It’s time to stop watching and start posting! R58 Cooper S Coupe Project

5939 Views 33 Replies 14 Participants Last post by DaveWilliams, Apr 4, 2022

Siobhankellys

Discussion Starter · Oct 26, 2020 (Edited)

5

Hello 👋🏼

I’ve been using mini torque since I bought my first Mini, a Pepper White R58 Cooper S Coupe, last March and decided it’s probably time I actually joined in.

I’ve gathered quite a lot of knowledge over the last year or so, and have ended up doing far more to my coupe than I had planned...

I’ll include some of the list of modifications...

Manic Stage 1 Remap (from Lohen), last dyno'd @ 240bhp & 390nm with only the map and cat-back exhaust (lots done since...)
RSIC6 Wide Arches
JCW 4 pot brake upgrade & Hel braided lines
BC BR Coilovers & Adjustable Rear Control Arms
AEM Induction Kit
Airtec larger FMIC
200 Cel Sports Cat and custom non-res cat-back exhaust
Forge VTA BOV
Cobra Nogaro Fixed Bucket Seats with Schroth ASM Harness
Custom Suede Interior Trim, JCW Carbon Handbrake & Gear Knob, JCW Alcantara Steering Wheel
JR Wheels
Rear Spoiler and Custom ETS Racing Challenge Diffuser
The usual dechrome and bigger scoop, oem black line rear lights

To be fitted (and painted first..):

Heigo coupe roll cage
DuellAG front bumper
Oil Catch Can kit (PCV side only)

I've done all the work to the car myself, except for the remap (obviously) and have enjoyed every (ok most, except changing the cat, that heatshield is a pig) minute of it! It's definitely taught me a lot, and has sparked a serious (but expensive) passion for cars and tinkering.

Here's some pictures of 'Martin' (named after the very shortlived martini livery)..

And here's a before photo of when I bought it, for fun... 🤪

I look forward to participating in some discussions, and hopefully I'll be able to help people on this forum as they've helped me!

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Maccmike

· #2 · Oct 26, 2020

The rake of the rear spoiler needs increasing in my opinion only but otherwise I REALLY like your car!

Siobhankellys

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 26, 2020

Maccmike said:
The rake of the rear spoiler needs increasing in my opinion only but otherwise I REALLY like your car!

Thanks! I can't say I agree, because it sits at the same angle as the OEM JCW Spoiler, but I appreciate your input 😄

C320

· #4 · Oct 26, 2020

Welcome, your car looks stunning!
An impressive list of mods, love the look of the interior too, great work.

E-R53

· #5 · Oct 26, 2020

Maccmike said:
The rake of the rear spoiler needs increasing in my opinion only but otherwise I REALLY like your car!

It looks like it is actually fitted backwards, but that is obviously as it wouldn't look right the other way, but yes it should be raked further up at the rear.

Siobhankellys

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 26, 2020

2

E-R53 said:
It looks like it is actually fitted backwards, but that is obviously as it wouldn't look right the other way, but yes it should be raked further up at the rear.

You're an aerodynamic expert?? Very cool.

Maybe you guys should all write to Mini and tell them they did their wind tunnel testing wrong on their official JCW spoiler! ... 😜

Official JCW Spoiler (no rake...)

My spoiler, almost identical...

😆

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Siobhankellys

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 26, 2020

C320 said:
Welcome, your car looks stunning!
An impressive list of mods, love the look of the interior too, great work.

Thank you very much! 😁

Micke

· #8 · Oct 26, 2020

Welcome to MT. That's a really nice R58 😎
On the first pictures the spoiler does look a bit odd but I think because of the angle of the pictures.

Siobhankellys

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 26, 2020

Micke said:
Welcome to MT. That's a really nice R58 😎
On the first pictures the spoiler does look a bit odd but I think because of the angle of the pictures.

Thank you 😊

I guess the angle doesn't make it so clear.

But I think people forget the point of a spoiler is to spoil air from the back end of the car, not necessarily to cause downforce. The angle totally depends on the car, and guessing that it should have more rake with no testing, is a bit silly. I'm no aerodynamic expert either - but I didn't stick it on the back of my car without doing my research, as per every other modification i've made 😅

E-R53

· #10 · Oct 26, 2020

Understood, in that pic it looks more clear.

The "lip" round the edge makes it look completely different as you can see it more in that one.

Maccmike

· #11 · Oct 26, 2020

Even in that second picture it needs more rake. Its the shape of the end plates, the factory looks neutral.
Its a great looking car and only your opinion matters.
Im glad you appear to receive feedback positively though 🤣

Siobhankellys

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 26, 2020

Maccmike said:
Even in that second picture it needs more rake. Its the shape of the end plates, the factory looks neutral.
Its a great looking car and only your opinion matters.
Im glad you appear to receive feedback positively though 🤣

Well I'm sorry you don't like it, can't please everyone 😌 It's just a shame that on the first thing I ever post, people are straight in with the criticism 🤣 I've spent many hours working on this car, how about picking a good bit rather than pointing out a 'negative' .... especially when it isn't even a fault but rather how it is actually meant to be.. 🤣

Reactions: 1

Maccmike

· #13 · Oct 26, 2020

🤣 welcome.

big jim

· #14 · Oct 26, 2020

Siobhankellys said:
It's just a shame that on the first thing I ever post, people are straight in with the criticism 🤣

welcome to the internet, you could have the ultimate mini and someone would find something wrong with it somewhere

Positive note, those wheels look awesome combined with the lowering kit and body coloured arches

now about that spoiler........

Alski

· #15 · Oct 26, 2020

That’s the thing with forums
there always full of spoilers....

Reactions: 1

Al_Charlton

· #16 · Oct 26, 2020

Looks good! I’m not usually a fan of the coupe, but you’ve pulled it off

scoubt

· #17 · Oct 28, 2020

Looks great! I love the color matched light trim, I feel like that can be hit or miss depending on the color of the car, but looks great here. I don't see think the spoiler is an issue like others seem to, but I do think the car could always be a bit lower

sruffles8242

· #18 · Nov 15, 2020

Siobhankellys said:
Hello 👋🏼

I’ve been using mini torque since I bought my first Mini, a Pepper White R58 Cooper S Coupe, last March and decided it’s probably time I actually joined in.

I’ve gathered quite a lot of knowledge over the last year or so, and have ended up doing far more to my coupe than I had planned...

I’ll include some of the list of modifications...

Manic Stage 1 Remap (from Lohen), last dyno'd @ 240bhp & 390nm with only the map and cat-back exhaust (lots done since...)

RSIC6 Wide Arches

JCW 4 pot brake upgrade & Hel braided lines

BC BR Coilovers & Adjustable Rear Control Arms

AEM Induction Kit

Airtec larger FMIC

200 Cel Sports Cat and custom non-res cat-back exhaust

Forge VTA BOV

Cobra Nogaro Fixed Bucket Seats with Schroth ASM Harness

Custom Suede Interior Trim, JCW Carbon Handbrake & Gear Knob, JCW Alcantara Steering Wheel

JR Wheels

Rear Spoiler and Custom ETS Racing Challenge Diffuser

The usual dechrome and bigger scoop, oem black line rear lights

To be fitted (and painted first..):

Heigo coupe roll cage

DuellAG front bumper

Oil Catch Can kit (PCV side only)

I've done all the work to the car myself, except for the remap (obviously) and have enjoyed every (ok most, except changing the cat, that heatshield is a pig) minute of it! It's definitely taught me a lot, and has sparked a serious (but expensive) passion for cars and tinkering.

Here's some pictures of 'Martin' (named after the very shortlived martini livery)..

View attachment 101497

View attachment 101498
View attachment 101499
View attachment 101500

And here's a before photo of when I bought it, for fun... 🤪

View attachment 101501

I look forward to participating in some discussions, and hopefully I'll be able to help people on this forum as they've helped me!

Good morning Martin,

You look great chap, your owner has done a terrific job on you. Question though, if you were just starting out on a project like yours, would you begin with a Stage 1 remap or Stage 2. Based on that decision, what made you choose Lohen over the others that are available?
Once the remap was chosen, did you see a considerable change in performance on the car without the other mods?
I prefer my cars to look normal but have all the upgrades under the bonnet, so happy to do the engine, brakes and exhaust system as long as it did not change the outside look.
Just out of interest, where did you source your components and why did you choose them?
Car looks fantastic, Martin you should be happy and your owner very proud.
Thanks for your reply and information.

Siobhankellys

Discussion Starter · #19 · Nov 17, 2020

scoubt said:
Looks great! I love the color matched light trim, I feel like that can be hit or miss depending on the color of the car, but looks great here. I don't see think the spoiler is an issue like others seem to, but I do think the car could always be a bit lower

Thanks! I wasn't sure on it before I did it, but now i'm glad I did.

Regarding your comment about going lower... Does this not look tight enough? 😜

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Siobhankellys

Discussion Starter · #20 · Nov 17, 2020

sruffles8242 said:
Good morning Martin,

You look great chap, your owner has done a terrific job on you. Question though, if you were just starting out on a project like yours, would you begin with a Stage 1 remap or Stage 2. Based on that decision, what made you choose Lohen over the others that are available?
Once the remap was chosen, did you see a considerable change in performance on the car without the other mods?
I prefer my cars to look normal but have all the upgrades under the bonnet, so happy to do the engine, brakes and exhaust system as long as it did not change the outside look.
Just out of interest, where did you source your components and why did you choose them?
Car looks fantastic, Martin you should be happy and your owner very proud.
Thanks for your reply and information.

Hi! Thank you very much!

I'm running a stage 1 remap, and in all honesty, can't imagine needing any more power. It might get another 10/20 odd bhp from a stage 2, but whether I would ever even use it is another question - plus, as it stands, torque steer is a bit of an issue, and I do find it to be a bit of a handful when i'm flooring it. I'm looking into ways to resolve/reduce this at the moment.

When I first had the remap with only the panel filter and cat-back exhaust, the car was truly transformed with the extra torque to 390nm, however it did run at 205bhp and 284nm of torque without the remap with just those modifications.

I went with Lohen because of their reputation, and at the time they were offering Manic maps. Lohen were great and have since offered me plenty of help and advice on other topics, they're a great bunch of guys! The remaps they offer now have had plenty of great feedback too.

In terms of why I chose certain parts, well it's down to many, many, many hours of research through forum threads, facebook etc and also by contacting some of the specialists like Lohen. Take it all with a bunch of salt, though, I'm not really a believer in buying a brand name just for the sake of it, when other high quality products exist for less of a premium elsewhere - remember these big brands need you to pay for their sponsorship and marketing bills...

My exhaust for example is custom made by a company called Pro-speed in Cardiff. Charlie spent many hours on it and achieved just what I wanted - it's a non-res with a tiny back box - and looks identical to the R56 challenge exhaust.

If you have any other specific questions, feel free to ask or drop me a message

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