I just picked up a 2006 R53 as a project. It needs some love but I’ve wanted a first generation Mini for a while and “lucked” into this one.

I plan to start with:

Charging system repair
New battery
Rear brakes non-functional
Suspension (previous owner lowered it)
Exhaust repair
100,00 mile maintenance (to be safe)

 

Welcome to NAM.

Going to keep the two tone?

 

Welcome to the forum and MINI ownership, neighbor. Good luck with your project. Red stripes on the black and black stripes on the red might tie the two-tone together.

 

 

Hi and welcome to the NAM family!
Congrats on finding a 06 MCS. The best year of the first gen BMW Mini!
It looks in pretty good shape and it will not take much to bring it up to a real nice driver.

 

Welcome.

Nice looking car, hope to see it up and running soon.

Motor On!

 

Welcome from Frederick. .

 

Welcome to the forum

sort of looking like it's smiling

 

I think that's a look of sadness

 

I wanted to mention I support the "keep it two tone" idea...

See this as a reference ... JCW Race Team LAP ...

 

Dammit... That does look good when it's done right.

 

Paint the cowl black and you're nearly there.

 

So far my quick look-over has revealed I need to repair/replace the following:

Battery is dead
Battery is not charging once jumped
Rear Brakes are non-functional
Power steering not working (probably tied to charging system from my reading)
All the idiot lights are on, again probably related to charging system
Exhaust... Straight piped but I'm not sure if they cut the flange up front yet
Oil/Filter Need to be done
100,000 mile service needs to be done to be safe
AC condenser/drier need replacement and system needs to be charged

Then I will worry about the other stuff...
Suspension (too low for my tastes)
Tires... Stretched tire look isn't me
Hood needs to be stripped and painted (chalkboard paint with a palm size section that has peeled flaked away)
Front Bumper is... Dead

I suppose I should start a repair thread.