Cooper S info & experience (Newbie)

[fluffy]

Hey all,

I'm new here, but seems like I'll be joining the family sooon (well, My 2nd half, she's purchasing a cooper S - but we pretty much "share" cars) She's saved for ages and this is a dream car for her so i don't want to comprimise and i'm looking for an IMACULATE one thats been looked after.


I've done some research and it seems our coice would firstly be the Super Charged Generation because
- I've never really liked turbo cars as i've had bad luck "BOOM!"
- the pre 2007 seems to be more in the budget, around R100k
- i looooove the S/C "whine"
- It "feels" different when driving it. in a good way (less refined)

secondly- i believe the 2005-2007 has some revisions?
supercharger, exhaust, subtle exterior bits, LSD (did the 2004 not have LSD)?

1)What all are the differences between the pre and post 2005's?
2)Are the S/C cars a bit more reliable than the turbo?
3)what would be the first mods?, I was thinking induction, branch, exhaust, 15% pulley, chip/tune, & would a diff intercooler be recomended?
4)What are things to look for on these cars other than the usual stuff one would check?
5)What are the major things done with services and should i ask have been done (as it seems we will be buying a car with 80kms-110kms)

Thanks in advance-

Andrew.:rollsmile:

 

[Rolf]

3)what would be the first mods?, I was thinking induction, branch, exhaust, 15% pulley, chip/tune, & would a diff intercooler be recomended?

• de-CAT with downpipe and full freeflow exhaust
• max 15% overdrive pulley (to save the Supercharger)
• Promotec Performance Software
• WT Intercooler to keep engine temperatures reasonable in summer

​

 

[fluffy]

3)what would be the first mods?, I was thinking induction, branch, exhaust, 15% pulley, chip/tune, & would a diff intercooler be recomended?

• de-CAT with downpipe and full freeflow exhaust
• max 15% overdrive pulley (to save the Supercharger)
• Promotec Performance Software
• WT Intercooler to keep engine temperatures reasonable in summer

​

Thanks for the reply.

Do u get Top mount intercoolers for the R53?
I suppose technically, one doesn't do "Downpipes" on S/C cars, only Turbo, but yeah, with the branch and exhaust that'll "decat" it .

could you pm me the price of Promotec software and Intercooler?
I got info from powerflow already.

 

[Rolf]

It's a matter of understanding....
Many people call a de-DPF on Diesel cars a de-CAT which is not right but also not wrong either.
So the downpipe on supercharged cars is technically a replacement pipe for the cat....

We do not do top mount intercoolers.... that's kiddies stuff if you are looking for serious improvements and cooling!

Please visit our website for more info and pricing! http://www.promotec.co.za

Got more questions? If of public interest then post here, else we will be there for you by PM or email! :idea:

 

[Cooper]

Hey all,

I'm new here, but seems like I'll be joining the family sooon (well, My 2nd half, she's purchasing a cooper S - but we pretty much "share" cars) She's saved for ages and this is a dream car for her so i don't want to comprimise and i'm looking for an IMACULATE one thats been looked after.


I've done some research and it seems our coice would firstly be the Super Charged Generation because
- I've never really liked turbo cars as i've had bad luck "BOOM!"
- the pre 2007 seems to be more in the budget, around R100k
- i looooove the S/C "whine"
- It "feels" different when driving it. in a good way (less refined)

secondly- i believe the 2005-2007 has some revisions?
supercharger, exhaust, subtle exterior bits, LSD (did the 2004 not have LSD)?

1)What all are the differences between the pre and post 2005's?
2)Are the S/C cars a bit more reliable than the turbo?
3)what would be the first mods?, I was thinking induction, branch, exhaust, 15% pulley, chip/tune, & would a diff intercooler be recomended?
4)What are things to look for on these cars other than the usual stuff one would check?
5)What are the major things done with services and should i ask have been done (as it seems we will be buying a car with 80kms-110kms)

Thanks in advance-

Andrew.:rollsmile:

Hi Andrew,

I can offer some personal advice:

1) You should not be looking at the models between 2002- early 2004

They are the first models and as with all first models, theres issues.

These models have power steering issues, it eventually fails :bangdesk: costly to fix.

They also have 120kw whereas the later models have 125kw because of a revised supercharger. The gear ratios are also much shorter of the later models.

Appearance changes includes different front and back lights, different chrome front grilles - this is how you can distinguish between the upgraded model and the older models.

The interior also has subtle but noticeable changes.

2) Can’t comment on turbo mini reliability but the supercharger has given me no issues for years on a 17% pulley.

3) Your first mod MUST be a pulley. 15 or 17% nothing bigger.
17% will give you more boost than a 15%, whilst still running safe. But with the 17% you need a intercooler upgrade.

From there it will be a performance branch/manifold with a decat coupled with a performance exhaust

I had a top mount and it sufficed, maybe the lower mount gives better results - but It was good enough for me:thumbs:

Be careful of what intake you get, the open ones loses power although gives a nice whine, best option is a k&n flat bed. The standard intake is already a cold air intake.

Software should be last.

With the above, I got 160 Kw (first model) so on the later model you will probably get a bit more: thumbs:


5) Services are just like any other car, these motors are known to be builet proof. The only thing that is costly is the clutch and flywheel replacement, as the entire motor must come out of the car to do this. I would get one with lower km's as it will take much longer to get to this stage.

*None came standard with LSD, it was an optional extra

only car that came standard with lsd is the JCW GP

 

[dvst8]

What an awesome car. :inlove:

I had a 2002 S and loved it bits. I would like to build another one like below as a toy.

Mods I would suggest. (Had on mine)

Xflow 4-1 Branch and straight pipe to the stock rear boxes. (Changing the entire system makes the car very loud. This setup we found works the best as we tried about 7 variations of systems.
19% Alta Reduction Pulley
2% Alta Crank Pulley
JCW Injectors
BMC Carbon Intake
GRS Intercooler with Alta Couplers (Top Mount)
Detriot Tuned Bypass Valve
Van der Linder Cam
Xcede Tuned

Here is a pic of my ex-baby.

 

[NavZ]

these motors are known to be builet proof.

Because they're BMW engines :rollsmile:

 

[Cooper]

these motors are known to be builet proof.

Because they're BMW engines :rollsmile:

Actually not :fencelook:

 

[sherwinZ]

1)What all are the differences between the pre and post 2005's?

Hi, this is a long read, but should give you all the info you need.

http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/


Hopefully you find a good example good luck :thumbs:

 

[dvst8]

these motors are known to be builet proof.

Because they're BMW engines :rollsmile:

Actually not :fencelook:

Chrysler

:fencelook:

 

[Rolf]

Worse.... they are PEUGEOT engines

 

[NavZ]

Seems MK1 was developed jointly by Chrysler and Rover & BMW owned Rover.
MK2 was developed jointly by BMW and Peugeot (for the 207GTi)
My bad :flyfun:

 

[Cooper]

R53 = supercharged = chrysler bmw

R56 = turbo = BMW Peugeot

 

[NavZ]

R53 = supercharged = chrysler bmw

R56 = turbo = BMW Peugeot

So I wasn't completely delusional :rollsmile:

 

[fluffy]

WOW! Thanks Guys-

Lotsa useful info!
ok so im DEFINITELY keeping to the last version of the Supercharged generation (seems late 2004 to early 2007)


Cooper & DVST8: What Top mount intercoolers did u use? where'd u get it? and how much?

I see the norm is 15% pulley, 19% plus 2% crank sounds like pushing the limits a bit... ? (but I think this might be a subject where some guys have run 19% no issues and others have run 17% and had issues for eg... like my Honda Vtec days where everyone had a different opinion about what is a "safe Compression Ratio" to go up to... lol.)

DVST8: who does a xflow branch? and is there much to be gained from a branch? I see the exhaust manifold is already sort of a 4-1 branch.

 

[dvst8]

Hey Fluffy

I ran a GRS top mount intercooler.

I had no issues with the 19% and when I build another, i will go the same setup again.

Ali from Xflow played around with the collector on the branch andnit did make a difderence especially at high rpm.

Your thread made me wanna build another MCS.

I loved that car, should have never sold it.

:thumbs:

 

[Cooper]

Mini JCW GP cooler for me.

I was also choosing between GRS and GP but saw a thread showing the GP had an edge over everything else based on thorough testing Google it, it's on one of the international mini forums.


Remember the bigger reduction you going the more heat you going to have as well as more strain on the supercharger. Heat soak = power loss.
That's why I went for 17, because it's in between. Not as mild as a 15 but not as aggressive as a 19. Had no supercharger issues whatsoever.
Dont bother with the crank pulley.

 

[dvst8]

Agree cooper, GP cooler works wonders.

When I was building there were no options locally and everything was trial amd error.

I heard that Universal Coolers were making up GP coolers so that may be an option.

 

[fluffy]

:ty: :ty: :ty:

I Got some more of my numbered questions :fencelook:

Ok i'm getting an idea where the line is where it starts being too much money for very little gains, some spend that much chasing the extra 3 kw... (and very often becoming a compromise in other things , like drivability etc) i did that too with a Vtec, but this one will only be basics.

Flatbed/ basic Intake, branch and exhaust, pulley and software.
then i 'll ask about handling - maybe just eibach springs and good brake pads?

1) ABOUT THE PULLEYS - 15% seems like you dont need a different belt or intercooler compared to the 17%?

2) how much are the top mount coolers? GRS, JCWGP? and where sourced etc

Now of course i'd like a 17% over a 15% if all parts were FREE haha. but what are the power gains from a 17% and I/Cooler over a 15% with stock I/C ? 2kw or 20kw? cos i'll pay like R5k for a belt and cooler (if thats what it'll be i dont even know) for 20kw, but not for 2kw.

3) has anyone gone from 15% to 17% and info to compare?

4) with these basics - would a uniQ chip suffice for R2500 with tune or would something from Promotec or Xcede, at considerably more $$$ be NEEDED ?
(again this goes to the whole thing of paying double for something to get 2kw more...)

ALRIGHT!!! seems i AM getting a bit ahead of myself here as we're still test driving and shopping for that IMACULATE MCS... i should pic up with this once the car's in hand...

Thanks again for all your guys help.