Factory supercharger oil service is scheduled at 100,000 miles. Oil is easy to change -- removing the supercharger is not. In order to service the SC, the car must be put into FESM (front end service mode) that entails disassembling most of the vehicle's front end, i.e. front bumper, crush structures, as well as draining the coolant, removing the radiator, water pump, etc. However, FESM will also provide you an opportunity to clean up the engine and bay, as well as give you access to areas of the engine otherwise not easily available. Check out ModMini's YouTube videos on the subject. He's also a fantastic source for many other R53 repairs.

 

I did bring home the R53 today. It drove nice around town and she was selling it because she needed a bigger car with a baby on the way. She babied it according to the husband who couldn't drive it because he can't drive stick. I believe he didn't know anything about the car, because he was clueless on how to open the hood. She had to show me around the car. Very nice people. They supplied me with a some service records and recalls completed to including parts replaced. I didn't see any supercharger oil changes, so it will be on my list of things to do. I also notice a pulsating hum which sounds like its emanating from the front. This wasn't present at city speeds, but goes away at about 85-90, so I'm guessing I need new wheel bearings too.

I also was surprised to see the JCW kit under the hood, I guess this is a bonus.

 

Congratulations! Looked like you scored a good one. Wheel bearings/hubs are easy to replace. You might try Detroit Axle if you don't want to pay exorbitant manufacturer prices -- fronts are $54 and backs are $45. I've ordered hubs from them and been really satisfied with their products/service. You'll also want to order new brake rotor set screws (to affix the rotor to the new hub assembly). Here's a link to PartsGeek which is a good and reasonably priced online source for MINI parts (https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/20...set_screw.html). Good luck.

 

Thanks, but are they a subpar product or why is it there is such a drastic price difference? Don't get me wrong, I love to save money, but don't want to sacrifice on quality. I was going to just replace all four, not just the front, and be done with it. I was going to order the non branded OEM ones from Mini mania, which I found on this site, but its still a good chunk. $919.80 before the NAM discount. You just saved me $700. I feel like I owe you a beer

BTW- what's the difference between the Textar and Genuine set screw on your link besides? the Textar doesn't designate front left, front right, rear left, rear right, just front and rear? They are also different sizes.

Might as well ask, is there a better source for the window motor too?

 

Here are a couple of photos. interior is in really good shape. Only thing worn out is the gear shifter.

 

jk6722, nice car! Wish mine had the JCW upgrades. All I can tell you is that Detroit Axle where I sourced my hubs is an ISO-certified manufacturer and I've had no issues whatsoever with the parts. Now, admittedly, they're been on the car only three months but given the price difference I could replace all of them four times based on your quote. I'm not totally sure about the size difference on the set screws and their specific application (on Parts Geek). Before you order you might want to remove one from your car, take it to a Home Depot or Lowe's and measure it. I will tell you that my Bentley repair manual calls for a Torx M10 x 13 set screw tightened to 20 ft-lbs. Shoot me an email at wcm48@hotmail.com and I'll send you a PDF of the section covering the brakes/suspension (if the large data file will go thru).

 

I think I got a good deal at 4k. I read somewhere the JWS kit alone cost more than what I paid for the whole car

 

I did order all four hubs from Detroit. Doesn't hurt to try them. I need one more part, the door only locks on the drivers side with the key controller, works fine on passenger side, locking and unlocking. Do I need to order this part to resolve the issue?

https://new.minimania.com/part/NMI76...m-Gen1-R50-r53

 

You bought yourself a nice JCW. It is likely relatively unadulterated given the profile of the previous owner.

 

 

Don't know about everyone else on here but $4K sounds like a real deal for a JCW. I paid the same $$$ for a limited edition 2004 MC40 with 125k miles (#826). I'm having a blast driving around with only 163hp so I imagine that having the additional JCW horsepower is even more fun. MINIs are built to drive and you're really going to enjoy having one in the driveway, and on the road. Let the forum know if the hubs have any issues. As I mentioned, mine have been faultless. If you're ever in the Dallas area, I'll take you up on the beer offer!

 

Recognizing that it's cosmetic, it looks like you need a new shift **** too. May I suggest that you go with something other than the OEM shift ****? I've replaced mine twice now. The chrome tends to peel, and the leather wore through on the second one.

Duane

 

When I took it for the test drive I wasn't shy about it, but I didn't floor it, and the guy said that's the fastest this car has been driven, acceleration wise.

 

too late. I already have an OEM on the way. Where are some nice replacements that don't look out of place?

 

I'm wanting to do the supercharger maintenance, I emailed Pelican parts to see what I need to get it done as far as supplies. I've been searching Google trying to find a recommended maintenance plan for the R53, especially after hitting the 100k mark, but no real luck yet. Anyone have a maintenance schedule on what should be replaced or inspected and when? I'm particularly interested in the supercharger (never had anything with a super charger, Turbos, yes), how do you know when it's time to think about replacements or if it's been neglected with oil changes? I've gone over all the maintenance records they gave me, and grant it they did say there were more, but they couldn't find them all, but I didn't see any supercharger servicing.