Just dropping a note to introduce myself and my Mini.

I'll start by saying thanks to all those who have contributed so much awesome content. This seems like a fantastic community.

So much to say but I'll try and pack it down. I was recently bitten by Mini fever and began hunting for an R53. The sound of the supercharger and the relative simplicity of the earlier cars appealed to me. In the late 90's I had a MK-II VW GTI which I should have never sold. Now in my mid 40's I'm trying to re-live some of my youth. I thought I'd buy newer GTI but honestly, the R53 more closely resembles what my MK-II GTI was.

I was looking for a facelift R53 Cooper-S for a few months before I stumbled on a 2002 JCW. I instantly loved the car and made an offer. I drove it home and my wallet was $5500 CAD lighter ( $4000 USD ).

Some details:

• 2002 Mini Cooper S, Chili red
• Very clean inside, outside, and underneath.
  • No rust anywhere except the rear hatch and driver side tail-light.
• 178,000 KMs ( 110,000 miles )
• I have the entire service history from 4 previous owners.
  • To date, I have invoices totaling $78,539.55 CAD
  • I created a spread sheet that roughly outlines the history of expenses/maintenance on this car
• The JCW 210 kit was dealer installed in January of 2005
  • I have the certificate
  • JCW 18" wheels
  • JCW gauge kit
  • JCW fog lights
  • All the 210 kit pieces are in-tact

After getting the car home I did some basic things:

• new plugs
• new wires
• air filter
• oil change
• lift supports for hood and hatch
• new leather shift/hand-brake boots
• new antenna

Then something amazing happened. I stumbled on a Youtube video where a fella described how his fuel pressure regulator hose became disconnected and caused a boost leak. I immediately checked mine and guess what? It was also disconnected! So I removed the inter-cooler and zip tied the hose back on.... oh yeah the difference in power is real.

My airbag light was on. I discovered that someone had hacked out the airbag connectors under the drivers seat and simply twisted them together. Anyway I soldered/shirk-wrapped some new connectors in and reset the light ( I used the XTool A30M ). Problem solved.

I had a code related to the downstream O2 sensor. I rolled under the car and noticed it had already been replaced with a no-name brand o2 sensor. I then looked up the price of the NTK and was shocked to see them going for over $100. So, what I thought I'd try is to use an upstream O2 NTK sensor from a 2006 HEMI Jeep Commander. Why? Because I had a brand new one kicking around. I swapped the connectors (cut, solder, heat-shrink) and put it in. I have not had the code return ( 2 weeks ). The NTK sensor for the Jeep application is only $30.

What are my short-term plans?

• Fix rust on hatch and under driver side tail light
  • I'll do the body work (cut, weld, sand-blast)
  • A body shop will do the paint
• Get new tires
• R56 brakes up front
• Facelift 3-spoke wheel
• Aluminum coolant overflow tank
• Replace door lock actuator motors
• Have an upholstery shop fix the leather bolster on drivers seat

This car has so far been an absolute riot. I love pretty much everything about it. Yes, it has some rattles that I'll be forever chasing but for a 20+ year old car I'm rather impressed with it's fit/finish. The handling and power make me laugh every time I drive it!

Looking forward to hanging out here!

 

Cool story plus that a previous owner had the 210hp kit installed 2.5 yrs after new. Also noticed the XJ grille hanging on garage wall (former 2000 TJ owner from new for prox 20 yrs / current 2017 JK Rubi owner from new)...

 

Thanks awesome, love the euro gear style floormats. I also have that old garmin nuvi factory MINI GPS screen.

 

I know right, I originally assumed this was the 200hp early JCW kit but was happy to discover the owner installed it later on and it was the 210hp kit.

I just saw your thread on your 5k mile Cooper S. Holy smokes. Nice! I also saw your JK in the background. Also nice.

I have a Jeep problem. I've had my XJ for 15 years. I've spent way to much time tinkering with it. Currently have a stroker engine build going on.... but the Mini is distracting me from getting it done!

 

The nav is kinda hilarious. I was going to rip it out but then I was sifting through the history of invoices and I discovered it was a dealer installed option that a previous owner paid $752.53 to have installed. I think I'll leave it just for novelty. I will say that I find myself looking at the speed on the nav more than I do the center speedometer!

 

Yep i use mine, you can change the MINI Icon which was cool to a design of the car. Its was big money back in the day.

 

Congrats and welcome aboard