2009 BMW Oktoberfest Autocross - Stock Mini Second Place BMW CCA Driving Instructor/Engine Mechanic/Speech Recognition Specialist
I am actually planning on getting started on doing some autocross and the driving schools at Watkins Glen sounds like a blast. I definitely should have bought my car in the summer/spring months!
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The first rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs. The second rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs.
Does the BMW club include MINIs? I've always wanted to go to WG.
I have the ALTA 22mm bar and it's really hard to get any body roll out of my car. The rear end will drift out before the car starts to lean. It could be a result of the coilovers as well but the back end is ridiculously stiff. If you're on the track often, I'd say go with a 22mm bar. But if not, get the 19mm.
I believe the stock sway bars are:
Base suspension: 17mm
Sport suspension: 18mm
JCW suspension: 18.5mm
So even a 19mm bar is a decent improvement over stock, especially since most people have the standard suspension.
-- Edited by drewstermalloy on Tuesday 8th of November 2011 06:46:47 PM
From what I've found when I was looking at buying my MINI the BMW club does include MINIs. Of course I have yet to ever go so you mileage may vary! Hope that helps.
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The first rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs. The second rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs.
Met up with drewstermalloy and picked up his "custom" hot side boost tube of questionable origins haha. The price was quite right and I was in the area. I did miss out on the others since my R56 decided to act up a bit with its timing chain :(
Anyways, was considering the following mods come the first hint of sustained warmer weather. What do you guys think? Also want to jump in and do some AutoX, but I don't care about winning, more about enjoying myself.
DOS CAI (Admittedly for the sound)
FMIC
???
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The first rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs. The second rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs.
Is there any place to get just JCW or sport springs? I have the base S suspension, And I can't find the limits of it. quite scary.
This car handles better than any VW or Audi I have owned with thousands in suspension mods invested. Is it really this good stock?
It is a weird feeling thinking you dont need to improve much from the factory. I was saving up for coilovers (ordered wheels last week) But now I am thinking I dont really need them. Is there an aftermarket spring anyone would recommend that works with the stock struts? May be a cheaper alternative. Plus car is a DD, and it is quite stiff, even with base suspension.
Edit: talking about an 09 R56 S
-- Edited by BIG E on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 08:24:26 AM
The H&R springs I have now are a good compromise between performance and comfort. Better than stock performance wise, but a little bit stiffer. The ST coilovers I had on the car were WAY better than stock around corners, and held the car a lot closer to the road under really heavy acceleration/high speeds. Plus the adjustability to find the perfect ride height was really nice.
The H&R springs would be a good step up. I have an R56 with the Hypersport (as they called it) suspension. It rides pretty good but is borderline stiff for many people. I would guess the H&Rs are about the same thing. I've run H&R on BMWs and they are a good intermediate mod. Nothing worse then doing a mod only to discover it is impossible to live with or actually makes the car worse.
As you said, theres a lot of performance in that suspension already. Do some autocrosses, take a driving school and learn to use what is there. You'll make a better decision on what to change from there.
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2007 MCS Laser Blue 2010, 2008 BMW Oktoberfest Autocross - Stock Mini First Place
2009 BMW Oktoberfest Autocross - Stock Mini Second Place BMW CCA Driving Instructor/Engine Mechanic/Speech Recognition Specialist
