Mini For Track Days?

[Reltub]

Any one run a BMW Mini Cooper S on the track, I am thinking of a 2003 for a little road use and a couple of track days a year. Any input would be appreciated.

[Woolfie]

yes we run a mini cooper s R53, solely for the track. Its great fun. We have modified it with lowered suspension / kw coilovers, strut braces, ploy bushes, pulley, intercooler, plugs and leads, hoses, moved to 16" wheels (rotas and either 888's or sometimes slicks). Stripped out the interior put in a corbeau sieat, quick release steering wheel, quick shift gear stick, big brakes from a JCW, different pads depending on whats around, braided brake lines, race std fluids. Upgrading the way the driveshaft boots are clipped in to minimise it spewing out all the grease (has happened). A number of other upgrades being planned. It runs 220 bhp at moment, plenty to have fun at Bedford, Mallory, Rockingham, Cadwell.

It has its own facebook page IAMR53 - i havent updated it over the last month, but will do once we have gone through the next set of changes. We track it at least every 6 to 8 weeks; try to get in around 8- 10 tack days per year.

Its brilliant and makes for a fantastic day out with a front wheel car.

[Reltub]

Thanks for the reply. I don't think my budget will stretch to all those mods, are any of them a must before doing a track day. I would at least change to uprated pads. Would this be enough or would it need bigger brakes.

[Woolfie]

our first few, we did as normal. But all you would need first off are a decent set of pads and change the brake fluid to a race bred version to stop you boiling over.

[Reltub]

Fluid change as well it is then, then the fun starts

[Hartge231]

Used mine for a few track days at Brands, has been great fun

It's been tuned to 231bp, a few suspension tweaks too, Meister R adjustable coilovers, rear control arms, upper front strut brace. Jcw Brembo bbk with standard pads, no brake fade..yet.

One of the main weaknesses with the standard S is the brakes, as already said, upgrade the fluid, a lot of owners fit the later model R56 S front calipers & upgrade the pads too.