2006 Mini Cooper S - Another One.

[Daz_RT_04]

Well the ST is due to go back shortly and instead of getting another lease etc I decided to re-visit old ground and get another MCS.

I was quite fussy when it comes to spec.
It had to be 2005 onwards, Grey (Dark Silver) had to have Xenons with preferably full leather and multifunction steering wheel along with LSD (Albeit only 25% lock).
I also didnt want to spend too much and have a car with over 80k... So it was about a month until this one popped up on my doorstep of all places.

Its a well specced 2006 with 55k on the clock, good service history, clean MOT history (Nice new online lookup) and has 2 previous owners.

Anyway, few snaps of the car just after getting back home. (Its not filthy but could do with a detail).

The car drives well, feels sharp and goes pretty well to be honest. Its weird being back in something that likes/needs to rev unlike the Fiesta.
I've ordered a 'Pool Ball' gearknob as I despise the standard one and have ordered the two front Aero-Grills that I'll fit at somepoint.

 

[Bluebeard]

Nice spec! Best colour too.

I hate those wheels though. f**king awful looking things.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Nice spec! Best colour too.

I hate those wheels though. f**king awful looking things.

Yeah I'm not 100% on them and they need a refurb ideally so I may look at another wheel at somepoint.

I much prefer these as a standard wheel.

 

[Smiffyboy1990]

Really smart! i didn't know these came with LSD's, thought it was only the GP's that did. What's the handling like compared to the ST ?

 

[Crybert]

I like it. Only ever driven a cooper but would love a go in a cooper s. I drove a cooper when they first came out and thought it was great, loved the feel of the gearbox and the steering. Can only imagine the s will be a nice step up

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Really smart! i didn't know these came with LSD's, thought it was only the GP's that did. What's the handling like compared to the ST ?

Yeah 2005+ Cars specced with the Chili Pack come with them IIRC.

Its more involving, the steering is heavier and feels like its giving more feedback. This thing on runflats is about the same in terms of ride firmness. Its more chuckable and the back end appears a little lighter than the ST but that may be down to the pony tyres on the back.

In terms of power/speed, the ST will probably have the legs thanks to its mid-range punch compared the MCS that needs revving. The box ratios on the facelift (2004+) MCS's mean that when your 'on it', its always on the boil.. which is great. I would imagine after some decent rubber, pulley upgrade and brakes the MINI would hang onto the Fiesta tbh.

 

[Cub.]

Similar to my old JCW, nice buy.

I really like the r53, and I think they offer great value now aswell.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Similar to my old JCW, nice buy.

I really like the r53, and I think they offer great value now aswell.

It seems good ones hold their value! I sold my old one to @brookie over 2 years ago and I doubt its lost any value/may have gained!

 

[Poopensharten]

Like these! They look far better than the cartoon like most recent shape!

Alan from here had a belter of a JCW a few years back, that fucker could move!

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Abit of a Trek for me... But I'm awfully tempted.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-coop...093026?hash=item280adf38a2:g:3LoAAOSw1ZBUxqHV

The chav side of me likes black, but silver would be more 'fitting' @Daniel

Shame a PX would be a pain in the arse to arrange :neutral:

 

[Poopensharten]

Why not just get Turinis? They have the same hub fitment as Clio's i'm sure and they're always for sale?

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Why not just get Turinis? They have the same hub fitment as Clio's i'm sure and they're always for sale?

I have thought about other wheels, but a part of me just wants to stick with OEM+

 

[Bluebeard]

Abit of a Trek for me... But I'm awfully tempted.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-coop...093026?hash=item280adf38a2:g:3LoAAOSw1ZBUxqHV

The chav side of me likes black, but silver would be more 'fitting' @Daniel

Shame a PX would be a pain in the arse to arrange :neutral:

Nice!

 

[aucky]

How well do these respond to tuning?

 

[Feirny]

Looks nice!

Where did you order the Aero Grilles from?

 

[Daz_RT_04]

How well do these respond to tuning?

http://www.1320.co.uk/1320-bmw-mini-cooper-s-r53-stage-one-tuning-package

15% Pulley = £312 package from these guys will usually net 20bhp minimum.

Gets expensive after that from my view. I'll be doing the 15% Pulley after Xmas tbh!

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Looks nice!

Where did you order the Aero Grilles from?

BMW :up:

I work for them so can usually blag a reasonable discount. I'm going to try my luck on some bigger items soon for a laugh.

 

[Sir_Dave]

How well do these respond to tuning?

Based on my blue/grey ones, since both of them have been modified from standard:
162bhp - standard (£ free)
197bhp - 15% pulley, colder plugs (£250)
207bhp - as above, plus dave f airbox, GRS motorsport intercooler, milltek cat back exhaust (another £650)
228bhp - all the above, plus Newman cam/450 injectors, 1320 remap (£1k or so)
235bhp - not done, but would consist of Janspeed manifold/Tomcat, remap (£600)
You can go down a variety of different routes, but £2k spent cleverly (2nd parts) would get you circa 75bhp.

 

[Feirny]

BMW :up:

I work for them so can usually blag a reasonable discount. I'm going to try my luck on some bigger items soon for a laugh.

Ahh fair enough, was going say I could sort some for you.

 

[banther]

http://www.1320.co.uk/1320-bmw-mini-cooper-s-r53-stage-one-tuning-package

15% Pulley = £312 package from these guys will usually net 20bhp minimum.

Gets expensive after that from my view. I'll be doing the 15% Pulley after Xmas tbh!

I had mine done at 1320 - great blokes. Make sure you take some entertainment!! They've got wifi etc in the office

 

[ForceIndia]

Aren't the wheels you've got the lightest oe option?

I have some r56 calipers you could have for £50.

 

[banther]

^^^^
Bargain!

 

[Sam]

Welcome to the club! Everyone is getting grey R35's.

Nice spec! Best colour too.
I hate those wheels though. f**king awful looking things.

I always liked them wheels. One of my favourite sets. :blush:

Edit: The R56 calipers ForceIndia has for sale are a decent upgrade for that price!

 

[Sir_Dave]

Aren't the wheels you've got the lightest oe option?

They are the lightest 17" option yes, the s-spokes weight about 3 tonnes. Each.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Aren't the wheels you've got the lightest oe option?

I have some r56 calipers you could have for £50.

I'm guessing I would need need to source R56S carriers to go with?

 

[ForceIndia]

I'm guessing I would need need to source R56S carriers to go with?

No, r53 carriers (that are specific to the jcw upgtade). R56 carriers won't fit. The r56 calipers are the same as the r53 upgrade, but with different carriers. There's a guide on mini torque showing exactly what's needed.

 

[banther]

Either way buy them or I will!

 

[Daz_RT_04]

@banther

I don't think I can be bothered to replace calipers etc so be my guest :smile:

 

[Brookie.]

Looks great mate, good to see you back in one!

I'd highly recommend the R56s brake upgrade. One of the best things I've done to mine.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Looks great mate, good to see you back in one!

I'd highly recommend the R56s brake upgrade. One of the best things I've done to mine.

Yeah I've heard people speak highly of the upgrade, I just have other things as a priority I guess, like remove the bloody budget run flats on the back! 🙈

This ones not getting lowered either, I think I'm getting old as it was a toss up between an MCS or a Mondeo ST 😂

 

[Gally]

I don't mind the wheels just as much as I used to but I prefer the bullet wheels still.

Great colour especially when properly cleansed and nice little cars. Exhaust always required!

 

[Daz_RT_04]

I don't mind the wheels just as much as I used to but I prefer the bullet wheels still.

Great colour especially when properly cleansed and nice little cars. Exhaust always required!

I may look at a JCW tailbox, although it shall possibly get the One-Ball mod before hand to see what its like.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Grilles are here, that will be a fun job for this weekend 😅

Before then, I fitted my 'Pool Ball' gearknob as I had fitted to my previous MCS. @Brookie. :up::up::up:

 

[ForceIndia]

Yeah I've heard people speak highly of the upgrade, I just have other things as a priority I guess, like remove the bloody budget run flats on the back! 🙈

This ones not getting lowered either, I think I'm getting old as it was a toss up between an MCS or a Mondeo ST 😂

Good. Lowering them is a grand way to ruin a brilliant little car.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Good. Lowering them is a grand way to ruin a brilliant little car.

With better tyres, I think it will handle well enough.

Like you say its a brilliant little car that sits well as standard compared to say a 1*2.

I'm done with lowered cars...I think.

 

[daveski]

Mine was great on RSRs.

I lowered mine pretty much straight away and hadn't realised how bad it was. I'm currently driving an old mk1 Focus and the ride is so much better.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Mine was great on RSRs.

I lowered mine pretty much straight away and hadn't realised how bad it was. I'm currently driving an old mk1 Focus and the ride is so much better.

What did you lower yours on mate?

 

[daveski]

Some TEIN springs I bought from someone on MT. Always said I'd get coilovers in the long term but never did.

 

[Matthew]

Absolutely love that mate. Grills are a total must so glad you've bought some

 

[Brookie.]

I seem to remember the words 'never again' regarding the aero grill fitting from you Daz 😂.