Hi, all! I've been browsing this site for so long, I can't believe I didn't make an account earlier, so very happy to be here officially! So, as the title suggests, I'm looking to lift my R53 for a few reasons. I'm tired of bottoming out on my driveway and speedbumps and such, and the highways are just getting so full of garbage that I keep hitting and dragging around because there are too many drivers around so I can't dodge hardly anything anymore. It's happened enough times in the past week that I'm seriously concerned about either damaging the car or swerving and hitting someone.

I've never considered getting a lift before so I really don't know anything about lifting aside from a thread I found from 8 years ago by Moby-something. They mentioned Cooper Crap, but they've since gone out of business. Has anyone else lifted their 1st gen MINI, and if so, what can you tell me about your process? I'm just looking for a small lift, 1-2", and really hoping to keep my stock 16" wheels, but I'm open to anything. Thanks in advance!!

 

I put a 2" lift on my R53. I bought the kit from journeysoffroad.com. The kit is basically a steel lift that goes between the strut and the car. No other modifications needed. With the tires, I went down to 15" Konig rims and 205/70 Yokohama's all terrain tires. Everything fits and no problems with rubbing or camber.

 

I was told a thousand times by a thousand people that 15" rims would not fit. I don't know about the others, but these Konigs did. LA56D04385 is the item number. At $85 each and with the tires for 15" being about the same cost.... saves a good bit. The car is completely different, it had 17 rims, low profile expensive tires that would make you motion sick on bad roads and you feel every single pebble. The new tires take all that away, no more worrying about curbing, no more worrying about small potholes, speed bumps, stuff in the road etc. Still hugs the corners without feeling tilty etc. The car is pretty light so the sidewalls hold very good cornering, seems like I can hit them at the same speeds alright. Speeds above 90mph are a different thing though. Air gets under the car now, it does get a little "floaty" at high speeds.

 

15" fits over the stock brakes, I had 15" steelies the first year I bought my car and had to drive it during winter.

If you go with JCW/R56 front brakes, then they won't fit and you'll need either 16" that fits or just go 17".

 

Thanks for the response! That's fantastic there's no rubbing or camber issues, those were a few concerns of mine. Any particular reason why you chose the all-terrain tires? Do you really take her out in the dirt, and does she handle fine on the main roads with them on?