Mini R53 JCW GP #1571

[Leins]

It was last serviced by BMW in 2015, and they use Shell 5W-30 AFAIK. Car ran fine but seemed to consume a little bit of it, in the order of 1L every 3k miles. I asked my independent (who does any non-routine maintenance on my cars), and he said that he's of the opinion R53s run better on the likes of Mobil or Fuchs 10W-60, and the oil consumption since March has been negligible in 1000+ miles of driving, with no issues to write home about

It'll be going back into BMW for an InspII next year, but regardless I'll be keeping it on this oil I think

Edited by Leins on Monday 18th July 09:28

[Leins]

Met up with a friend of mine yesterday, who's just bought a GP too, for a drive over the local hills

[CrouchingWayne]

Love these cars. Currently got a Z4M Roadster which is awesome but I can't help but think it would be a laugh to get stuck back into a hot hatch (GP or well specified Megane 275)! Glad you're enjoying it.

[moktabe]

Hello mate, we've "spoken" on the CSL Register (pops),

Here's mine with,what at the time was, my new Cesil. Was going to run the two of them but decided the GP was way too good to be run as a second vehicle.

Pic was taken whilst waiting for the new owner to collect the GP. I don't know if you recall but the GP was slightly modified. :-)

[Leins]

CrouchingWayne said:

Love these cars. Currently got a Z4M Roadster which is awesome but I can't help but think it would be a laugh to get stuck back into a hot hatch (GP or well specified Megane 275)! Glad you're enjoying it.

Thanks, yep I absolutely love it, and for the sort of windy roads up in the hills we have close by it's absolutely perfect. Just a little terrier of a car!

No plans to sell it, but if I did the only other car that really appeals is an r26r

moktabe said:

Hello mate, we've "spoken" on the CSL Register (pops),

Here's mine with,what at the time was, my new Cesil. Was going to run the two of them but decided the GP was way too good to be run as a second vehicle.

Pic was taken whilst waiting for the new owner to collect the GP. I don't know if you recall but the GP was slightly modified. :-)

Hiya moktabe, how's things? I certainly do recall your car, and remember reading quite a bit about it before I bought mine! Not gone down the modifying route myself with this (apart from uprating the brakes a little), as it feels perfect for road use just as it is. If I ever venture onto the track with it I suspect that might change

How's the CSL going? Can't believe it's nearly a year since I sold mine. I do miss it on occasion, the noise especially, but the B5 RS4 I bought afterwards still keeps me entertained

[moktabe]

All's well thanks mate.

Cesil is going great, a few bits done as you may have read. Currently in having a front end tart up, collect it on Friday.

Your GP is looking well. The one in the pic (1511) was my 2nd one and the idea was to turn it into a track monster. A fortune later it was exactly that, I just didn't fancy taking it as it had cost a fortune to get it to how it stood.

And then I flogged it but hey ho

[Leins]

^^^ The joy of cars!

[CrouchingWayne]

Are there any good forums for these cars? I'm half tempted to view one or two to see if I like the drive. Would be good to know weak points etc.

Also prices are all over the shop - do you have a view on this?

Number 878 caught my eye online (£11.5k) but seeing some as low as £8k with GP2's around £17k. I'm always apprehensive of using small dealers are I prefer to track cars through owners clubs where I can!

[moktabe]

CrouchingWayne said:

Are there any good forums for these cars? I'm half tempted to view one or two to see if I like the drive. Would be good to know weak points etc.

Also prices are all over the shop - do you have a view on this?

Number 878 caught my eye online (£11.5k) but seeing some as low as £8k with GP2's around £17k. I'm always apprehensive of using small dealers are I prefer to track cars through owners clubs where I can!

There is the GP Owners Club which is unfortunately dying a slow death, are you on there?

There is a closed Faceache group, just apply to join and go from there.

Anything you wish to know about Minis, go on to Minitorque. Usual duckeggs same as any forum however, some very knowledgeable people on there and any queries you have will soon be answered. I've been on there for 4 or 5 yrs now and many of the old ones have left since selling their cars. Still a good forum though.

Prices are always variable, some people put them up at a silly price whilst not really wanting to sell, if they do then they've made good money. Weak points are the same as any R53 Cooper S (ask on Minitorque) but nothing major. Apart from timing chain & guides....it's major if they go but obviously mileage dependant. Had mine done as preventative at approx. 77000 miles.

[Leins]

CrouchingWayne said:

Are there any good forums for these cars? I'm half tempted to view one or two to see if I like the drive. Would be good to know weak points etc.

Also prices are all over the shop - do you have a view on this?

Number 878 caught my eye online (£11.5k) but seeing some as low as £8k with GP2's around £17k. I'm always apprehensive of using small dealers are I prefer to track cars through owners clubs where I can!

In terms of pricing my buddy picked his up for £12k a couple of weeks ago, for a pretty clean 30k miler. All depends on condition and mileage of course, but I would say any £8k ones might need a bit doing to them, which can quickly add up

The history of mine was worth more to me (1 owner, almost full BMW SH), but then you'll also see the list of things I did on the previous page to get it pretty much where I wanted

[CrouchingWayne]

moktabe said:

There is the GP Owners Club which is unfortunately dying a slow death, are you on there?

There is a closed Faceache group, just apply to join and go from there.

Anything you wish to know about Minis, go on to Minitorque. Usual duckeggs same as any forum however, some very knowledgeable people on there and any queries you have will soon be answered. I've been on there for 4 or 5 yrs now and many of the old ones have left since selling their cars. Still a good forum though.

Prices are always variable, some people put them up at a silly price whilst not really wanting to sell, if they do then they've made good money. Weak points are the same as any R53 Cooper S (ask on Minitorque) but nothing major. Apart from timing chain & guides....it's major if they go but obviously mileage dependant. Had mine done as preventative at approx. 77000 miles.

Hey - thanks for the reply. I'll need to do the usual research on weaknesses but doesn't sound too bad, certainly not any more risky than anything I've had before.

I joined GPUK but it's dead as you say - I can check mini torque out later. Mainly trying to get an idea of prices - I prefer to buy stuff that's depreciating slowly if I can. I'm wanting to avoid a £15k GP becoming a £7k one too quickly.

I need to get out in one but nothing around me for miles. I'm sure a quick nip around would help see if it's right for me.

[Leins]

Just realised I'd not updated this in a while. The MINI is still with me, and just been into BMW for its InspII. They picked up on a front wheel bearing on the way out, but other than that a clean health bill

Took it out for a quick spin this morning before the peloton, and then gave it a clean. Love this little car!

[Mike1990]

Lovely. They just look so 'right'

[Leins]

Thanks Mike. Sometimes I look at it and think it's a bit OTT, other times I'm of the opinion it all blends together well

[Leins]

Can't beat an early morning run in the nearby hills. Got down there just after 7am, thereby avoiding the cycling groups and tour buses, and in for coffee on way home by 8:30am. Friend of mine came along too, and the two GPs seemed to get a bit of attention, mostly from people wondering exactly what they were

[Leins]

Just realised I hadn't updated on a little addition to the MINI, a set of gauges. Not too worried about the battery, as it gets charged quite frequently by a CTEK, but the oil temp one is a nice to have

[MelvGP2]

Nice updates, wouldn't mind one of these next to my GP2, supercharger whine is addictive.

RS4 B5 is love them.

[CarsOrBikes]

I have charger whine and now straight cut dog box whine for a while, that's quite fun too haha

[Leins]

MelvGP2 said:

Nice updates, wouldn't mind one of these next to my GP2, supercharger whine is addictive.

RS4 B5 is love them.

Thanks, yep still loving the R53, although the GP2 is an impressive piece of kit too

B5 not getting an awful lot of use right now, but will give it a fun decent runs once the Spring arrives

CarsOrBikes said:

I have charger whine and now straight cut dog box whine for a while, that's quite fun too haha

That sounds like a bit of a weapon

[Leins]

Haven’t been using the GP too much of late due to Leins Jnr keeping me busy, but took it out for a spin in the sun earlier. Always takes me a little while to readjust from the daily Qashqai when I jump back into the MINI, and love the levels of interaction it provides. Three years with it now and no sign of getting bored