Another Mini GP
Discussion
Way back in March of this year I decided 2014 was the year I was going to get another car. I had been off of the road for a little over two years and just couldn't wait any longer. I needed to get back behind the wheel of a car (a fast car). Back then I only had one requirement. It had to be fast. That was it!
Fast forward a few weeks to the start of May and I'm heading back to Hertfordshire in my brand spanking new M135i. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had been out the previous night for my other half's birthday. Didnt get home till around midnight then was up at the crack of dawn to begin my journey (via public transport) to Tunbridge Wells. I remember my girl asking where I was off to. You see I hadn't told her I was getting a car lol... I wont go into that now!
Anyway after almost 2.5 hours I finally arrived at the dealer to collect my car -
Was everything I thought I wanted from a car and then some. Fast, comfortable and "fairly" good looking.
Fast forward to October (This is after test driving a C63 a month or two before. Decided that car can wait till next year or the year after). I'm now sitting at a Mini dealership in Oxford reviewing a Mini. -
To me the BMW was fast. And for a short while I loved it for that alone. After a while though it became a little boring. Simply going fast in a straight line wasn't doing it for me. I wanted something fun, agile and little less porky. The first and only car that came to mind was the Mini GP. After reading and watching countless reviews I decided to start calling around. It dint take me long to find this '14 plate example with 2100 miles on the clock.
A few days after I decided to pull the trigger and go for it!
Have had it for almost 2 months now. This is going to be a keeper!
Fast forward a few weeks to the start of May and I'm heading back to Hertfordshire in my brand spanking new M135i. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had been out the previous night for my other half's birthday. Didnt get home till around midnight then was up at the crack of dawn to begin my journey (via public transport) to Tunbridge Wells. I remember my girl asking where I was off to. You see I hadn't told her I was getting a car lol... I wont go into that now!
Anyway after almost 2.5 hours I finally arrived at the dealer to collect my car -
Was everything I thought I wanted from a car and then some. Fast, comfortable and "fairly" good looking.
Fast forward to October (This is after test driving a C63 a month or two before. Decided that car can wait till next year or the year after). I'm now sitting at a Mini dealership in Oxford reviewing a Mini. -
To me the BMW was fast. And for a short while I loved it for that alone. After a while though it became a little boring. Simply going fast in a straight line wasn't doing it for me. I wanted something fun, agile and little less porky. The first and only car that came to mind was the Mini GP. After reading and watching countless reviews I decided to start calling around. It dint take me long to find this '14 plate example with 2100 miles on the clock.
A few days after I decided to pull the trigger and go for it!
Have had it for almost 2 months now. This is going to be a keeper!
I sold the GP2 around 2 or three months after that Sunday Service..... Fast forward a few years. And I'm back in another Mini GP
The GP was over at Lohen on Friday to have the following done -
New front discs and pads
Stage 1 Manic remap
ITG panel filter
Oil change and
Airtec intercooler
It feels great!
Now waiting for a detail.
The GP was over at Lohen on Friday to have the following done -
New front discs and pads
Stage 1 Manic remap
ITG panel filter
Oil change and
Airtec intercooler
It feels great!
Now waiting for a detail.
MDifficult said:
Welcome back to the fold - new car looks great! (they all do 
). Notice the the new one's got the black rings for the front and rear lights. What's your view/preference on those?
Would love to know how it's taken to the Airtec and Manic Stage 1 too. Big difference? Tempted by a downpipe too?
Good to be back!). Notice the the new one's got the black rings for the front and rear lights. What's your view/preference on those?Would love to know how it's taken to the Airtec and Manic Stage 1 too. Big difference? Tempted by a downpipe too?
I prefer the black/dark light surrounds. I think they look much better than the silver/chrome ones.
As for the recent upgrades. They've made a massive difference. The power delivery (in normal and sport mode). Feels very powerful and smooth. It gathers speed with very little effort. I'm very impressed!
Lohen suggested I get the front pads changed. I originally wanted to go for yellow stuff pads. They didn't have them in stock. So suggested mintex. And they feel pretty good.
I went OE on the discs. Forgot how big they are 330mm.
They one came with a little over 8000 miles on the clock... Alot more than the previous Mini. I bags that with alot over 2000 miles.
I went OE on the discs. Forgot how big they are 330mm.
They one came with a little over 8000 miles on the clock... Alot more than the previous Mini. I bags that with alot over 2000 miles.
Yeahhhhhh..... Not ready to spend 800 on discs just yet. Want to get a set of pole positions first!
As standard the car comes with an electronic diff. It was whilst working on the car. Lohen spotted that a mechanical diff had been fitted. And that they were the ones who fitted it for the previous owner.
As standard the car comes with an electronic diff. It was whilst working on the car. Lohen spotted that a mechanical diff had been fitted. And that they were the ones who fitted it for the previous owner.
MDifficult said:
The1Driver said:
Yeahhhhhh..... Not ready to spend 800 on discs just yet. Want to get a set of pole positions first!
I’ve been hunting for a pair of the correct Mini Works Recaro seats (the ones that are basically a Sportster CS with airbag etc, trimmed to match the GP2 interior) but they’re hen’s teeth rare / crazy expensive. Even resorted to getting quotes to have Lohen’s Sportster CSs retrimmed to match the Mini Works ones but the cost is still crazy. That’s the problem with wanting it to look OE.
The1Driver said:
As standard the car comes with an electronic diff. It was whilst working on the car. Lohen spotted that a mechanical diff had been fitted. And that they were the ones who fitted it for the previous owner.
That’s an absolute resultThis car has turn into a bit of a money pit.... Ive just slapped down a considerable sum of money for just one PP seat..... May get a second at a later date.
The last month has been very expensive.... I don't think I've thrown this much cash into a car before....... Well worth it though lol
I've not had much opportunity to drive it really hard in GP mode yet. Plan to do so at Llandow next year though. Also plan to do a driving course over at Millbrook!
Quick update - I was unable to remove the standard drivers seat over the weekend. The screws just wouldn't budge. So will be heading back to Lohen (for the third time in around a month and a half) to have them fit the seat for me.
Other than that. Everything seems fine....
Got a couple pics from Sundays SS
Quick update - I was unable to remove the standard drivers seat over the weekend. The screws just wouldn't budge. So will be heading back to Lohen (for the third time in around a month and a half) to have them fit the seat for me.
Other than that. Everything seems fine....
Got a couple pics from Sundays SS
Finally got the Pole Position seat fitted.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdfukcsFSs-/
Only problem now is that the seating position is too high for me. Working with lohen for a solution!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdfukcsFSs-/
Only problem now is that the seating position is too high for me. Working with lohen for a solution!
So the current setup is as follows
OEM runnings
Recaro mount adaptors - this are too tall
Recaro seat side mounts
It's funny you mention Cobra. Lohen have suggested ditching the Recaro side mounts and adaptors. And mounting the car directly to the floor. Using the cobra side mounts.
Obviously this would mean I couldn't move the seat back and forth.... Don't think I mind that though.
OEM runnings
Recaro mount adaptors - this are too tall
Recaro seat side mounts
It's funny you mention Cobra. Lohen have suggested ditching the Recaro side mounts and adaptors. And mounting the car directly to the floor. Using the cobra side mounts.
Obviously this would mean I couldn't move the seat back and forth.... Don't think I mind that though.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Have you ran a car with buckets before? IMHO sliders are essential as I need to push the seat back to climb out comfortably and I’m not exactly a giant.
Yeah, first time.I'm about 5'10. And as things currently stand. I can get in and out of the seat with no issues.
I doubt I'll be able to find any further info on the GP forum. One of the partners of the site. Ran off with all the money and members details.... The site had to be re launched. I only found out when I attempted to log in a few months back!
Their Facebook sees more activity now. I've spoken with a few members. And non of them seem to have an issue with the hight.
Their Facebook sees more activity now. I've spoken with a few members. And non of them seem to have an issue with the hight.
Recently gave the mini a little workout on some of my favourite roads
https://youtu.be/doLCW48YnuE
https://youtu.be/doLCW48YnuE
Edited by The1Driver on Sunday 28th January 08:13
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