So.. I recently bought an 05" Cooper S to use as a daily driver.

I started driving about 30 minutes to work everyday and needed something that would be "fuel efficient". But then I bought the S model because.. well everyone here knows why I bought the S model..

I have always wrenched on my own cars and know my way around an engine pretty well. However, this is my first experience with a supercharged car.

The poor girl has 120K miles. She is in good shape but I made a list of maintenance items to take care of before I put her to work. ..one of which is a timing chain OBV.

I finished pulling the engine out yesterday. A few leaky gaskets so I plan to check the bearings and cylinder walls since I have it out. I priced out the parts and I know what I'm getting into thanks to this site. ..but my thought was that when I get her back together I'll basically have a new 1st gen Mini.

I'll post details about the restore/rebuild if anyone is interested. .. I didn't see a lot of people crazy enough to do this. (I attached a few blurry pictures I had handy)

In the meantime does anyone have any recommendations on easy engine/suspension upgrades since I'm already so deep into this? Keep in mind that this is my daily driver and I told my wife I got this car so i could save gas money!

thanks Guys,

 

Welcome to NAM! Yeah, good luck with that saving gas money thing!

 

Mine gets horrible MPG about 22-24

 

Oh my friend that is a great line right there, you are on the right place , what else can I say but welcome to NAM and enjoy the experience...

 

thanks!
Glad to be a part of the club!