Do I need help?

[NVP]

The first one is out based on the wheels alone, the second one on the colour.

First one looks quite nice I thought, but doesn't matter too much as I'm gonna get the windows blacked out no matter which one I buy. Second colour is British racing green and is the best colour!

The third one looks decent, but you seem keen on the SC whine which will obviously be absent.

It's not specifically the want of an SC, it's the dislike of a turbo. I think it will kill the characteristic I like the most and that is the need torev the nuts off the engine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-cooper-s/113785868967?hash=item1a7e2a92a7:g:~N0AAOSwcbZdBmcz

Nah man, not a decent spec.

I have this one on my watch list but not too keen on a rag top.
http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eB...&ver=0&cspheader=1#emp-ad-ebaydesc-img-full-2

2008 R56

Thanks, but I'm not really sure the turbo engine is for me, the only reason the one above is linked is because it is the JCW and also a very nice interior.

 

[NVP]

No. The first one is naff AF and I’ll personally bitch slap you if you buy one like that.

That's that decided then I like it, stop being a boring old man.

Don’t tint the windows, unless you want to look like a rather unsuccessful drug dealer.

come on, grandad!? #oldmandiddums

Why?

I don't know and was hoping someone would confirm/correct my logic. My assumption was it must be modified in a way to cope with the extra power and thus be more reliable?

 

[NVP]

First one has nice alloys and looks lowered, that's bout it. Does look nice but it ain't a golf it's a mini, where's the quirkiness?


Find me something for sale, not some pictures from The Google.

 

[NVP]

Are you just gonna buy someone else's car and drive it as-is? I thought you wanted to add your own personal flavour to it.

Nah this is just a throw away car so I'd prefer not to have to touch anything.


You enjoy your wheels, here's one for you:

Spoiler

 

[NVP]

So I finally got one

2 owners, 64 year old lady had it the last 11 years and it's been looked after meticulously by her Mercedes mechanic son.
Only 63k on the clock of this unmolested '05 face-lift with an LSD. Drives like a new car still and she's been worn in ready for me

Loving it so far, it reminds me of my old e46 in a strange way. I don't think I'm going to do anything to it as I think it will hold it's value (cost me 3k) quite well and perhaps even start to rise over the next 5-10years.

Very happy with her, no name yet though...

 

[NVP]

Lovely little cars, such fun to drive. Anyone who says these Minis aren't a hoot to drive haven't driven one.

Name it Diddums

Or stick a Datsun badge on it and call it Nasher

Haha I don't think they suit the trend of names I started:
E46 325 - Black Bitch
E60 M5 - Big Black Beast
E34 535 - Thirsty Whore
F11 535 - Never had an official name but was called ******* quite frequently

Any other suggestions?

I'm a little jelly. Great cars. I think going as close to stock as possible is the right choice

Thanks, yeh it drives great and I think the power is spot on for the car, and also it will keep its resale when it becomes a classic.

As for being jelly... now is the perfect time to buy

 

[NVP]

I've had an R50 for 18 years, but I've always wanted an S. I had been eyeing up a low mileage one on Autotrader, but it was a bit expensive (£7k) and now appears to have been sold.

Definitely a future classic. Value should appreciate if kept in good nick.

7k? Wow must have been really low mileage. Well, considering you've had your current car 18 years I think changing into an "upgraded" future classic sounds like a decent move

Nice car mate.

yeah, I’m in the market for another r53, for me there is no substitute for that supercharger whine.

Thanks The noise is lovely, but the consistent power is absolutely awesome, in love already

 

[NVP]

Thanks

Wow, you're in Guernsey right? How easy is it to get one shipped across and would there be import tax?

 

[NVP]

Close enough; Belgium

Hahaha not sure who I was thinking of

 

[NVP]

Honestly when you're sniffing for profit I swear the weather changes

Haha I'm lost with this one!


Bought my first ever 3d printed thing, a phone holder lol - as I have a note plus, my usual windscreen mount meant half of my view was blocked haha and there is no other real place to put the phone. This one was designed to go over the hazard button and face the driver without intruding on the view (Will snap pics of it in place later)

https://www.roadiedesigns.co.uk/product-page/mini-r53-magnetic-phone-holder

It's absolutely perfect! And paired with a BT FM transmitter cigarette dongle thingy-majig it has made the car complete


Car needs better tyres asap, I'm wondering if I need to get wider wheels, or deeper profile, or both...

 

[NVP]

Hahaha no comment!


Here's some pics of the phone mount:

Spoiler: Large pics

Oh and the BT FM lighter dongle thingy:

 

[NVP]

It's way better than the one I used to have in my e46 back in the day - does my Bluetooth calls and everything effortlessly

Didn't want to do anything too intrusive with this car just so it stays as stock as possible, but already had to remove this weird cd holder as it was blocking the cigarette port.

Maybe in the future I might change my mind and add an aux in, but this thing is good enough for now

 

[NVP]

Ah yeh, I can imagine. It's fine here in the Midlands, don't really get any interference except in the mcdonalds drive thru


So this understeer malarkey... this is the first fwd car I've owned and I'm having to re-learn when to turn and when to power out etc. Fun but slow progress.


Also, this car appears to want to kill me in a different way - by having the ASC cut power when I'm pulling out of junctions and **** I'm having to leave it off for now as it is quite dangerous at times!!

 

[NVP]

EDIT - Moved to own thread

 

[NVP]

So the mini has been at JonSpeed the past couple months having some TLC (service, brakes, an electrical gremlin, and also got them to do the supercharger too as it has hit ~74k). Jumping back in the R53 after solely being in the Grand Voyager for so long has doubled my love for the little fella!! And also somehow convinced me to ditch stock and start making it my own So, I've got some plans...



Now I'm not gonna track it out, but more "trick it out"

Gains:
Pulley Reduction (prob 19%)
Upgraded Intercooler (gonna stick with top mount as want to keep my A/C unit)
Upgraded Intake/Induction
[additional little bits like ignition packs etc. as required]
Remap

Eye-Pleasies:
JR12 Alloys (shiny Gunmetal) - changed my mind, going to stick to oem mini wheels. There's a lot of choice there (17x7 +48) still choosing...
OEM Mini Gen 1 Recaro Seats front, and bottom of bench only at rear (delete rear backrests) Retrimmed in a darker leather with additional light stitching
Car carpets retrimmed and exposed areas (from deletes) covered, darker with light stitching
Chrono cluster housing and grey interior trim etc. wrapped into a gunmetal chrome
White rear Cage with C Pillar Brace
Replace front license plate to a side motorbike plate
Exterior chrome delete
Swap in tinted LED rear lights
And then I'm not 100% on the exterior decals/colour etc. but will try to stick with the Darker grey/gunmetal with light highlights theme??

Twisties:
...at the moment, nothing except upgraded brakes (Lohen have a nice mid set) as its handling is what I love already but we will see...


Currently waiting on a quote for the engine bay work.
Already purchased a set of OEM Recaro Heated Seats with Airbags.
Going to try and get the alloys quickly too as I need to put new rubber on anyway.


This is going to be a long process, I mean just look how long it took me to buy the car after creating this thread but will keep my updates in this thread


All thoughts welcome

Edit - wheels to oem 17x7, orange to white/light

 

[NVP]

Just picked these up

Edit: my brains thinking I should rougue(??) the white leather, and pin strip the outside a la recaro/lounge seat cross...

 

[NVP]

Just grabbed a dusty set of BBS RS844 (from prefaclift R53 - 2002) from Swansea for £125! Gonna look killer after a refurb

 

[NVP]

I had an R53 Mini a few years ago that I used for track work - it was such a lovely car to drive and own. A few things:

- Get at least a 17% pulley, especially if you're getting an uprated intercooler - it can absolutely take it. I did a 17% pulley to be safe as I had it on track, and mine ran lap after lap (15-20 laps in at a time?) in full attack mode. If you were doing road driving only, I'd even go for 15%.
- Airtec intercoolers are great and good value.
- Replace the engine mount if you haven't done already as it'll almost certainly have blown. There will be residue underneath the mount on the left hand side and when you take the bolt out of the bottom of the mount the rest of it will pour out. They only seem to last about 30-35k miles.
- Get some bracing if you want some extra stiffness (although probably not if you're commuting in it?). The R52 had extra bracing in the engine bay and underneath which you can bolt on to the R53 and doesn't cost much at all.
- For the intake, I made a copy of the JCW intake system. Think it cost me about £50 all in - there should be DIY's online but it's the best balance of airflow and avoiding heatsoak
- Upgrade the front brakes to R56 calipers and discs - they're literally a bolt on mod. I got the calipers from brakes international and they were refurbs of the original factory TRW calipers from the R56 for about £50 each. Think you just needed to source the caliper carriers (a quick Google suggests Autodoc do them for £26 a side) and some different brake lines too and the rest just bolted on. Great little mod.

Awesome, thanks man

- Yeh I'm currently swayed towards a 19% reduction, although there is a 17% lightweight pulley available which is tempting - potentially just change the crank by 2% to get to 19%? (plus larger injectors and colder plugs)

- The AirTec intercooler have had great reviews, but I'm keeping my eye out for a GRS Intercooler as they're quite a bit lighter (with a bonus diverter).

- Engine mount was the first thing I took it in for

- There are a few JCW boxes scattered around facebook and eBay which I may just try to get on the sly. Didn't think of DIY though!

- I was actually looking at the R56 conversion kits yday too. Woke up to a "counter offer" message and an "already sold" message less than an hour later. Complete set, 2nd hand offerred to me at £120. There is also a midi brake kit on the Lohen website which looks appealing.

- Bracing I think I'll avoid fo rnow, unless it becomes a pure track toy.


Just getting quotes on a refurb of these BBS RS844/R90 wheels. I was thinking diamond cut lip and then match the inset to the car (Royal Grey) but matt finish... thoughts?

 

[NVP]

Got the wheels back today

Cost me £125 and a drive to Wales to grab them in this state:

Then £576 on the refurb (needed some new bolts):

(the refurb was done by Planet Alloys in Aldrgidge. Great work)

More than happy

Polished lip and bolts, then I colour coded the inset to match my mini colour (Dark Silver 871) but with a Satin finish

 

[NVP]

Thanks

Question: MINI centre caps or BBS ?