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1st GearNew members: make an initial post and introduce yourself as you shift from Neutral to First Gear. Current members: meet some of the new members.
Have been a petrolhead all my adult life and worked in many car dealerships; at last I stumbled on Mini. My previous cars were several turbocharged Saab's, an Alfa and a bimmer E92. Ou, and a current family car is the latest Opel Insignia, You may know it better as a Buick LaCrosse So, when a need (and an opportunity) for a second car in family opened recently, I started the search. Sorry for the following OT, but when You look at the linked video, You see what was my state of mind - to have a car, what is made for driveing and what I could enjoy from day to day. Spoiler alert, it's not a Mini Youtube link here
Secretly I have been watching Minis on sale all the time, I liked the BMW's first Clubman with barn doors and suicidal door on right side. Then I saw my fresh new car - the last of supercharged series, with six speed manual gerarbox and previous petrolhead owner.
A quick testdrive with the car confirmed my suspicions - I WANT THAT CAR! The whining of a supercharger, the acceleration, JCW exhaust backfiring, handling of the car - it was all superb! The rest is history, as they say. Last days I have been driving around with a grin on my face
I named already my car "Russel" as it is agile and hyperactive like a Jack Russel terrier
Here's a pic of the car, courtesy of previous owner. Cooper S
After searching info about Minis, I found NAM the most useful and decided to join, no matter that it's on another continent
So, I'm looking for many miles with Mini and support from You on this journey.
Hi and welcome to the NAM family, teager!
Congrats on your new to you Mini Cooper S JCW!
There is lots of information on your car in the gen 1 section and lots of help if, you need it.
We are happy you decided to join us!
The Alfa advert is hilarious!
Thanks for sharing it --- although it is funny it is also sad because it looks like the real future in robotronic tomorrowland.
I'm an old Saab nut too --- I loved the old 80's 900 t16's and ran one from 1991 until earlier this year,
I loved seeing pictures from your northern neighbors racing their Saabs...
...but now I found MINI and I'm loving it --- the R53 is wonderful, truly a drivers car, and for a modern ride it is quite analog and direct.
Your MINI is a good looker and I like the non-sunroof too.
Couple of weeks ago, installed JCW Carbon shift ****.
The old original chrome/leather ball had chrome peeling off and scratching my hand all the time.
So, purchased the adapter from whalen for R56->R53 conversion and ordered R56 shift **** from BMW dealer. Though I had the adapter, the change was not a plugnplay.
New **** had a longer lower part I cut off. A lot of grinding had to be done, also from inside, because the plastic from **** had to cover the hump on the gear stick.
Here are some pictures to illustrate.
Original from the box "End product" ready to install Hole inside the **** expanded
The result - perfect. And I couldn't ever imagine that something like a different shape of the **** could transform the driving experience so much. It's just amazing, not the looks only, but the way I can shift now
So, when a need (and an opportunity) for a second car in family opened recently, I started the search. Sorry for the following OT, but when You look at the linked video, You see what was my state of mind - to have a car, what is made for driveing and what I could enjoy from day to day. Spoiler alert, it's not a Mini 
Youtube link here
