Hey all,

A few days ago I purchased my first R53 Mini Cooper S and am currently looking to explore and absorb as much information as possible about them (this site is a goldmine!!!).

The car is a 2006 facelift model and has some really nice factory options (LSD, pan roof, xenons, full leather etc.). Mileage-wise, it has around 88k on the clock and the previous owner has thrown a lot of money at the car, mainly maintenance-related (receipts over £6k for the last 3 years).

Here is a picture after I collected it. It needs some minor TLC but overall it's a very clean example:



I'm a social creature, so I hope to see many members on meets/drives/shows, etc. I live near Guildford (Surrey, UK) and regularly make the trip to Caffeine & Machine.

I come from much more "exotic" machinery, mainly M cars (M4CP, M2, 2x E46 M3, then a few JDM things) however I am loving the "back to basics" approach the R53 generation has, especially rowing through my own gears! We actually have 3x R50s in the family (fiance, sister and mother all have one) so this is the 4th Mini lol.

Thanks, Sid

 

Welcome, Sid. Nice MINI and IMO you have one of the best paint colors offered. I live in the U.S. but have extended family in Cheam. Good luck on your restoration.

 

Welcome, Bullet factory wheels were more common on the R53 over there, most of the R52 S models came with them here.

 

Great intro post - welcome to the forum!