Top 5 Mods for MINI Newbies

Sections: MF Feature Mar 16th, 2005 39 Comments

Spring is in the air and new MINI owners everywhere are planning their first mods. 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. To help those new to the MINI world we’re re-running our top 5 first MINI mods posting from last year. These are relatively simple, non-performance orientated mods that anyone can do or at least appreciate:

(each mod is ranked on a 1-5 scale in terms of difficulty with 1 being easiest).

5. The AUX port or the Official 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 iPod Adapter from MINI 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. If you already have them, treat yourself to a rubber boot matt. Easy to clean and keep the dirt out of your carpet.(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. Especially needed in pre-’05 MINIs(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!

Now, let’s see your top 5…

Written By: Gabe

Nate

I just got the AUX input installed a few days ago with my first oil change — can’t believe I waited so long!
Joe K.

After finally getting the rear fog light retro kit for my ’05 MCS, I installed it, the auto-up window circuit and the iPod adaptor on Sunday. By waiting, I only had to take everything necessary apart once! It all went very smooth – thanks to all of the great installation tips, and everything actually works fine!
Allan

I still have to get my Phillips hyper white bulbs. Now, the question is.. Should I get it for both high and low beams?

Also, the Schroth 4 point harness should be included in at least top 10. It is a requirement for real motoring enjoyment.
MiniLifeCrisis

Things I didn’t get when I ordered/picked up my MCSc but getting in the nextweek upgrade: Rally Lights, Checkered Flag light covers, checkered flag mirror covers, checkered flag wind deflector, and MINI door sill lights. I wanted the rear fogs, but apparently my MCSc is a limited edition model which doesn’t support the upgrade (it was built early Oct.04). :-(
http://www.jonodove.com Jono

So I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of my very own new 2005 JCW MCS. It’s my very first new car, I’ve had a lot of used cars and hand me downs, a few volkswagen beetles here and there, I’ve got a thing for the small cars. So I’ve estabilshed my huge wish list for my dealer accessories and I’ve a few questions for the MINI community…I’m getting the Cordoba Beige interior and I want to get the matching shift knob cover and hand brake cover. The dealer quotes the price that reflects the website but then want sometime like 100 bucks to install! Is my thinking correct: These parts are super easy and quick to install. Am I better off just buying them from the dealer at cost and installing them myself? I’m a competent weekend mechanic and understand that sort of thing…but are there any tricks that I’m just not aware of? Cheers
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/ Josh Wardell

My biggest “Why didn’t I do this sooner” mod was changing brake pads.

The OEM pads produce so much dust, white rims are dirty in days.

For $75 for all four wheels, the Mintex Red Box pads are great. Not only are they the cheapest, they have as much grip as stock and none of the side effects of the EBC GreenStuffs.
http://www.squirty.com/minis Kurt Collins

Hey.. what about performance mods! 15 percent reduction pulley?
Ross

ALTA Aluminum Antenna is a MUST. It’s MUCH better than the ugly 18″ whip that they call the factory antenna.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Kurt – sounds like you need one of these tshirts!
http://www.squirty.com/mini Kurt Collins

Uhm I’ll pass on the bling for my MINI. :-)
Meghan Ruppel

I have the AUX and parcel shelf in my 05. Had the AUX, non-runflats, and brake light mod in my previous 03. Had cloth mats in both (wish I got the rubber ones). I would def recommend the AUX input, brake light mod (for pre-05s) and the rubber floor mats. Don’t know if I agree with the runflats mod though. Great post though to intro the newbies to the MINI world of modding.
Schwing

Seems like this would be a very easy mod to make yourself. I am sure there is info/how to on NAM or MM2. Good luck.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

fyi – unfortunately we don’t allow secondary advertising in comments that reference vendors other than MotoringFile sponsors.
KevinR

I had the carpet mats switched with rubber mats at the time of purchase. I paid for them, but at least I only bought one set.

Moving down my list: PIAA rally lights (done) Sirius radio (done) Parcel shelf (done) Auxiliary input (done) Front mud flaps (done) Tinted windows Hands free cell phone setup

I will be ditching the runflats soon; I’m just too cheap to switch out tires that have tread on them.
http://lawrenceotoole.com lawrence::otoole

1 – debadge boot/visors, dealer stickers 2 – glovebox organizer 3 – intake 4 – one-ball exhaust mod 5 – ditch runflats/heavy stock rims

Oops… almost forgot the duct-tape mod! Heh heh…
anonymous

Why not have a Top 5 performance mod for the mini enthusiast?
nervous

Oh, no. I thought that the duct-tape mod had breathed its last breath years ago.
Andy

Switching to non-runflats is more difficult than installing the Aux input?! Maybe if you have to mount the tires yourself :)

My $0.02

Hands down the best easy/cheap mod is the glove box organizer. It doubles the storage capacity and keeps everything from falling out when you open the glove box.

You can get some cheap new or slightly used stock MINI Cooper 15′ wheels and tires for your MCS. I was just going to use mine in the Winter, but the ride was so great, I kept them on all year.

Rubber floor mats are great, and the Aux input will be installed soon.
KevinR

I believe the list is intended for all MINIs, not just the ‘S’ model. A 15% reduction pulley will be pretty useless in a Cooper.

In the 2 years or so I’ve been following the online MINI crowd, I don’t think I’ve seen any two people who could agree on what the Top 5 performance mods are.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

We’ve already done a Top 5 performance mods for the Cooper but unfortunately haven’t had time to do one for the MCS. I’ll see if I can recruit someone to do an article in the next several weeks.

And yes, from my experience switching from runflats is more difficult than installing an AUX port if you’re doing these mods yourself.
Dave R

My 05 MCS should be delivered this weekend! I dislike both rubber and carpet mats, and have already purchased a set of SISAL mats for the car. Sisal is a native American fiber of the agave family, and the mats are made with a rubber backing. My source is http://www.daniels-auto-fashions.com. Excellent quality product.

I used coco and sisal mats in my classic Mini (a 1961 Austin Cooper with original 997cc motor).

Dave
http://www.detailingconcepts.com Matt
i’m going to echo
1. Rubber floor mats. Particularly in northern climes where road salt is more common than air.
2. Glove box organizer, if you didn’t get it from the factory.
3. CAI, and drill out the fire-wall. definate trottle-response improvement, and maybe some power, i dunno.
4. Brake-light mod, for 04 and earlier.
5. pending… rear sway-bar.
http://www.alldigitalnyc.com drew
my two cents:
1. glovebox organizer: got one of these before i even took delivery of my car. a must.
2. bmw/apple ipod adapter: this is my new fave on my 2005 mcsa. the integration is perfect and it sounds amazing. a must for anyone into their music!
3. rubber floor mats: i can’t live without them. the rubber boot mat completes the picture too.
seeing as there have been some mentions of performance mods, i might as well chime in on those as well…
1. aux. guages: these are just flat out neccessary! shame on mini for not giving us owners with nav a way to monitor the oil temp! plus they look really cool at night ; )
2. jcw air filter: i just had this installed two days ago. seeing as the full works kit is so pricey and doesn’t even yet exist for the automatic s, i thought this would be a good way to kick a few performance horses into the system without breaking the bank. many will argue for cheaper solutions, but i’ll gladly pay the premium to keep my warranty. either way, more horses is a good, good thing! provides a subtle poiwer boost throughout the entire range, but really kicks in past 4500 rpm when it’s extra air flap opens and the supercharger starts to sing.
3. finally, and taking a cue from the air filter, the jcw sports exhaust: i also had this installed two days ago and to me it completes the vibe of the car. perhaps it adds a horse or two, but it’s more about the sound and look as far as i’m concerned. the stock mcs exhaust is great, but this one sounds more refined without any of the pop-pop-backfire sounds…just smooth, throaty growl with the ever present burbling sounds when coastingat high revs… just awesome!
cheers – drew
RHT3

Cold Air Intake!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-shift! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-shift! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-shift!

Add a cat-back exhaust and you get bass with your treble.
Randy

Is there a reason that the brake light mod should not be done or won’t work on a 05 MCS?
Theotherbruce

They moved the rear foglights from the top of the taillight down to where the backup light was. The foglight isn’t available anymore as an added brake light.
Alex

“debadge boot” Do you mean take off the MINI badge?!
http://o allan MICHAEL

MCS: 1. 17% pulley 2. CAI- hmmm…… just for sound 3. Any lite aft.mkt. wheels 4. Mintex pads 5. Real tires
http://www.lawrenceotoole.com/mini/mini.html lawrence::otoole

By “debadge boot” I mean take off the “COOPER” or “COOPER S” lettering, as well as any dealer stickers, etc. Cleans things up, especially on the S, as the lettering looked off-center to me.

As for taking off the actual MINI badges, it can’t be done without exposing the mounting holes, which would need to be filled in and resprayed. I’ve seen it done (both front and back) on some MINIs, and man it looks SWEET. Again, this is an instance where the S is better served, as the front badge looks quite squished between the grille and the scoop. If I could, I’d do it… however, my sheckles are better put to use elsewhere.

This is my opinion of course. I know some people couldn’t even fathom taking off their badges… I however have done it on all the cars I’ve owned. Personal preference, I guess.

Anyways, to get back on topic, RHT3 put it best when describing the CAI… it was one of the first mods I did, and the sound really is incredible! Drilling or removing the “fire wall” really brings it out. Good for maybe 4hp? But the sound…. good for lots of open-window driving and a silly grin ear-to-ear…
Goatherder

Hands down the best mod on the list is the Parcel Shelf. I cannot believe this is NOT standard on american MINIs. Also, as others have stated, the glove box organizer is right up there too. It changes a totally worthless “space” and turns it into an organized, smart, and efficient storage unit. Both of these I received from Out Motoring and are worth every penny!
Dave

I’ve done a bunch of mods – JCW etc. One of my all time favorites the Whalen gear shift knob.

Dave
GoMiniGo

Mine:

1 – My Glovebox Tidy, of course 2 – Parcel shelf 3 – 15% pulley – Your grin will get bigger 4 – Intake – more noise, so it must be better 5 – Whalen with my custom engraving – love this. Much better feel than the stock knob.

GoMiniGo
///ACS330Ci
1. JCW Tuning Kit
2. KW V2 coilovers 3. 4. 5.
Wheels and tyres will be next for sure =;-)
Tim
1. Parcel shelf
2. new shift boot and e-brake boot
3. Alta CAI
4. Whalen shift knob
5. rear sway (H-sport)
Next up is either a 15% pulley or an exhaust system. Probably the pulley. :)
Alex

1.Had the rear fog light placed at the dealer before pick up. 2.Just got the iPOD adaptor delivered and am still deciding whether to pay for installation or do it myself. 3.Parcel shelf will be ordered today.

Nothing will happen with my runflats for a while as I’ve gotten two punctures in my other car in the past year (had a spare in that one).

I’ll stick with my cloth mats for now as well.

I like the idea of changing the brakepads to something a bit less dust producing when it’s time for that.

Still thinking about driving lights on the grill.

The only performance mod I plan on is the turbo (possibly from SPI or maybe the PSI-FI set up comming out) in a couple of years. Otherwise plan on keeping it stock. Make it a real sleeper. Should be interesting in a convertable.
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html Rocketboy
1. Brake light mod… (pats self on back)
2. Metal Skid Plate.. (or at the very least, a guard for the cooling fan under the car)
3. Custom Pool Ball stick shift knob. Not as nice as a Shift Machine, but it was quite a bit more affordable. Mine is an Ivory ball, with a red Speed Racer ‘M’ inlay (the very top of the ball is clear, with the M under it, which makes some really cool looking shadows in the sun…)
4. Silverstar headlight bulbs. Quite a nice difference. (And yes, get a full set of four..)
Erik…
BrewerDude

Has anyone tried to install the parcel shelf on an ’05 model. I started to do it today on my MCS, but it looks like the knee bolster attachment is a bit different than what is shown on the how-to. The middle hinge point looks like it’s been flipped upside down and I can’t figure out how to safely get all three hinge points off without breaking something. Any pointers?
ben

Gabe I have an mcs, and I live in mexico(the streets are a mess), do you still recomend the non runflat tires, and what exactlly do you mean by harsh
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