I know it’s a stupid one, but very useful.

 

Excuse my ignorance but what is it

 

swapped out the cigarette lighter for 3 USB ports for charging, with a bonus voltmeter.... all you need to do is un-pin the cigarette lighter factory harness and plug wires into this, you do need to enlarge the hole a little bit, nothing a Dremel can't solve.

 

The first time I replaced my rad was a little after I first got the car around late 2018, went with a Behr unit but it ultimately popped a leak at the upper elbow which is a common failure point from what I've read --- I must admit that I may have contributed to the short lifespan by using a Volvo coolant cap which I saw some R53 people using and I was tired of coolant splatter so thought it'd work out, rated at 150kPa which is 21.76psi so perhaps that near 6psi increase in pressure over stock helped do it in?



I have since reverted back to a stock cap even though it is a crappy design.

Went with Nissens for the replacement but recent install so don't have any longterm experience/opinion.

The OE Canadian spec is pretty cool but very expensive and I had problems with intergalactic backorder, so can't offer any advice there either except to point to a few posts in the NAM archive where people praise it.

I had seriously considered one of the fancy all aluminum rads but again I was put off from reading the archives where numerous people experienced leaks, cracks, and/or ill fitment, the Mishimoto has a lifetime warranty so that's a plus, but a big minus would be having to replace it several times because I'd much rather spend my labor time on other areas.

Unfortunately for us, it seems that modern BMW is horrible at designing coolant systems.

 

Hey - thanks for the quick reponse!
Very informative info and first hand experience I was hoping for

 

Here's a recent video I've made since doing some modifications to the engine and a new clutch and flywheel.
yesterday I put on ss brakelines, bled put all the old fluid and painted the calipers.i also since sold those black rims it had on in the video which were 17s and i ordered lightweight 15s and sportier tires for them.. coilovers come next month

 

Today was ECS SS brake lines, ATE TYP 200 brake fluid, and transmission fluid swapped with Redline MTL. Brakes feel nice and firm, shifts back to buttery smooth.

 

@Jason Cornelius Hmmm...that looks enticing (the brake lines), but that may be a bit much for me...not sure I'm ready to mess with the brakes myself.

 

wasn’t hard to do, and a Florida car helps. This went way smoother than my Clubman which is newer. I have a power bleeder, and swapped fluid every year on the clubman, so I’ll probably keep doing the same with the 53. And yes i swapped fluids every year, coolant not by choice, but everything else is easy enough to do so why not be ready, dragon tends to find every weakness, so I try to stay on top of it.

 

Red brake lines make the car faster!

 

My wife took our MINI (Cheeos) to Walmart today. This is what happened when she returned to the parking lot. WTF? See pic below.

Usually, we park Cheeos far away from other cars to avoid damage. So, this space is not even close to the entrance. What possible reason would someone park right next to Cheeos when the lot is mostly empty? It hurts them too - the other car was parked so close that neither it nor Cheeos could fully open the door. There is no benefit to them. Makes no sense.

Is it because MINI Coopers are just too lovely, so everyone wants to be close to them?

 

And I thought I was the only one?!!
When my wife and I used to go anywhere; I would drop her off at the front door and park the Mini; either way way in the back with no other cars around or in an adjacent lot with no cars.
I'll be damned if I wouldn't go back to my Mini and find some big a$$ truck or a POS parked right next to us surrounded by plenty of vacant spaces available!.
I will never ever ever allow my Mini to be valet. A month after we bought the car brand new (2004), I took my wife to an upscale restaurant for her birthday. The valet brought the Mini around and turned the engine off before getting out.
Naturally I opened the door for my wife, I got in and started the Mini (with my FOB), and drove home. The next day I realized that the valet didn't give us back our valet key. They claimed to no nothing about it's whereabouts. The next day while washing the car low and behold = a door ding
No. Because some people are just selfish, dimwitted a-whole's.

Glad to see you love your Mini as much as we all love ours

 

Sold the clubman, seems to have gone to a good home. Will update the signature tomorrow.

 

After getting dinged within the first year after buying a new Mini, I park far away from most people. There are times that lots are full, or I just don't (rain, lazy, tired). But I pretty much check Poppy (my Mini) for dings when I get there. I actually do get nervous about it, but beside the early ding, Poppy hasn't been dented.

I get really anxious during valet parking. Sometimes, I have no choice (certain parking lots, for example).
My Mini dealership actually has valet service, where someone will drive the car up to the building for you. Once, I saw the person confused (couldn't find it) at first, then he got into it and after a few seconds gestured me over. Apparently, he didn't know how to drive manual. I was just as happy to drive the car from the parking spot...

 

Today on what did I do…Put her in service mode, changed crankshaft position sensor o-ring, dropped oil and the oil pan, new Fel-Pro oil pan gasket, fresh LiquiMoly 5w-30 and OEM filter. While I was in there pulled the tow setup, need a lower grill now. New plugs and fuel filter on the way, then all maintenance, minus supercharger service, should be done.

 

Nice! I bet she’s running great!

 

She is running great. She might be 18 years old, but once she’s warmed up it’s Go Baby, Go! Only 52 days till Mini’s on the Dragon, and she’s well on her way to making her first week long trip with me. I’m taking next weekend off and enjoying sometime with the wife, maybe get her out in the R53 for a drive.

 

Had one of my Megan Racing shocks blow out on me, so in process of swapping to Bilstein B14s. Got the front in, but rears need to wait till next weekend.

 

Today I installed H&R Sport springs and 15mm spacers to my '23 S Resolute Edition. I'm very pleased with the result. I expected the ride to be very harsh but it's not too bad at all. Harsher for sure, but very livable.
Install was easy, took me 3 hours by myself taking my time. It helps to have the right tools and a new car with no corrosion, lol


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.

 

Having now driven the car with just the fronts replaced, SOOO happy I made the swap. If anyone tells you that the Bilstein B14s ride harsh, ask them to what they are comparing the ride. Compared to the Megan Racing coils, the Bilsteins ride like butter.

Now, I just need to get the rears installed...

 

Damn!
Those are beautiful!!
I haven't searched for them yet but I wonder if they might fit an R53?

 

The B14 kit for the R53 is P/N 47-126916

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/min...oper-47-126916

 

Those are nice, we have those in stock right now here in the warehouse for the R53. For the price one of the best you can get. Finish is very nice and i would say near Ohlins level.

 

Pulled a set of NGK BKR6EQUP’s and replaced with a set of NGK BKR7EIX’s. Should have already been running 1 step colder plugs because of 15% pulley. Will really get to see how everything feels tomorrow when I actually get to drive her. I have been playing it’s a Florida car no salt, nothing under 30 degrees and driving the RAV4 with its remote start and awd 😁

 

I have B8s on my R56 and they ride and control the car far better than the stock shocks did brand new. Anything but harsh which what I was lead to believe they would be. Bilstein makes amazing shocks. Enjoy your ride!