This is a really sad time for me. I've decided to sell "Astro".

For Sale NOW SOLD:

2007 MINI Cooper S, only 4600 miles. All Astro Black exterior with black/gray leatherette with checkered trim interior. Options are "just the essentials": Limited Slip Differential, Multi-function 3-spoke steering wheel, and anthracite headliner.

Custom audio upgrade, designed and installed by myself, using high-end home loudspeakers. Hi-Vi 1 1/8" fabric tweeter and Morel 6" midrange with custom 1st-order Butterworth crossover. Tang-Band "6x9" subwoofers in the stock rear locations behind the interior panels, powered by an MTX TC3001 class-D amplifier hidden under the driver seat. The audio upgrades are totally invisible, with the loudspeakers behind stock grills.

H&R sport lowering springs, imported from Germany, with one turn of the rear coils trimmed for a perfect stance. These springs really do ride as good as stock while giving a great look. ASA AR1 18x7.5" et38mm wheels with Kumho SPT 215/35-18 tires.

Custom designed and fabricated turbo-back exhaust. I built this exhaust using 100% 304 grade stainless materials. From the turbo flange to the hangar rod to the v-band clamps, all stainless. 3" downpipe with Dynatech catalytic converter [no check-engine light!] and 3" 16 gauge tubing. 3" 18 gauge tubing for the rear section, with Stainless Works flex bellows, v-band connection, and Magnaflow polished stainless muffler. Dual 3.5" DNA exhaust tips, trimmed to fit the car and give a look similar to the Milltek cat-back of the R53 [albiet bigger!]. This exhaust has been dyno proven to add 13 wheel HP and 10 wheel Lb-Ft. [dyno chart below] As the car stands right now, it has *about* 206 crank HP and 238 crank Lb-Ft. I have the datalogging and calculations to back up these figures beyond the dyno chart.

The rear seats have been removed for weight savings, however can be included and/or reinstalled if you want. I also have a K&N RX-4990 if you want to play with the "homemade CAI" like I did. The oil and filter were changed at 600 miles to swap out the break-in oil with Royal Purple 5W-30.

This is a well-sorted, very well taken care of MINI. I'm confident those of you that know me personally know that I take care of my pride-and-joy. It is very fun and quick, but unfortunately for me it doesn't fit into my life right now. I'm asking for $24.5k, which is several grand less than it would take to replicate my setup. All honest offers will be considered.





Astro has the secret cubby bin, woo hoo!




Astro also has the new style bonnet scoop grill with vented holes


Astro on the chassis dyno; this one was the baseline with the stock exhaust


Back on the chassis dyno, this time with the new exhaust [which sounds buttery sweet]


Here are two representative [not peak] dyno runs, comparing stock to stock+turbo back exhaust


More pictures can be see in my Gallery

Thank you for looking, and I really hope that a fellow enthusiast can take care of Astro. Questions or interest can be done by PM'ing me here on NAM, or e-mailing me direct: Ryan at Ryephile dot com

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Ah, so sad Ryan.....are you still going to get another MINI? Why the sale?

-Cody

 

I'm toying with the idea of getting an R53 and then putting on a Hydra EMS. I feel cheated I never got to finish MM2urbo, but I'm also not sure I'm emotionally ready for such a project. In the meantime, until I'm ready, my '95 Miata will suffice.

While I wholeheartedly believe the R56 is a fantastic vehicle, and an unstoppable monster on the racetrack [wow!], the car it just too refined feeling for me around town. I'm still in my "hardcore hot-rodder" life phase, and Astro would much better suit someone with upscale taste and style! Astro would be absolutely perfect for the MINIac that thinks the R53 is too uncivilized.

 

Ahh, I see. I never found out what happened to your R53, or the turbo project...but hopefully you do start it back up! I much prefer the R53 to the R56....but it seems like the R56 will have a much greater take off in the aftermarket and tuner world with the new engine an being turbo'd.

Good luck man!
-Cody

 

so sad! Your R56 was simply amazing to see up close at MOTD (yes, we were the guys going ga ga while you were washing Astro ) Thanks for taking the time to chat. Hopefully it'll go to a good home

 

ryan is officially the first person to sell an r56 on NAM...

bump for a friend.

 

I dun't think so:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=102900

bump

 

Second to list a car...

 

BUMP Sorry...

 

Thats a very sharp looking R56 , hope it goes to a nice home!

Also MBR
Noticed that in your signature, actually it seems you have a MCSa which is actually a R53 MINI not a R50.

 

PM sent!

 

April fools in June??

good luck with the sell.
car was coming along nicely...

 

Thanks everyone for the nice words. No, not April fools in June, Astro really is for sale.

 

If it's too refined you could trade me for my Classic Mini convertable. Then even your Miata will seem refined
Good Luck with the sale..

 

If you get another R53...make sure it's IB/B!

-Cody

 

WTF man! Didnt expect to see this happen, but I guess ya gotta do whatcha gotta do. It's good to hear you will still be MINI-ing. If not, I would hafta smack ya.

Sweet ride too, it's a steal!

 

I'm thinking if I get another MINI I'd be willing to entertain trades + $$$ for a base model Cooper R50 with as few options as possible. High mileage not a concern, I'd just need a clean shell.

 

i got a 05 S going turbo cooper??!!!

 

That would be the plan; use the R50 as a shell to build up a strong blueprinted engine and fabricate a single turbo setup, using a standalone ECU and Cooper serpentine setup. The interior would be stripped, minus race buckets and a reworked dashboard. I'd keep the power windows, stereo, RKE, and exterior lighting, but that's about it!

 

sounds SICK..
please someone give him a R50..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

My roof's getting painted black soon!

 

Maybe a trade, I already have JE pistons and a Big Valve head. What you think?
Mario

 

Mario,

I think the R56 is too much car for you j/k do it, do it!

 

it is too much, I agree. Too slow, too big :-)

 

Wow that's a tough call MarioKart; your R53 is mega modded out already! If you're really up for it, shoot me a PM and we can at least discuss it.