Let's Hear About Your R53's

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by Ducbird, Feb 3, 2023.

  1. I know. I’ve got one.
     
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  2. The torque steer is pretty bad in the 1.6 when they have the LSD fitted, in the 2L ones it seems way worse. Tbh though, all the hotter hatches torque steer like mad, my Focus ST (250hp) used to scare the crap out of me
     
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  3. I drove around in a company Citroen DS3 Performance (?) ten years or so back. It was quick car back then (210bhp) but the steering -with the loud pedal pressed hard- was awful. Thats one of the reasons I bought a JCW with AWD
     
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  4. The DS3 performance would likely have had the same engine as the Mini, Mini moved off onto the BMW engine in 2012 but the PSA one just kept getting pushed further and further
     
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  5. Yeah my Mini JCW has it, they call it the N18B. Currently has 230bhp - but the AWD is rated to easily accommodate 300, so we will see in the spring. Maybe...
     
    #545 Jez900ie, Nov 16, 2024
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2024
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  6. you've lost me with all these Hokey-Cokey 2000 numbers/letters, will have to swot up.
     
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  7. There's alot of numbers, but they come and go...

    465152840_1300204757818663_626891184599889781_n.jpg
     
    #547 Jez900ie, Nov 17, 2024
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2024
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  8. R53 is the best looking :)
     
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  9. That’s part of the fun though!
     
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  10. If you can live with the rawness and the rough edges, IMO the R53 is much more true to the spirit of the original Mini than the R56, both in terms of looks and the driving experience. The instant throttle response of the supercharged car compared to the turbo is like night and day and even though it probably isn’t quicker, it feels like it is because of its slightly frantic nature. Mine is quite heavily tuned though (17% pulley, big intercooler, induction kit, big injectors, ported and polished head, Miltek exhaust), it takes off like a scalded cat, the in-gear acceleration is amazing and it whines so much it sounds like a touring car, so strictly speaking I’m not comparing like with like.

    Best £2,500 I’ve ever spent! :D
     
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  11. jcwsnow.jpg

    AWD Minis FTW!
     
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  12. I’ve just put a new battery in mine and taken it for a quick blast in the falling ‘snow’ which is more like slush, hopefully the new battery will fix the problem and I don’t have any other charging issues
     
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  13. IMG_1264.jpeg
     
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  14. Car tax for the R53 is now £415.00 from £396
     
  15. Shocking really in my little book for just twelve months, my LR / TD5 is £335 that runs out this month based on the v11 form.
    they want us all driving EV's............................No Thanks.!
     
  16. I got rid of the Mini on Thursday, so sans car tax issues. Shame but it just wasn’t going to be a keeper for a number of reasons. Need a new project now
     
  17. Oh that's a shame
     
  18. I got a lot out of it tbf, seriously got my hands dirty!! But the body just wasn’t worth keeping, and I was finding it just too stiff and focussed for the roads around here.
     
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  19. You getting another ?
     
  20. Mine failed its MOT on Friday. The airbag light is on. It failed on the same thing last year and they couldn't get hold of a new whatever it was that was faulty (it's located in the boot, apparently), so the tester just disconnected it. Unfortunately, they seem to have new staff (perhaps because the previous testers were passing cars that should fail, lol) and they won't do it. Very annoying. :triumph:
     
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