I'll actually have some pics this coming weekend. I'm currently getting all the stuff in my sig installed right now, and then I have the overhead liner, and interior pillars all being done in black Alcantara hopefully before the end of the week.

 

Great, look forward to them, the alcantara will be very nice.

 

Finally got around to installing a bunch of parts this week. Bilstein PSS10's, Hotchki's rr 19mm Sway, Vorshlag camber plates, Powerflex lower motor mount bushings, ECS Tuning drilled and slotted rotors with Hawk pads, and replaced the Oil Temp gauge sensor that had went bad.

I won't get an alignment until next week. I'll also have adjustable rear camber links and the Cravenspeed Short Shifter(shipping Monday!) to install at that time as well.

So far I'm LOVING the upgrades, even without the alignment! I am getting the dreaded 2nd gear shudder at real low RPM's when accelerating, so will have to investigate that a bit further. Under hard acceleration it's barely noticeable at all, if any.

The difference in ride quality with the 11.5lb 15x8 RPF1's is INCREDIBLE! They are exactly what R53's should have. Everything about the ride is better. More comfortable, better turn in, feels SO much more nimble and even faster accelerating. I am so glad that I did not do bigger, heavier 17, 18's. And the offset on the RPF1's are perfect at 28ET. I'm not as low as I"ll ultimately be next week, but I have zero rubbing right now.

Another thing I decided to do this week was replace my overhead liner. I did black alcantara, and wrapped the pillars as well. I took all of the other parts that were the grayish color and sprayed everything a flat black. I also did a DIY seat delete, and put in my Sparco Ring steering wheel. The interior looks, and feels, so different. I love it!

I've owned about a dozen VW's over the years, M3 BMW's, and some other fun cars, but I'll be honest, I really like the Mini. This car is a blast to drive! Can't wait to see how it feels with the Cravenspeed shifter. Anyway, here's some pics I snapped today. Nothing crazy, just functional upgrades. Look closely and you can see the ghost stripes after taking off the stripes. I got an estimate to get the hood, ft bumper, and hatch repainted, so I may do that. Although, the ghost stripes don't bother me too much.

 

WOW looks amazing! i love the aero kit too

 

Wow .... very nice and clean. MCS JCW for the win.

 

Thanks to you and Oneslow as well!

And I'm very happy with the brake kit that I picked up from you guys. Obviously with doing the RPF1's in a 15 I wasn't interested in doing a BBK, but I definitely notice a difference with your drilled/slotted rotor and Hawk pad combo. Nice stuff!

 

You are welcome. I am running ECS with Hawk HPS also. Good stuff.


The light wheels really make a difference. Especially on track days.

 

+1

Did you upgrade to stainless steal brake lines and what brake fluid are you running? I run ATE Typ 200 and some SS lines with my R1 concepts slotted/vented rotor set up with StopTech pads. Love how everything stops on the dime! Adding those 2 items might give you even a greater stopping feel with your current set up. You can never have too much braking in my mind! Great wheel choice BTW.

 

Just noticed you have factory rear PDC, very rare option on the R53.

 

Yea, I'm totally happy with this setup. Between the light RPF1's and your brake kit, it's more than adequate at this point.

As Pelican mentioned as well, I probably will do the lines eventually.

FYI, your guys are always very helpful when calling!

 

Yea I noticed that when buying it. The original purchaser practically spec'd it with almost every option at that time I think.

 

I haven't yet. Should have done it when installing everything but I'll do it eventually for sure. Thanks for the comments!

 

Thanks

 

You're very welcome!

 

Super clean JCW. Any pulley and cam plans?

 

I'm new to the Mini world, only a few months into it, but my car does have the pulley that's installed with the JCW upgrade kit. As far as cams, I have no idea what the options are for the JCW upgraded Mini's.

With that said, I'm always open to options!!

And thank you very much for the compliments as well!

 

You've done a great job with your '04 MCS JCW! Love the EB color too!

John

 

Hey thanks John! Totally appreciate the compliments!

 

So your front brakes are JCW (first generation)?
Same as R56 "S"brakes?
Also, can you share where you got your 15x8 rims?
And size of the rubber, please?

 

The brakes that were on the Mini when I purchased it were just the stock R53 ft and rr's. They were not the JCW's that you are probably thinking of on the later cars.

I installed an ECS Tuning brake kit all the way around shortly after buying the Mini.

The Enkei RPF-1's came from Tire Rack, along with the tires which are 205/50/15's. I would have went with a bigger tire but I choose the lower offset RPF-1's and did not want any rubbing at all, which I accomplished. The small, lightweight RPF-1's are an AMAZING difference in handling, quickness, and comfort, over bigger wheels and tires. You couldn't pay me to go back to bigger wheels and tires now

By the way, your car looks very clean..love it!

 

Thanks!
Do you know diameter of the front rotors?
I wonder if these 15x8s would fit over my 2006 JCW brakes (same rotors as later stock "S" rotors)?
I really like these rims!
Please confirm:
15x8
Et. 28

Thanks.

 

10.89" is what ECS lists for the diameter on the ft rotors:https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2004-...its/ES2597253/

And I'm not familiar enough to know if they would fit over yours or not. If I'm not mistaken, I think I've read somewhere that they do fit, but I would definitely do some searching to be sure.

And you are correct, 15x8 with a 28et. They came in right around 11.25lbs per wheel!

 

Thanks again!
Just checked on another build at another forum: these 15x8s fit over R56 S rotors (JCW for first gen). Tight, but fit...
Now, you never had any rubbing front or back with et.28? No need to cut inside of the wheel arches?
Thanks.

 

Good to know!

No rubbing at all. I'm running 2deg negative camber all the way around, and I have about another 3/4" that I could lower the PSS10's, but I like the height now-very drivable.

I never cut anything under the arches. I did my research on what would work and wouldn't work as my days of listening to tires rubbing on every bump and dip is not what I desired. Guess I am getting older! I was running stretched 19's on VW Golfs back in the 90's, and that's no lie