Hi,

I am new here and have a few questions. Any help would be appreciated. I am hoping to build a track toy - not class specific at this time. Track days and autoX.

Does the 05-06 R53 S have shorter gear ratios? Also is LSD a standard option on the S, if not how do tell if it has it (option code)? Are there know engine or manual gear box issues at the track?

Thanks fro any help.

 

LSD is not standard, it's option 2TA. It's standard only on the manual transmission factory JCW (option 3AL).

I believe the shorter gear ratios came out July 2004 with the "facelift".

 

Thanks for the reply. In regards to the 2TA option - is it only with the factory JCW?

I read in an article that the shorter gear ratios were from 05 - 06. Here is a quote from the Road and track article:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...-buyers-guide/

"The last two years of the R53 are the most desirable. BMW changed out all kinds of mechanical items, including upgrading the supercharger, changing out the ECU and exhaust, and shortening up the gear ratios. As a result, the '05 Cooper S is much quicker in a straight line than its predecessors, and a new optional limited slip made it quicker on corner exit too. Power was up to 170hp".

It would not be the first time the media have been wrong.

 

Yup, all of that is correct. The JCW OEM lsd is not that great but it’s better than no lsd at all. I upgraded my JCW OEM lsd to an OS GIKEN Superlocker LSD and of you have tracked any car before you know the OSG LSD is the best.

 

Anyone could order the -2TA option, it wasn't very common though. What I mean is all JCWs from the factory have it by default.

Regarding the facelift, it's build date vs model year. The cars which came off the line 06/2004 were model year 2005

 

I have a non-JCW with a LSD and Slicktop...they exist

 

In my Halt and Catch Fire lingo facelift means R53.2. Facelift sounds too plastic surgery , and my R53.2 Mini is too down to earth (i.e. tenacious grip given the gravitation force) for that.

 

LSD and slickroof here as well. Keep in mind the S/R adds 80 lb. to the car and raises the CG. If you're going to build a dedicated track car, no S/R is a prerequisite.

 

LSD and cloth roof here.

 

LSD Checkmate here, and believe all Checkmate S’s came with the LSD also

 

Thanks for all the replies.

Basic track coilovers - not Motons - something reasonable but with track not street springs, any recomendations? Do they need bump steer kits? What sways to match?