Right, where do I start with this update?!

Firstly, the brakes are on.





However, things really were not that simple! :(

I took the decision (after much faffing) to fit the kit as it was, after getting some advice from a few garages they advised that the discs and pads would be matched and I wouldn't have any issues. All seemed OK, and I decided to get the place who did my coils and alignment (they know their stuff) to do the work.

Dropped it off at 10 am and literally a few hours later, get a phone call telling me that one of the front calipers is leaking fluid all over the place! The design of the F56 JCW calipers means the fluid line to feed the outer two pistons is on the outside of the caliper, rather than an internal channel. This was damaged and had a hole in it. Repairable, but not when my car was in bits with half of the new brake kit fitted, and also they would only be able to repair it with copper pipe - so would look ****!

Luckily, I had my brand new pair of calipers sat at home that I had planned to sell on, so I had to take those down for them to switch the pads into and get the kit fitted, but sadly for me that now means I've had my fingers burned by the eBay seller as I'm left with a pair of used calipers, one of which needs a £130 repair! The plan for this set is now to have both of them fully refurbished by a Brembo brake specialist back to brand new condition with the pipework renewed and also a brand new chilli red paint job. Then sell them on.

All in all a nightmare day yesterday, but they look awesome now they are on! I think I need to have them bled again though, as the pedal has to be almost halfway down before any real bite. They really are a powerful set up though as they can lock the ABS pretty easily.

 

I'm confused. You said the JCW Brembo set you bought on Ebay was defective, you planned to repair it and resell it. But there they are on your car! As an aside anytime I got something on Ebay that wasn't up to snuff I demanded a refund and returned it. You can even get Paypal to charge the seller and refund you your money as long as you back up the fact it was defective.

 

DAMN that's low! Calipers look great!

 

No I didn't.

As stated, I have 2 pairs of these calipers.

The used calipers and discs / pads were taken to be fitted, one of those calipers was found to be defective.

I then took my other (brand new) pair of calipers to be fitted in their place.

 

Wasn't intending for things to move this quickly, but I couldn't resist these at such a ridiculous price!

Once again another 1st, FJCW spec front bumper with the fog delete.

Also snagged a pair of side skirts!

Will be getting these off to the painters as soon as they land from Germany



Can't wait, just need a JCW rear next, and need to decide if the JCW Pro splitter extensions are worth the mega asking price?!

 

Well, you saved a lot of money on this kit right? Apply those savings toward those splitters!

 

Man, I love this build.

 

Very cool, R99!!

 

Thanks all!

Really can't wait to get the kit on the car.

I just need a rear!

 

Looking good. You shoulda waited got the fJCW dude! Aren't those brakes awesome?

 

Ha,

I would happily have a JCW, but I was too impatient to wait!

I really enjoy modding cars too, so part of the fun is changing stuff.

The brakes are awesome, I had the R56 4 piston Brembos on my last MINI Clubman and then latterly I had the 6 piston BMW Performance Brembo's on my BMW 1 series.

The new F56 Brembos are much better than both of my previous experiences with BBK's! They are amazing.

 

Decent update today...

JCW front bumper fitted with Factory JCW spec. So has the red grille & works badge (not sure how I feel about the badge) and also has the fog light delete.

I also too the opportunity to have the JCW Pro splitters fitted for a more aggressive look!

In addition to the bumper, I also got the JCW side skirts fitted too.

I'll let the pics do the talking....

 

Awesome looking car!!! I am waiting for a JCW but need to pay off my wife's Countryman first....

 

Some proper pictures from this evening, just a quick 10 min shoot, so not my best pictures!!

 

THAT. Is one great looking MINI!

 

Nice! It's cool how that paint looks navy blue in that lighting. Leave the badge. Nobody could tell it isn't a JCW what with the body kit and brakes. Did you do the rear bumper too I assume. I think the side skirts add a lot. I'm no fan of black plastic trim. My favorite looking mod is when they paint the wheel arches. I'd consider painting mine red, but it's a $2,000 job I hear. Great project car you have there in England. I can hear the tires rubbing all the way here in Arizona sometimes.

 

Wow! I actually like the looks of a F56 now! So when the time comes (I know my '07 N14 isn't going to last forever ) I now know what I'll have to do to really like my car.

Very nice!

 

Yeah, you'll have to spend a bunch of money on mods!

 

looking good mate! let me get those splitters for a bargain when you switch over to a full DUELL AG kit.

 

Really not a fan of the DuelL bumpers. Look so awkward now I've seen them fitted to cars.

The splitters are worth the money

 

Very BMW-like to charge for something that used to be standard. My bumper doesn't need no stinking splitters.

 

Man this is a fantastic angle. This would be the perfect rolling shot angle actually.

 

++1!

This was THE pic that turned the page for me. Awesome angle indeed

 

Cheers guys, very happy with how the pictures turned out considering my main lens decided to throw a fit and stop working.

These were taken with the Kit lens.

 

Bit of an update today...

So after deciding to turn my attention to the interior I ordered a custom steering wheel and also the JCW gear **** with the aluminium shaft.

I have been sent a couple of shots of the finished product from the guy in Latvia who has completed the work on my spare steering wheel.

He has added:

Flat bottom
Thicker padding
Re trim in napa leather with alcantara
Red stitiching
Red centre band

He has provided a great service, sending me messages daily with progress updates and he answered loads of questions before I posted it out to him! It took a week for Parcel Farce to deliver it to him, and he's managed to turn this around in 2 days! Should be back in the post to me by tomorrow fingers crossed.







The gear **** looks like this: