Whine, crackle and pop (Mini Cooper S). . . .
Discussion
Meet my new toy - 2006 Mini Cooper S - one of the very last batch of supercharged cars sold in the UK before the introduction of the turbo'd ones! Fantastic car to drive, when you press the 'go' peddle the supercharger gives off a whine that would put both of my kids to shame, and when you back-off the exhaust pop's and crackles like a chav's back garden on bonfire night!
After knocking around in a Volvo V70 for the past couple of years this little beastie has revived my driving mojo - it's great to be a 40 year old (refined) hooligan!!!
After knocking around in a Volvo V70 for the past couple of years this little beastie has revived my driving mojo - it's great to be a 40 year old (refined) hooligan!!!
Jealous!
I sold my Checkmate last year to finance a house move and really miss it. Except the cost of tyres and the amount of fuel it used that is!
I pretty much gave it away in the end and kind of wish I kept it, they're so much fun to drive, way better than any other hot hatch I've driven and the supercharger whine is really addictive!
I sold my Checkmate last year to finance a house move and really miss it. Except the cost of tyres and the amount of fuel it used that is!
I pretty much gave it away in the end and kind of wish I kept it, they're so much fun to drive, way better than any other hot hatch I've driven and the supercharger whine is really addictive!
like a lot! Very nice!
If you like the whine, you need to get a 15% or 17% reduced pulley fitted, along with cooler plugs and a GRS intercooler (less than £1k for the lot) - it transforms the car into a complete riot! Also as the Checkmate's have the factory diff they are perfect for a spot of fettling...
If I can recommend anything, if sticking with runflats, get the Continentals ContiSport 3's, a huge improvement
If you like the whine, you need to get a 15% or 17% reduced pulley fitted, along with cooler plugs and a GRS intercooler (less than £1k for the lot) - it transforms the car into a complete riot! Also as the Checkmate's have the factory diff they are perfect for a spot of fettling...
If I can recommend anything, if sticking with runflats, get the Continentals ContiSport 3's, a huge improvement
Thanks all - some good advice in them there posts! Funny thing is there were a couple of newer 'S's on the forecourt with the more traditional colour schemes for similar money, but the Checkmate stood out a mile (plus it was supercharged) - so for me it was a bit of a no-brainer!
Still loving it, even on a grey, wet, cold morning like today!
Still loving it, even on a grey, wet, cold morning like today!
Having recently gone back to a cooper S I know how exactly you feel.
One tip though, buy this Dave F filter http://www.totalmini.com/forum/88-mini-parts-sale/...
Widely known as the best filters for the R53. Its very quiet when driving around normally but open the throttle and it will noticably increase the noise from the charger.
It's a K&N filter so you can clean it out so don't worry about it having done 10k miles.
One tip though, buy this Dave F filter http://www.totalmini.com/forum/88-mini-parts-sale/...
Widely known as the best filters for the R53. Its very quiet when driving around normally but open the throttle and it will noticably increase the noise from the charger.
It's a K&N filter so you can clean it out so don't worry about it having done 10k miles.
TheBaj said:
Bungle chap, I thought I spotted you earlier. Grey with black roof? I was following you out of Burbage, mine's black with white roof.
Bloody hell mate it's a small world. I did see the car but I didn't know it was you. I'll keep an eye out for you now I know what you are in.MadDad said:
Thanks - another day in the car and it just seems to get better!
Was looking at a replacement air filter, was thinking ITG or the JCW kit, is the K & N considered the best off the shelf replacement?
The Dave F box is effectively the same as the JCW apart from a couple of things. The JCW has a flap that opened above a certain RPM, this needs coding in by the dealer. The Dave F doesn't have this and has a 80mm tube that goes into the scuttle area allowing additional air into the box. Internally the JCW uses an ITG filter and the Dave F has a K&N, both do the same but the K&N has a larger surface area.Was looking at a replacement air filter, was thinking ITG or the JCW kit, is the K & N considered the best off the shelf replacement?
The JCW ones are also around £300 new which is around 3 times the price of the Dave F.
Some further info http://www.totalmini.com/forum/36-2001-2006-1st-ge... and http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f607/
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