Aloha fellow MINIACs. I just picked up this R53 on the Big Island. I'm the sixth owner and it lived most of it's life on Oahu. Anybody over there recognize it? It has a lot of parts added like , header, Borla exhaust, ALTA cooler, smaller pulley. I would really like to get some history if possible.

Thanks,
Roy

I'm posting this around, sorry if you are seeing it multiple places.

 

Guidelines for NAM are, post once in best forum.

Your picture is too small to see details. Take a bunch of high quality pictures and put them in your gallery or post them.

You can do a carfax and a registration search. If you have the VIN you can check with the dealerships for MINI to see if there are any service records.

Other than that I don't recognize it off hand.

Looks like a 2003-2004 Indi Blue MCS with checkerboard side mirrors, front lower fog lights and wide silver bonnet/scoop accent.

Those upgrades are standard bolt ons, nothing unusual, what about suspension? ECU tune?

IE camber plates are fine but fixed means you get whatever it comes out to be while adjustable plates allow you to make front camber the same right to left.

For that year check if the Power Steering pump was replaced, it can be done under warranty now if made before 2005.

Also check lower control arm bushings which tend to be worn out by now.

If you have a reduction pulley, you can replace the rubber belt every 20,000 miles.

6 owners seems like a lot. I'm the original owner of my 2003 Indi Blue/White MCS.

In Hilo there are Autocross events where you can drive your MINI in Street Modified Front wheel drive class.

see
http://www.bigislandscca.org/

 

Thanks for the reply Minihune,

I appreciate the input. This is a 2005 and I have researched through both BMW dealers, Big Island and through them Oahu. I have a carfax which shows multiple owners but not who they are and of course BMW won't divulge personal information. I assumed that someone from the boards may recognize the car since there are some add ons. There is a smaller pulley, JCW airbox, M7 strut brace, R105's, Alta intercooler, and Borla exhaust. There may be more motor mods but I haven't had the time to tear into it yet.

We corresponded before. I used to own a black/silver R56 and was considering starting a BI mini club. That never took off. I am currently the Assistant RE for the BI region SCCA and am running this car in SMF (one event). I ran the R56 in DS.

I'll get some pictures up in my gallery as you suggested and I'll look into the power steering pump. Thanks for the tip.

Regards,
Roy

 

OK,

In the early years it was easier to keep tabs on modded MINIs but with the turnover in used MINIs it's been hard to keep count of those on the street.

People have easy access to NAM and can learn how to do the basic bolt ons, unfortunately the MINI club is not as active as it once was so we seldom see these MINIs except for the occasional christmas toy donation drop off event.

Unless the owner wants to autocross, most MINIs modded or not only see street duty, there is no drag strip or track on Oahu, just drive around on the freeways and go for cruises.

Although we did see some interest in autocrossing MINIs over the years I have never seen or heard about yours, nothing stands out as unique- anyone could have done all of that. I would class that MINI as a basic mid modded version.

Some unique MINIs I have known-
Base Cooper modded with turbo kit
Base MCS modded with upgraded heads and custom exhaust
MCS with reduction pulley and added Turbo
MCS with full Oracle body kit

 

Member #2

 

2 is twice as many as one.
Keep up the good work.

 

LOL you can never have too mini!