The InsulINI: Mo MINI Mo Problems

[Got Insulin?]

So, on November 21, 2009 I picked up this gem, a 2006 MINI Cooper S with 157xx on the clock. One owner, non-smoker, with about 90% of the options I was looking for: 6MT, monster sunroof, heated seats, integrated iPod hookup, leather, and about half the mileage of similar MINI's within the same price range. This is going to assume DD duties while the Talon is put on the back burner for some much needed lovin' yet, it too will see its fair share of tweaks and modifications. If you follow my other MJ, you might have noticed that I have a thing for subtle, but strong styling, and I really identify with the little things that really make a car both stand out to the people who know what they're looking for, or for that matter, at, and something that people who aren't so sure or well-versed in quarter-mile times and CFMs can appreciate, too. I plan on taking a bit of a different approach with this car, but this Journal is going to have more of "I just did this" updates, rather than me blathering on about the nothing I was thinking about doing.

The car itself is really well rounded: good gas mileage, few-to-no blind spots, pretty nice interior, and it handles like a cat on carpet, but a bit of a dog off the line. Near future plans are just to feel the car out some more, do some research, hit a couple of Auto-Xs when the weather allows, make it through the winter, and maybe throw a roof-rack on it and make a few trips to local mountains.

Stay tuned: Pictures will follow in the near future.

[doug]

dog off the line? sti swap it

good luck with it.

[JDMTyler3326]

I really like Mini's alot. I can't wait to see where this goes.

[Got Insulin?]

Originally Posted by doug

dog off the line? sti swap it

good luck with it.

It'd be a 4G63T if anything, forget your horizontal pistons.

Oh, these are in my garage as of today (GIF is from the OG that did them first):

[03MSP]

^^whatttttt those are awesome haha

[Eclipse GSX 61]

...and you take it in the butt this now a definite.

BTW I can make my wheels do that too but I'm just not as queer as you so I'll pass haha.

Glow in the dark for all you JDM hoes:
http://powderbuythepound.com/catalog...p?cPath=46_170

[Got Insulin?]

Well, they're not the right bolt pattern so I'm on the fence about a redrill or flipping them for this set of 17" Schmidts I have my eve on. Got a room full or parts, expect updates.

[JDMTyler3326]

SO boss!

[Got Insulin?]

Thanks, Tyler. It is pretty rad.

[RyanG]

I secretly <3 mini poopers

[disturbedfan121]

i openly love mini's lol

[JankyS13]

rim idea is pretty sick and i have to agree w/ area1320. damn it i just openly admitted that. ;p

[OMGshawn]

Total win, I wouldn't mind rocking a mini lol

Those wheels are going to look sick on it

[ambitiousCK]

should be cool to see where this build goes...saw some minis on a open track day running with 911s and corvettes....now when i say running i mean pointing which side he wants he other cars to pass him on lol. Will be looking out for updates thought, good luck.

[TalonTsi97]

Originally Posted by disturbedfan121

i openly love mini's lol

hahah same there here, I'd definitely look into one if i was in the market for a new daily.


Do you have any more pictures of the wheels?

[i_ride_fieroGT]

Mini's are gangster. i wanted one before i bought my eclipse. i just dident want to deal with fixing one if it went down.

Now i have to wonder? would thoes wheels be considered aftermarket lighting if you were pulled over?

[Got Insulin?]

Originally Posted by ambitiousCK

should be cool to see where this build goes...saw some minis on a open track day running with 911s and corvettes....now when i say running i mean pointing which side he wants he other cars to pass him on lol. Will be looking out for updates thought, good luck.

They're actually pretty successful on the track if the driver mod is done. I'll have to grab a bud's video of him chasing down Lotus(i?)es in his non-S Poopah. They're not stupendous in the straights, but they're tough to beat in the corners because of their low centers of gravity and FWD. Throw an LSD in the mix, and it'll be murder in the twists.

Originally Posted by TalonTsi97

hahah same there here, I'd definitely look into one if i was in the market for a new daily.
Do you have any more pictures of the wheels?

Haha, they're awesome cars. Working on more pics, sold my camera to Dpan a while back, so I'm totally lagging in that dept. I have an interested buyer driving in from Conneticuit, so they may be gone before I get the chance.

Originally Posted by JankyS13

rim idea is pretty sick and i have to agree w/ area1320. damn it i just openly admitted that. ;p

Haha, caught you. The first week I felt alternately stoked and totally gay, but you get over it. And the MINI forums are the most awesome forums on the web. Just sincely nice people getting enthuzed because you are one of them. Wish it was like that all over.

Originally Posted by i_ride_fieroGT

Mini's are gangster. i wanted one before i bought my eclipse. i just dident want to deal with fixing one if it went down.

Now i have to wonder? would thoes wheels be considered aftermarket lighting if you were pulled over?

It'd be the same as fixing your shEclipse if it went down, slice. As for aftermarket lighting, doubtful. They don't stay bright for very long and just look kind of hazy after about 20 mins or so.

[Foolinaround]

put those ****ing wheels on before make you a statistic of your profession.

[DaveSTi]

I'm with Ryan. Those things TEAR UP SCCA autox in their class...very quick around the cones. Very nice, dude.

[ambitiousCK]

Oh def, it was an S and it was holding it's own in the bends but once it hit the straight....rape...but then again it was against cars that were 2-3 times it's price and had 2-3 times the power.