Fast road R53

[darren9]

I've 'inherited' the wife's R53,MCS checkmate. Because I like that sort of thing, I've been looking at upgrades.

The car will be used for commuting short distances and fun days. Possibly very occasionally once/twice a year a trackday.

Is there anything better than JCW for this? Looking on forums the advice seems to be just "slam it on coilovers" I'm not sure that's suitable for rural roads and a decent set of coils seem to be a grand which is a 1/4 of the value of the car.

Brakes if I'm right are useless even with up rated discs and pads, r56 spec seems to be the best option.

That should be a decent starting spec?

Any thoughts?

[sad61t]

Checkmate is a great car, it was IIRC a run-out special edition just before the R56 was released.

Coilovers with a progressive spring rate, maybe, but Euro-style slamming is likely to make the ride far too harsh and compromised for road use. If you read Modern MINI magazine then that's the way most modders seem to go but I can't say I like the results.

Brakes are fine for road use if they're in decent condition. Read this thread for your options:
http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/brakes-tire...

[Feirny]

Are you the chap that came into my work asking about jcw suspension? We're in Shorpe and you came in a big van with lights on top?

[darren9]

Feirny said:

Are you the chap that came into my work asking about jcw suspension? We're in Shorpe and you came in a big van with lights on top?

Yeah. That was me.

Cheers to the other poster for the advice.

[Feirny]

darren9 said:

Yeah. That was me.

Cheers to the other poster for the advice.

I may have some R56 calipers, I'll try and dig them out and email you.

[darren9]

Cheers. PH email doesn't work.

[e-mail]

[jackh707]

Standard response seems to be.

Handling
1. Ditch runflats, 16inch wheels preferable.
2. Front strut brace
3. dampers and springs all-round

Braking
1.Best pads you can get
or JCW/R56 brakes

Power
1. 15% Pulley/plugs.
2. Orranje stealth/dave f intake
3. Top mount intercooler
4. Exhaust if you like

After that it starts getting really expensive.

[darren9]

jackh707 said:

Standard response seems to be.

Handling
1. Ditch runflats, 16inch wheels preferable.
2. Front strut brace
3. dampers and springs all-round

Braking
1.Best pads you can get
or JCW/R56 brakes

Power
1. 15% Pulley/plugs.KAZSLsAj
2. Orranje stealth/dave f intake
3. Top mount intercooler
4. Exhaust if you like

After that it starts getting really expensive.

Thanks:

I've already ditched R/Fs ... The difference was amazing!
Re: springs/dampers. Any recommendations? SWMBO says I'm not allowed to sacrifice ride comfort for the very rare occasions she or the kids will be in the car. (maybe a tall ask I know)
I'll have a look at the other suggestions.

Sorry for the questions. It's almost a decade since I last did anything like this and last time was a 306gti so completely different.

[norm4n]

Have a read on minitorque.com but jackh707 has given good advice above