Bonnet Stripes

Been toying with the idea ever since I got my mini. Of late,I have been looking at quite a number of Mini photos. From what I can see that most of them has stripes either at the side or on the hood. It must be the mini thing and today I decided to one one for my baby.

Although , it is not going to make my car go any faster. But it does makes it look like it is fast. I have asked Hazry for his opinion on which shop shall I go for. He recommended Best Feels, since they have better workmanship.

Before: Plain clean look


After: With stripes

The results speaks for itself. Ijud was there with me during the whole process. I am quite please with results and it definitely gave the car a more aggressive look.

Damage:

1. Bonnet Stripes - RM150 (Best Feels) incusive installation

Custom Intake Cowl

For those who doesn't know about Cooper S. The air intake for the air filter is located underneath the wiper. I was going through some photos on MCS (Mini Cooper S). I noticed that their intake cowl looks different. This was one of the first photo I saw and noticed the intake cowl looks different.


Orciari Intake cowl


Stock intake cowl


Luckily, I signed-up in the MOCM forum. I came across this post about the intake cowl and I found-out there is this shop in Taman Mayang by the name of Fastlane that carry a custom made version. They got two type, the CF and FRP version.



No doubt the CF version looks nice but it cost a bomb



CF intake cowl


Not only that it is functionable it definitely give the car that more aggresive look.



Before : Stock intake cowl


After : Custom intake cowl

Damage:
1. Custom Intake Cowl -RM 480 (FastLane )
2. Installation: FOC

TEIN Superstreet Coil overs

Actually, I had plans to upgrade to handling of this car. The only thing I wasn't expecting it to be so soon. The story is like this, on my third day I got this car. I went to Autoglym in Sunway. You wouldn't believe who I bumped into. It's none other than Desmond of N1. He asked about the car and asked whether I can take him for a spin. Before dropping him off at N1. He made me and offer to become a guinea pig for the TEIN suspension for Malaysian market. I thought he was kidding.

A few weeks after that I received an unexpected call from N1. The deal was my car will be used as guinea pig and the shocks is mine for half the price. I took the offer.

The shocks that we are talking here is the same shocks I used on my Evo (TEIN Super street). Since I am used to TEIN set-up, so I was expecting the handling to be good.

TEIN Superstreet

The first day, they let me try out the the TEIN progressive sport springs. I don't quite like the ride when using the springs. It was rather bouncy especially when crusing on the highway. It get rather annoying after while cause it felt like riding a horse. Cornering wise, it's much better then the stock as the car felt more planted.

The second day, I tried the coil overs. According to Mr. Sugano of TEIN, he did the set up more for handling rather than comfort. Since it's an adjustable suspension (Soft/Hard). I could always change it to softer whenever I felt like having more comfort. Since I love whacking corners. I'll stick to Mr. Sugano's original set-up.

Surprisingly, the shocks was a lot more comfortable compare to the stock suspension. The car doesn't dive under heavy braking anymore and no more of that dread full under over when taking corners.

Ride height after TEIN

Damage:

1. TEIN Super Street - RM: 2250 (N1 Racing) : Normal price : RM5600

2. Installation - FOC

Cooper S Driving Impression

I apologise for my long absence. Been rather busy lately. So far it's been a month plus since I got my car. It's been a learning process for me. Although, I've driven FF before this. This car is something new for me.

First impression on this car, it has a very stiff suspension. Despite it's so call go kart handling. The car handling is far less than perfect. It tends to under and over. Something that I haven't felt for a long time. Since I've been driving a all wheel drive car. The handling is much better.

Power wise, 163hp may sounds like a big figure. But the car is still lacking something. It felt rather heavy. Probably due to the restrictive muffler and air filter system.

The car ice also needs to upgraded as well, due to the fact this car comes with MD player.

Next online would be a suspension upgrades and some chassis stiffening stuff. Probably airfilter and exhaust upgrades.