The dominoes were set in motion on June 12, 2008.

My friend Denis had recently bought a '06 MINI Cooper S, and sent me an email, about a very special '06 R53 that I should check out, that was listed on NAM. I saw just 3 pictures and read the extensive description and it sounded exactly like what I was looking for. Requests for more photos and initial dialogue confirmed my suspicions. This appeared to be a special MINI, a carefully optioned and meticulously modified, low mileage dark silver 2006 MINI Cooper S. The car had never been raced, just on the track two times in its life for driving events.



The escalating obsession began. After years of curiousity about the Mini, and yearning for something as fun and economical to drive as my '84 Rabbit GTI of years long past, I began to research whatever I could about the MINI Cooper S. NAM most definitely helped. It helped me determine that a six speed 2006 MCS R53 would be the one for me. I had driven about six different MINI's in recent years.



And I liked how this particular MINI S was carefully kept, loved, and modified by Bruce Todd and Robert Todd (father and son) at BR Racing of Los Gatos, CA. A colleague from the M5Board met up with the owners and gave me a full review with detailed photos and an enthusiastic thumbs up on the condition and capability of the car, and the obvious care with which the owners had kept it in. So, over the next several weeks, I exchanged emails and dialogue with the owner, Bruce, and made the decision to purchase.



The day had come, and I made arrangements to fly out from So Cal on August 1st, threw my Garmin Nuvi and V1 into a backpack and soon landed at San Jose Airport. Bruce picked me up in his race prepped and firmly suspended 135i and off to the shop we went, to see my MINI.





There it was at the BR Racing shop in Los Gatos. Put it up on a lift and checked out all the carefully researched modifications. Dinan Suspension, Dinan Exhaust, CAI, Alta Intercooler, Supercharger reduction pulley, 3 piece 18 inch custom wheels, etc. Awesome. It looked and drove exquisitely. We all went out to dinner at a sportsbar in Los Gatos, then I drove to my friend's house in San Jose and slept over, after a few hours of Gran Turismo 5 (driving MINI S's of course), and Tour of Duty, and a couple bottles of IPA. I don't even own a video game console, so it was fun, but I got destroyed. First impressions: feeling of quality, solid build construction, not squeaky and rattly. Comfortable seating.







I woke up at 7:00 am to the sound of sprinklers, and quickly moved my MINI. Of course, I took the opportunity to "dry" it off darting safely around the neighborhood. When I returned, my friend was laughing, since he could hear me driving around the neighborhood and the characteristic Dinan exhaust and occasional pops.

We decided to head for the local twisties at 7:30 am and had a blast. Mostly bicyclists and walkers were out, with motorcyclists at local gas stations gathering up for the morning adventures.

Second impressions: OMG, is this perfect for small backroads and twisty switchbacks, or what? Perfectly flat cornering.



Had brunch with friends in Los Gatos at the Southern Kitchen and then it was off to Sunnyvale to meet another buddy (we had gone to high school together - many years ago) Parking not a problem. Then off to make the 360 mile trek to Tarzana for my wife's Uncle's Birthday celebration.



Road work on the 152 gave me ample time to get familiar with the MINI's clutch...It's easy to engage, so no worries.



Gas was definitely not cheap, but fortunately the tank is small and the MPG large.



Open stretches proved the Dinan spec suspension was as comfortable as it was capable. I was surprised at the level of compliance and comfort of this special MINI.

Enjoyed a nice celebration, gave a demo ride, loaded up one of my kids and a car seat, and it was back on the road again, another 60 miles or so to home...

The Mini (named Charlize after the actress who plays "Stella" in the Italian Job) arrives at her new home and takes her first night in the new quarters.





The next day, I learned that a friend of a friend, had taken delivery of his long awaited Ferrari F430, and was invited to take a look. Definitely a gorgeous and graceful machine.

That morning I had followed my friend and his Lotus Exige S out to check out the Ferrari, and we had a great time with the corners and straights. I can't decide what I like more: the intoxicating mad max like whine of the supercharger or the ability to attack corners with precision...I think at this point, my vote goes to the supercharger, but with each day, the corners become increasingly more fun.







Wow. What a neat car the MINI is. It did a lot of different things well and in style. The visibility is superb and I like the driving position. The controls weren't exactly intuitive, but that's easy to get used to. Most of all, I was impressed with how well the suspension handled a variety of tasks.

Looking forward to many adventures with the MINI and the MINI community. Have already received a lot of compliments and comments. Cute MINI! Great mileage! Those MINI's are tough. That's a very pretty MINI. Nice car! How does it handle?

The first 500 miles have been a joy!

Thanks to NAM and the members for all the advice, which helped in my search of the perfect MINI for me.

- Randy

 

Nice MINI and welcome!

 

great review...

thanks!

 

great write up

 

there's a F430 in those pictures all I see is a clean looking nicely modded Mini. Nice writeup/car!

 

Heheh. I feel the same way. Thanks for the compliment!

I think the CA transfer tax alone, on the F430 transaction, is more than half the entire purchase price of my Mini...

I was kindly offered the chance to drive the F430, but I didn't want to do it before break in. I think I will have to accept if it is offered again in the future.

BTW, thanks for the wishes Alpha M, Spyderman, and ngweibing!

 

Yeah, I got the chance to drive a Twin Turbo Viper once, turned it down. I still kick myself for that one.

 

In college, I tried not to date girls unless I thought I would potentially marry them. Not sure where I had that idea from or why I chose that time in my life to follow it. Happily married now with no regrets.

I was offered a test drive in a Murcielago LP640 by a dealer, and I turned it down.

I thought, if there's no way I am going to buy it, why should I drive it. And what if I really did like it, and became obsessed with it...

Every other test drive, I have always taken. Yeah, I will definitely make sure I drive that F430 next time...I did drive a F550 once and it was neat. The gated shifter was a little harder to operate than I would have guessed.

 

nice wheels, what are they?

 

Thank you, I really like them.



They are probably available through Dinan dealers, such as BR Racing, who I bought the car from.

They are 18 inch x 7.5 inch, 3 piece construction, I was advised that the approximate weight is 18 lbs per wheel, but I have not independently verified. The centers are forged.

Rubber is Toyo Proxes 225/35 18 ZR, all around.

 

Hey Randy. Welcome!!!
Glad everything turned out well with Charlize.

So, I'm curious to know which vehicle lost the covered parking space in your garage?

 

Great post, great MINI, great color combo.


About the F430...we have one in the showroom of my Bentley store, I just happened to be out there when they were moving it around. When they fired that thing up, it was a sound like no other.

 

Interestingly enough, after 500 miles of driving, I parked the Mini in that space for just long enough to take a couple pics. It was actually in my wife's parking spot. And she said I can get another car, as long as I don't mess with her spot. So, I moved it into another covered, enclosed space before she got home, after kicking the '05 LR3 out into the cold. That's what it gets for returning 11.8 miles to the gallon in City driving with my lead foot. But it can take the elements. Here is a picture of me driving at Nightmare Gulch.


-

 

You're spot on. I was definitely impressed with the stock sound of that pipe. No Italian Tubi swap required.

My friend gave me a ride in his modified 911 Twin Turbo while we followed the Ferrari and I snapped photos. It sounds great for a stock pipe.

 

Excellent writeup!

 

I love stories with pictures!

Great turn by turn story i am happy it had a happy ending for you and your mini

 

Congrats on your new purchase! Looks great

 

Cool writeup

I don't see me turning down an offer to drive just about anything. Also, I think I'd be just as excited about taking a spin in that Lotus. Any offers for you to drive that one?

 

Very nice. Keep your MINI clean.

 

Very nice car and it was a good story. This is just the beginning of your MINI journey!

 

So, you rode in a 911 Turbo, an F430 and now own a Dinan R53? I am so jealous....I think I hate you. Awesome stuff!

 

There might be...

I'll send this thread to my friend and mention your post.

 

We were going to swap, but my toddler and I were in the 911 Turbo, and he wanted me to stay with him. He loves cars, but he didn't know the driver and we couldn't ride together in the F430, since it's a 2 seater, and I don't think it can take a car seat, like the 2+2 Turbo.

But, there should be another opportunity. And I won't pass this time around. I'll let you know what it's like. I was thinking on the drive over, this is crazy, I never knew someone who was getting a brand new Ferrari delivered.

The 2002 911 Turbo was running GT2 Turbos, and modded to about 550 engine horsepower, so it was quite fun to have a ride in that alone, where I wasn't too worried about the F430 ride.

 

You're not helping your case. I'm getting more jealous and hating you even more. 550HP? WTF?! Out of hand, 100%. At least with the "base model" Turbo being AWD, it's not quite the widow maker the GT2 is. Luckily, the only real opportunity I missed (other than dates from being stupid ) was the chance to fire a .44 Magnum. When I had the chance to ride in 2 10 second street cars, I JUMPED on that one. Let us know how the upcoming travels go.

 

After the .44 Magnum, you have got to try a .50 BMG. It's a total riot. A friend has one and let us fire a few rounds. Pure insanity.