New mini cooper s is low $20k's new w/a 6 speed, has good handling,gets 29/36mpg,curb weight of 2,700lbs, 172HP turbo'd 4,andis rated to run the1/4in the high 14's. Seems like a fun car, but wondered how hard is it to mod and make really fast? Tune alone should make the car low 14's/high 13's. So, is it expensive, to turn this car into a 12sec car? 11sec car? Turbo swapneeded? What can the internals take? etc.Just wondering. Any info you know or experience driving these cars I would like to hear.It wouldn't be that badifwe all were forced todrive these cars for better fuel economy and they could be beasts.

 

since when are the S's turbo?

 

Since the '07 model year.


OP- They have decent potential, but parts for them are relatively pricey, and it'll prolly take a turbo swap to get into the 12's. They are some fun little cars, though....

 

My brother had an older Supercharged one. He's since traded for a 1977 Mini which he's planning on doing a VTEC swap into once he restores the body.

 

My friend has one. Its stock and they are decently quick but damn they are fun in the twisties.

 

Minor mods tune, filter etc will get it to around 215hp.

The standard turbo is pretty much done then. However the other possible limiting factor is the high compression ratio. Not particularly turbo friendly. The engine was designed for the European market so it would produce low emissions and be fairly quick. Which is why it is used in various companies cars. As we are taxed on how much CO2 the car outputs.

SO they basically took an N/A 1.6 and stuck a turbo on it. Keeps emissions low and gives some alright power for a 1.6. Unfortunately I doubt it is very mod friendly. But if you start turning a mini into a 12 second or under car you are gonna ruin the handling completely. Doubt the front wheels will be able to cope properly.

 

New mini coopers are fast..my friend has one he's on this forum hell prob be able to answer your questions

 

They're weird little cars and I personally wouldn't drive one, but everyone I know who has driven one has said it's the most fun car they've ever driven.

 

I have a good friend that has a modded 03. Great little car. He did a pulley, lightweight flywheel, CAI and a few other things. It goes pretty good for what it is. And it handles like it is on rails. I've always like the new Coopers - and they are much roomier on the inside than then appear. I sat in the back once and it wasn't any worse that the back seat of my old GT.

 

Sounds like they are pretty cool, but expensive to be made modded V8 fast.They seem really fun(little and fast w/great handling), I just wannago and test drive one to see how fun theyare out of curiousity.It's on myto do list