Afternoon everyone,

I recently checked out an r53 last Thursday which was a 05 65k mile r53 and it drove pretty solid. Shifted very smoothly and had no grinding. Acceleration was really good with no issues. Picked up surprisingly fast even though it had no engine modifications besides a Racing Dynamics Larger Intercooler which leads into my main question: What's the difference between the facelift and preface lift? I know the facelift had the coated supercharger rotors on it but is there anything else? My main concern is that I have owned two 04's. One had roughly 77k miles and the other had 175k. Both sounded very smooth and shifted very smooth. No whining noises in them. So after driving and revving the 05 that I checked I feel as if something is wrong. Mechanically it seems in pretty good shape. The owners installed the single mass fly wheel on it with an upgraded clutch. Something along the lines of Exydis clutch or something I do not remember. But anyway it seems something is wrong. Is it the powersteering? My brother also has an 05 with about 105k miles and he eventually had to replace the ps pump. Before and after the pump replacement the car had a faint electronic whining sound. So I don't know what it could be.

Thanks all

 

It's been a while, but I think it's the SC rotors, headlights (if xenon), and transmissions, I can't remember if there's anything else.

As far as P/S pump, I don't know if the recall had an end date as far as dealer replacement. But even after the replacement on my '05, (in 2015 with 213k) there was still a whine to it. But it also could be dirty or worn P/S pump fan bearing as well. (You almost have to be under the car to tell for sure, or have it off of course)

I'm sure someone else will let you know if I missed something.

 

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What is changed in the transmission? Can that be the cause of my faint electronic whining coming from the car?

 

The facelift box has shorter ratios.

The power steering pumps always whine a bit, or at least mine always has.

 

I see okay thank you!

 

My pre-faclift '04 R53's PS is barely audible. It can normally only be heard at first start up while cranking the wheel at while parked or low speed e.g: turning in or out of a parking spot.
In 20+ years I've never heard it while driving. I should also note that I have a stock exhaust which isn't very loud.

 

Yep, most PS pumps were recalled and updated, so most have a newer design pump. You can hear mine but its not bad.