So awhile back i bought an 04 r53 mc40 with 155k miles for 3k. It already had an upgraded 16% sc pulley, ddm stainless steel cold air intake and intercooler diverter, 380cc jcw injectors, alta rear sway bar, and a manzo stainless steel cat back exhaust with a Meagan racing 4-1 stainless header. The previous owner tried doing a 90degree bung to go catless which didn't work because it kept a p2096 on and I couldn't pass inspection to register it. I've since welded in a flowmaster cat and swapped the header for an obx tri-y setup to see if it felt better in lower rpm.

Back to the question, so far two of the r90 wheels are a little bit out of round, the GB emblem and paint on the back looks pretty rough, and the gold plate stating production number signed by paddy hopkirk is gone. There were only 1000 of these packages and I'm wondering if would be too much of a bastardization to change everything to make my own dream mini built on an mc40 legacy. I would like to eventually paint it British racing green, repaint the top anthracite grey, dechrome, and swap wheels to a bronze rota rb 17". What are your thoughts?

 

First off, I’m keeping a VINWiki list of MC40s and was wondering if you’d share your VIN so I can add the car to my list.

Second, it’s your car so you can do whatever you want. However, since the MC40 package was an appearance only package, removing the MC40s unique appearance options basically turns this car from an MC40 to a 2004 Cooper S. If that’s ok with you then carry on.

 

The vin is WMWRE33454TD90199 and I've never had the number plate to know which production it was. I'm thinking about purchasing the decal set and eventually fixing the wheels to return it to more appearance appropriate setup later on if I choose. Last I knew it came out of San Antonio but I purchased it before knowing what an mc40 was in Round Rock, just north of Austin TX.

 

This is how I feel. Enjoy it however you like. That being said. It can't hurt saving everything to go back one day

 

+1 Yeap, it is your car ... do with it as you will.

 

If you said it was in perfect shape with all the MC40 bits, I would say to calculate the benefit of selling and buying another closer to what you want.

As you describe it, it doesn’t sound like there is a lot of value from the MC40 status that would be lost.

I have never understood the appeal of special edition MINIs. With all the customization of MINIs, the limited edition ones are likely to be the least unique.

I am with the others that say it is yours to do what you want. That is the MINI way.