SO I haven't yet bought a cooper S but it is in the plans. I am currently a Subaru Guy and will never change them from being my major car. I have spent the last 2 years building a motor for my 95 impreza out of an amalgamation of subaru parts. These cars are like legos. any way, my end result will be a 300WHP AWD 2500lb car. I am a huge rally guy and the original mini got me interested in the new mini's.

DO you guys have any suggestions as to which years are better? I am looking to get one used and use it for daily driver and some autox, not a ton thats what the suby is for.
Also, who do you get your parts from?

As far as upgrades go what do you guys usually do? FOr my subaru, I have gone nuts with everything from custom pistons and head porting to ceramic coated exhaust/pistons/combustion chambers.

Also have any of you had your heads ported? I have spoken to an engine builder that says that is the mini's biggest downside and that a good port job will really open these up for beter perfprmance/ gas milage ect.

Thanks all!!!!

 

That's awesome that you're a Suby guy- My brother's got a 2001 2.5RS that puts about 510hp to the wheels... So sad, he just blew up his turbo last night, and the poor thing's leaking oil EVERYWHERE.