what would be considered too high of mileage to do mods and such on a mini?


I've got an 03 MCS with 130k, and although I enjoy the car, I'm wondering if its worth dumping a bunch of cash to get coil overs, wheels, and such, or just enjoy and maintain the car the way it is, have some fun at some autocross or a track day or two, and not bother...


any insight?

 

Many of those mods can be justified by upgrading worn out parts

With that mileage just check the car over and do the maint it needs first like control arm bushings and such. Then proceed with the mods if it's going to break it will break with or without the mods.

 

+1 ... you should be hitting the time that things are wearing out and need to be replaced anyway, so if you wanted to MOD out as you replaced worn out stock parts, this is a great time to do.

Funny thing occurred the other day, I was looking over my 1975 MG Midget before I took it in for the annual safety inspection (PA), I was checking front sway bar links, thinking they look a little worn, but how can they be I just replaced them... I replaced them in 2004... Yea, OK, so they are a little worn. The same thing with my two 2004 R53s I keep up with my maintenance, but I have to keep reminding myself these cars are 11 years old. Yours being a year older would more than likely benefit from a full blown suspension rebuild, so why not cowboy up and put on what you want?

Motor on!

 

+1

My car had about 140k on the odometer and decided it was time to fix up all the bad parts. When I did this, I upgraded. Then eventually progressed, I have a built motor and big turbo set up. I'd say modify what you want and when other things break, upgrade. When I fixed things, other components on the car would break in result to the upgrade as the broken parts covered up other bad parts. It comes with the territory of modifications on an older car, but at least you know things are getting fixed and with arguably better parts.

-Luccia

 

What's your goal with the car? Is it a daily driver? Track car? both? What's your budget/commitment level?

I started really modding my first mini around the mileage, lowered, stiffer sway bar ect. It's kind of the perfect time because you don't have much to lose and alot to gain. The biggest question mark in my mind is the motor/drive train and how much life they have left in them, and if you're willing to put a new motor in it if you need to.

I'd probably go for it, I'd love to have the time and money to turn an r53 into a dedicated track/race car but for now I don't.

 

I have 245K+ miles on mine and just take care of it and mod it if you want. In the end you might have money put into it, but it will make you smile when you drive it.

If a track car , that's even better.

 

thanks for all the input. its mostly my daily driver, but id like to track it when I can, my other thought is that I've been seeing a lot of r53s on craigslist with high mileage and decent prices so I was thinking of getting another and "trying" to make a track one and was wondering if it would be worth it. if id have my way id buy every one I could and have a big collection of r53s....


either way thanks for the input, I feel more committed to making the one I own the best I can.

 

You are welcome, good luck on project.