Hi all, just to start, I still have the F56, BRZ and Paceman, they arent going anywhere. As some of you may know I've owned a couple of R53's previously:







The later being the Porsche RS green one I built from the ground up with the help of Millys Autos.



Recently at a show I went to, I saw an epic R52 which was super clean and during a conversation with Rich Everitt we came up with the idea of both buying R52's. Below is that inspirational R52, owned by someone that doesn't use social media so you may not have seen it before. Its not the most modified of cars but is OEM+ and is so tidy for its age







So I started a hunt for an R52, with building work to our new house sapping a lot of my spare cash I decided to buy a non runner modified Cooper R50 to part out as it had lots of aftermarket parts on it which would pay for an R52. Look has it I sold most of the parts very quickly and for more than expected which gave me the funds to buy and R52 quick than expected.



I was adamant I wanted to stick with my first choice colours of pepper white or chili red as I don't want to get painting this one. I did get the chance to buy a super cheap fully aero kitted black R52 however that fell through after the dealer said I could have it around 7.30pm and he would take my deposit in the morning(even though I offered to pay there and then) and when I called at 8.30am when they opened to pay, he informed me he had now sold it. [img]data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7[/img]. Oh well it wasn't mean't to be and the search continued.



Roll on 24 hours and I spotted a 2006 Pepper White Cooper S R52, manual with around 100k on the clock. It looked really tidy in the pictures and was around a 3 hour drive away from me. It was cheap due to the mileage and few other niggles but after receiving a video and a few extra pictures I decided to buy unseen as I just didnt have time to go see it with work commitments plus I can fix most issues and the price was right. They even agreed to deliver it to me within the price. So I paid in full(Car dealership not private seller) and the car arrived the next day at 7am. This was the photo they sent me of it loaded up the night before:







So as it arrived I noticed a few bits that were mentioned but nothing I couldn't sort very easily such as a bit of lacquer people on the drives door, cloudy headlights(Easily polished), front seats had been hand stitched where the leather had split, front oil filled engine mount has gone(Oil stains all on the arm below) and a crease in the rear bumper. But considering its 17 years old they are all minor things that can be sorted via bits off the R50 shell I already have or some time on my end. First thing I tested was the roof and engine both work and a bonus I noticed is had HK audio which I was not expecting.























Now I know R52's arent for everyone and there are plenty of meme's out there. I am not a fan of the look with the roof up but roof down there is something about them. There are a handful of examples that come to mind like that one above and Davy Koppens to name just a couple which are my inspiration.







I already have a load of parts in the garage to go on this included a pepper white aero kit, wheels, seats and a few other little bits so lots to come. If anyone in the UK is selling any coilovers with top mounts for this gen give me a shout as I am looking out for a set.



More detail can be found here which goes live at 5pm today:

 

Sweet project! I also like that blue car, the GP1 aero kit really sets it apart. Looking forward to see where you take this one

 

Looking forward to the build!

 

thanks I agree gp kit looks epic

thank you

 

In terms of an R52 update, I've been searching for parts over the last few weeks since getting the R52, I have a rough plan of where I want to end up with it. But while I awaiting for things to arrive I may as well fit a couple of parts from the R50 I broke.

That car had a pepper white aero bumper with aftermarket halo side lights fitted. It also has an aero grill. The bumper had to be stripped of the chameleon wrap and also the fog light areas were rattle canned black in places as the wrapper must have found that easier than just wrapping those sections. . Nothing a bit of paint thinner couldn't clean off.

Super easy to do the swap from Cooper S to aero bumper especially when you've done it a 100 times over the years. This can be done on any 1st gen Mini. This video covers the process and what it looks like:


I did intend to record the aero grill going on but ended up losing the footage. So here's what it looks like after installing that too. Much better already, it refreshes that front end. I will cc the aero grills at some point as well as the head light rings as that cleans up that front end:



You can see the headlights are hazy in the above photo and a little yellow due to age. Nothing a quick polish with a DA cant sort. I spent no more than 15 mins on each light and the came up like new, no need to clear coat them etc. As you can see I also removed the horrible stick on chrome covers for the wing mirror caps and scoop. Cheap plastic items that just snapped when removing them, so straight in the bin they went:



I am after a few parts so if anyone has any of the following please give me a shout:

• GP1 Rear bumper black textured plastic surround
• GTT front upper strut brace
• GRS top mount intercooler

 

Time for a seat upgrade in my R52. Managed to find a rare set of Sparco based 1st gen JCW Seats. I have a little update video below with more details and step by step instructions for you to do the same. Video also covers how to stop those pesky air bag warning lights from popping up when you fit aftermarket seats in any 1st gen

 

So I decided to get KW V1 coilovers with stock top mounts when a nearly new set came up super cheap and I really don’t need a crazy set of track coilovers on this car. On they went super easy.

Then I picked up a bargain set of BBS RZ’s 17x7 in gun metal. Great condition and period correct in my mind. The colour was a bit cold for the pepper white body work so I decided to change it up.

Absolutely love they way they came out in satin bronze from City Wheel Refurb, they always do an amazing job. A warm colour to match the warm tones of pepper white bodywork. I need to upgrade the tyres but was impatient and chucked them on for now. Love how this car is shaping up.

Video now live with more details below:

 

I did have a spare rear aero bumper in pepper white but it would mean switching to a cooper exhaust, plus I have never been a massive fan of the rear aero bumper. So I posted up a wanted ad for GP 1 rear trim as Mini are no longer making them and they are on back order in the UK which means they may never get any new ones in. Thanks to [USER=45034]@shiftspark[/USER] who sold me his, like new condition set:



Super straightforward swap with only 2 screws under the arches, the rest is clipped in. Im not sure whether I will paint the reflectors textured black at some point as not sure on those and I did the same on my old R53.

Love how it looks with this, just adds some shape to that rear bumper:



I'm tempted to order Orranje GP style inserts and maybe do them in black plus the GP black vinyl for behind the numberplate just as something a little different



I did purchase an R52 milltek exhaust off FB marketplace a few weeks ago as they are slightly different to R53 ones, however parelforce managed to lose the parcel so im just awaiting a refund before I start searching again as those little beer cans look tiny