Hi guys and girls

I thought i would share with you my R53 project i picked up in early 2014. With only 54k on the clock this was too good to miss. Mechanically it had everything it has ever needed done, on the outside it just needed some loving.

This was traded in, I took it home and was instantly smitten.

Jan 2005 Cooper S.

Spec as follows.

Chili Red / White
Leather Gravity Panther Black

Chili Pack
Visibility Pack
C0ckpit Chrono Pack
Automatic air conditioning
White Bonnet Stripes
Power Fold Mirrors
Chrome Line Interior
Heated Seats
Multi Function Steering Wheel
Head Airbags
Warning Triangle & First Aid Kit
Park Distance Control (PDC)
CD changer for 6 CDs

When it arrived at the dealers, who I happen to work for now it had the following fitted

JCW Aerokit
JCW 210 bhp kit
JCW Suspension

Plans are to tidy it up and keep it as a toy. Its away at the paintshop currently having the front end repainted and theres a few dents need removed

Pics:

 

First thing on the agenda - front end repaint and a good machine polish









Some new rear aero kit decals - much better!





Chequer interior mirror cover

 

17" Bullets refurbished - Tyres were good when I bought the car, Pirelli P Zero runflats all round




Rear lights with clear indicator lenses - along with a Genuine R53 spec JCW rear badge.

The original owner didn't want the car badged up with the JCW badges so were never fitted. He must of wanted it to be a bit of a sleeper!



50/50


All done!


I found a JCW leather dash and downtimes, had to have those!







Next was to fix the mushroomed strut top mounts. Bought a MINI Value Line repair kit from work, it was cheaper than ordering the 2 strut tops on their own and booked it into the workshop. A lot of bashing later with a hammer and block of wood things were looking good. After an alignment check it was perfect. To keep things safe again I opted to fit a GTT strut brace which I had custom painted in Chili Red with Black II inlays and Aspen White badge.

Also see MINI convertible braces fitted





forgot to say, up to now car has had the following mechanical work done

Oil Service
Brake Fluid Service
Vehicle Health Check
New power steering pump - Warranty
New clutch fitted, old one was really heavy
Crack at exhaust flexi pipe was also welded up
Coolant change
Air Con regas

First owner also came into work and gave me the tuning certificate and original MINI Passport that he got with the car.

 

John Cooper signature on the bonnet, the same style as the WC50 R56s


For the launch of the F56 JCW my car was in the showroom to represent the R53 Works





JCW Leather / Alcantara steering wheel & JCW Leather / Carbon gear ****


Much nicer!



New front JCW Badge, number plate mount and lower grille as they had faded badly. When I had the front end repainted I had bought new top and lower aero grilles




Last week I treated the car to a private registration number - P21 JCW



Ive got a pair of JCW entry door sill strips to add and some Gen 1 JCW centre caps to go on the wheels.

My aim is to improve and enhance the car where possible but want it to remain original as there are so many modified R53s out there, the original cars are proving harder and harder to find.

 

Big impulse purchase - a few people had sent me the links to these tempting me!!

R53 Recaro seats, and for sale 5 minutes away from me.

 

So i booked the MINI in for a studio photoshoot. It doesn't look too bad for an 11 year old car!

I'm really pleased with how they turned out!

Thanks for looking.

 

More changes! Ive always wanted a set of R95s for this car. I finally got them. Refurbed, 4 new 215 Toyos and new 1st gen JCW centre caps.

It must of been the years spent looking at the R53 JCW accessory brochure burnt this image into my head!!







Now it makes the brakes look puny, at least the Bullets hid them a bit!

 

So weird seeing the interior with everything on the other side. I'm sitting here doing air shifting with my left hand . . . . . .

One very sharp looking car with a very nice detailed engine compartment. What's the roads like on the your side of the pond?

Also remember to sand the plastic pegs (4 per side) down before you place the JCW door sills down.

 

Hi Sportspack Mark,
Very nice looking car. Have you done anything to the suspension? Did it come with the JCW tuned suspension? How does it ride and handle for you?
Congrats on you buy and all the work you have done on it!