Hey folks. Reading through NAM's excellent R53 threads led to some test-drives, and now I'm sure that's going to be my next car. All I have to do is find one

I should go post a WTB in the marketplace.

 

Good luck on finding your r53. I currently have an 03 and love it. They are so much fun. Let us know what you end up getting and post some pics.

 

Welcome,

Yea the marketplace is good, or just search through the listings, back a couple months and see if you find anything you like.

 

Welcome! If you can swing it, get a '05 or '06: they're the best of the breed, and always, always get a pre-purchase inspection at a shop that knows MINIs.

 

Indeed, post-facelift is what I'm looking for. They are getting rare in my area!

 

Welcome to NAM! Good luck with your search. Be sure to share it with us once you pick one up.

 

Hi and good luck with your search! I'm with Helix on finding an 05 - 06 if you can.

I love my 06. It's had a few issues since my purchase 9 months ago. But no regrets.
Great fun to drive and to mod.

Post up some pics when ya settle on one.

take care,

Sean

 

Get an 05-06 that was meticulously cared for. Lsd would also be a plus.

 

Welcome aboard!

There are some great articles available to help you get acquainted with the R53, and even a "Top Gear"-style video. Let us know if we can help!

http://new.minimania.com/MINI_Cooper_S_R53_Video_Review

 

Anyone have a handle on what the typical turnaround for mod approval is? Posted a WTB a couple days ago and still don't see it. Want to make sure I'm doing this right.

 

Shoot Gray Raven a PM - https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ay-raven-.html

 

Got a handle on a fJCW (TL24704) with 64kmi for 9k. Thinking I'll pull the trigger on this one. What do you folks think of that VIS? "Seven" interior is an interesting one...

 

Got pics ? The seven interior was rare. Dash piece mostly in the USA is was just the dash only:





No. Description
1CA SELECTION COP RELEVANT VEHICLES

2TA LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL

210 DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC)

249 MULTI-FUNCTION FOR STEERING WHEEL

3AB BODY COLOURED MIRROR CAPS

3AL JOHN COOPER WORKS KIT

345 CHROME LINE INTERIOR

369 LT/ALY WHEELS/S-SPOKE

381 ROOF IN BODY COLOUR

4AN INTERIOR SURFACE SEVEN

450 HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT F FRONT PASSENGER SEAT

520 FOGLIGHTS

522 XENON LIGHT

534 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING

547 COCKPIT CHRONO PACKAGE

550 ON-BOARD COMPUTER

645 RADIO CONTROL US

650 CD PLAYER

674 HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM HARMAN KARDON

692 CD CHANGER I-BUS PREPARATION

8SP COP CONTROL

895 ADDITIONAL VENTILATOR

925 SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE

 

Dash pic is a little grainy but I can see the circles over the glovebox. I think it is indeed just the piano black dash. Cute circles I guess, and I do like the black tone.

 

Welp, I am now the proud owner of an fJCW! It definitely needs some work (control arm bushings are totally shot, mushroomed towers, broken hatch grip, many more) but it's all quite minor and the motor and bones appear very solid. It'll give me a reason to strip down the car a bit and get to know it.

Eventual goal is a DD-able track-day car. First thing though, I'm going to bring it back to "factory new" condition - clean and shiny. I may start a build thread for the repair work and eventual track mods if folks are curious. I'll get some pics up too - below is right as I got it home.

Since she's all black and likes to run amok I've named her "Kodachi". 10 points to whomever laughed.

 

Nice car and congrats. I think the Prius is a little jealous.

 

Gorgeous! Looks fast even sitting still.

 

Aside from the red calipers, tinted front windows, rims and JCW badge .. this car is my cars sibling.

 

And piano black trim ovals on the doorcards....

 

Hey you're right, fellow 4AN-haver! Funny how you get used to things, I forgot most ovals are grey...

 

Pinky up when you have Piano black doors and dash. Such a rare cool option.

 

Definitely a cool option, but ironically, I was going to email you Mike, to see if the Cordoba/Hyper Blue door panels were NLA (51417141315 & 51417141316), because I'd actually like to replace the Seven dash and doors with Hyper Blue parts... there's just too many damn competing colors in this car.... Cordoba leather, black leather, matte silver, anthracite, and then the piano black Seven parts... But I have a strong feeling the door cards I want are no longer available.