MF Poll: What’s the Best Accessory You’ve Added to Your MINI?
One of the best aspects of MINI ownership is the idea that you can make it your own. Youification if you will. And between of huge MINI owning readership we’re sure you have experience with most of them. So we want to hear the single best accessory you’ve added to your MINI. OEM, non-OEM. Pulley, 18″ wheels, iPod integration, vinyl stickers… sound off below…
<p>I’ve always thought the best mod you can do for your MINI isn’t actually to the MINI but to the driver. Do a few track days and you’re enjoyment of the MINI will increase exponentially.</p>
<p>The window auto-up circuit for sure. Had someone in the MINI yesterday, they were just blown away when I double clicked to close the windows.</p>
<p>Kid seats. So the whole family can enjoy MINI motoring.</p>
<p>MFSW Retrofit Kit on my ’03 MCS.</p>
<p>Whalen shift knob.</p>
<p>Outside: Koni FSDs
Inside: European Parcel Shelf with power outlet</p>
<p>Bonnet stripes. (They make you go faster!)</p>
<p>Clarion flash card head unit with bluetooth and iPod connectivity hands down the best, people are always impressed to see when i stream music wirelessly via my phone through bluetooth…..not to mention hands free calling!</p>
<p>Inside, Kuda mount + Brodit cell cradle for my HTC Fuze. Outside, Way Motor Works full turbo-back exhaust. :-)</p>
<p>Its the most basic and cheap one that needs to be done upon purchase of your new Mini; replace the fishing pole antenna with a 2″ super short Alta. Why? Its nicely done and its very subtle.</p>
<p>25.5mm H-sport rear sway bar without a doubt for me — very inexpensive relative to the handling improvements you realize.</p>
<p>+1 to Mike on the track days.</p>
<p>Also, the JCW suspension upgrade. Adds more “go” to the go-kart feel at all speeds.</p>
<p>JCW sound kit/ Full bluetooth kit</p>
<p>Inside: Auto-up circuit
Outside: Koni FSD’s</p>
<p>Light in sight (lightinsight (dot) com). Less than Jackson and good for a car length or two at most stop lights. ;~D</p>
<p>AFE intake on my R50 and Phil Wicks driving schools.</p>
<p>15% Pulley 04 MCS Absolute most bang for the Buck…</p>
<p>2 things:
Front – OEM Driving Lamps mounted on the grille…
LOVE’EM,LOVE’EM,LOVE’EM!…can’t stress it enough</p>
<p>Back – OEM JCW Carbon Fiber rear wing spoiler…
as much as I love the M7, the JCW just fits so smoothly with the lines and the proportions of the MINI, when something is designed with this in mind it ALWAYS looks good…BTW just installed it last week ;)</p>
<p>A</p>
<p>Vinyl! More specifically: my magenta pink roof, spoiler, bonnet stripes, and pink union jack mirror caps. This simple addition to my MINI has made her stand out from a crowd, landed me a job at MINI, fulfilled my dreams of driving a black and pink MINI, and took my MINI’s you-i-fication to a whole new level.</p>
<p>GAS IN THE TANK</p>
<p>Tires. Snowtires for the winter, non-runflats for the rest of the year.</p>
<p>15% Pulley on R53</p>
<p>CROSS Coilovers! I couldn’t imagine life without them. They get my R50 to be able to do .99 G’s.</p>
<p>helix short shift adapter + illuminated gear pattern on the shift knob.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/2750728-post7.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/2750728-post7.html</a></p>
<p>sounds cheese, but looks awesome.</p>
<p>My factory JCW kit… so much fun. Worth the extra money</p>
<p>…the mp3 Aux,no doubt. I was then able to truly enjoy two of My loves: driving,”SADE”;and,listening to GREAT music…</p>
<p>…which is bittersweet…</p>
<p>…I just sold,”SADE”,to bankroll My life long dream of owning My own business. So far,so good;but,I’ll be back soon with,”SADE 2.0″.</p>
<p>While I owned an original 1960’s Mini, I’m not a total traditionalist. When I bought my 2005 MC I ordered a Speedo/Tach cluster that sits directly in front of the driver. This means minimum eye diversion for speed control.This means nothing to most of you young guys, but at 72 of prime importance to me.</p>
<p>My second ad-on is near-black window tinting. While this definitely qualifies for “Tennessee Go-faster” status, it certainly enhances the looks of my all “Liquid Yellow” Mini, the sweetest Mini in town.</p>
<p>On my R53 it’s a toss-up between the custom ipod dock and Ian’s MINI curcuit. The pulley was a lot of fun, but it didn’t touch the day-to-day usefulness of the other two.</p>
<p>On my R56 (which is mostly stock) it would have to be the custom USB charger.</p>
<blockquote>Michael Winchell Oct 16th, 2009
MFSW Retrofit Kit on my ‘03 MCS.</blockquote>
<p>I want to retrofit a MFSW on my ’03MCS. Can someone PLEASE post a how to link?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>+1 OEM Driving Lamps in Chrome
Matches the Chrome Line Exterior on mine perfectly.</p>
<p>A XM roady to plug into my aux port.</p>
<p>tscheez Oct 16th, 2009 Link
Whalen shift knob.</p>
<p>I AGREE!!!!!!</p>
<p>Outside: Conti ExtremeContact DW Tires …NON-RUNFLATS!!!</p>
<p>Inside: Urban MINI Subwoofer (of course)</p>
<p>Ian Cull’s Auto Up window device, my old Dension ice>Link Plus and the Pro Clip. All stellar.</p>
<p>Definitely the AUX Input in my 03 MCS. Love the Whalen, love the Alta sway bar, but motoring without my own tunes and podcasts (including WRR, of course) wouldn’t be nearly as fun. I probably haven’t listened to more than an hour or two of broadcast radio (with the incessant commercials) in 4-5 years.</p>
<p>JCW sideskirts on my R56. I left the stock ‘S’ front and rear bumper and it looks really good. I would say that is the first thing I will do on any other future MINI I purchase.</p>
<p>Getting rid of the runflats.</p>
<p>It’s a toss up between the navigation system (makes the inside of my R56 look better) or the JCW body kit.</p>
<p>The cushy custom-made terrycloth and foam leg pad for my R53, fit onto the center stack’s left side…(thanks to my wife). A soft spot in a crowded footwell. I would have one sore shin without it!</p>
<p>The mod I like the best from MINI is the nav in my R56. It completes the interior with my piano black dash, and looks so much better than the stock speedo. The ipod docking station is my favorite aftermarket mod.</p>
<p>JCW suspension.</p>
<p>Outside: White bonnet stripes and white mag wheels on a blue car with white top.
Inside: Factory iPod integration kit.
Did a track day a few years ago with my original MC, and it was a blast for both my wife and me.</p>
<p>while we’re at it, factory jcw kit (06), aero package, rear sway bar, better tires, parcel shelf, iphone, and one of these: <a href="http://www.myventuri.com/home.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.myventuri.com/home.aspx</a></p>
<p>Interior: Escort 9500ix. Looks and sounds impressive and has saved me a lot of money.</p>
<p>Exterior: JCW Side Skirts. Loved the way it made my MINI look.</p>
<p>Honorable Mention: The glove box organizer/shelf thing made accessing commonly used items a lot easier. Would be an immediate purchase on a new one.</p>
<p>The best accessory and something the GP should have come with is the JCW alcantara steering wheel</p>
<p>Arrowhead on top but the Chiefs still suck!!!</p>
<p>On my nearly standard R53, the glove box shelf I added is the best.</p>
<p>JCW black leather dash with red stitching.</p>
<p>OEM wind deflector for my MCSc</p>
<p>Magnaflow exhaust
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvZqteXQ_o8" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvZqteXQ_o8</a></p>
<p>Inside: Auxillary Jack in the glovecompartment. There when you want it, out of sight when you don’t.</p>
<p>Outside: Zymol autocare 1-2x a year. With that cocunut smell. The paint is still deep and reflective after some harsh winters to boot. The hood does have some chips though…</p>
<p>Aestheticreations.net’s unionjack A panel vinyl. Looks SWEET! Get lots of looks and comments. I know that my mini is 1 of a kind!</p>
<p>Alta 17% Classic SC Pulley…….</p>
<p>My 17″ Dayton Wire Wheels, they really get the car noticed then I can expound on the glories of this amazing vehicle and show them the mods.</p>
<p>Aesthetic creations stripes, customized to mimic the stripe on my dad’s AC Bristol:
<a href="http://www.aestheticreations.net/gallery/custom/redralleyracingstripes.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.aestheticreations.net/gallery/custom/redralleyracingstripes.htm</a></p>
<p>I didn’t add it, but the previous owner put the JCW steering wheel on it. Probably just about the best OEM non-go-fast part you can add to a MINI.</p>
<p>Hard to pick just one.. The <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ernestovumbles/332883918/in/set-72157619579723869/" rel="nofollow">graphics</a> and stripes are what make the car “mine”, but I get a thrill out of every single shift with my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ernestovumbles/2851150919/in/set-72157619579723869/" rel="nofollow">Whalen Shift Knob</a></p>
<p>The Parcel Shelf.</p>
<p>Best mod that’s not a mod: putting the EZPass/FastLane/FasTrak transponder on the front interior edge of the rear seat’s sunroof. Works flawlessly and doesn’t take up precious windshield real estate.</p>
<p>also, light-in-sight rocks. Never have to crane my neck forward to see the traffic lights.</p>
<p>Alta Light bar, I have hundreds of hours on it.</p>
<p>5% Tint….The absolutely best car to do limo tint to. Completely changes the look.</p>
<p>Also a Alta Intake, 15% pulley & Magnaflow Exhaust is quite a nice addition ;)</p>
<p>My fav is front camber plates.</p>
<p>FWIW, FES took over Ian Cull’s Auto-Up.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fes-auto.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.fes-auto.com</a></p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>Sparco Evo</p>
<p>Interior: The Sport Seats with red leather trim and black cloth inserts (plus lumber support) are the most comfortable seats I’ve ever had in a car. Previously I always had chronic low back pain, but not since I got my MINI a year ago! And I think the contrasting red leather trim throughout adds some extra “pizzaz” to the typical monotone interiors you see on most cars, although it might be too busy for some.</p>
<p>Exterior: The 16″ Bridge Spoke wheels. I think the black wheel well trim on the newer MINI’s has gotten too oversized, and wheels smaller than 16″ look really strange. Actually I think the 17″ Crown Spokes look best, but they were a budget buster for me.</p>
<p>LSD. I’ve owned an R56 both with and without, and really believe this should have been standard with Sports Pack/Chilli pack etc. It transforms the car and feels great :)</p>
<p>Clear Bra, the day I bought it.</p>
<p>Most will say pulley, but I have to say, the JCW steering wheel is my favorite mod; one that I use 100% of the time.</p>
<p>Inside: Aux input (honorable mention: auto-up windows)</p>
<p>Outside: Goodyear GS-D3 tires. I’ve seen many suggestions that a rear sway bar is the best handling upgrade, but I’d say the Goodyears are the best addition I’ve made because they improve the ride, and the handling, and they’re less expensive than runflats, plus the tread pattern is very sexy (honorable mention: shorty antenna, debadged boot)</p>
<p>2004 R53</p>
<p>Inside: Light-In-Sight . com,
Ultrik short shift kit.
Outside: Koni Sport shocks,
Falken Azenis RT-615 tires</p>
<p>OEM flip up center armrest.</p>
<p>For a convertible</p>
<p>Yes
– Ian’s one-touch up for windows.
– Glove box organizer
– Custom leather dash, brake boot and gear shift boot to match blue-with-orange-stitching seats
– Parcel shelf under the steering wheel
– Bonnet AND boot stripes (to wring out that extra speed)</p>
<p>No
– stubby aerial – I lost radio signal
– grocery bag thingy in the boot</p>
<p>Needed
Decent sun visor extender for a convertible</p>
<p>Xenon HID’s, heated seats and auto dim mirror….there were factory options i got on my 03 MCS and I will never ever get another car without these three options by far these are the three non-negotiables</p>
<p>I agree with with Bruce Hord on Speedo/Tach cluster that sits directly in front of the driver but also love the additional gauges in the center. I would include the Xenons, Harmon Kardon & OEM iPod integration on my 2005 MCS BRG with white strips of course. Oh yeah, the burbles with the 2005 exhaust are not an option but very worthwhile.</p>
<p>“Brian Oct 16th, 2009 Link
I want to retrofit a MFSW on my ‘03MCS. Can someone PLEASE post a how to link?</p>
<p>Thanks.”</p>
<p>Please check out this thread on NAM;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/coupe-talk-2002-2006/26408-new-mini-aftermarket-cruise-control-available.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/coupe-talk-2002-2006/26408-new-mini-aftermarket-cruise-control-available.html</a></p>
<p>My username on there is FD3SDriver</p>
<p>Cross coilovers for the handling and ECU tune for the POWAH!</p>
<p>06 Factory JCW:</p>
<p>exterior: JCW suspension, it improved both handling and ride</p>
<p>interior: iPod interface</p>
<p>How could I have forgotten the heated seats and the LSD. Both make winter driving much more fun. The “two touch up” Ian Cull mod is appreciated every day along with the HID headlights. The glove box organizer is another must have.</p>
<p>The Euro Parcel Shelf is pretty seriously useful, although you’ll be lucky to find one floating around these days… but I have to say the best accessory I’ve got on Max right now is the JCW Carbon/Alcantara shift knob. It’s chunky and solid, and it makes shifts feel very precise.</p>
<p>PAINTED ARCHES (Suck it, doubters! 😀 )</p>
<p><a href="http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/garage/1194" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/garage/1194</a></p>
<p>I also think my Dension Cold Air Intake is very kool… ;o)</p>
<p>Inside: Whalen
Outside: rear sway bar</p>
<p>A duck. (Miss ya, Maxamini)</p>
<p>All of the following all fitted by me.</p>
<p>15% pulley, DIY K&N hybrid induction, OE Sat Nav, Chromeline, centre armrest, heated mirrors, leather seats, push button start, Ipod interface, Car PC with touchscreen overlay on OE Sat Nav, auto dippinfg interior mirror, boost gauge, front upper & lower and rear braces, 1 ball exhaust, short shifetr, R56 brakes, Facelift rear lights, stubby antenna, rear seat lift up straps, warning triangle, telephone stalk, driver parcel shelf, door pin delete, high level rear brake light flasher, spare wheel, rear ISOfix, PAB on/off switch, chrome washer jets, exterior chromeline, + others that I can’t remeber now…………</p>
<p>NON-runflat tires!</p>
<p>The mesh style grill for the Cooper. It looks a lot sportier than the “gangsta” chrome slats and it allows for easier badge mounting.</p>
<p>Limo tint to my sunroof on my ’03, 15% pulley, aux input for my XM Pioneer Inno, boost gauge, factory arm rest in center console.</p>
<p>I think I’ve seen it at least three times on here but I’m going to add to it. Ditch the runflats.</p>
<p>Ian Cull’s Auto-up circuit for the dbl click-up on the windows and the garage door integration on the lock toggle switch- these should be standard on all MINIs… not a day goes by that I don’t appreciate these.</p>
<p>-factory JCW (2008 R52)
-various suspension doo dads
-8-ball shift knob
-auxillary guages
– #1 anthracite R90s!!!!</p>
<p>Dinan kit to my 2005 MCS. Hands down.</p>
<p>Whalen gearknob, JCW Steering wheel and JCW Recaros</p>
<p>Hmm…</p>
<p>on the ’03 R53:
Interior – Euro Parcel Shelf & auto-up.
Exterior – 15% pulley (at least until Star Specs go on in the Spring)</p>
<p>on the ’07 Cooper Sidewalk:
Interior – Euro Parcel Shelf & auto-up.
Exterior – 205/50-16 Direzza Star Specs, hand down…</p>
<p>R53 Interior – Glovebox organizer, grocery bag hooks, cargo net, those OEM straps on the backs of the back seats to help pull-up the seats(these are probably my favorite). I have the Euro parcel shelf in my closet – haven’t gotten around to installing it(an obvious favorite on this post). Have asked for Ian’s auto-up circut for the past several XMas – maybe this will be the year(fingers crossed).</p>
<p>R53 Exterior – JCW suspension(hands down!), rear fog light, chrome line exterior.</p>
<p>More accessible interior storage in the way of centre armrest, glovebox plus centre storage trays.</p>
<p>The cruise control would be my second choice for those long trips, however the speed range fluctuates so much when it is engaged that I can’t trust it to not have me booked for speeding (it frequently drifts over the initial upper speed limit setting).</p>
<p>Third choice is rear cargo liner, which came in handy for the large parcels plus the dog!</p>
<p>Inside: iPod connection
Outside: Union Jack front plate
Performance: Front strut tower brace</p>
<p>Too much to choose from but don’t think I could live without the auto-ups or the iPod adapter.</p>
<p>Wooden shift knob. While at the dealer taking delivery of my R56 MCS, had my MA show me how to remove the tacky, uncomfortable, plastic shift knob. Immediately replaced it a wooden knob. The improved ergonomics make this still the best mod. I’ve done a lot since then from a custom rear-seaat delete, to new audio amp and speakers.</p>
<p>+1 on the track day. That was quite possibly the most fun I ever had in my MINI.
Car accessory wise:
1. Aux input. Ever since considered a must have on anything.
2. Euro parcel shelf, especially since when I transferred both this and the input from my 03 to the 06, I put the input into the shelf, and used the shelf to store my iPod & sunglasses when not in use.</p>
<p>Ford CEO should tack on the bulletin boards of his design & engineering depts. ,</p>
<p>My Garmin nuvi, mounted to the right side of the tach with the craven mount. Works great to find those hard to find twisty roads!!</p>
<p>Wish they made the euro parcel shelf for the R56.</p>
<p>Fave interior is English oak dash, steering wheel, shift knob combo- very classy looking. Honorable mention to the heated seats, everyone in the family loves them!</p>
<p>Fave exteior is clear bra to protect from paint chips and suspension</p>
<p>Wish they made the euro parcel shelf for the R56.</p>
<p>Fave interior is English oak dash, steering wheel, shift knob combo- very classy looking and fairly unique. Honorable mention to the heated seats, everyone in the family loves them!</p>
<p>Fave exteior is clear bra to protect from paint chips and suspension</p>
<p>Ian’s Auto-Up window device. Great!
My white (black-edged) bonnet stripes with added John Cooper signature have made a definite improvement in speed.</p>
<p>Floor mats….sounds dumb but it has reallly saved the carpeting. Oh yeah.. The center armrest was well worth the money.</p>
<p>The best thing i have added to my R-53 JCW is LED daytime running lights. Eight white lights per side. When the turn signal is on the appropiate side blinks amber with the turn signal. cs</p>
<p>Probably the 15% pulley. CF interior pieces, and can’t 4get those GoBadges! =D</p>