So my 05 was starting to look a little worse for wear. The worst part was the passenger rear quarter that was repaired several years ago after someone backed into it. The clear had started to flake on the quarter and rear bumper. Other issues were a couple of small dings and just a tiny rust bubble under the drivers tail light.

I started looking at new cars but since it's paid off and modified to my taste having it resprayed seemed like a good option. So essentially I'm going to have it restored.

I ordered all new black trim, roof drip rails and some other miscellaneous pieces from ECS Tuning and I got near perfect headlights off of a fellow NAMer (thanks Guys).

I dropped it off before Christmas and today the shop sent me a note they started to work on it and included a couple of pictures. I started an Album if anyone is interested in following along.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/g/album/6817664

 

I will be watching, and let me be first to ask how much $ if you don't mnd sharing?

 

The estimate is $2,500 for labor and "paint" materials. I'm having the front bumper cover (I don't want the license plate mounting bracket holes) and the windshield (has tons of tiny chips) replaced those replacement parts and the moldings etc. aren't included in the price I got the bumper cover off of ECS Tuning and the body shop is getting the windshield.

 

Thanks for the orders, love to see some pics when this is done.

 

+1 Can't wait to see that shiny new thing!

 

It's a real tin top----no sunroof!!!!!!

 

No sunroof. No cruise. Only the necessities like rear fog (to fill out the switch panel) and heated seats to warm my buns.

 

I'd recommend getting clear wrap on the front to help protect the hood, bumper, and front fenders after the respray!

 

Can't wait to see the finished product

 

That's a great idea.

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Definitely something to consider. I did that to one car in the past but I typically don't have much trouble with chips etc. in the front.

 

Thanks for your help and getting all the parts to them in time. They are doing road construction by the shop and the truck could get there since the only open road required him to go under a bridge that wasn't high enough. The driver called the shop and Paul, the painter, went to meet him to get the parts but couldn't fit them in the back of his car (a Focus). He had to go back and get the owner's truck to bring the parts to the shop.

I was there on the 23rd for a christmas party and intended to go through the box but I didn't. I was so impressed with how neatly packed all that was in one big box I figured I never get it all back in there. You can see the ECS Tuning box in the background of the one photo.

 

Me either.

While I didn't use WMW for the stuff for the respray I would like to thank you for your help in the past. You provided the 2% Crank pulley, 15% Supercharger pulley, DDM Works intercooler and Air Filter, Coil, plugs and Wires.

I recognize there is competition among the various resellers/tuners etc it's great to have such a strong aftermarket presence and I like to spread my business around to do my part to try to encourage vendors to stay in this market.

That was one of my concerns with investing so much in an R53 since it's not really ever going to be a classic (a least not mine since it's going to continue to be used as a daily driver) I worry a little about the continued availability of parts and aftermarket support over the next 5-10 years when I hope to hand it down to my son.

P.S. Three more photos added today.

 

Lots of pictures today they got sealer, base and clear done this afternoon.

 

Gorgeous! I wouldn't Wana take it out unless it had a clear wrap haha

 

thats looking pretty good eh!

 

gotta love fresh paint!

 

It's a new MINI again

 

Very nice! Can't wait to see it with all the trim mounted :-)

 

Welcome.

 

They did some repairs and re-clear the carbon fiber scoop. It looks awesome again.

Before
Before

after

 

Wow, it came out great.

 

What an improvement, very nice.

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

started buffing


They started buffing it out. I realize that without the arches it looks really high but I decided it needs to have a little better "stance" as the kids say.

I was thinking of going with coilovers but I really just want a better look and I'm so deep $$$ in the project already.

Was trying to decide between the Turner H&R from ECS (what a deal ~$200) and the TSW MINI Springs from Way. I agree with Way the amount of factory rake is too much.

So I decided to go with the TSW MINI Springs.

Now just need to research what I need to do to swap on these R56 rear control arms I have. I would like to do the bigger 2012 rear brakes. I have the carriers, calipers. I picked up shock adapters. From an R56 I have control arms, bushings, even speed sensors and sway bar ends. But without the car here to look at I'm at a loss as to the brake hoses and emergency brake cable compatibility.

 

Those springs from tuner are pretty rare and a good deal. Looking good on the body work. On the R56 rear trailing arm aka GP1 rear arm conversion:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...today-575.html

Are you doing the R56 JCW Brembo rear section brake kit?