MY05 JCW Mini Cooper S R53

[Leins]

How are you finding the new brakes?

[House86]

Leins said:

How are you finding the new brakes?

Yeah they are better than the standard cooper S ones but could still do with a slightly better feel, think im going to get some Stainless Brake Hoses and try some better fluid next.

[House86]

So covered nearly 1200 Miles last week driving to South Wales then to North Wales and drove back through the Peak District, had a great time although weather could have been better with some days having heavy fog on the mountain passes which was a shame.

First part of trip was driving/walking round the Brecon Beacons including the Rhigos Mountain Road and Black Mountain Pass, and a few waterfalls too, some pics from south Wales -

Edited by House86 on Saturday 8th July 17:07

[House86]

So then the plan was to drive from Brecons up to Snowdonia enjoying some of the great roads in between, but the weather wasnt great but still had a good drive.

First drove round the Elan Valley and on to the Rhayader to Aberystwyth road -











Then onto the road from Llanidloes to Machynlleth, this is when the weather started getting worse, could only see about 5mtrs in front of the car so took it easy, didnt take many photos as couldnt see the views lol Only took this one to show the weather, picture below it was from last year to show you what the view looks like when its clear.





Then onto Bala and the road to Ffestiniog, didnt get any pics from here, was worse the the last road could only see a few mtrs in front of the car on the higher points so took it easy again.

Then just Carried on to the Hotel in Llanberis.

Edited by House86 on Saturday 8th July 17:12

[House86]

Couple pics from around Snowdonia area -







and one from the Evo Triangle -



Rather than drive straight home I decided to Stay a night in the Peak district to break the drive up a bit, drove down Snake Pass and stopped at Derwent Reservoir for a break, and carried on to Stanage Edge for some Pictures -




Had a great trip, cant wait for the next Mini Adventure

Edited by House86 on Saturday 8th July 17:20

[House86]

So my car started making a horrible rattling noise from the engine, video of the noise -

https://youtu.be/_c6x9gTcwqE

Turned out the Timing chain was loose, thought i would just need a new tensioner but turned out the guide rails for the Chain where worn as well so have had to have a new Timing Chain fitted and all is good again

[House86]

Managed to win some Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2's in 7 x 17" on ebay the other day, currently yellow and in need of a repaint so thats my job for the next week. Come with some 225/45/17 Bridgestone Potenza Tyres too, there a bit wide for the wheel width but will do for now till some of the tread has been used then will go down to 205 width.



Trial fitted one to see what they look like, yellow doesnt look too bad with the paint but will change it to something less lairy

Edited by House86 on Saturday 8th July 17:25

[Phil Dicky]

House86 said:

Managed to win some Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2's in 7 x 17" on ebay the other day, currently yellow and in need of a repaint so thats my job for the next week. Come with some 225/45/17 Bridgestone Potenza Tyres too, there a bit wide for the wheel width but will do for now till some of the tread has been used then will go down to 205 width.



Trial fitted one to see what they look like, yellow doesnt look too bad with the paint but will change it to something less lairy

Just my view, but I prefer the originals

[House86]

Phil Dicky said:

Just my view, but I prefer the originals

Still like the originals and going to keep them, lots of people saying the car handles better on 17' wheels rather than the 18's currently fitted and on non run flats so going to see if it makes much difference.

Thinking I might just use the new ones in summer and change back to the others in Winter

[House86]

Finished the wheels last week, decided to go for a metallic grey colour as thought black would look a little too dark, colour is Peugeot Steel Grey and think it goes well with the car and does sparkle when the sun hits it.

Some picture during the painting -





And how the car looks with them fitted, happy with how they've turned out

Edited by House86 on Saturday 8th July 17:36

[GTIAlex]

Iv'e got to say that looks really good!
I've always fancied one of these, probably go in the list of cars I fancy but will never own though; although one would compliment my classic mini nicely.

Good photos as well, the weather looks a bit better than when I went up the evo triangle earlier this year...

How do you find the seats in the car? I always thought they didn't look very supportive.

[House86]

GTIAlex said:

Iv'e got to say that looks really good!
I've always fancied one of these, probably go in the list of cars I fancy but will never own though; although one would compliment my classic mini nicely.

How do you find the seats in the car? I always thought they didn't look very supportive.

Cheers for the comments, standard seats arent too bad bolsters on them are quiet big so give some support, would love some of the JCW Recaro bucket seats but they go for £1000-£1500 second hand!

[House86]

Decided to remove the Spotlights as they were rusty and the chrome pitted. One didnt work anyway, cant just change the bulbs in them so new one would be £80 from BMW for a new light so not worth changing.

Some pics with them removed, think it looks better without them now

Edited by House86 on Saturday 8th July 17:39

[Podie]

Like the mods, including the wheels. Looks better without the spots too.




Full JCW carbon pack on eBay - intake, tailgate, door handles and mirror caps.

Edited by Podie on Sunday 6th September 17:36

[House86]

Cheers, will have a look at the carbon bits thanks

[Podie]

House86 said:

Cheers, will have a look at the carbon bits thanks

Not for sale by me - just spotted as I was browsing eBay!

[House86]

Managed to win a carbon boot handle off ebay to match the carbon scoop at the front, few pics

Before -



and new carbon handle fitted, I know the car needs a good wash -

Edited by House86 on Saturday 8th July 17:44

[CO2000]

House86 said:

Managed to win some Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2's in 7 x 17" on ebay the other day, currently yellow and in need of a repaint so thats my job for the next week. Come with some 225/45/17 Bridgestone Potenza Tyres too, there a bit wide for the wheel width but will do for now till some of the tread has been used then will go down to 205 width.



Trial fitted one to see what they look like, yellow doesnt look too bad with the paint but will change it to something less lairy

Look into 215/40/17's a good halfway house

[House86]

Not done much to the car recently, needed some new rear discs and pads as were worn and started to make a scraping sound, went for some Brembo Slotted discs and Brembo pads.

Old discs -



and some nice new shiny ones fitted




Car exhaust has started to blow in the last couple days so need that looking at, either mend the one I got if I can or may need a new one, been looking at Miltek Exhausts so we'll see.

Edited by House86 on Saturday 8th July 17:47

[Court_S]

Massive fan of the R53. It's easily the best looking MINI - to my eyes, the proportions are just perfect. I never ever got the R56; it'd lost some of the magic of the ordinal one for me...the whine, chunky feeling gear box, that stupid gear knob, the noise from the steering etc.

I had a Cooper that became an S after a test drive killing time one Christmas. At the time it felt properly quick (my first quickish car) and I couldn't get enough of the supercharger whine and probably drive it like a bit of a tit if I'm honest. It was a total hoot on country lanes.

Yours looks like a lovely car in great condition and spec. The mods that you've done look good. The road from Bala has done great views doesn't it? Quite good fun when it's clear too.

I'd love another one but having looked around there are quite a few dogs out there. I came close to getting another one but it sold before I'd finished faffing.