Just picked up an 05 R53 with 96K and am looking to learn the ins and outs of how to bulletproof this car. It's my daily driver and I'm all about reliability. I keep reading and searching but everything lands me threads that make me feel like I need an intake, exhaust, JCW injectors, 15% pulley and a tune. I am really going for reliability more than anything... So far, my list of things that will need addressing consists of:

-harmonic balancer - Replace with ATI
-Random oil leaks
-Motor Mount - Replace with TSW
-Mushrooming tower/Camber issues - Kill two birds with one stone, IE Camber Plates
-Control arm bushings - Replace with Powerflex lca bushings
-Steering shaft U-Joints - no fix?
-Window Regulators - Nothing but factory replacement? Aside from cave-man beating your door?
-Thermostat - Factory only?
-Power Steering Pump/Hoses - Factory Only?
-Coolant Reservoir/Overflow Tank - Factory Only?
-Clutch - Any aftermarket clutches better than the stocker?

I will be ontop of all fluid changes as I love messing with my cars. The car is fast enough i don't need to mess with power, just want reliability. Any input on the above is greatly appreciated! Sorry for any N00B questions, I tried to search as much as i could.

 

- Harmonic balancer with ATI = Pretty much the best option.
- Oil leaks: Fix them. :p
- Motor mount: Multiple options and I would stay away from oem as they'll fail later on, again. TSW, Vibratechnic, etc.
- Mushrooming: Camber plates is the best solution to strengthen them. Strut defenders are an option as well, but probably not as good to prevent it.
- Control arm bushings: Can't go wrong with the P/F bushings.
- Steering shaft u-joint: A replacement of the shaft is the best option.
- Windows regulator: I'd say yes for oem, unless you want to install cheap ones if avail.
- Thermostat: I'd go with oem
- Power steering pump: You can go reman, but they're known to fail again. I went for a new one, pricey but I didn't wanted another failure soon after.
- Coolant reservoir: Either Forge or Canton/RMW (with a proper pressure cap)
- Clutch: Someone else will chime in, no experience with anything but oem (still on the original clutch).

 

-harmonic balancer - ATI or PRW
-Random oil leaks-Genuine or Victor Reinz
-Motor Mount - VibraTechnics
-Mushrooming tower/Camber issues - Seen some mushroom w/ Camber Plates alone, best to add Cravenspeed/VIP. Vorshlag doesnt lift the fronts, RTM even lowers by 10mm. Other camber & under tower plates lift fronts.
-Control arm bushings - Replace with Powerflex lca bushings
-ball joints- Lemforders are OE
-Steering shaft U-Joints - Genuine
-Window Regulators - Nothing but factory replacement
-Thermostat - Factory
-Power Steering Pump/Hoses - Factory Only, swap all hose clamps
-Coolant Reservoir/Overflow Tank - Canton/RMW
-Clutch - Valeo, great value, works fine
-Rad Low speed fan- bypass the burnt resistor
-Belt tensioner strut-$70 Gates or Alta adjustable tensioner stop
-Plugs, wires,,coil-factory
-supercharger-waterpump gears gone? cheaper to go electric H20 pump
-alternator- Denso is factory
-rear hatch switch:seal gap between hatch & handle
-get a scangauge

 

One thing to point out...
Regular inspections can FIND any of these issues before they cause major issues (even a crank damper issue if you know what to look out for).....
Some bridges are best left uncrossed till you need too...some may never be an issue for YOU.
The list is pretty good list of the more common stuff...and the better solutions....but like I said before....you might NEVER have ALL the issues....
Good luck.
One more...
Imo add the ps fan duct kit...was stock on the cabrio..pretty much fixed the ps pump fan issues...and seems to have help the ps pump.

 

+1 on the fan protecting duct. Since my PS fan was factory wired to turn on w/ high speed fan, I rewired & opted for manual switching. It's on full time to hopefully extend the pump life. The 05 should turn on w/ the low speed fan, so you're good there.

 

+1 New to the forum. Thanks to everybody for their contributions.