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^Oh, my god! Thats the baddest Gixer I might have ever seen! Anyway, back to MINI things. Your car is a twin to mine minus the bacl roof. I has white but otherwise, it's the same. First, the R50 is the chassis code for the NA MINI. R53 is the "S" designation. Depending on prior maintenance and miles, you might want to just do an oil change, check filters, possible trans flush, maybe brake fluid. Otherwise, you should be good to go. Be forewarned, this motoring stuff is hella addictive.
I too have an '03 R50 that has 86k on the clock. Some people have experienced transmission failures in their early build coopers. Not to scare you put it is a common issue. Other than the transmission issue the cars are pretty rock solid. At 86k I have had very few issues.
When it comes to adding power to the base MINI, your kinda limited unless you are willing to spend big money. A catback exhaust, ported and polished cylinder head cold air intake, remaped ECU, and header might get you to around 130 hp to the wheels.
The good thing about the early Cooper's is that they are geared perfectly. They feel really zippy, so at least you got that. The cool think about MINI's is that the suspension for the Cooper and Cooper S is the same. So all the goodies that make your suspension tighter carry over model to model. A good place to start with a base cooper is a lightweight set of wheels, (Those OEM wheels on your car have an offset of 45 i belive) exhaust, Cold air intake, and rear sway bar. Hope this helps.
Yeah an r53 just isn't in my budget right now, too many projects and can't afford the gas in my z71 haha! I bought this thing semi on impulse and drooling more and more for it to get here! I love to mod stuff and make it look my own as all of you do too.
as for wheels, I already have it narrowed down to 2 sets, and will probably order within a week or 2 tops.
and for the gixxer... i love bikes, just sold my cbr 1000rr saturday and bought this cooper sunday. I race wera now and do trackdays with that, soooo i could see a trackday at Barber in the future for the mini, I live in Birmingham, Alabama, 15 minutes from Barber
here is a pic from my last race that I just ordered this morning:
Your bike is sweet. I really want to get a cbr 600rr myself. As for the MINI, good luck with it and welcome. Can't wait to see what wheels you choose.
Yeah I've got it narrowed down to a couple (or 3ish) sets, kinda deciding how I like the lip and if I want the spokes to go all the way to the edge... im not going for the ricer look, more the classy and what looks good on the car
but I will say The ones I am looking at are the greyish / gun metal colored wheels, I don't think black wheels would look good on a green mini
Now granted, looks are a subjective thing, but either of the last 2 are quite nice. Me, I'm torn between a cheaper way (Rota RB's in gunmetal, 16in) or a lighter, albeit more expensive way (16in Enkei RPF1's). See if Rota has anything you like because you can't beat them for quality, price and weight.
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'02 MC 5spd--- Cosmos Black---No Chrome.
Go- H-sport springs, Alta drop-in, Custom Exhaust, Flik Blasts wrapped in Hankooks
Show-Hella 500's yellow, Shorty antenna, German and R50 Badges, German eyes
as far as things to look out for... like stated above, you will probly just want to change your fluids although the tranny fluid is "life long" meaning, never needs changed. but thats obviously up to you.
but besides that you can call MINI USA- 866-ASK-MINI with your VIN #. any work done by a MINI dealer will be logged with them and they can give you the down low.
i also bought mine used and it had a few surprises in the begining and MINI USA def gave me a heads up on one issue i had.
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'02 MC 5spd--- Cosmos Black---No Chrome.
Go- H-sport springs, Alta drop-in, Custom Exhaust, Flik Blasts wrapped in Hankooks
Show-Hella 500's yellow, Shorty antenna, German and R50 Badges, German eyes
sorry.
