Mini Cooper S, good wee track car?

Tee Hee Johnson

Tee Hee Johnson

Tee Hee Johnson

Soldato
Joined
30 May 2007
Posts
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Location
Glasgow, Scotland
Just an idea, was considering Clio 172/182... but for 1.5-2k they seem a bit rough.

The same money can get a Mini Cooper S, which i'd expect to be fun?

MX-5 is another consideration, but seem to be on the rusty side!

Ta!
 
I'd stick with the Clio idea, not FI so slightly less to go wrong and they were used in Motorsport so can pick up lots of nice parts for them.

I wouldn't worry about rough as long as the shell is in good shape as I'd assume all bushes, brakes, suspension etc will be replaced if the engine is sound you should be on to a winner.

For example I have a 125k mile 106 GTi that's been played with a bit that does 3.03s round Bedford GT all day long not bad when you consider it has around 120-130 bhp.
 
Blimey, they've gone up in price, I used to remember you could get a decent 172/182 for £2-3k, I'm seeing prices over £4.5k now, that used to be Trophy territory
 
I wouldn't go anywhere near a £2000 R53 for track abuse.

It's a great little car, but the engine is a PITA to work on and the FI adds another level of failure to deal with.
 
The R53 is an epic little track car, I have one and have owned a few minis now. They are super reliable, especially if you get the facelift version 2004-2006 ish. Stock clutch takes a lot of abuse and is happy with extra power. They are getting a little older so you may need to refresh bushes etc but if you get a tidy one, the engines are solid. There are bargains to be had, I paid around £1500 for mine, it has 90k on the clock but I dont care as I know the engine can take it and I will be upgrading the majority of it in the future.

Check out minitorque for a decent forum around tracking these, its down for maintenance but should be back up this week. http://www.minitorque.com/forum/forum.php
Also fully recommend Millsys Auto who are a mini specialist near Nuneaton and is the only garage I would trust with my Mini's. http://www.millsysautos.co.uk/
For parts you cant wrong with Orranje Performance, a company I originally setup with 3 mates, although I am not involved now, they know their stuff and Oli is great to deal with. https://orranje.co.uk/shop-by-car/bmw-mini/mini-generation-1

Here are the photos from my build so far:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskqumNWy

Mine went from this:

Clean by James Baker, on Flickr

To this, next I am starting work on more power:

R53 on its way home by James Baker, on Flickr

My R53 at Curborough July 2017 by James Baker, on Flickr

My R53 at Curborough July 2017 by James Baker, on Flickr

After Trax 2017 by James Baker, on Flickr


Any questions you get, happy for you to fire them at me.
 
^^ I really like that.

Might be worth considering the MK6 Fiesta ST, they are definitely around the budget. Although less tuneable than the Mini and lower power out of the box than the 172/182.
 
If like most German cars simple jobs will probably be long winded. Because "those parts will never need servicing". Not what you want for a track day car :p
 
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Thanks for the input guys! I'm glad im on the right path with the 172/182, mx-5, etc.

My friend is less convinced with the clio then I am, he cant see past the badge!

I did consider a mk6 Fiesta st also, wasnt too sure if they were as highly rated as others.
 
If your friend can’t see past the badge then he is a little bit daft. Clio 182 cups for instance have a near legendary reputation as being awesome little track monsters.

The mini always struck me as being a bit ‘Sainsbury’s car park mums wagon’ than a serious track contender although the ‘Works’ versions are rightly sought after.

If it is just for track fun then go Clio and have a blast.

Alternatively an MX5 or perhaps, dare I say it, an older Porsche Boxter
 
fastwunz said:
If your friend can’t see past the badge then he is a little bit daft. Clio 182 cups for instance have a near legendary reputation as being awesome little track monsters.

The mini always struck me as being a bit ‘Sainsbury’s car park mums wagon’ than a serious track contender although the ‘Works’ versions are rightly sought after.

If it is just for track fun then go Clio and have a blast.

Alternatively an MX5 or perhaps, dare I say it, an older Porsche Boxter
Click to expand...

I agree, but I just cant say enough about the Clio to allow him to consider it, its actually annoying me.
 
I had an R53 MCS with the LSD as a track car for about 15 months and it was great. It was much faster than nearly all the MX5s and Clios on track and the supercharger whine just sounded awesome.

I barely scratched the surface of the mods i could have had on mine as I only had sticky tyres, fully adjustable coilovers, a 15% reduced pulley, Airtec intercooler, JCW injectors and JCW air filter.

I could have stripped it, fitted a smaller pulley, got it remapped with bigger injectors, new cams and got it properly corner weighted and it would have been a proper weapon.

And mine stood up to abuse like an absolute trooper. I would do the most laps of any car on any day I went on at full Defcon 5 and the car would just take it.
 
i had a stock 172 face lift, just changed the air filter for a coned piper-cross for a great sound track, i tracked it, and it was defiantly fun and could keep up with the big guys in the twisties, and it handles really well in the wet on track
Mitchilin pilot sports tyres i used, they were incredible
 
Gaygle said:
I had an R53 MCS with the LSD as a track car for about 15 months and it was great. It was much faster than nearly all the MX5s and Clios on track and the supercharger whine just sounded awesome.

I barely scratched the surface of the mods i could have had on mine as I only had sticky tyres, fully adjustable coilovers, a 15% reduced pulley, Airtec intercooler, JCW injectors and JCW air filter.

I could have stripped it, fitted a smaller pulley, got it remapped with bigger injectors, new cams and got it properly corner weighted and it would have been a proper weapon.

And mine stood up to abuse like an absolute trooper. I would do the most laps of any car on any day I went on at full Defcon 5 and the car would just take it.
Click to expand...

See, I've had n/a, turbos, etc. but never a super charger. It intrigues me.

Sounds like you done quite a bit actually, despite thinking otherwise!

I feel like, say for £1500, a Cooper S seems to be a better option than a 172.
 
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