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So. Although I've never owned a mini, I've driven plenty and had friends with them and have always enjoyed em. My GF was looking for a fun lil daily to whip around instead of a "boring regular car" since she doesn't drive too much anymore, so she picked up an R53 yesterday! I am going to be the one doing maintenance, general care, and I'll also be the bad influence for new mods and things like that. lol. So I figured I would create an account here because I know she doesn't want to. Anyways, details....'04 R53 (post-facelift thankfully, but limited slip diff was only an option for '05/'06 right? I need to look up the vin and window sticker...), 105k miles. Vin WMWRE33434TD80609. Clutch replaced "not long ago", and supercharger service done at 100k. Has 17% Alta pulley, Alta CAI, and Milltek exhaust. Comes with two sets of wheels, performance tires on the OE's and snows on some alloys. Has a couple things going on, a couple tiny rust areas as well as missing some badging and a tear in the driver seat which I intend to repair. Pretty hyped to make it a fun lil thing and keep it running well for years to come.
Any info, tips, preventative maintenance I should address first, threads I should be reading first, or things I should be looking at in general, please let me know! Any recommendations will be welcome. I have a lift and air tools at my disposal so I'll be able to get under it no problem. Can't wait to see where this goes! Cheers.
R53's are where it's at! Nice that the SC oil was already changed. I'd start by checking around the back and bottom of the engine for oil leaks - the engine has a bunch of seals that tend to need replacing around 100k. If the SC services was handled by a dealer, pretty good chance some of those sensor seals were also changed out then. Oil pan seal tends to spring leaks around that time too. Check the suspension too - those suspension bushings might be pretty roached, and the rubber webbing in the motor mounts can be ripped up. While you're checking suspension, check the strut tower bearings - those may have cracks; the strut towers themselves may need to be leveled back out too. Look into Modmini on youtube. LOTS of great how to repair vids.
R53's are where it's at! Nice that the SC oil was already changed. I'd start by checking around the back and bottom of the engine for oil leaks - the engine has a bunch of seals that tend to need replacing around 100k. If the SC services was handled by a dealer, pretty good chance some of those sensor seals were also changed out then. Oil pan seal tends to spring leaks around that time too. Check the suspension too - those suspension bushings might be pretty roached, and the rubber webbing in the motor mounts can be ripped up. While you're checking suspension, check the strut tower bearings - those may have cracks; the strut towers themselves may need to be leveled back out too. Look into Modmini on youtube. LOTS of great how to repair vids.
Thank you! It's going to go on the lift as soon as I can get to it. I'll be giving it a thorough check then!
Anyways, details....'04 R53 (post-facelift thankfully, but limited slip diff was only an option for '05/'06 right? I need to look up the vin and window sticker...), 105k miles. Vin WMWRE33434TD80609.
