Hello all! I purchased my 05 R53 back in May and have been absolutely loving it! Only had 44k when I bought it and I finally hit 46k the other day. Have already put Konig Control wheels on, rear wiper and rear seat delete, custom CAI, upgraded stop tech slotted brakes and painted my calipers. I did pretty much a full blackout as well.

This is my 4th car, but first mini! I started getting into cars at the beginning of this year and have decided that I'm going to do as much of the work on this car as I possibly can. I already plan on installing a 17% pulley kit from Cravenspeed wishing the next month, and then Tein springs and helix control arms after that!

I'm very excited to see where this adventure takes me! Every time I hear that supercharger whine I get a huge grin on my face!

I have big hopes for this car, and plan on eventually installing silicon hoses, an Airtec top mount Intercooler, the Stratmosphere exhaust system and a stubby antenna!

Thanks guys and girls! Here's some pictures of my baby, who my girlfriend recently named Pam.

 

Fine looking MINI!

The biggest 'bang for the buck' mod you can make for handling is a heavier adjustable rear sway bar. Here's one comparison example.

OEM Stock Bar (17mm ) Baseline For Rate / Effective Rate =117 LBS/IN
ALTA 19mm Bar Setting #1 115% Higher Rate / Effective Rate =135 LBS/IN
ALTA 19mm Bar Setting #2 140% Higher Rate / Effective Rate =165 LBS/IN
ALTA 19mm Bar Setting #3 177% Higher Rate / Effective Rate =208 LBS/IN
ALTA 22mm Bar Setting #1 213% Higher Rate / Effective Rate =250 LBS/IN
ALTA 22mm Bar Setting #2 260% Higher Rate / Effective Rate =305 LBS/IN
ALTA 22mm Bar Setting #3 329% Higher Rate / Effective Rate =386 LBS/IN

You will really appreciate the difference in handling when you get signed up and attend MINIs In The Ozarks at Eureka Springs, Oct. 20 - 23.

 

I'm digging the slime green calipers, I wanted to do that and my mirror caps to match just haven't had the time.

 

The calipers kinda jarred me so I didn't quite know what to say about that.
My only thought was: 'MINIs are to be 'you-afied'.
So, any comment would be akin to commenting on one's choice of marriage partner or attitude T-shirt both of which are a no - no.

 

Congrats! If you don't have any maintenance records, it would be prudent to plan changing all fluids- coolant,oil, brake and transmission.

 

That's a nice looking Mini!! Not to many of us from the St. Louis area are on here... But I love the car!

 

Congrats, what a beautiful car! You have many years and miles of grins ahead of you.

Please feel free to ask any questions, and be sure to visit our site for application and performance upgrade guides. Get member discounts when you sign up for our mailing list.

Pam looks great. I spend a lot of timing grinning everytime the supercharger revs up on my R53!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Welcome to NAM and congratulations. Loving Pam's calipers. I agree with the fluids comment. Just be sure to keep up on the maintenance and the smiles will keep coming. If you plan to work on Pam yourself, we have some really great DIY tech articles on our site that can be helpful along with a lot of very knowledgeable individuals on here. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Enjoy!