Hello all! I am a long time admirer of the MCS and i will finally be pulling the trigger here shortly. I've had a number of past cars (S2000, G35, G37x, E92 328xi) and i will finally be able to cross a mini off the list here shortly!

Some questions before i run out and buy an R53.
-I understand some of the earlier 02-03's had some quirks, or at least that's what i have been lead to believe. Any problem area's to look at?
-Beyond that, for a low mileage R53 what is the value for a car in good shape with sub 60k miles? Months of surfing CL i have realized you can find them as cheap as 8-10k for an 02-03 or 10-14k for a lower mileage 05-06.

Currently this is the vehicle i am fairly set on and i am considering buying. Any input is much appreciated.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/4512425067.html

Best,
Ian

 

its an automagic tranny. pass!

get one from someone on the forums here instead maybe, like this guy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...s-stunner.html

thats a decent price IMO. your going to end up pumping all that crap into it anyway (mods); everyone does!

 

Hmm, the ad says Manual. Does that gearshift not look right? It also says new clutch on the Craigslist ad.

http://www.seattlefinestmotors.com/2..._226879005.veh

 

It's definitely not an auto, not sure what Astros looking at.

 

oh, so it is a manual! the CL ad said auto, and i didnt see pics of the shift first time around.

so yes, its a manual, thats good. it also has the HK sound system, also a plus!
odd it has a new clutch already, but that could have been due to a glazed flywheel (known issue).

as long as it doesnt have mushroom strut towers, it looks pretty clean, and its got "real" leather seats, also a plus

see if you can talk em down a grand or 2, then itd be a steal! regardless, youll want an 05-06, dont even look at anything older.

 

Any good resources for the Mushrooming strut tower? I googled and found a few pics. But to the naked eye i do not know if i have an eye that can actually discern between parallel and mushroomed towers.

 

There's a YouTube video showing you how to check using a flat object. Ruler or card, anything straight to lay across the bolts.

 

trust me, youll be able to tell. it just wont be flat, itll look like, well, a big mushroom. lol

with low miles like that (and im assuming washington has some decent roads, ive been to spokane, they seemed fine) it shouldnt be an issue.

 

Hands down this is the most fun I have ever had owning a car!

Anyone from the northwest know a good shop for tuning my car after the super charger pulley upgrade?

 

No tuning is really necessary for up to 17% reduction w/ 1step colder plugs. The ecu will learn to adapt.
Look into the ff upgrades/mods to make it even better:
-VibraTechnics passenger side engine mount
-Cravenspeed or VIP anti-mushroom plates
-Canton or RMW coolant expansion tank
-Dave F. or DDMworks CAI
-Powerflex LCA, swaybar, belt tensioner damper bushes
-Good catback exhausts like Scorpion
-1st stage cooling fan resistor mod or bypass
-Cabrio braces
-coilovers

No need to them all in 1 take nor hurry. Space em out(in my case, this gave time to replenish mod-funds) & optimize the enjoyment of every mod. This is half the fun of Gen1 ownership. Enjoy!

 

An I missing something? All that came up was a CL add for a 2012 honda cr-z

 

^Toad, we're all blind, you see.:D

 

Ad expired and he replaced that hyperlink with a new car he is selling

 

Thanks for the well detailed list man! I do plan to do things one at a time to appreciate each change and not break the bank.

17% on stock ecu/tune? Its good to hear that these car's adapt so well to changes. I was assuming a 17% upgrade would need to be babied before getting it to a tuner and adjusting the AFR's under load.

What is this i hear about the higher the percentage of reduction pulley the sooner the boost level's come on. But the other edge of the sword is that boost fall's off sooner on the top end? Whats the truth behind this?