tweedbean Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Hi all, im new around here. I currently drive the following MINI which im sure will be a marmite car to many of you, but im looking at changing to a 350Z convertible. Trying to work out what running costs are like and how thirsty 350Z are although im used to low MPG on my MINI. I work for Barclays, but I also co-own a company called Orranje Performance that make lightweight body panels and performance parts for new MINI's. I currently drive a 2004 facelift MINI Cooper S. I was bitten by the modding bug after a year of ownership and I haven't stopped since. The car has gone from this just over 12 months ago: 0781_3 by tweedbean, on Flickr 0eaf_3 by tweedbean, on Flickr To this, although its now lower on Meister R coilovers but not had chance to take any pictures: P1010475 by tweedbean, on Flickr P1010360 by tweedbean, on Flickr P1000999 by tweedbean, on Flickr DSC_9372 by MichaelandJenna, on Flickr Current Spec: - 2004 Facelift R53 MINI Cooper S Engine: - MINI GP Intercooler - M7 CAI - Milltek Catback Exhaust - Janspeed Manifold with decat pipe - KMT 17% Pulley - Newman Cam - 450cc Injectors - GTT Oil Catch Can - P-Torque Custom Remap Performance: - 240 bhp/201.5 whp - 215 lb/ft Torque - ¼ mile at Santa Pod: 60 ft @ 2.24 secs - 14.37 secs @ 97.5mph before carbon clutch and LSD Gearbox: - Six speed manual - KMT Carbon Clutch - Retro fitted MINI LSD Suspension: - OMP upper strut brace in orange - OMP lower strut brace in orange - Cabrio braces in orange - MINI Sports suspension with Eibach Pro Performance lowering springs Brakes: - Front Custom R56 4 pot Brembos in orange - Front Drilled and grooved front discs - R56 Cooper S Brake lines - Rear Cooper S brakes in orange - MOTUL RBF600 Racing Brake Fluid Wheels and tyres: - Road Use: Custom 17†Black BBS RZ's 17x7 et37 - Road Tyres: Toyo Proxes T1 R's 205 45 17 - Track Wheels: Custom Orange Multi-spoke Fox 3 wheels - Track tyres R888's 205 45 17 Interior: - Orranje Performance GP Style Seat Delete Panels in orange - Sparco Milano's Full Leather Seat - Orange Driftworks Harnesses for track use - Orange Interior LED's - Orange, silver and black dashboard stripe - Black Alcantara Roof liner with stain black fixture and fittings - RKDE Black Alcantara downtubes with silver and orange stitch - RKDE Black Alcantara gear stick gaiter with silver and orange stitch - RKDE Black Alcantara handbrake gaiter with silver and orange stitch - De-chromed interior with black gauge/cupholder rings - JCW Carbon fibre gearknob - JCW Carbon fibre handbrake grip - Front Speakers - Focal 165V 6.5" Components + tweeters. - Rear Speakers - Focal 690CA 6x9's - 10" Kenwood subwoofer - Auto Acoustics Stealth Box - Kenwood amp for subwoofer - Pioneer AVH-P5000DVD motorised DVD screen with Bluetooth and iPod integration - 30gb ipod video + 30gb iphone 3GS connected to the DVD player - Scanguage 2 Exterior: - Orranje Performance Rear Bumper GP Style Inserts -Black - Orranje Performance GP Style Spoiler - Orranje Performance Brake Ducts - Orranje Performance GP Style Rear bumper trim - Front Aero Bumper - Aero Sideskirts - Black bonnet scoop - Joey modded headlights - black with orange projector rings - Colour Coded Aero Grills - Colour Coded Headlight Rings - Orange Wing Mirror Caps - Black door handles - De-locked drivers door handle - Black Petrol Cap - Black side vents with orange side repeaters and custom orange S logos - Road Legal Pressed Metal Number Plates from Dubmeister - Black Shelby Stripes with orange and silver highlights - Silver GP scoop vinyl - De-badged rear end - Rear Wiper Deletes - Entire exterior de-chromed including gloss black belt line and rear lights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racinggreen Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Nice looking car. My previous car was also a mini. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xStric9x Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Nice intro to the site buddy and welcome. Can't wait to see the end result when you buy a Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattbowey Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 I also had a mini cooper s. Now I've got my zed I've never been happier. It's I bit more expensive to run but well worth it. I love mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu350z Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Welcome to the Forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choptop Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Welcome Nice BMW Mini. Like the classic ones myself. You will love the Zed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narcotix Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Welcome to the forum .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MITZ@CougarStore Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Welcome to the forum... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstew Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Running costs of a zed will be more. Mpg wise your looking at about 20->30mpg as a daily drive. I do about 90miles a day which is a mixture of city and motorways and average about 25mpg. Another factor will be the insurance, make sure you get a quote before you buy!! Welcome to the forum! This is certainly the best place to learn all about the zed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Mcgoo Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Welcome. Looking forward to see what you do with the Zed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordGrover Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Nice one mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzee Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Geepers, that's quite some mod list. Welcome to the forum, and happy Z hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daryl Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Thats a pretty awesome looking mini,you must be very proud. Good luck with the Z hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richt Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Nice mini. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccaman Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Hi & to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruddles Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Hello and Welcome Nice Mini Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony420z Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Very nice mini mate look forward to seeing what you do to the zed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedbean Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 Thanks for the welcome everyone. Normally when I post my MINI on a non MINI forum I get a load of stick. Running costs of a zed will be more. Mpg wise your looking at about 20->30mpg as a daily drive. I do about 90miles a day which is a mixture of city and motorways and average about 25mpg. Another factor will be the insurance, make sure you get a quote before you buy!! Insurance is a concern im 26 with 6years ncb so going to get some quotes MPG sounds alright, better than what I get in the MINI. The supercharged MINI is poor as stock, so mine just drinks the fuel. 250 miles from £75 worth of fuel. Whats road tax like on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Not a mini fan but thats a very nice looking motor fair play to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilMH Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Great Mini. Road tax for Z's pre the 2006 cut off date is around £245 - I think it's £400 or so on later cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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