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Back on the forums 10 years after I last posted. I sold my R52 convertible back in 2015 and regretted it ever since. Have been on the lookout for a Roadster for a very long time, they rarely come up for sale in Australia. I finally managed to snag one this week in my home state of WA (it being the only one for sale in the country !). I've ordered a few bits already to begin my mod journey - chrome blackout kit being the first item.
It's been great re-acquainting myself again with the Mini community. All the places I followed years ago still kicking along, mostly. So glad to be back
Back on the forums 10 years after I last posted. I sold my R52 convertible back in 2015 and regretted it ever since. Have been on the lookout for a Roadster for a very long time, they rarely come up for sale in Australia. I finally managed to snag one this week in my home state of WA (it being the only one for sale in the country !). I've ordered a few bits already to begin my mod journey - chrome blackout kit being the first item.
It's been great re-acquainting myself again with the Mini community. All the places I followed years ago still kicking along, mostly. So glad to be back
Very nice looking car, dechroming will certainly tie it all together.
A new proud member of the 2 door club! She was delivered a week ago. Meet the Blueper! 2013 S. Manual transmissions. JCW interior package. She will get a whole new suspension with coilovers, adjustable links, adjustable camber arms, 22mm sway bars, new wheel hubs, brakes and rotors. The N18 will be removed and upgraded with forged internals, all new valves, springs, etc, Cryo timing
chain. Aluminum thermostat, water pipe, water pump. New vacuum pump. NM Engineering cold air intake. Wagner intercooler. All coolant lines replaced with silicon. Same for charge pipes. Resonator delete and noisemaker delete. JCW turbo with the Detroit Tuned super kit. Tune from Lou. Future water/meth.
I am someone who very much dislikes any chrome on a car but I think this chrome and the blue color could work.
Yes that should be fun. Good luck with that list... Sounds like it's going to cost more than the car 😄
Nah... Forget the no chrome philosophy. It's over done. Chrome is a classic and works very well on these cars. I see all of these blacked out car and frankly when driving in traffic they blend in and disappear. Boring. No interest except for that one day photoshoot... Lol
Let's put it this way, chrome is like light for insects. Human beings can't help but look at it 😆. The important thing with chrome is that it's clean and polished. A dull chrome is worse than no chrome imo.
Any way enjoy the new toy. Got ours 12 years ago and I still enjoy driving this roadster every time.
Yes that should be fun. Good luck with that list... Sounds like it's going to cost more than the car 😄
Nah... Forget the no chrome philosophy. It's over done. Chrome is a classic and works very well on these cars. I see all of these blacked out car and frankly when driving in traffic they blend in and disappear. Boring. No interest except for that one day photoshoot... Lol
Let's put it this way, chrome is like light for insects. Human beings can't help but look at it 😆. The important thing with chrome is that it's clean and polished. A dull chrome is worse than no chrome imo.
Any way enjoy the new toy. Got ours 12 years ago and I still enjoy driving this roadster every time.
you bet! Im keeping her forever! Thanks for chrome vote! I’ve got the mill tek sport cat DP too but I’d love to hear any thoughts on catback upgrade.
lastly to make this even more super duper fun… legit considering the Kswap.
2015 R59 Convertable. 26k on the odometer. 6-speed turbo. Peppy little thing.
Been doing a few upgrade, and they all make a diference.
AEM CIA
Neuspeed NM Power Module (very noticeable difference)
Neuspeed NM Oil Catch Can (stock breather hose had oil inside)
Wheel Stud Conversion (hate the stock stud bolts)
AFE Cat-Back Exhaust (not too loud, but gives a little rumble without the popcorn backfire most aftermarket systems have)
Powerstop Pads and Rotors (stock brakes were showing some extreme brake wear)
SS Brake lines (while I was in there...)
Metal Oil Filter Cap (bye-bye plastic)
Opened up the hood scoop for more air inlet.
Torque Solution Short Shifter next up on the list. I have on order the lower shift cable cover that extends lower to allow for the shifter.
Wish I had room to add a lift for all this work. Crawling around on the ground sucks when you reach your 60's. LOL
Wife's Car, so she wants the same black wheels wheels that@winchy has on their post above.
Last edited by CoreyDSFA; Mar 16, 2026 at 09:03 AM.
Funny, I just replaced ours after it broke on the garage shop when I ask them to do a brake swap during car state inspection because I was out of time. A bunch of clips just broke off. These chromed plastic parts get brutal over time sadly.
It doesn't help most people tend to slam the hood down. I find it frustrating when one can simply push it down to lock.
