Advice needed - which mods -5k mile 1999 cooper

[undred orse]

Hi all,
I've got a 1999 Cooper sportpack in red/white with the sunroof.I've owned the car from new and it's always been kept in a heated garage and only been in the rain about twice.It's only done 5800 miles from new.

Over the last few years I've hardly used the car and the mot ran out in April this year.The airbag light stays on as it has for the last 4-5 years but I now understand that this would be an mot fail so it needs to be fixed.Not something I could do as while I'm happy cleaning the car and with basic checks that's about it.

Part of the reason for the lack of use is access to other weekend cars - at the moment an slk55amg.

Having looked at what I'm spending on the weekend toy which does about 6000 miles a year I've come to the conclusion that I would be better off spending it elsewhere and using the mini as the weekend toy I always intended it to be.I also think it'll be more fun and at speeds where I'm less likely to get lots of points.I also feel guilty at not using it.

The slk goes in May - I got it on a cheap(relatively) lease which made purchase a non starter - so there are no disposal issues.

I would however like to make the mini a bit more special with some engine mods and I am open to other suggestions.I don't want to change the overall look but would like it to go,stop and importantly sound a lot better.I will also upgrade the old cd player.

So the question is what would you do and who would you recommend to do it?As far as budget is concerned it's flexible depending on what is needed. I suppose I'd expect something in the region of £5-10k.

So with this as a base car and a clean sheet of paper what would you advise?

Many thanks.

[Cooperman]

The MPI is not as easy to improve as the earlier Carb or SPI Minis.
Really with a low mileage car such as you have, it is best kept fairly original. Thoroughly rust-proof it and enjoy classic Mini motoring is best advice.
You can gas-flow the head and fit larger inlet valves, 35.6 mm diameter, fit a better exhaust system, say a Maniflow 1.75" diameter system, improve the damping by fitting SPAX or GAZ dampers.
Accurately setting the suspension as follows:
Front: Toe-Out 1 mm Fit adjustable tie-bars and set caster to 3.5 degrees.
Rear: Toe-In 1 mm to 2 mm and zero to -0.5 degrees negative camber.
Change throttle body for a slightly larger one, say from an MG-ZR (I think that's the one to use).
Fit 5" x 12" wheels with 165/60 x 12 tyres. These give better road holding and better handling than the 13" ones, if that is what you currently have.
Standard brakes are fine for such a light car, but Mintex 1144 pads can make a good improvement.

[undred orse]

Thanks for the reply.Great info.

Regarding keeping it standard - this was something that is still troubling me but part of my thinking was to improve the performance as I will never sell it or show it so the originality aspect may mean more to others than to me.A bit selfish I know and in 20 -30 years I may regret it if I'm still around.

Any suggestions as to who I could get to do the work?I'm in South Wales but would be prepared to travel to get it done properly.

Thanks.

[FWDRacer]

South Wales. Your quest starts here:-

www.owensfabrication.com

Endaf has forgotten more than many know about sorting Minis out. Echo Pete's comments - uprate the inlet/outlet and let the motor breath. Sort out the dampers as the standard ones are very poor. Get some adjustable camber and toe brackets on rear, Adjustable lower arms/tie rods on the front and get Endaf to sort the geometry. It'll drive like a different car.

[FWDRacer]

And rust proof it. If you nothing else. Fill it full of anti corrosion stuff, Bilt Humber, Dinitrol etc. Late MPI's are rust traps.

[sprocketman01]

I know I've posted it before (and I will again many times) Inner arch liners along with the aforementioned rust proofing waxy goo..... otherwise it will rot regardless of how well it is kept.
Suppliers are either Derek's Mini Centre or Minispares

[nick1275]

I'd echo the above comments but go for the Burlen metal throttle body, they don't warp like the plastic ones. They can cause awful running issues when warped

[anthonysjb]

My MPI. I basically have fitted a maniflow lcb manifold (old one broke), maniflow 1 7/8" catback and a K&N filter. It is running 5x12" wheels on 165 section A539s. I don't think there is much more I can do to it without ruining it.

[undred orse]

Thanks for the great replies.Much appreciated.

Great advice re the rustproofing and its something I'll do.

I hadn't thought of changing the wheels but that's now on the to do list.

Anthony - the car looks ace.good advice re the mods and I'll probably follow a similar path.

[Hoopsuk]

What about a turbo? If you have money to spend, aren't worried about originality and want more power it seems a logical solution, especially if you will be buying a new outlet manifold anyway, might as well make it one that can take a turbo.

[choptop]

Put on adjustable suspension dampers and then keep as is. Protect from rust and damp as much as possible. Garage it and drive it like you stole it. Previous owner of 5 minis

[and31]

5.5 x12 superlights,gaz adjustable shocks,hi lo's ,sticky rubber,rear negative camber brackets,adjustable front tie bars,get it set up properly-have some fun!!
my classic-sold a few months back(really wish i'd kept it now!)