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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.
Hi.
I just bought an 05 R53. I’ve wanted one since they came out.
I’m a professional CNC machinist and programmer and a pretty serious hobbyist, I currently race a VW street/strip car (Anthony Consorte on YouTube) that I built myself, have dragraced motorcycles that I built myself, still have some fast modern and classic streetbikes that I road and track day ride, as well as a dirtbike. To pay for all that foolishness I never buy new cars, and usually am flogging some beater on a daily basis. I never get a enthusiast car as a driver because it will siphon money away from toys...
I decided that now is the right time to buy a mini, they probably aren’t gonna get much cheaper, and the mileage on vehicles in the market is definitely gonna go up. So I started shopping. It had to be a 05/06, had to be a stick, and either Black eye purple, BRG, or black, and a sunroof...
and I found one... so here I am!
I’m trying to figure out what I bought... it has a leather interior, it had a fake wood appliqué that the previous owner peeled most of off, and I finished today. In its place it looks like a brushed metal finish on the plastic, not unattractive. Unfortunately it doesn’t have the heat element connectors on the seats.
Is this an aero front end?
Also I think these are the xenon headlamps. They have a weird color I haven’t seen before, and move when you turn them on. Very strange.
The dash finish is called alloy patina and is some kind of overlay that normally peels/bubbles if painted. The factory xenons adjust from the leveling sensors in the on the left front and rear suspension and go through a leveling cycle when turned on. This is required on all xenons in the US, along with headlight washers. Not sure about the light color but I’ve read it changes on old xenon bulbs, or maybe they were replaced with non MINI bulbs.
The front bumper is a standard S bumper with an aftermarket JCW style grille with a mesh pattern from the 2nd gen MINI.
You can run the VIN through an online decoder to see the other options and details your car was built with, but a lot of things were only dealer installed on the first gens and won’t show like an aero kit, JCW engine kits, JCW brakes, JCW suspension, etc. (except for the 210hp JCW with JCW brakes and LSD on a factory built ‘06 R53 JCW or ‘06-‘08 R52S JCW)
That makes sense about the grille. I know the car was hit and the hood, bumper, and core support were changed, probably radiator and AC condenser too. It matches pretty good. It’s obviously not the slat style that seems most common on these.
the headlight color is that I haven’t had a car with anything other than halogens (and sealed beams, I’m old...).
The bug is a VW engine with stock style crankcase and heads, 2332cc, lotsa cam, lotsa compression(race fuel only), 48 IDAs, big tube header and muffler. I’m presently trying to sort out a crankcase vacuum pump. Engine was built at home. I have a pretty well equipped shop. Car has been 6.80s in the 1/8 (high 10s) all motor, no nitrous or turbo.
Nice car! Welcome to the forum. Your best bet is to post in the first Gen section to get good info.
I have some bad news for you - the mod bug is gonna get you. I bought mine to be my DD so I could have something fun to drive while working on my project car. 2 years later, I've nodded mine a lot, and the project car isn't done.
The lowest grill is factory, the top and middle section are the replacement parts. Looks way better than the factory slats, IMO.
That is one beautiful Mini!!! I freaking love the wheels! BRG would be my first choice and when looking for a mini I ALMOST got a slick top BRG 06 S. But it was at a used car dealer that was giving me the run around, so I have a silk green R50 instead.
Welcome to NAM (3 months late :-/ ) Keep us updated on your projects!
