Si_GTi Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Hello boys and girls! I used to post here on Tyresmoke every now and again, a long long old time ago but haven't been here for aaaages! I currently own a (2000) VW Polo GTi but this is about to get put up for sale as I have got a new toy! Its a Mini Cooper S R53 (2002) in grey with black roof and mirrors, plus panoramic sunroof, chilli pack and a few other things. Mods are Blueflame cat-back exhaust system, DaveF airbox and an Alta Performance 15% v2.0 pulley upgrade. All I can say is it feels flipping quick on the road and I love it! Pick it up next week... So I'm just saying "Hi" (I've not posted here for over 12 months, at least) and looking forward to seeing what everyone else is up to with their Minis! Might give me some ideas... Cheers Si Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 welcome back Si! Nice to see you posting and congrats on the new motor We've had a Cooper S in the family since 2004 but I'm yet to persuade the owner to go down the modding route - the standard car is rapid enough but I'm guessing your upgrades give it serious go! When you do the supercharger pulley upgrade do you have to remap it at the same time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 15, 2011 Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 Our eldest has an 05 MINI Cooper (not S) and they're an absolutely fantastic fun car to drive. The Cooper S is obviously much quicker but she doesn't need that. In fact that's the last thing she needs. Rubber guards all round, airbags on the roof and a windscreen with glass made to prescription from Specsavers are currently high on the list of priorities. I'm sure you'll love the car. Those modifications will have quite an impact too I imagine. Have they made much of a difference on the insurance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si_GTi Posted February 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2011 bazza, current owner hasn't remapped the car after fitting the pulley. It has got serious go though! I will get it on a rolling road as soon as it's in my hands (next week). MrMe, insurance is actually cheaper over a twelve-month policy by £30 for the Mini (grp:15) than my current modified Polo (grp:12), bizarrely. I'm with Adrian Flux. For now I will simply amend my current policy, which will cost me a few £££s until renewal time in August. Cheers both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Hi Si, I've got a 2005 Cooper S with a full factory JCW conversion (ported head, bigger injectors, pulley, etc) and it goes like shite off a shovel Spec is: JCW Sports Suspension JCW Aero Bodykit JCW Airbox with ITG Filter JCW Exhaust 17" x 7.5" Rota Subzero with Toyo Proxes 215/40-17 Forge Upper Brace OMP Lower Brace Janspeed Manifold & Cat (best option ever!) Livewire Plug Leads Screamin Demon Coil Pack Before going the remap route have a word with 1320MINI in St Neots (Cambridgeshire). They do a "Health Check inc Dyno, Compression and Leakdown test for £84" which is a good place to start before you start spending more money on engine, 1320 are one of the best places in Europe for MINI tuning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 So, the only thing missing is a Panama? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si_GTi Posted February 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Andy, thanks for the info on 1320MINI will take a look for sure! I should just clarify, after reading my previous post back, that I should have said "I will get it on a rolling road as soon as it's in my hands (next week) to see what kind of power it is putting out"... no need for any further tuning at the moment as it is properly rapid (compared to the outgoing Polo which has "only" 125bhp). Other than the performance mods, it also has KW lowering springs and Yokohama Parada Spec 2 rubber. Is the upper strut brace worth having? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 The upper and to some extent the lower brace are well worth the money when you've got a car that was designed for something like 120bhp putting out c.180bhp in your case, they really tighten the front end up. An added benefit of an M7 or Forge brace is that they can help prevent 'mushrooming' to the top of the strut tower which is fairly common problem. The PS2 is great is tyre but be careful in the wet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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