Hello fellow members,
I am a new owner of a 2004 MCS B.R.Green manual hardtop. Back in 2004, I ordered a 2004 MCS manual slicktop, no options, Chili Red and drove it for a year ( 12,000 miles ) and tracked it as a member of VIRaceway. Great to be back in the fold. My, new to me, 04 green R53 has a panoroof, which is something I ordinally would not want but it was hard to find a slicktop with the color and condition I sought. This 04 R53 has 54k miles, one owner and looks like tit was never driven in the winter. Underside it looks as new. It has clear bra completely from the scoop down and looks as new. Love the dry western climate on these cars ( Colorado ) and I couldn't have asked for a better condition. I forgot how great the handling is and the memories of the track time in my old one is coming back. VIR had a red 04 MCS pacecar back in the day like mine. I upgraded to a 05 911s and then later a dedicated track car D962 as the brakes would be toast on the R53 after a lap or so on the 4 mile track. The 911s is a car that will go all day but you will go through a $1700 set of tires. The D962 was a dream on the track. Love this new to me R53 and I plan to use it as my daily driver. Looking back, I am thankful I had a friend who was a Mini sales manager and ordered a R53 back in 04. I sold the car after a year for about what I paid for it to a dealer ( no trade ). Bounced around with various exotics and cars over the years. Pound for pound, to me the R53 cannot be beat. Anyway, hope to get a sunroof decal to cut down on the heat ( I live in the desert of Colorado ) and a cold air intake and mostly keep stock. Enjoying the miles and smiles in my Mini !

 

 

Consider purchasing Griot's Complete Compound (AutoZone) and a DA polisher from Harbor Freight. Brings back that 17 year old paint beautifully. Worked perfectly on my '04 MC40. Here's a great YouTube clip by Dallas Paint Correction on how to use it:

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I bought the car 250 miles away. It was well taken care of by the original owner. Garage kept, dry Colorado climate and looks new. However as soon as I started the log drive home it rained heavily for 1/2 the trip and then all Hell broke loose. I ran into a swarm of bugs for 2 hours ( following a river through a canyon at night ). It was like Jurassic Park ! A 1/4 inch coating of bugs ( you could smell the dead bug carcasses ). The next day, I sprayed the car down, took it to a car wash and then washed by hand. I also hand waxed. Beware of swarming bugs in the summer in Colorado !!

 

Congrats and welcome to NAM! The MINI is definitely a bug magnet. No way around it other than to not drive at night...