[sarge]

Hi folks,

I've finally received my 2015 F56 Cooper S after a long wait. I previously had a 2014 MCS for a year but had an opportunity to upgrade so here is all the specs/pics:

-Fully loaded w/ Navi/Heads-Up/Sport Auto Trans/HK Sound System/Sport Leatherette Seats/Dynamic Damper Control/JCW Aero Kit

Current Mods:
-JCW Pro Pack Kit
-JCW Tuning Kit
-Custom Finished JCW Cross Spoke Wheels (Pics to come next week)
-De-Chrome (All chrome trim painted Midnight Black to match body color & was transferred from my 2014 to the 2015).

Although I do not take delivery until next week, I've a chance to take it for a couple drives and love the exhaust note from the tuning kit, but am still waiting for the carbon tips as they are expected within the next week or so. Also I have a temp set of wheels on as we are waiting for the JCW's to get back from refinishing - they are getting a smoked clear coat/gunmetal powercoat and I will have pics of them once they are back on Monday.

As for future mods - 1. it needs to be lowered, so has anyone installed H&R springs on their mini with the dynamic damper control option? From what I have been told, installing the H&R springs is difficult to do on vehicles with the Dynamic Damper Control so if anyone else has done so, please let me know how it went

2. I am trying to decide if I should get the stripes that were on the JCW concept done in a matte black to go with the theme, and whether or not I should tint it again as our lovely law enforcement are a little too picky about front window tint here in Vancouver. .

Let me know what you think..

Cheers

 

[Evlkarl]

I would opt for No Stripes the Car looks fantastic. Less is more.

 

[siriuszero]

I think matte black stripes would add a really subtle touch of kickass to the car...

 

[stevens]

are you getting the handles and fuel cap color coded as well? Mine will be the same as yours (albeit SD) but all black with black wheels. Nice to see what the pro kit looks like on black, did you not get the spoiler extentions as well?

 

[stevens]

also on pic of rear the left hand side arch doesnt look like its been re-fitted correctly as there is a gap near the PDC sensor?

 

[sarge]

also on pic of rear the left hand side arch doesnt look like its been re-fitted correctly as there is a gap near the PDC sensor?

It may be just the picture? But there is a very slight gap on each side compared to the stock bumper trim extensions. But the pro-pack front & rear extensions are both fitted and were done by our Mini dealership and seemed relatively easy to install other than requiring some thicker rivets than what is provided. As for the handles & gas cap I have ordered the black covers from Outmotoring.com as they are relatively in expensive compared to having the parts removed to paint, so they should look pretty sharp.

What wheels did you go with? They have the new JCW 134 spoke wheels which are the matte finish (night fever black metallic) with a polish accent around the spokes. We have a set coming in today I can take pics of but here is the diagram if you are interested.

 

[stevens]

I went with the black track alloys that you can have with the JCW exterior kit. So no rear spoiler extensions or is it just the pic?

 

[NYCMINI]

Looks great - I also have the pro pack ready to install on my black Mini Cooper S. I noticed you also colour coded the rear diffuser around the edge - as it was on the JCW concept. I was thinking about doing that myself before I get it installed but might try it just in plastic first to see how it looks.

Looking forward to seeing how your car progresses. I have Eibach springs on mine and they have been great - also have H&R spacers - really helps the look.

 

[sarge]

I went with the black track alloys that you can have with the JCW exterior kit. So no rear spoiler extensions or is it just the pic?

Nice, those look good. That is what my car came with, but I have swapped them onto my previous F56 for the cross spoke wheels. But sorry I thought you were referring to the rear bumper spoiler extensions in previous post. I did not put on the rear roof spoiler extensions as I did not really like the look of it. The spoiler is pretty nice as is imo.

 

[sarge]

Looks great - I also have the pro pack ready to install on my black Mini Cooper S. I noticed you also colour coded the rear diffuser around the edge - as it was on the JCW concept. I was thinking about doing that myself before I get it installed but might try it just in plastic first to see how it looks.

Looking forward to seeing how your car progresses. I have Eibach springs on mine and they have been great - also have H&R spacers - really helps the look.

I was contemplating painting the entire pro pack diffuser, but I think that would look better if all of the flares & bumper trims were body color as well, so I went with the concept look.

I have seen your pics of your Mini and it looks pretty sick! They weren't even offering the Aero kit as a factory order for Canada until January, so I had to wait quite a while.

Did your car come with dynamic damper or sport springs? And how do you find the ride on the Eibachs? Would you say they are similar to H&R or stiffer?

 

[NYCMINI]

I was contemplating painting the entire pro pack diffuser, but I think that would look better if all of the flares & bumper trims were body color as well, so I went with the concept look.

I have seen your pics of your Mini and it looks pretty sick! They weren't even offering the Aero kit as a factory order for Canada until January, so I had to wait quite a while.

Did your car come with dynamic damper or sport springs? And how do you find the ride on the Eibachs? Would you say they are similar to H&R or stiffer?

Thanks! I ordered mine with sport suspension from the factory and then installed Eibach springs. I was very pleasantly surprised that the ride actually improved as the first part of travel feels less bouncy than the original mini springs. The Eibach springs are heavier so maybe that explains some of it.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do to yours next!

 

[Peter]

I have lowered my F55 with Cobra Suspension springs and it's awesome! And yes, I have dynamic damper control. :laugh:

Before:

After:

 

[stevens]

I think thats about the right height Peter looks good.

Sarge: did the JCW badge come with the pro kit or did you install that yourself? what tips are you going with on the exhaust?

 

[sarge]

I think thats about the right height Peter looks good.

Sarge: did the JCW badge come with the pro kit or did you install that yourself? what tips are you going with on the exhaust?

The badge comes with the tuning kit - I am contemplating removing both cooper S and JCW badge though once I install the gas cap/door handle covers to just keep a clean look. And for the tuning kit I ordered the carbon fiber tips, but they apparently had some sort of delay from Germany - expecting them this week hopefully.

 

[02fanatic]

Your new MINI looks AWESOME! This what I may order...that is the look I am wanting.

What are the carbon tips? Can those be ordered separately or are they Dealer installed? I assume they simply bolt on over the stock pipes right?

Great car!

Good luck with it,

John

 

[Evlkarl]

Peter, your Car looks great!! Do you have a Link for them Cobra Springs?

 

[sarge]

Wheels have been installed - really happy with the finish as the clear coat turned out almost like a black chrome effect, but when the light hits it still gives off the polished look.

Tint is being done tomorrow, exhaust tips & black covers for door/gas cap hopefully by end of the week then springs sometime in the next month or so!

 

[sarge]

Your new MINI looks AWESOME! This what I may order...that is the look I am wanting.

What are the carbon tips? Can those be ordered separately or are they Dealer installed? I assume they simply bolt on over the stock pipes right?

Great car!

Good luck with it,

John

They fit over the pipes, I think they just twist on from the instructions as there is no bolt hole that I can see on the pipe? Pic is attached of someone elses install.

 

[02fanatic]

They fit over the pipes, I think they just twist on from the instructions as there is no bolt hole that I can see on the pipe? Pic is attached of someone elses install.

Thanks! You are being so helpful...we obviously have similar tastes. I do not care for the chrome door handles either, so I see where you can blacken those as well?

How do you order dechrome parts...is it an option or specific parts replacement?

I love the black grill & headlamp trim pieces....looks really stealth!

BTW, I meant to mention earlier about the bonnet stripes...I may go with the JCW black with red outline stripes. I think that looks great on the Midnight Black Metallic...very subtle.

John

 

[siriuszero]

Wheels have been installed - really happy with the finish as the clear coat turned out almost like a black chrome effect, but when the light hits it still gives off the polished look.

Tint is being done tomorrow, exhaust tips & black covers for door/gas cap hopefully by end of the week then springs sometime in the next month or so!

Those look awesome! You're making me rethink my wheel choice...