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Hi been around here for long time and have had 3x Mini. My first car was Mini R53 in grey color back in 2006 and I have ever since been in love with Mini.
I bought this 2004 R53 in hyper blue back in 2014/5 and did big list of mods to the car but sold it. Ever since I sold the car I have always been after to buy it back, some weeks ago I came over AD and saw the car and I knew I had to buy it back. The car is in need for some TLC as the last owner have not taken that good care of the car.
So here is the mods I have done before:
17% S/C pulley
Remap
Alta Cold Air Intake System
NGK Iridium Spark Plugs
Milltek Cat-back exhaust
Milltek manifolds
JCW strut brace
JCW steering wheel with alcantara/leather
JCW R56 brake kit
Sports brake lines (Goodridge Braided)
KW2 coilovers
GTT Rear Strut brace
GTT Lower Mid Chassis Brace
Powerflex all bushings
18" OZ Superleggera
H&R Rear 2way Adjustable Sway Bar
Alta Rear Control Arms
Alta End Links
JCW injectors 380cc
GRS Intercooler
Full Aero JCW kit
Chrome Interior Trim
JCW Boot Handle Cover
This is what Im doing now:
R56 JCW Recaro seats
Quaife ATB LSD Differential
JCW side scuttles
Supercharger: new
JCW Airbox with flap removed
ITG airfilter
JCW door sills
KW2 springs, I have Kw2 coilovers on car, but springs have some rust on
Radiator Overflow Tank: Canton: Black
Radiator Overflow Tank Lid: 30PSI: Canton
Power Steering Tank: Aluminum Black: Canton
Coolant Hose Set Silicone: Mishimoto: Black
Ignition Coil: Screamin Deamon
Spark Plug Set: LGS DOR15LGS-T Stock Heat Range
Alta Air Intake Replacement Filter
Supercharger Pulley Alta 17%
Belt: Serpentine
Thermostat Housing: URO Metal
Thermostat
Water Pump
Cravenspeed Ultimate MINI Oil Dipstick
Alta Lightened Crank Pulley: Standard size
CocoMats
Whiteline Front Adjustable Drop Links
H&R Sport Sway Bar Kit front / rear
Clutch Kit including flywheel: LUK
Fan for Power Steering Pump REIN AUTOMOTIVE
Nissens 69701A Uprated Alloy Radiator
Engine Cooling Fan Assembly P/N:75647
Milltek Non Resonated Section (car have full Milltek system)
JCW steering wheel (32300416251)
R56 rear trailing arms
Rear Hub Wheel Bearing Kits Pair
Powerflex Rear Trailing Arm Front Bushes ROAD
Whiteline Rear Adjustable Drop Links
R56 Rear Trailing Arm Adaptors
New brake disc + pads + sensors
pioneer SPH-20DAB
JVC CS-J6930
JVC CS-J520X
Here are some pictures of the car with the mods I done before, and when the car was in good shape.
Last edited by mini.power; Nov 6, 2022 at 02:22 PM.
Reason: some error
Love the color. Make sure you post up some install pics when you put the seats in! You probably know this already, but if you DIY the seat changeover, make sure you disconnect the battery before changing out the seats. Even if the car is off when you disconnect the airbag connectors, you will get an airbag warning light on the dash when you next turn the car on that will have to be reset by a stealership.
Love the color. Make sure you post up some install pics when you put the seats in! You probably know this already, but if you DIY the seat changeover, make sure you disconnect the battery before changing out the seats. Even if the car is off when you disconnect the airbag connectors, you will get an airbag warning light on the dash when you next turn the car on that will have to be reset by a stealership.
Yeah I really need some step by step how I can do the seat change, as the connectors under the seat not the same. I got this picture from the R56 JCW Recaro seat, what should I do? My biggest problem is that there is not much shops in Norway that can fix this stuff for me
I believe there should be a pretty recent thread in the interior modification subforum in the R50/R53 forum about transplanting R56 seats (with their different connectors) into an R53. That will probably have all of the info you need in there. So far as I know, no one who has changed out R56 seats into an R53 had someone else do the work for them... mostly it seems to be a tinkerer/DIY thing. Again, so far as I know. I would imagine a competent auto electronics place or auto upholstery place *may* be able to do this for you.
I just got the seats today, put them in garage. Looks easy this guide, but only concern is when get to stage I need put R56 seat airbag wire in R53 plugs I dont know what color go where..
Also the heated seats I dont know what I should do
So I tried to install the JCW R56 Recaro seats, but for me important to get the heated function to work so I got upholstery shop to install the seats and wire. Now heating function works fine + airbag is connected etc
I even got them to trim the downtubes in leather looks + feels so nice. I had JCW R53 all leather steering wheel I got installed.
Got them to install Pioneer sph-20dab + all new speakers + microphone + DAB antenna.
Her you guys also see coco mats put in rear, in front now use rubber mats as its winter in Norway
I have also bought all JCW carbon trims for steering wheel + gear **** + brake handle I also bought JCW carbon dash very good condition. + JCW Leather dash and down tubes. So not sure what to use on car I think will start with the carbon dash
My car have Goodridge Braided brake lines, but I run GruppeM brake lines on my Ferrari so I bought GruppeM for Mini also.
As I will get a lot stuff done like change springs in KW V2 coilovers I think its better to upgrade the front + rear shock top mounts, bought both Febi + Corteco, I think will use Febi.
Some other parts
Left & Right Tie Rod Assemblies
Loebro Drive Axle Front GAP
Front Driver Left Output Shaft Axle Shaft Assembly GKN
THERMOTEC KTT110319
New spotlight
+ cover for spotlight bought 2x sets
R90 wheels as I wrote before also bought R112
Brake Caliper Seal Kit front + back with new pistons I hear pistons on JCW R56 Brembo are composite so this will change to steel
I also bought JCW 210 ECU with all key etc
+ JCW top head that are in now to get refurbished
I will get the shop in UK to build new engine with cylinder etc
That’s a sweet looking 355! The carbon sport seats, Challenge grille, and Speedlines are great upgrades. Is it Blu Pozzi? One of my dream cars (that’s possibly obtainable) is a Giallo Modena GTB with carbon seats, Challenge grille, and white Speedlines.
The 996 C4S is another great car… nice turbo wide body, but clean without the intakes and tail. The pics threw me off for a minute as I didn’t remember them changing to a single grille from the double on the 993.
Can you compare the fun factor of the MINI with the others?
Yeah Im very happy with the 355, I have taken the Speedlines off now and running stock wheels (car are in winter storage now). Yeah its Blu Pozzi and cuoio interior, also its spec with Fiorano Handling Package very rare. Yeah 996 C4S Im also very happy with both of this cars have been totally refurbished.
I think fun factor in Mini is same also R53 is very nostalgic for me as it was my first car back in early 2000s
Originally Posted by RB-MINI
That’s a sweet looking 355! The carbon sport seats, Challenge grille, and Speedlines are great upgrades. Is it Blu Pozzi? One of my dream cars (that’s possibly obtainable) is a Giallo Modena GTB with carbon seats, Challenge grille, and white Speedlines.
The 996 C4S is another great car… nice turbo wide body, but clean without the intakes and tail. The pics threw me off for a minute as I didn’t remember them changing to a single grille from the double on the 993.
Can you compare the fun factor of the MINI with the others?
Yeah me too, I bought one of this 355 back in 2007 and ever since I sold it have always wanted to buy this spec. So I saw this car for sale 1 year ago and bought it and paid for it without seen it in person
Originally Posted by MiniManAdam
That's one of my favorite Ferrari's made ! Wow , absolutely stunning color and those seats ! 🤤 🤤 🤤 🤤
Is it Blu Pozzi? One of my dream cars (that’s possibly obtainable) is a Giallo Modena GTB with carbon seats, Challenge grille, and white Speedlines. 
