Top 5 First Mods For New Owners

Sections: MF Feature Mar 1st, 2004 44 Comments

Having had my MINI for almost two years sometimes I forget the anticipation of waiting, and the excitement of planning those first modifications. The ability to make a car your own is one of the real joys of ownership and having a blank canvas like the MINI makes this an opportunity like none other.

So for the benefit of new or soon to be MINI owners out there I thought I'd list a top five non-performance mods and that really enhance the enjoyment of your MINI. These shouldn't be the last word however – if you have further ideas feel free to share them in our comments section. (each mod is ranked on a 1-5 scale in terms of difficulty with 1 being easiest and 5 being most difficult). So without further delay…

5. The AUX port or the ICE-LINK iPod adapter. While this doesn't apply to everyone, if you have an iPod or another hard drive based music player I highly recommend it. Get the ICE-Link if you want the best and/or would use it constantly, get the AUX input if it's an occasional luxury. (3)

4. Ditch the Runflats: On a Cooper they're meaningless and they do nothing but spoil the ride and worsen performance with their weight and stiffness. They do the same on an MCS but they are somewhat needed due to there being no spare. But then again you can always carry a cell phone :) (4)

3. Rubber Mats/Cloth Mats: I'd recommend Rubber for versatility. See if your dealer can throw these in as part of the initial deal. Some will. (1)

2. Brakelight mod. Whether you do it in conjunction with rear foglights or not it's an incredibly useful and easy mod. (available on 2002-2004 MINIs.) (2)

1. Parcel Shelf: cheap, easy to install, and a huge increase in interior storage. Unlike other additional storage options, with the Parcel Shelf, you get the satisfaction of keeping the interior completely OEM as it's a standard feature on all MINIs outside North America. (2)

Once you've got these out of the way you'll want to start work on your schedule of performance mods. Of course once the schedule is worked out comes the hardest part – talking either your significant other, or yourself into all of them!

Again, feel free to share your own ideas in the comments section.

Written By: MF Staff

dgszweda

Gabe,

Looks good, but I would change a few. The runflat mod, is purely a performance upgrade, no two ways about it. I would add in a Whalen Shift knob, above the floormats, since these are almost always included or you can get them included into the purchase price of the car. I don't know too many people who buy the car without car mats. A lot of people do the shift knob and the Whalen appears to be the overwhelmingly favorite. The fact that your hand is on it for a considerable amount of time, makes all the more enjoyment.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabriel Bridger

I would consider ditching the runflats a comfort upgrade :)
Alan

do u have the pic of the Whalen.

and wut's a good exhaust for copper S and is it needeD?
Mike

I would put the glove box organizer at #6. Even at $50 or whatever seemingly outrageous price they sell for, it's worth it.
Jason

I second the glove box organizer. For just under $40 and the 13 seconds it takes to install (assuming you spent 10 trying to put it in the wrong way), it's amazing how much more useful your glove box will become. Especially if you're like me and hide everything in there so that your MINI is always presentable to passers-by.
Mark

The only one I've done is the floormats. My fiancee thought it would be a good idea when we bought the car to get the carpeted mats for 3-season motoring, and get the rubber mats for the snowy, salty Wisconsin winters. How right she was. :)
Vanwall@msn.com
I would add the “Elbow Landing Device” for interior comfort. It's less than $30.00 if you shop around, NO bolting to the interior, and it's just the right size.

Ditching the runflats was the best ride mod I did. Night and Day. I would put the Parcel Shelf as No. 1.
```
    BCNU,
  Rob in Dago
```
JiminVirginia

Don't just ditch the runflats, ditch the S-Lites and get some lighter wheels. The right tire/wheel combo makes an incredible difference in how the car handles.

Ditto the comments on the glove box organizer. The boot box is also a nice add (though hardly a “mod”). I just added rear seat straps and front mud guards, too. Both cost around $20.

And then there is a nice tint, which adds to appearance as well as to summer driving comfort.
http://homepage.mac.com/sdiver/iblog/ Steven Diver

Pretty good top 5 list Gabe. I myself have done the rubber floormat and rear fog-lamp upgrades, and definitely have the AUX port and parcel shelf on the radar. Those rubber floormats really saved the interior this winter.

I'd agree with the glovebox organizer as well, a bit pricey, but well worth the money.
Lance

When I flew down to pick up the MINI I had with me the center console tray and invisishield headlight protectors for the 3000 mile trip home. Dealer threw in carpeted mats without asking and I bought the rubber ones. Within 1000 miles I swapped out the continentals (it's a Cooper) for 195-60 Yokos. My wife gave me a nice Coach CD case for the drive. Guess that's five. I also have added an R-Speed exhaust and S rear sway bar with poly bushings front and rear.
Timothy Sipples

If you want to take the soldering approach to the rear brake lights, it's documented here:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?faq=faqexterior#faqfaqrearfogs

I had no trouble with this approach. I recommend pulling the light unit out (by disconnecting it) then bringing it indoors rather than trying to solder in situo.

Another simple and inexpensive modification is to add front mudguards (a.k.a. mudflaps, although they don't really flap). Lowest price I've found is at http://www.bavauto.com — $10.95 plus shipping. Part number is 82 16 0 136 806. I think they keep the side windows and mirrors a bit cleaner. At least $11 cleaner, anyway.

Earlier MINIs really ought to get front skid plates, in my humble opinion. Keeps the power steering fan from jamming. (You can also get a shield just for that, but the skid plate is nicer I think.)
Justin

How about the “stubby” antenna (ala Honda S2000 or similar) modification? This 30 second retrofit was step one for me ;-)
http://revorg.org/mini.html Scott

There's a nice long list of no/low cost mods that I'd put before floor mats – the brake light mod, the blinking third light, stripes, Fiamm horns, the seals around the wheels to keep the winter sand out of the engine bay, the glove box organizer (knockoff or authorized), rear mud flaps – some of these are labor only, none cost more than a bad night of cards.

It's the step up to the mods between $100 and $500 that should be an owner's second effort.
Herman

I'd put the 2 tier center console right up there. Certainly takes that empty space below the toggle switches away and gives some valuable space. Great for puttin the cell there too!
Todd

Well this was a very interesting article, Gabe did you put this one there know Monica and I are going to be picking up our new MCS this weekend. I know I got the auxilary port for hooking up my MP3 and portable DVD. I will be sure to have them throw in the rubber mats, every car I have had since high school has had rubber mats. As far as the runflat, I don't think it really will matter to me right now just because I am currently driving a Ford Focus and just about any car will handle and preform better then that. But I do definitely want to do the tail light thing, and I am sure you can help with that next time you come back to E-Town. Well see you soon, us and the New MINI.

Oh yeah, thinking of a name for the car, any ideas out there, it is a Dark Silver '04 MCS…
R

RUN FLATS.

I got rid of the Pirellis RF's that came with my MCS and decided on Dunlop's 205/45 VR17 SP Sport 9000 DSST RF @ $219.00 each @ Tire Rack. Not a cheap tire but much cheaper than the dealer quoted @ $370.00 each.

Sidebar: the Pirellis only had 23,000 miles on them and they were SHOT!

These tires are great. You do loose some brute cornering capabilities but if you decide to be cautious, since you have no spare, then these I highly recommend. Nicer ride and very quiet. In the rain these tires are amazing and compliment the DSC.

I'm not brave enough to go without a spare and yes I do have a mobile phone. Really the biggest issue facing me now is……who the hell will be able to fix or even get these tires and then be able to put them on out there in the boonies.

R.
Ron Ruggiero

For the S, the mini-madness intake is less than $300 and well worth it! In my top 5!
Les

I just ordered my MCS and am expecting it in late April. I live in the south (near Charlotte, NC) and I am not seeing the need for rubber mats. I definitely see the rubber mats for the northern winters, but I think the carpet mats look better and won't an issue for our Carolina winters. Are there any southerners who would disagree or recommend the rubber ones? Thanks.
Chris

Scott, can you elaborate on the seal around the front wheels to keep sand out of the engine bay? What are they? Where do you get them? Cost?
pezboy

Don't forget that denatured alcohol will take those airbag warning stickers off of the sun visors. Works on 02 and 03, don't know if they changed the sticker at all for 04 so try a small part first. Just dab a cloth or folded up paper towel with the alcohol, then start rubbing, comes off pretty easy.

Denatured alcohol only, can be bought at hardware stores.
kazu

When it comes to performance mods, I highly recommend BMP airfilter that Gabe did a write-up on (for base cooper). It is “night and day” difference for sure.

I did my breaklight mods with 18 gauge wire and an electrical tape. $3 and 10 minute job.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabriel Bridger

I think I'll do a top 5 performance mods next.

Of course this time I'll separate them into two articles for each the Cooper and the Cooper S.
Elmor Fudwell

Les,

The carpeted floor mats came with my MC'02 and I enjoyed them.

Later, after having my car serviced and seeing the rubber mats, I thought they looked good and more classy. Being in the south, I knew that our winters didn't include much snow, if at all.

Other than classy, I kinda thought the rubber mats were easier to keep clean. For some reason, the carpeted mats that came with the car, though nice, always seemed a little on the inexpensive side.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabriel Bridger

Les – little bit of self promotion here, I've got a full set of black carpet matts for sale cheap if you're interested.

I've got pics if you'd like to check them out.
Elmor Fudwell

All,

I'm intrigued of the replacement of the runflats on the MCS.

After reading the opinons of the runflats, I'm considering a change over once these need replacing.

Just wondering how those canned tire repair kits have faired? Would they be good to get the tire repaired enough to continue a journey or get to a service station? It's been a while since I've owned a car, so I'm getting familiar to the car ownership thingy again.

Secondly, I've seen mention of the brake light mod and the fog lamp mod. Can both of these be performed? Or is it an either/or? I'm perplexed as to which would prove more beneficial for an either/or. As stated above, it's been awhile on the car ownership thingy, and now I'm blown away on the tailgating that I'm encountering…kinda scary being in a smaller car and such.
R

Hey Elmor, Do likes Bugs and just hightail it away from those slow poke Wasskally Wabbits.

Read my comment on RF's and yes those flat tire repair in a can do work.

R.
Bear

Can't believe the number 1 item isn't a thorough cleaning with a few coats of Zaino. Great bonding time with the newest addition and a shine that is the envy of all. Best money we ever spent…

Bear
Maxwell H.

Wow. I think the “new” site has increased the traffic in here BIG TIME! I wholeheartedly agree with your five reasons. A couple more I would include would be a satellite radio (there are LOTS of options these days), a nice car washing/waxing kit (Zymol of Zaino, take your pick), and snow tires if you live up North.
http://chicagominiclub.com Victoria

Oh, skidplate, definitely. I think it's impossible to overstate the joy of having a skidplate when the only way to get from parked to 10 mph above the speed limit is by going over several hills of ice and snow heaped the night before by the plows.

Additional favorite mod: Local Club Sticker.
Steve

Here is the info for Scott's weatherstripping from the Madison MINI Group It is cheap, easy and does a great job keeping the engine compartment cleaner.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabriel Bridger

There is a theory out there that this disrupts the natural airflow that was designed into the engine compartment. Whether or not this is true I have no idea.

It certainly does keep the engine bay cleaner.
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html Rocketboy

I like the runflats. I know the ride is quite rough, but i'd rather have the stifness of the runflats that the squishness of non-runflats. It may just be me, but I could tell the difference bettwen my runflats, and my MINI-buddy's regular tires.

And I would give a thumbs up to a skidplate. I'm sure that I get more use out of mine, as I drive my MINI all year round, but it does make me feel a little better when I'm stuck going over a chuck of ice and snow in the road.
Victor

My MCS-JCW isn't ready yet (still waiting for the new '04 JCW kit to come in)(you'd think that JCW could get their defecatory material together sooner, given that the kit was ordered in November along with the car) so my comments must, perforce, be wistful, but on the subject of mats — Virginia winters are hardly fierce, so I ordered coco-mats from AutoSport of Charlottesville, VA, for the darker season and the dealer will supply the summer rug-mats. The coco-mats are classy, will wear well, will protect against all the winter crud and (best of all) aren't rubber.
http://revorg.org/mini.html Scott

Gabe, big response to this article! Interesting theory about the seals disrupting the natural airflow. I'm not buying it, though. The area around the seals wasn't big enough to allow much air. There really is no good vent for the under-bonnet air, except underneath. That can't be good. One would expect the side-vents to exhaust some air, but I believe they're fakes. It would be interesting to put some real ducting in (at least, according to my friend who holds Bonneville records). That would really improve the top end. Steve, thanks for the link .
http://www.cardomain.com/id/theshawnster Shawnster

Ditching the runflats is the SMARTEST thing I have done to my JCW MCS so far. The ride is 1000% smoother. The radar detector does not leap off the windshield anymore everytime the pavement gets rough, yes there is a performance advantage too. But the comfort benefit outweighs any performance gains for me. :) The parcel shelf is a must also.
http://lawrenceotoole.com Lawrence O'Toole

Elmor Fudwell :

Yes, it is possible to do the extra brakelight mod on a car with factory installed and programmed rear fogs.

It's the same as using the jumper, except you use a diode that you can buy at Radio Shack instead of regular wire to restrict flow to one direction. Instructions on the link below.

http://www.3forces.com/mini/technical/brakemod/index.asp

Hope that helps!
kazu

Bear has a good point. I totally forgot about a couple of coats of Zaino wax. Check it out at zainostore.com . It's by far the best wax there is.

I love my sirius satellite radio, too. I didn't go thru the dealer though. DIY $150 receiver + $50 car kit with Best buy.
http://www.thelivingoods.com Jason Livingood

You can find directions and step-by-step pictures here: http://www.thelivingoods.com/mini/ParcelShelf/
Richard

I'm wondering if the people who hated the ride enough to change the tires had the 17 inch or the 16 inch wheels. I ordered my car with 16's after test driving cars equipped with both and finding that the all season 16'' tires delivered a much smoother ride. Will I get an even bigger improvement over the 16's by going with traditional tires?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabriel Bridger

I went from runflats with 16″ wheels to non-runflats with 17″ wheels and my ride actually improved a bit!
ZAKdog

Have to agree to with the glove box organizer as a complement to my parcel shelf. Did the S2000 antenna, black with blue dot cocomats, 20% window tint, and tail light tint for that “black is beautiful” look. Going to do that sun shade mod posted on NAM. Would love to have the option of changing the color of the LEDs of the interior as is offered on the new Toyota Scion. Yeah, I know they ripped off a lot of the MINI aesthetic, but they also added some cool interior customization.
MiniCooperJD

I am planning on ditching the runflat tires as well… here in Chicago the tires are totally dismal. For the record, I have a 2004 Cooper, with the 16″ runflats and sport package.
Jason

OMG!! I just installed my parcel shelf. Amazing. Except for a brief run to home depot and then pep boys for a torx screw driver, it took me all of 10 minutes, half of which was gathering the courage to yank off the old panel, the other half hanging upside down in my driver's seat trying to get those *#@! clips to snap into place. Yoga pays off. Best of all, it's much harder than I expected to see what's placed on it from outside the car, which had deterred me from getting it until now.

Thanks Gabe for my #1, one-stop MINI site and all of the easy-to-find How To Guides.
Alan

Where has the Aux Port installation moved?

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