The Union Jack tail lights are mega-cringe, almost to the point of parody because the modern Mini is about as British as Queen Victoria
Progress today! Got Some facelift headlights fitted, and the newer style ‘metal look dash’ which is nicer, and finally got the two rear tyres fitted so have a good set of new winter tyres on there now (and will get some other wheels for the summer tyres when I can afford it)
Well a big shift today! Fitted a newer Teflon supercharger which has a 15% reduced pulley on (spoiler alert, they go like stink with these on!!!) but some challenges along the way! I stripped a thread on the alternator, my bad, but also the alternator which I bought which is supposed to be factory doesn’t really fit, which turns out is a common issue with time. I’m not paying £600+ for a Denso one. Upshot is that the connectors for the alternator hut and unused mounting post on the engine, which is there for other cars that this engine went in (PT cruiser). Anyway, I cut the mount off the block, extreme yes but it’s a project car and I did a decent job of dressing it up after so that now alternators aren’t an issue. I’ve fitted some essentials, bulbs etc, and the front number plate, so it’s pretty much okay for an MOT and to get it back to my dads house where I can do some jobs like brake line replacement which are on the limit really. It doesn’t drive badly with 4 new tyres, and goes like stink!!!
Some updates, been having some issues with the V5 and VIN numbers, basically the car has had damage at some point and VIN number missing, however if I can get the V5 sorted BMW will replace the stickers for me, as I’m 99% sure the car is okay, all the spec, trim, computer and even the build sticker on the boot show the correct VIN. anyway, on the positive…. - it has a new to me Teflon supercharger with 15% reduced pulley which makes a massive difference! - it’s MOT’d as it passed the brake test etc, but I do need to do the brake lines sooner rather than later as they are an advisory. - I’ve been doing odd jobs on it like getting the driver window working (turns out whacking it with a hammer got it to ‘unstick’. - I’ve been fitting sheets of Dodomat in the door skins to try and reduce the noise, which I’m hoping with modernise the feel a little. hopefully I’ll be able to drive it properly soon.
oh mate I don’t think we should go there ♂️ it’s probably at £2250 I’d say currently, and it’s probably worth £1750!
absolutely! I guarantee if I bought one for £1500-2000 I’d need to do half the stuff I’ve done/bought for mine. So at least I know what I have. I have a 78k engine and good serviced supercharger and new clutch and decent gearbox, that alone great piece of mind. It’s not going to be fast like for example my Focus ST 250hp was quite a quick car, but they are small and they really do feel quick for what they are.
I know jack all about minis. But I do know this- my sister has just bought one and gave my Mrs a shot. So now she wants one… ffs… Really smart looking thing, I must say… it’s a JCW 2.0l with 228bhp.
Well, it’s a good thing for you that the early (up to 2005) and cheapest Cooper S, the R53, is the best of the bunch. Try to get one with a smaller supercharger pulley, upgraded intercooler and larger injectors, as that setup gives more or less the same power as a JCW.
mine is 155 and it keeps up with most things on bendy roads My boys ST leaves me standing on the straights
they are great, they got more and more refined as the years went on (and quite a bit bigger) but are still some of the best hatchbacks around. The r53 is really raw though, it really reminds me of the 2008 era Ducatis, not really unreliable, but just a little tech but very analogue in feel. worth looking at a Clubman also, my sister has a fairly ‘plain’ Cooper S 185hp auto, and it’s fantastic to drive, really really nice.
Today’s fuel hours…. fuel filter… it needed it, grim! Some Dodomat which will hopefully help with noise isolation etc and make it a touch more refined like the newer ones. And finally, gave the lad a driving lesson
