Top 5 Mods for MINI Newbies

Nate Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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

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Joe K. Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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!

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Allan Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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.

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MiniLifeCrisis Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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). :-(

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Jono Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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

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Josh Wardell Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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.

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Kurt Collins Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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

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Ross Mar 16th, 2005 Link

ALTA Aluminum Antenna is a MUST. It’s MUCH better than the ugly 18″ whip that they call the factory antenna.

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Gabe Mar 16th, 2005 Link

Kurt – sounds like you need one of these tshirts!

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Kurt Collins Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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

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Meghan Ruppel Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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.

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Schwing Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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.

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Gabe Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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

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KevinR Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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.

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lawrence::otoole Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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…

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anonymous Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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

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nervous Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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

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Andy Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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.

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KevinR Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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.

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Gabe Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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.

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Dave R Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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

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Matt Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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.

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drew Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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

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RHT3 Mar 16th, 2005 Link

Cold Air Intake!

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

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

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Randy Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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

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Theotherbruce Mar 16th, 2005 Link

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.

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Alex Mar 16th, 2005 Link

“debadge boot” Do you mean take off the MINI badge?!

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allan MICHAEL Mar 17th, 2005 Link

MCS: 1. 17% pulley 2. CAI- hmmm…… just for sound 3. Any lite aft.mkt. wheels 4. Mintex pads 5. Real tires

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lawrence::otoole Mar 17th, 2005 Link

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…

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Goatherder Mar 18th, 2005 Link

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!

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Dave Mar 18th, 2005 Link

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

Dave

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GoMiniGo Mar 19th, 2005 Link

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

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///ACS330Ci Mar 19th, 2005 Link

1. JCW Tuning Kit
2. KW V2 coilovers 3. 4. 5.

Wheels and tyres will be next for sure =;-)

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Tim Mar 20th, 2005 Link

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. :)

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Alex Mar 20th, 2005 Link

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.

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Rocketboy Mar 23rd, 2005 Link

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…

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BrewerDude Mar 26th, 2005 Link

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?

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ben Mar 29th, 2005 Link

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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MotoringFile » Archive » Top 5 Performance Mods for Newbies Nov 13th, 2005 Link

[...] MotoringFile’s recent post about newbie mods left a number of readers clamoring for a similar list aimed at performance. The ability to change the character of a MINI from pleasant ride to pocket rocket is a reality, and with the MINI now in it’s 4th model year, there’s an aftermarket just brimming with gizmos and gadgetry to help you get there. To help those new to the MINI world (and spark some debate among veterans, I’m sure), based on research, information gleaned from forums, message boards and conversations with tuner shops, I’ve whittled innumerable performance upgrades down to just 5 essentials. Each mod is ranked on a 1-5 scale in terms of difficulty, with 1 being easiest: [...]