Mini Cooper S R53

[David Stuart]

Bought this last week. It was local. A bit over priced but managed to get home down a fair bit to do a deal. Never liked new minis really. But the supercharged R53 is the only one I’ve contemplated owning over the years. I’ve always found minis way overpriced but these are cheap now.

It’s at my mates house. He is going to detail it and bring the body work up to scratch. So far I’ve just swapped the exhaust over and sold on this monstrosity.

Luckily the original style exhaust came with the car. Now so much nicer to drive.

I’ve also bought some new tyres. Black circles had a deal on 4 Michelin PS4’s for £280 delivered. I’m going to paint the wheels silver and get the good tyres on next. The aircon needs a re gas as well. I’ll updates as I go along.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Djw John]

What's the plan, keeping it as a road car?

 

[David Stuart]

What's the plan, keeping it as a road car?

Yeah. I could do the odd track day at Forrestburn hillclimb or kames but it will be a road car. Going to keep it original and unmodified. Keeps the cost down and stops me going mental with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Djw John]

Let's revisit that reply in 6 months 😂

 

[David Stuart]

Let's revisit that reply in 6 months [emoji23]

I’ve not even looked at 17% reduced charger pulleys, r56 big brakes, miltek exhausts, coilovers or anything like that. [emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thecrim22]

change the big end shells on it as a precaution. I got stung with an r53 that i bought as a fixer upper lasted me 4 days before it started knocking its very very common fault

 

[David Stuart]

change the big end shells on it as a precaution. I got stung with an r53 that i bought as a fixer upper lasted me 4 days before it started knocking its very very common fault

Interesting. Never heard of them being bad for it. Suppose any car can have the big ends go. Depends how it’s been looked after as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thecrim22]

r53 bearings are like chocolate, if the oil has been run slightly low then it chews them up and as they are guilty of using oil theres every possiblity of it.

the bearing's are actually not that bad to change you dont need to take the front end off if you take the dogbone mount off it lets the engine swing back enough to get the bolts for the ac or alternator(i cant remember which) and pop the sump off

 

[David Stuart]

I was planning to take the front off to do the supercharger oil change so would make sense to do at the same time. What bearing shells do you recommend?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thecrim22]

any thats not chocolate 🤣🤣 factory replacement are fine. be rude not to fit a smaller pulley while you've got the charger off

 

[David Stuart]

any thats not chocolate [emoji1787][emoji1787] factory replacement are fine. be rude not to fit a smaller pulley while you've got the charger off

And so it begins. [emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[shiftspark]

Looks nice and a great colour ha ha. Loads of info in my Mini thread on bearings etc I didnt do it myself but had a lot of work done including clutch,bearings,seals,supercharger service etc etc soon mounts up in £££

 

[thecrim22]

if you're handy with a spanner they're actually not too bad to work on, once you take the front end off theres not bad access to most things

 

[David Stuart]

if you're handy with a spanner they're actually not too bad to work on, once you take the front end off theres not bad access to most things

I’m partial to turning spanner’s and most other tools around the garage.

And I’ve been into these for a decade so anything is easy access is comparison.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thecrim22]

ooooooooohhhh a real one!!!!!!!!! nice colour too

 

[David Stuart]

ooooooooohhhh a real one!!!!!!!!! nice colour too

This one is supercharged as well. 130bhp with a specialist components rotrex supercharger kit. Although I have changed the crank pulley since so maybe 150bhp in the next few weeks.

You get the theme I can’t really leave cars alone.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thecrim22]

130bhp be rapid 150 be mental!

i know the feeling!!!!!!

 

[David Stuart]

My mate sent some picks of the car all cleaned up. He is really big into detailing cars. Looks after some locals Aston Martins and Bentleys so you know he is good.

Picking it up tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing it in person.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[David Stuart]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[plenty]

Would be interested in driving impressions vs a Clio 1x2. Similar money to buy now. MINI is 200 kgs heavier but can be easily tuned to 200+ bhp.

 

[David Stuart]

Would be interested in driving impressions vs a Clio 1x2. Similar money to buy now. MINI is 200 kgs heavier but can be easily tuned to 200+ bhp.

Very different to drive. The mini is initially dominated by the lower driving position and the tiny windscreen.

I don’t think there is much in it power wise. They both feel quick. The mini also is quite good in the corners but not quite as good as the clio. Mini has better interior and gear change in the mini is much better than the clio. A lot of R53s come with an LSD from the factory which is good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CrippsCorner]

I’ve not even looked at 17% reduced charger pulleys, r56 big brakes, miltek exhausts, coilovers or anything like that. [emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Exactly all the bits I have on mine 🤑 makes the car a lot more fun... just about to sell mine, but I'll definitely miss the sounds from the supercharger and Milltek.

 

[ASH_7R]

I’ve not even looked at 17% reduced charger pulleys, r56 big brakes, miltek exhausts, coilovers or anything like that. [emoji23]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Looks like you’ve got yourself a lovely example there [emoji1303]

That’s what I said about mine “oh I’ll just leave it standard”... and I’ve completed all of that list and more [emoji23]. Waiting for the tracks to open so I can enjoy it for what I’ve built it for lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[David Stuart]

Made a good start on the mechanicals of this last night.

Just a full service plus a supercharger service.

Also the aircon isn’t working but that’s because the radiator fan is siezed.

Should all be going back together today or tomorrow. Then back to the garage in Airdrie to get the regas done again for free.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[charltjr]

I'd seriously look at getting those boat anchor wheels off it and stick a set of lighter ones on there, it made an incredible difference to mine

 

[David Stuart]

I'd seriously look at getting those boat anchor wheels off it and stick a set of lighter ones on there, it made an incredible difference to mine

I would if I was going to track it. But this will stay totally original.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[davo172]

Would be interested in driving impressions vs a Clio 1x2. Similar money to buy now. MINI is 200 kgs heavier but can be easily tuned to 200+ bhp.

I test drove one years ago when I had my 172 the mini was 12 months old then it felt a fair it slower than my 172tbh better build quality thou🤣

 

[davo172]

View attachment 1476422
View attachment 1476423


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Best colour for one of these imo

 

[David Stuart]

I test drove one years ago when I had my 172 the mini was 12 months old then it felt a fair it slower than my 172tbh better build quality thou[emoji1787]

I would agree with that.

I actually just bought a road going 182 for a wee project so can make a better comparison now. What is very obvious that similar size / similar power cars they have totally different character. The clio is definitely a bit yobbish / chav. Great drive though. The mini is definitely a bit more refined and up market. I like both but for different reasons.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[David Stuart]

Fitted a new water pump while it was all apart.

Car is back together now. Will give it a wash at the weekend and take some pictures.

Also had a go at refurbishing the headlights. There was some sticky mess on the drivers side (from a European trip maybe?)

I got most of it off. Still a small amount left but will give the whole car a wash and see how they look.

I also baked a carrot cake (2nd picture off to the right [emoji23])


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[David Stuart]

Got round to painting the wheels tonight.

The mini is on temp wheels from mini clio. Not driving it on these. Just to let me move it in and out the unit.

I’ve decided to paint up a set of turinis I had as well. Will sell these on if they come out decent.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[David Stuart]

A few issues to deal with.

1) I had a few lacquer runs and dry spots. I’m going to flat then back with some 600-1000 grit and might have to do another lacquer coat.

2) I gave my brother the wheels to fit the tyres. I’m glad I don’t this before getting them perfect. Apparently they were a pig to get on and he has marked a few wee bits.

I’ll mask up the tyres and get them perfect over the next week.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cookson]

rough c**t lol

 

[David Stuart]

Exactly. They were a tight fit apparently. But still....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk