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Here are most of the R52 upgrades: Main interior kit, then License plate, reverse lights, you have the markers up front. Also, the install PDF is linked to the main Master kit page for the interior. I have these on my r52.
Main interior kit, then License plate, reverse lights:
You have the side turn signals in clear so you will need the non led chrome side turn signal bulbs, they flash orange and get rid of that orange dot egg yolk look. They are non LED.
$130 shipped for all 4 corners, including the sensors? Great reviews. Anyone here installed it? How's the dust? Seems too good to be true. I do wish it wasn't slotted/drilled, don't think we need them on our small rotors.
Bought first performance mods. Gotta go slowly due to funds (freakn' kids and ex wife, ha!).
1. Madness Lower Stress Brace
2. Madness CAI
Need to research on best way to prevent mushrooming, probably be next purchase. Not sure if I need the strut brace or not, sounds like most people say the lower has the biggest impact. A lot of R52 owners have great reviews on the Madness Lower brace.
Going to get a quote on removing the resonator (one ball mod). If they are over $75, I'm buying the ebay $230 shipped exahaust and hoping for the best. I'll do the pulley upgrade in the summer
Need to research on best way to prevent mushrooming, probably be next purchase. Not sure if I need the strut brace or not, sounds like most people say the lower has the biggest impact. A lot of R52 owners have great reviews on the Madness Lower brace.
i don’t know anything about the Madness Brace, but in general just a brace won’t necessarily help with mushrooming. You need to be sure the upper brace has reinforcement plates. Another option would be to go with something like these https://www.cravenspeed.com/under-tower-indurators-for-mini/ with or without an upper brace on top. ModMINI on YouTube has good DIY vids for installs like these. I have M7 plates on my car, but if I was starting over I’d probably go with CravenSpeed under towers and their defender plates on top.
Installed the Madness CAI this weekend. Had a WTF moment after I tried starting her back up and it didn't click over. Took a minute, but found I didn't fully connect the wiring harness for the ECU. Ooops. Started right up after that!
I like it, looks good and sounds great. Love hearing the S/C scream!
Looks like I have a cracked strut mount (passenger)? Attached is a pic. What's the best route to fix this and make the R52 better?
I went stock to avoid adding anymore harshness to the front end. It is pretty rough as stock. Since you are taking the struts apart it may be time for some Koni FSDs.
Installed the Madness CAI this weekend. Had a WTF moment after I tried starting her back up and it didn't click over. Took a minute, but found I didn't fully connect the wiring harness for the ECU. Ooops. Started right up after that!
I like it, looks good and sounds great. Love hearing the S/C scream!
Looks like I have a cracked strut mount (passenger)? Attached is a pic. What's the best route to fix this and make the R52 better?
I'm looking for some ~$40 Centric rotors. Buying parts for a R52 is tiresome, I just don't trust the part #s! Centricparts.com's site has different part #s for a 2006 and 2007/2008 Convertible. Why would the the 2007/2008 R52 have a different part number than 2006?
I also see on almost all sites, an option to select 276mm and 294mm for the front. Is 294mm JCW?
Last edited by PokerMunkee; Apr 17, 2018 at 11:08 AM.
I'm looking for some ~$40 Centric rotors. Buying parts for a R52 is tiresome, I just don't trust the part #s! Centricparts.com's site has different part #s for a 2006 and 2007/2008 Convertible. Why would the the 2007/2008 R52 have a different part number than 2006?
I also see on almost all sites, an option to select 276mm and 294mm for the front. Is 294mm JCW?
I also see on almost all sites, an option to select 276mm and 294mm for the front. Is 294mm JCW?[/QUOTE]
Trust our site, most places don't know MINI well or the person building the site did not know what are all MINI models.
7.2006 was a slip year for the m12 to m14 wheel bolts so it follows that for the rotors. The rotor size dictates the non jcw 276mm vs the JCW brakes 294mm on the Gen 1 MINIs.
I will contact them and have them update the site, my guess is they just did not apply it on the catalog. We just added EBC brake rotors, DBA brakes, and the full stoptech and Centric line.
Put on Centric rotors and EBC Red pads on the front today. Easy job, except I broke the wear sensor. Had a spare on hand but took over 30 mins to replace it. What a PITA !
No more squealing is a big welcome. Also looking forward to no dust on the wheels.
Next up is shocks I think Then I'll be good until I muster courage to do the pulley. Need to watch the videos for a few more hours
I see Koni FSB on closeout on tirerack for $550 with $50 rebate. Is there a cheaper/better option ?
Update! She's at 68K miles a little over 2 years later. I had to replace the t-stat and housing last year due to leaking coolant and getting high temps. Easy fix.
But now the crank shaft pulley failed. Was out running errands with the A/C on and went into limp mode when about to get on the highway. Limped her home and she's sitting in the garage for parts to come in. Went with PRW pulley, new bolt and seal. Also going to replace the timing tensioner while in there. After I put a few miles on her, I'm going to put on a 15% pulley and new belt tensioner. Time for some maintenance!
Nice to read. I posted above, buying a 2007 (140K) yesterday. Looking forward to fun drives around town, and fixing the cab top glitch on passenger side (need to use a screwdriver to pry clamp/link loose before lowering top).
You are less than 1/2 my mileage and my car drives perfectly!
Picked up my 08 R52 JCW a few months ago with 64k on her. Had her brought to WMW to get looked over knowing I wanted the balancer pulley changed because they are known to fail. Also had him do a 15% pulley and new plugs wires and coil. Changed the power steering lines and put in his mild street cam and tune. Also needed a new AC compressor too. Was told it's at about 200hp at the wheels now. I really dont have anything to compare her to but she pulls nice at all rpms. I have the new rear sway bar I have to install one of these days. Even though I bought it for my wife to drive in the summer I love taking it out for a spin every now and then. I'm assuming your blue is the same Lazer blue as mine since they are both 08s.
