I did the same thing years ago on my R53, with a set of post-facelift headlights I picked up from a MINI dealership when I was vacationing in Switzerland. The ECE (European) market lights project a slightly different beam pattern than the US lights, and also have a shutter built into them if you were to take your car someplace where people drive on the other side of the road (like the UK), you simply flip the shutter down.

 

Yesterday after work, I swapped my rear shocks from the originals (manu dates of 04.02.03 and 05.04.03) for new Bilstein B4s. I can't believe how much height functioning suspension has added to the ride!!



Old coldness on the left, new hotness on the right!!

This was the first time that I've ever managed a vehicle project in <= the estimated time. Pelican's guide estimated 5 hours for the project, and I had Cooper off the jack stands in 2.75!!

 

Wow those MINI delphi struts have seen better days.

 

Yeah, one of them didn't even fully recover over the entire weekend!!

 

Installed a new steering wheel on Saturday.

 

Ready to replace all the fuel components and ready for a weekend trip to Vegas.



After 150k mi probably time to replace the "lifetime" fuel filter. I'll give you a guess on which one is the old filter.

 

That was always a fun project to do... Good job!

 

The MINI kits come with multiple black gaskets. Seen some of them include one that reads: " diesel only"...FYI.

Good job !!

This was one of the first things I did myself besides an oil change ( back in 2007 ) and have done 3-4 since.

 

$$

 

When I swapped to my summer tires, I noticed the front and rear struts on my R53 were starting to look sad (oil weeping). To make matters worse, the upper strut mounts up front are starting to show signs of tearing.

How are you liking those Bilstein B4s? I was thinking of getting a set of those to replace the factory Delphi struts.

 

I was very pleased w/ the Lemfoeder strut mounts and Bilstein B4s for daily driving. I think my total cost (not counting my labor) was less than $350 for new struts, strut mounts, shocks, lower shock bolts and the steel to make my strut tower plates.

I do wish that I would have replaced my strut pinch bolts while I was at it, but I lucked out that they didn't strip or round, so all's well that ends well, I suppose.

 

Shocks won't adjust your ride height, all things being equal. If the perch is at a different location, sure, but shocks alone have zero affect on ride height.



*I* ordered my new head from ALLMAG. Can't wait to get it in, get it tested, and toss it on. Then ready to order a crap ton of new parts for suspension rehabbing. Road trip ready soon, hopefully!

 

All I know is a) I went from tires *just* clearing wheel arches to ~2" of clearance and b) the rear shock that I compressed by hand until the threads were in the shock body last Friday had still only recovered to about 50% today.


Anyway, yesterday I flashed an old 7" tablet I had laying around to Marshmallow and installed Torque Pro to have a gauge cluster:




And I finally killed that highway shimmy with !!

EDIT:
Also picked up a MUCH needed tool (stock photo of new):


Snagged it used for $60 shipped!

 

You do know that some people spend big money to get their car lowered to what you just made higher??

 

The new shocks don't have adjustable perches or anything, right? It's even on both sides? And no noises or squeaks? If it's really that big of a difference I'd double check the specs and that you got the right shocks. You can compress new shocks by hand, too. They don't hold up the weight of the car, the spring does. Shocks just dampen the spring's bounce.

That tablet is busy but looks very functional. I'd kill for that mileage. Hopefully soon!

Great deal on the impact.

 

My floor liners has arrived and it is the most beautiful mats/liners I have ever laid my eyes on. Full coverage of everything. Makes weathertech liners look like puu-puu.

 

Nicest floor liners I've seen yet. Canada only??

 

I accidentally stumble on it while searching Amazon.ca for weathertech liners.

https://www.tuxmat.ca/

They are a Canadian company but I am sure they will deliver in the US. I am seriously considering replacing all of my weathertech liners for my other cars with these as they really look nice and really have good quality. The fact that it literally covers the entire area is a big plus for Canadian weather and you won't worry about snow or mud going beyond the mats and into the carpet.

 

MUST HAVE! I just tried ordering the mats and they dont ship to US. Any chance you could order a set and send them to me???

 

Sure. let me know what car you have and I will contact them and maybe I will be a distributor of these and send them to the US.

 

Those look fantastic. Hard time buying at ~$200, though. Maybe once my rubber ones wear out and I'm a little further along with routine maintenance and can get some luxury stuff. It'd be perfect after hiking with the dogs.

 

Looks like they ship to US via Amazon.. for $20 more. Yes they're expensive, but the alternative (weathertech) is about the same price and they don't fit R53 as well as they should. I'll be pulling these things when I sell the car to install into MINI #5 when the time comes.

Also I have tan carpet, and it gets dirty pretty easily.. oh, and its hideous. Anyhing that covers it up (backseat mats go from floor to seat) is a huge plus!

 

I gave him the day off today.

 

Those mats just look amazing! I need a set for my R53!

Thanks for sharing, Shotgun_banjo!

 

Just ordered on Amazon, and they said "4 sets left". Dont know if they plan on making more, but as our cars age it might be all they have left.