My modified 2006 Mini GP
Discussion
So I picked this up just under 2 years ago with 15k miles on the clock.
I was hoping I could keep the miles down and not lose much money on it. It totally bowled me over how much I loved it though which explains why I am where I am now. All I wanted before was cars that were faster and faster in a straight line, this was the first that made me want to modify for handling/braking as I was enjoying blasts in it so much. Eventually I'll get on track with it too.
As I picked it up
First mod, JCW alcantara/leather steering wheel
[/img]http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad89/damanpunk/IMG_1278_zps3d711d5e.jpg[/img]
I needed to put on winter tyres so because the original 18" wheels are awkward sized/ugly I bought some lightweight ATS DTC wheels in 17"
Pads were knackered, put in some Carbotech XP8s
Summer rolled round and wanted stickier tyres, Yokohama AD08. Decided to stick with the 17s and get a second set for winter later.
Engine mount dying is a common fault and mine was goosed, replaced it with a vibratechnics
Coolant tank bursting is also another common fault, replaced it with an RMW one.
Wheels changed colour
New winter wheels picked up off ebay, team dynamics pro race 1.2
Dension ipod link added
Scan gauge with wiring hidden
Started stockpiling suspension parts
Eibach rear arms
Eibach ARBs
JRZ coilovers, an expensive waste of time
Flywheel was noisy so went OTT and replaced it with an OS Giken STR1
While the box was out I got an OS Giken 1 way LSD to put in
CAE tower shifter bought, you have to try one to see just how good it is
Changed plate
Pic with tower shifter fitted and new seats, Recaro pole positions.
That brings us to the present day. The JRZs knocked like hell at the rear as they had an awful top mount design, the RRP if you buy them in this country is around £3300 so you'd expect better. I pulled them off and returned them to the supplier who then sold them on at a loss to me, JRZ were aware of the issues but at no point stepped in to offer any recompense (all I really wanted was my original amount of money back). Aswell as that they sent me the wrong top mount for one of the front struts so I had a wasted 300 mile round trip as they couldn't be fitted until the new one arrived.
A lot of the dutch guys are using Cobra suspension just now so I got in touch to see what they could do for the money I had left, this was what they did! I just need to get time to fit it all now.
I was hoping I could keep the miles down and not lose much money on it. It totally bowled me over how much I loved it though which explains why I am where I am now. All I wanted before was cars that were faster and faster in a straight line, this was the first that made me want to modify for handling/braking as I was enjoying blasts in it so much. Eventually I'll get on track with it too.
As I picked it up
First mod, JCW alcantara/leather steering wheel
[/img]http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad89/damanpunk/IMG_1278_zps3d711d5e.jpg[/img]
I needed to put on winter tyres so because the original 18" wheels are awkward sized/ugly I bought some lightweight ATS DTC wheels in 17"
Pads were knackered, put in some Carbotech XP8s
Summer rolled round and wanted stickier tyres, Yokohama AD08. Decided to stick with the 17s and get a second set for winter later.
Engine mount dying is a common fault and mine was goosed, replaced it with a vibratechnics
Coolant tank bursting is also another common fault, replaced it with an RMW one.
Wheels changed colour
New winter wheels picked up off ebay, team dynamics pro race 1.2
Dension ipod link added
Scan gauge with wiring hidden
Started stockpiling suspension parts
Eibach rear arms
Eibach ARBs
JRZ coilovers, an expensive waste of time
Flywheel was noisy so went OTT and replaced it with an OS Giken STR1
While the box was out I got an OS Giken 1 way LSD to put in
CAE tower shifter bought, you have to try one to see just how good it is
Changed plate
Pic with tower shifter fitted and new seats, Recaro pole positions.
That brings us to the present day. The JRZs knocked like hell at the rear as they had an awful top mount design, the RRP if you buy them in this country is around £3300 so you'd expect better. I pulled them off and returned them to the supplier who then sold them on at a loss to me, JRZ were aware of the issues but at no point stepped in to offer any recompense (all I really wanted was my original amount of money back). Aswell as that they sent me the wrong top mount for one of the front struts so I had a wasted 300 mile round trip as they couldn't be fitted until the new one arrived.
A lot of the dutch guys are using Cobra suspension just now so I got in touch to see what they could do for the money I had left, this was what they did! I just need to get time to fit it all now.
I have to ask...... Why do this to a gp? You could have spent far less on a vanilla cooper s and thrown the same parts at it for the same result, albeit slightly down on power.
I would have thought a gp would hold most value when standard.
I would have thought a gp would hold most value when standard.
Edited by mini1380cc on Saturday 4th October 22:07
mini1380cc said:
I have to ask...... Why do this to a gp? You could have spent far less on a vanilla cooper s and thrown the same parts at it for the same result, albeit slightly down on power.
I would have thought a gp would hold most value when standard.
Absolutely valid question.I would have thought a gp would hold most value when standard.
Edited by mini1380cc on Saturday 4th October 22:07
Originally I bought the GP as I wanted to avoid being hit too hard with depreciation. Although more expensive than an S JCW it's a lot easier to find a low mileage GP.
I rapidly realised though that any intentions I had of selling it within a few years were diminishing fast. I started to care less and less about the depreciation aspect (it's paid anyway) and decided to enjoy it, forgetting about any potential loss come time to sell. Which at the moment I can't see happening!
Really like this OP. I can understand the 'why do this to a GP' comment though.
I test drove a GP prior to buying a Clio 200 and I didn't like the seats, yours look just the job as replacements though.
Interested in the tower shifter too, is it pull back for up, push for down or it a glorified gear lever extension using the standard pattern?
Nice car, and good to see mods that aren't just chasing HP
I test drove a GP prior to buying a Clio 200 and I didn't like the seats, yours look just the job as replacements though.
Interested in the tower shifter too, is it pull back for up, push for down or it a glorified gear lever extension using the standard pattern?
Nice car, and good to see mods that aren't just chasing HP
Shifter is regular pattern but replaces the full mechanism, it tightens up all the tolerances and gives quicker shifts due to position.
I admit it's probably 50% tart, 50% function for me but I absolutely love it! Here's some more info on them and applications http://www.shop.cae-racing.de
Thanks for all the kind comments gents!
I admit it's probably 50% tart, 50% function for me but I absolutely love it! Here's some more info on them and applications http://www.shop.cae-racing.de
Thanks for all the kind comments gents!
Car looks awesome, I love GP's. Was really tempted to get one last time I changed, but went RWD instead. The mk1 looks fantastic still.
Bit forward, but do you work in Aberdeenshire? I'm sure I've seen this parked around where I work (Westhill) and it makes me question my decision every time I walk past!
Bit forward, but do you work in Aberdeenshire? I'm sure I've seen this parked around where I work (Westhill) and it makes me question my decision every time I walk past!
CrouchingWayne said:
Car looks awesome, I love GP's. Was really tempted to get one last time I changed, but went RWD instead. The mk1 looks fantastic still.
Bit forward, but do you work in Aberdeenshire? I'm sure I've seen this parked around where I work (Westhill) and it makes me question my decision every time I walk past!
Haha pistonheads is a small place! I work in the AMEC building there.Bit forward, but do you work in Aberdeenshire? I'm sure I've seen this parked around where I work (Westhill) and it makes me question my decision every time I walk past!
Don't blame you for going RWD, totally different driving experience. I had a 335i for 4 years before this which was a great car, I only sold it when the wife wanted a jeep and I'd already bought the GP.
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