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2008 R52 sidewalk edition , automatic
car is being restored from the ground up , every piece ,nut or bolt will be upgraded ,painted or powder coated
all parts will be new or from low mile donors cars with 20k 30k 40k
R56 JCW brakes front and rear
R56 aluminum rear control arms
Bigger sway bars front and rear
poly bushings were needed but keeping the ride quality good for a street car
KONI yellows front and rear
H&R springs in green to match the car
M7 strut bar
ENGINE will have
light ported head , stock cam for street use
ported intake
Bigger TB 64mm
electric water pump conversion
550CC injectors to run e30/e50 tunes by nastase adrian
stock charger with 17% pulley
Front mount intercooler with AC , yes front mount with AC
Super sprint racing header
milltek catback exhaust
front mount oil cooler
front mount transmission cooler
front mount power steering cooler
BODY
JCW aero packge all around
18 inch JCW wheels
carbon scoop
carbon mirrors
carbon boot handle
carbon gas cap with r53 conversion
blacked out trimmings
aero grills
rally lights
INTERIOR will be simple , stock sidewalk seats
4 point roll bar with rear seat delete
Stewart Wagner steering mounted boost gauge and volt gauge
E85 % gauge mounted on corner pillar pod
double din radio with back up camera and upgraded sound system
Probably forgetting a few things but should be a very nice build once done ,
here are a few pictures .
Love the green on green - with red trim wheels for some pop! Mine was the same green, but with all black wheels to match the black top with the black bonnet stripes.
Looking forward to seeing future pics of future progress.
I did this to my R52 a couple years ago with almost 300K on the dial. I had to replace the whole rear subframe as it was really rusty. Yours is super clean.
I did this to my R52 a couple years ago with almost 300K on the dial. I had to replace the whole rear subframe as it was really rusty. Yours is super clean.
wasn't like that before, i took everything off and left it in the frame , took it outside on dollies and pressure washed everything 3 times , then I painted everything like OEM and reassembled it back with low mile parts , here's a before pic
Might be a PITA at this point but consider doubling up on the Rear Adj Control Arms. Gives you "additional" rear toe adj capability. Why? 1. Gives the alignment tech options if he doesnt have the special tool that's really handy when adj rear toe, most dont. 2. Over time/miles suspensions get a bit tweaked and wont always come into spec. 3. Doing this now means potential to keep the car on the road for another 100k miles/decade just gets better.
Just speaking from my experience. Bought my R53 in 2016 and R52 in 2020 with 106k and 100k miles and went through pretty much all systems right away. Drove the R53 for another 80k miles and just sold it last year. Still have the R52. Only once did either put me on the side of the road. My fault, belt tension dampers wear out about every 20-25k miles, threw the belt and no recourse at that point. Have fun on your build!
I am considering doing something like this with my Cooper S R52 JCW Sidewalk Edition Last of the Supercharged that I picked up a month ago.
Drives great, but I just want to start toying with it.
Really appreciate your list and looking forward to following your project!
MUCH love for the ragtops!!! I have an '08 Sidewalk that is giving me electrical woes right now...NOT loving the gremlins that're keeping me from enjoying my little blown slotcar. Can't wait to see how your resto-mod turns-out: really excellent project!
Just don't get to the forums as much as I used to... but I found your baby right off 👍
I have an '08 Sidewalk that is giving me electrical woes right now...NOT loving the gremlins that're keeping me from enjoying my little blown slotcar. Can't wait to see how your resto-mod turns-out: really excellent project!
