When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
My girlfriend’s father was a 747 pilot for Pan Am. She loved him very dearly, and he left her his Chili Red 2007 Cooper S Convertible. I’m an amateur mechanic, and I’ve created this thread to document its restoration.
The car isn't in terrible shape, but it definitely runs a little rough. In work to date, the air filter was absolutely filthy and replacing it and the spark plugs greatly improved performance and my girlfriend is very happy with the improvement. The plugs looked pretty good when I pulled them, so I think it was a clogged air filter that was robbing performance. The car shakes quite a bit on idle, and so my next project is to replace the engine mounts. After that, let's see how she runs and troubleshoot what may be remaining.
I'll begin with what's been done and what remains. I'll update this post as my "to-do" list through the project:
Completed:
All Fluids (within last year; reportedly)
Brakes (within last year; reportedly)
Spark Plugs
Spark Plug Cables
Engine Air Filter
Cabin Air Filter
Replace Air Intake boot (air filter to throttle body)
Replace radiator fan resistor assembly
Done! Replace engine mounts
Done! Replace floor mats
Replace coolant reservior
To Be Done:
Reset ECU
Clean engine and replace plastics until it looks brand new
I finally got back to work on this project! Here's my update.
When I replaced the radiator fan resistor, I tested the fan by instrumenting the coolant temperature and verifying that the fan started at the 105C and at high speed at 112C.
This test went fine until the coolant reached boiling temperature. I hadn't replaced the cap and the coolant suddenly boiled over, hit the exhaust manifold, and caught on fire. It was very easily extinguished -- I blew on it once, and everything was fine.
A few weeks later, my girlfriend reported that the car was running VERY hot. I took a look, and it was missing a lot of coolant. The fire must have melted one of the hoses. I ordered a new hose (the lower hose beneath the coolant reservoir) and replaced it -- although I noted that the old hose didn't seem burnt, I thought maybe it had a small crack. Drove the car and when I got back to the garage, I saw that coolant was lightly bubbling out of the coolant reservoir seam! Aha! So it hadn't been the fire after all, it was just that the reservoir was worn out. I ordered a new one, replaced it in five minutes, and all is well.
Last night, I replaced the two engine mounts. It was much easier than I thought. I couldn't tell if the bottom mount needed replacement or not, but I replaced it. But the top passenger side mount was very obviously in need of replacement.
The attached photograph shows a lot of black goop that leaked out of the engine mount. Once the mount was removed, it was easy to see the difference in how the top bolt would very freely wiggle on the old mount and was stiff on the new one.
After installation of the two mounts, I test drove the car and immediately noticed a very substantial difference! The vibrating and shaking were all gone. I still have some squeaks and rattles to deal with, but the constant vibrating is gone!
QUESTION: There is a third mount, which is the Transmission Mount. Is there a way to determine if this mount has failed? Is replacement recommended for a 2007 Cooper S R52?
We’re moving to Oregon soon, and with all of its rain, my girlfriend decided that a small SUV would be a better choice. She took the Mini to CarMax, who offered her $2,000. She politely laughed at that.
I scrubbed and shined the interior. I washed the exterior, used up two clay bars and a tub of Maguiar’s wax. Then I polished the headlights, Armor-All’d the rubber, removed the wheels and scrubbed them. A good engine decreasing and cleaning, and now our Mini was Queen of the Garage through our rainstorms, until we got some clear weather.
The first person who came to see it offered $5,000. We thanked him and promised to let him know. Then a wonderful dad came with his very kind teenage daughter. She fell in love with the car and we fell in love with their family. He offered $5,500 and he drove it home yesterday.
My girlfriend’s father was a 747 pilot for PanAm. She loved him very dearly, and he left her his Chili Red 2007 Cooper S Convertible. I’m an amateur mechanic, and I’ve created this thread to document its restoration.
Count me cynical when I read the first post, but I kept my mouth shut. So the PanAm Mini isn't that special or sentimental after all. So you felt in love with the family or the sale price? When can we see the PanAm SUV?
Count me cynical when I read the first post, but I kept my mouth shut. So the PanAm Mini isn't that special or sentimental after all. So you felt in love with the family or the sale price? When can we see the PanAm SUV?
I loved working on that car, and I put a lot of love into it. Unfortunately, we aren’t in a position where we can afford to garage a vehicle which we can only use a few months a year, and it was very hard for my girlfriend to let it go. We did need to find the right buyer, and we’re happy that it’s going to someone who loves it.
I think you can see by all the detailing I did that I had a passion for bringing out the best in that car, not just for selling it, but for the enjoyment. It looks so much better than most twelve year-old cars when cleaned up; it has so much character and so many beautiful details. I didn’t need to do so much cleaning, or replace the engine mounts or the radiator fan resistor just to sell it. That car drove out of my driveway with good car kharma. That car is special, and it has potential to be a rare collector’s item in fifteen or twenty years.
I noticed two things that need attention under the bonnet if you can let the new owner know. First, strut tower plates need to be added to prevent tower mushrooming and second, replace the plastic coolant expansion tank with one of aluminum. The plastic one WILL split at the seams eventually and we all know things like that will happen at the most inconvenient time and place.
I noticed two things that need attention under the bonnet if you can let the new owner know. First, strut tower plates need to be added to prevent tower mushrooming and second, replace the plastic coolant expansion tank with one of aluminum. The plastic one WILL split at the seams eventually and we all know things like that will happen at the most inconvenient time and place.
Thank you very much! I appreciate all the tips.
I replaced the coolant tank last November (with another plastic one...) and I checked the strut towers, and I think they’re ok, as you can see in the photo, but I’ll mention that he might want to add some plates. He’s not a home mechanic, so I’m not sure. The power steering seems to be shot, and I let him know about that up front.
Naysayers aside, it's a great looking R52 and appears to have been well cared for. It's a shame you had to sell it.
Thank you. I’m happy that it went to a young woman who is absolutely thrilled to have it.
I don’t understand the naysayers, but I’ll say that I didn’t take on the project in order to sell the car. The only work I did to sell it was the detail job, which came out so well that I couldn’t stop.
If we’d kept her, I’d keep filling her up with parts from ECS until she was indistingiishable from new. I’m very happy with the work I did and the amount of improvement I made to this car. When I first saw her, she was dirty, ran poorly, rattled constantly and the fan ran loudly. I fixed all of that myself, thanks to this forum and ECS, who are my “go-to” shop for parts for my BMW, now that I don’t have a Mini to care for anymore.
Naysayers aside, it's a great looking R52 and appears to have been well cared for. It's a shame you had to sell it.
Naysayer I am based on the fact that 3rd post by OP in over a year reported he sold the car despite he gushed in post #1 how sentimental valuable this is for him and his GF. Then he gushed about how he fell in love with the buyer in the third post. I find it strange a pilot would choose a CVT for an S. May be flying is just too complicated so on land just leave it to the autoshift.
I love Pan Am as much as most anything aviation and have my proof. I enjoy Pan Am things in "catch me if you can" in particular.
if only it is feasible, I would make this the track side tool chest for my Mini
BTW, Pan Am is two words and all cap in the corp logo.
I think you did a great job of detailing. Want to do mine? I’m sure it was a difficult decision to let it go. We often have to make decisions we’d rather not, but must because of circumstances. I once trained a K9 from puppy to certified police dog. Greatest dog I ever owned. I sold him back to the breeder to help finance our first home. I cried. I’m sure someone might say I really didn’t love that dog. Relatively speaking I loved my family more and wanted to give them a home.
Count me cynical when I read the first post, but I kept my mouth shut. So the PanAm Mini isn't that special or sentimental after all. So you felt in love with the family or the sale price? When can we see the PanAm SUV?
Since you no longer have the PanAm Mini to compare the difference in scale I thought I pose this that should be pretty close. I'd say not badass enough for a SUV.
Since you no longer have the PanAm Mini to compare the difference in scale I thought I pose this that should be pretty close. I'd say not badass enough for a SUV.
this is a SUV
It’s a MINI SUV.
Mini. Get it?
We drove lots of other cars and Countryman is way more fun!
Naysayer I am based on the fact that 3rd post by OP in over a year reported he sold the car despite he gushed in post #1 how sentimental valuable this is for him and his GF. Then he gushed about how he fell in love with the buyer in the third post. I find it strange a pilot would choose a CVT for an S. May be flying is just too complicated so on land just leave it to the autoshift.
Hi Naysayer. Not sure you still follow this board, but now, a good friend has given me her old and somewhat neglected 2004 R53. I’ve been working on it for months, to give to my son.
This car was leaking more oil than it held. I’m
hoping there’s no bearing damage, but I’ve replaced too many things to mention:
Clutch/throw out/Flywheel
Every single oil seal except the head gasket
One engine mount
All shocks
New brake shoes/pads all around
Control arm bushings
Control arms
All ball joints
Serviced the supercharger
New thermostat and housing
New water pump
I hope it starts.
This is the car today A few days ago Before putting the engine and trans back in New clutch/flywheel back on Oil pan removed for gasket replacement Bell housing all cleaned up Cleaning the bell housing. It was really bad Bell housing after separation. Yikes! Engine side after separation. Double yikes!!!
Looks like you are doing a fantastic job! Wish you were my neighbor.
it’s all done! I handed the keys over to my son and he’s taken it to college. The power steering went out, which doesn’t bother him much. I’ll try to get the dealer to do it under the recall campaign.
When can we see the PanAm SUV?
