Hello all, I just purchased my first mini cooper. I've been a fan for many years and really feel in love after the Italian Job movie. I've owned BMW vehicles for years and currently own an e36 m3. After tons of research and test driving both the s56 and s53, the decision was made on the s53. I found this 2003 with relatively low miles for the year with impeccable maintenance history. All the potential oil leak issues have been resolved including oil pan. The control arm bushings along with upper and lower motor mounts were replaced with poly units from Power Flex. It also has Way Motor Works 15% reducer, tensioner and safety strap and a Way Motor Works CIA. All scheduled maintenance was done on time and is current and up to date. The previous owner sent all his repairs including oil changes to an independent mechanic shop.

I de-chromed most of the shinny stuff the day she got home. She will be used in between driving the m3 and will see track and auto cross days along side my track miata.


















Track miata







And my e36 m3

 

Welcome to NAM! You've got quite the collection there! Loving that Miata. That's a super clean E36 as well. If you need anything be sure to let me know and enjoy!

 

Nice mini, I miss my e36 at times. Is that an e30 plate on the m3 though?

 

Yes it is, I sold my e30 and regret it so now the plate follows me.

 

i know the feeling of going still bmw but now really, I bought a e36 m3 in alpina white, put a newer motor in it, put coilovers and m parallels on it. then traded it for a 82 vw rabbit that didn't even run. but in all reality I picked a rabbit that is technically worth more than the m3.

 

Traded an m3 for a rabbit wow. I have a tricked out dune buggy with a fully built webber carbed vw gti motor in it. 13.1 compression 200hp on full race gas.

 

I got a 1982 vw rabbit caddy. (pickup) it has one of the very rare hydraulic head 1.6 liter 8 valve turbo diesel.


every single hose, bushing, clamp, had been replaced, brand new paint (original code)
every single piece of interior was replaced and or swapped for better. has carrado g60 seats, all new full black interior, uncracked dash.


for the motor I have the g grind cam.
and the 1.9 liter edm non vnt turbo.
full 3 inch exhaust.
new windshield
all gauges to watch motor
stereo custom made to fit a 10 inch sub behind the seat.
grant porshe steering wheel.
1956 Bonneville horn. (loud as ****)
all new wiring for everything.
roll pan.
coilovers, and air struts in the back.


overall that is like half the list. (didn't want to clutter your thread) lol

 

in the mk1 the hydraulic head being original was very hard to find. there is only 3 registered in Idaho with the turbo diesel.

 

mine dynoed at 145hp and 364 ft lbs of torque.

 

Feel free to post away, I absolutely love vw caddies. That's one I will own soon.

 

well, I have two caddy's, a turbo diesel, and a 1.7 litre gasser that I bought at the junkyard next to my house for 400. then I actually just bought a 4 door rabbit that is cammed and has full exhaust and high compression last week for a winter car, but I think I am just going to take the alternator and put it in my caddy for the winter since that is all it needs, no way in hell am I driving my snow plow of a r53 during the winter.

 

i bought the 4 door for 400 as well. hahaha

 

Congrats and very nice electric blue.

 

you can check my build thread for pics of two of the three rabbits.

 

That is a very nice looking Mini. Congratulations

 

Nice, my brother from another mother. I sold my 1998 E36 M3 to buy a new electric Blue MCS. I did all the usual mods (pully, intake, exhaust and software tune...) and loved it. The M3 felt like no other car on the track (driving schools only), but the MINI was fun every day and held its own as well.


It's a great stable you have, enjoy!

 

Nice the original owner kept all the sales stuff on the R53.

 

Wish everyone would keep their car's documentation.

Very nice R53... excellent find, too. A fun car, even with shock tower reinforcement already installed. Can't beat that. The car was obviously really well taken care of.

 

Yes, I have everything for my 05 MCC, for the 2012 JCW Coupe the owner did not save everything. :(

 

Very clean MINI! I have same color, but black stripes. Love the wheel color! I'm looking to plasti-dip mine as well. Iwas thinking black, but I like yours. Is that Gun Metal Gray or what?

 

Blacked out the chrome bits and did away with the white roof and mirrors. Painted the wheels and next on the list is exhaust. Why in the world are mini cooper's exhaust systems so darn expensive? I was up till 3:00 am reading page after page and listening to countless youtube videos of exhaust notes. I'm narrowing it down to Ireland engineering combined with an ebay header that should cost about $560. Much cheaper than buying a cat back alone for the upper $800 mark. Ireland engineering has served me well with my BMWs so I'll give him a shot. It seems the revised unit is much better than his earlier ones.

 

Really looking great. Like that black top, especially with the black out trim. What paint did you use on wheels? You're not wasting any time!

Since the head lights are chrome, should consider painting trim rings body color? Might keep the front a little less busy? The fogs and marker lights below the head lights are a built in example.

That last shot from the side/rear looks fantastic. Clean. Keep up the good work.

 

My thoughts exactly on the head light trim. My local auto parts store can mix paint match in aerosol cans. I considered doing the fender trim and skirts color matched but was unsure how the textured finish would turn out.

I used graphite dupli color wheel paint on the wheels.

 

Black wheels have been the trend, but I think most of them tend to disappear in the wheel wells. Your Graphite color is just light enough to bring out the wheel. Some wheels, like the ones on your Mini add a lot to the look of the car. Great combination.

The black fender trim, skirts and roof frame the brilliant paint on the car, especially after you blacked out the chrome, stripes and roof. That part is perfect, including of course the wheel paint.

In the first pictures you posted at the top of this thread, with white stripes and white roof, the car was OK, nothing too special or standout. You changed that completely. R53s are still my favorite Mini, and your's is now a great looking example. I like it.

 

Great selection of cars; past & present.