I currently live in Gardner Mass, and I own a 2002 Mini Cooper S R53. I'm looking for other enthusiasts in my area to help each other out and to start kind of a central mass Mini group.

Feel free to shoot me a text @ (978)424-7819. My name is Rene, if you've seen me around, I've probably seen you too. I am committing to building my R53 to the max for street and track. I'm hoping for over 200WHP, but am planning on more handling and track day modifications, ie race seats, harness, weight reduction, wheels and tires, suspension, maybe a body kit.

I am in desperate need of a pulley remover for the stock supercharger pulley, i just ordered the kit for 17% overdrive, I'm also planning on getting into tuning r53's once I have the funds available for the kit. If anyone has one I can rent, borrow, or buy for cheap, please let me know ASAP!!!

 

So I am not in central Mass, nor an r53 owner (see sig) but I just wanted to let you know that auto parts stores (like auto zone and such) where i am at will usually rent pulley removers for practically free where you put down a down payment and when you return it you get your money back. Don't know if there is something special about the supercharger pulley though.

 

I believe that the supercharger pulley is specific to the r53. It uses a one sided inverted shaped version of the pulley, not the double sided chip style pulley they rent from AutoZone.
I'll try the pulley puller set just to let you know, but from my experience working there, I don't think that it will work.

 

Hey, Rene, I'm in Leicester with your R50 sibling.

 

Awesome,

In the Boston , MA area there are many MINIs . Last time I was there I saw more then most cities. Check the local club also.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ring-club-251/

 

I'm in a pretty rural area and I have 4-5 other mini's in my general area.

 

Don't do that - quite a few stories and even a YouTube video of people using the wrong puller really messing things up...

 

as for the pulley puller, use a real one that the mini community offers, someone might have one around. I know theres a minis of boston group. and a mini's of new Hampshire group with quite a few people from the keene area.

 

Happy to meet someone else, I have nothing against r50s, I'm open to just about all minis, I'm looking to start an active group so that we have more than just discussion board to talk on.

 

Well, hey, I'm in! What do you have in mind?

 

Definitely meet and eat, I'm thinking meet and drive to the track days and such too.

 

http://www.greasysgarage.com/main/
Greasy’s Garage
143A Hamilton Street
Worcester, MA 01604

is a good MINI centric garage in your neck of the woods....very involved with MINI's since the start, the owner has owned MANY...
heck, they have sponsored events at MOT (mini's on top) http://www.minisontop.org/



Many folks very involved in the MINI community in the region use this place as a unofficial HUB....the fact they do GREAT work at a decent price makes it better!!

 

+1 for Greasy's

I purchased a JCW Exhaust for my previous 05 R53, from -=gRay rAvEn=- and Greasy's did the install along with a Short Shifter. They were great to work with. I hovered around the shop like an expectant Dad waiting and watching them do the work so I could learn a thing or three. They were great!

 

Join up in the fun !

www.Massmotoringclub.org !

 

Another vote for Greasy's -- right in your back yard.

 

Hey,
While not exactly in your area, but there are a few of us from Eastern NY and CT that enjoy track stuff at LRP and we will be going to Palmer in the fall. If you are up for a bit of a trip we also go to Watkins Glen. It would be great to have another MINI join us. The events are hosted by the local chapters of BMWCCA. Join up and think about joining us.

 

If you're making the trip from Lowell to Worcester, Greasy's must be pretty good.

 

I drove from Manchester NH!

 

Yes, indeed!

 

What is greasy's labor rate?

 

$85/hour when I was last there in January

 

Thanks, I'm actually there now, sitting in the waiting room.

 

Awesome! Tell Pete, Dave, and Thom that I say hi.

 

Sorry, man, I had left before seeing your post.

 

No worries. Hope they did right by you.