Hey guys! Wanted to say hi and introduce myself here. I'm Brandon, from Marietta, GA. Got my hands on a lovely electric blue R53 a few months ago, and got really lucky with it. Single owner, looks like it was taken care of pretty well.

I'm still working on replacing the wear items in the car and hopefully upgrading them with higher performance parts as I go along, but will eventually try to mod/tune the car to at least JCW levels, but want to keep the car as a daily that won't be a bear to drive.

Any tips/suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

Welcome! I too have a 05 MCS in electric blue. Let's see some pics! Is this your first MINI?

 

Welcome Blue, I'm in the next town north of you in Kennesaw. we may have seen each other on Cobb Parkway...

 

Piano, stand by!





Gumbe, maybe! What does your ride look like?

 

Thats what she looks like.

 

Nice! She's pretty. 05/06?

 

Thanks, I like your color combo as well. She's an 06/6speed. Is yours manual, took me a min to get used to using her as a daily driver. Kennesaw to Buckhead, was bad enough in an auto. Where did you purchase?

 

Awesome! Mine is a 6 speed as well. Marietta to Norcross for my daily commute, feel your pain! Got her from this little dealership in Stone Mountain, of all places!

 

Nice looking MINI, welcome to the forum!

 

Got mine in Stone Mountain... That's were they all seem to be, there or Lawrenceville . Mine was also a one owner car. Full maintenance history, he took it to Mini for everything. What's the mileage, got mine with 110K car has most options:
Cold Weather Package, (heated seats/mirrors)
Dual Sunroof
Harmon Kardon System
HID Xenons
Headlight washers
Sports Package

I'm very impressed by this little car. I just got rid of my 05 R50, night and day difference. So far I've changed out the tranny fluid, swapped out the leaky expansion tank, put a new shiny aluminum unit in. I had planned on replacing my pads and rotors last Friday with some drilled/slotted units and paint the calipers, but I was greeted by a locking nut that bent the key and I had to order a new one from Mini. I just got a price for the 15% reduction pulley install from Way, which I thought was a good price vs me doing it....
I get my Mini hand washed at the Shell on Cobb on Sundays, the do a great job!!!! If you need an extra hand with any work that you may need to do, just give me a shout...

 

Thanks, mdaz!

Gumbe, small world indeed. I got mine with 98,500. Mine has the heated seats, dual sunroof, HK sound system, HID Xenons, and Sports Package as well. Not so sure about the heated mirrors or headlight washers, though.

They're amazing little cars, that's for sure. I came from a '04 Celica GT with a 5 speed, but the low end grunt these cars has was mind boggling for me. How much was Way quoting to install the reduction pulley, if you don't mind my asking?
I will keep that in mind. I've been using an automated Fast Trac wash out near Powers Ferry/Delk if you know where that is, but I'll check that Shell out! And will do! I have a small list of things I need to replace just due to general wear and tear.

 

Welcome Blue,
I'm close by also in Conyers. I got a 2004 R53 Electric Blue also. This is a great forum with all kinds of information for you baby. Good luck and enjoy motoring.

 

 

Nice! did you paint your calipers?

 

Yep, I think it was the G2 Brake Caliper Paint kit

 

Very nice! Maybe I'll get to meet some of y'all at a Minis and Coffee or LXM meet sometime!

 

Looks nice from what I can see. This is what I got to paint my calipers:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Didn't get the chance because I couldn't take the wheels off because of the lock key warping while I was trying to break the nut, (yes, I know how that sounds...lol) Had to order a new key from Mini which I need to pickup. Can't wait to get to it, getting cold out there....

 

Hi Georgia!

Love the color! Please check our website for step-by-step performance upgrade guides, service, maintenance and accessory recommendations. We're here to help, so please ask us any questions you may have!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.