New Kid on the Block
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
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From: Colorado
New Kid on the Block
Hello everyone! I've been poking around here for the last couple weeks and finally decided to join because I'm afraid I'm going to have quite a few questions pop up that I'll need your help with.
I just bought a 2002 R53 JCW (at least I think it's a JCW but from what I've read, there's not a great way to tell). This poor thing is rough cosmetically, which is perfect for what I'll be using her for, that is: track days!! I have a couple seasons worth of ride-alongs at the track but have yet to do the driving part myself, so I intend to learn as much from all of you as I possibly can.
The first step to prepping the car for the track was going to be rotors, pads, and fluid. Bough a cheap set of Textars for the JCW rotors: $40. Awesome. Hold them up to the existing rotors: too big. Great.
...That's when I found out that some of the 2002 JCWs got the brake upgrade and others did not. My first HPDE day was supposed to be this Saturday but I don't think I'll have the time to exchange the rotors and pads and install them on the car before them.
Plan B: I have a 2015 R61 Paceman S All4, which, while I hate how underclutched it is, might just have to play the part of track car for this one weekend.
Truth be told, I never considered myself a Mini person and how I ended up with 2 of them at the same time: I'll never know. But while I'm here in this motoring world, I think I'll take my time to enjoy it!
I just bought a 2002 R53 JCW (at least I think it's a JCW but from what I've read, there's not a great way to tell). This poor thing is rough cosmetically, which is perfect for what I'll be using her for, that is: track days!! I have a couple seasons worth of ride-alongs at the track but have yet to do the driving part myself, so I intend to learn as much from all of you as I possibly can.
The first step to prepping the car for the track was going to be rotors, pads, and fluid. Bough a cheap set of Textars for the JCW rotors: $40. Awesome. Hold them up to the existing rotors: too big. Great.
...That's when I found out that some of the 2002 JCWs got the brake upgrade and others did not. My first HPDE day was supposed to be this Saturday but I don't think I'll have the time to exchange the rotors and pads and install them on the car before them.Plan B: I have a 2015 R61 Paceman S All4, which, while I hate how underclutched it is, might just have to play the part of track car for this one weekend.
Truth be told, I never considered myself a Mini person and how I ended up with 2 of them at the same time: I'll never know. But while I'm here in this motoring world, I think I'll take my time to enjoy it!
Last edited by RomeoKilo; Apr 11, 2017 at 10:18 AM.
Welcome to NAM! Congratulations on the purchase of your R53. If you ever need anything please don't hesitate to let me know. 
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Welcome. For real JCW Tuning kits info see here.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tory-jcws.html
Yes, the JCW brakes were and add-on option, much like the suspension also.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tory-jcws.html
Yes, the JCW brakes were and add-on option, much like the suspension also.
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MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 263
From: Dover, PA
Welcome.
I just had a HPDE at Lime Rock Park this last Friday.
What a great day.
I will share this advice on building a track day car... don't skimp on brakes and tires, the next level of upgrades would be suspension and Driver Seat with four+ point harness.
Motor On!
I just had a HPDE at Lime Rock Park this last Friday.
What a great day.
I will share this advice on building a track day car... don't skimp on brakes and tires, the next level of upgrades would be suspension and Driver Seat with four+ point harness.
Motor On!