Mini R53 JCW GP #1571
Discussion
Not sure really how much interest there is in these cars out there, but having picked one up a couple of weeks ago I thought I'd put together a bit of a thread and hopefully people like it. I know these are a bit "marmite", what with just the two seats and the various go-faster add-ons, but they're a car I've always wanted ever since a neighbour changed their FRS for a new one.
Anyway, this GP, number 1571 of 2000 produced by Bertone, is a one-owner 65k miles example. It has full service history, but hadn't been used in the last year or so, and I bought it knowing it needed a new clutch and service. So I haven't really had a chance to get to know it properly yet, but I can already tell it's an absolute riot to drive. The most fun hot hatch I've driven for quite a while!
So I have the car booked in for a good service and check-over next week, and a list of parts on order now including:
- GP 18" Wheels
- JCW Centre Caps
- Michelin Pilot SuperSports 205/40-18
- JCW Clutch & Flywheel
- Mats, Sunvisors, A-pillar covers, and a few other bits of trim to replace those that are a bit scruffy
- New decals & badges (incl. roof number)
In the meantime, it's been treated to a bit of a detail:
Just really looking forward to getting out and driving it now
Anyway, this GP, number 1571 of 2000 produced by Bertone, is a one-owner 65k miles example. It has full service history, but hadn't been used in the last year or so, and I bought it knowing it needed a new clutch and service. So I haven't really had a chance to get to know it properly yet, but I can already tell it's an absolute riot to drive. The most fun hot hatch I've driven for quite a while!
So I have the car booked in for a good service and check-over next week, and a list of parts on order now including:
- GP 18" Wheels
- JCW Centre Caps
- Michelin Pilot SuperSports 205/40-18
- JCW Clutch & Flywheel
- Mats, Sunvisors, A-pillar covers, and a few other bits of trim to replace those that are a bit scruffy
- New decals & badges (incl. roof number)
In the meantime, it's been treated to a bit of a detail:
Just really looking forward to getting out and driving it now
Jamesf288 said:
A great choice Leins and you are right they are an absolute riot to drive 
.
I came from a Clio Trophy and the GP never fails to amaze and deliver in equal measure.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Thanks James, funnily enough I was out in a mate's 172 Cup yesterday morning. Great fun too.I came from a Clio Trophy and the GP never fails to amaze and deliver in equal measure.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do
.Just really looking forward to getting the new wheels and SuperSports on the GP now for summer fun
melvster said:
Love these cars, noticed you purchased this the other day on Instagram.
Haha, IG is great for car stuff. I've not driven an RS197 or 200, but I suspect they're a blast too
Thanks!So all the new OE parts have come in, and should have the Mini back tomorrow having been given a thorough going over. New pads, discs, brake lines, fluids, bushings, engine mounts, decals, battery, wipers, sun-visors, wheels, centre caps, A-pillar covers, front vent grilles, boot carpet, mats, clutch, tyres,...
I did originally think of trying to get them refurb'd, but to get someone good enough to handle these wheels I think would have been fairly pricey anyway, so I decided to go with brand new instead - worked out at €1200 for the four I think (must check the invoice again when I see it later). But I'll only use them during the summer, and put the old ones back on when the weather changes later in the year
Looking forward to seeing how it goes on the new Michelins too. I hate RFTs, and expect an improvement
Looking forward to seeing how it goes on the new Michelins too. I hate RFTs, and expect an improvement
Matt97 said:
Very nice , really like the GP's. We have one that comes in to work which is wrapped in the jelly belly sweet livery, certainly different!
Thanks Matt - I bet that's a bit different looking alright, really like the GP's. We have one that comes in to work which is wrapped in the jelly belly sweet livery, certainly different!So the car is back home again now, and is driving great after new clutch, discs/pads/lines/fluid, and especially tyres. The switch from RFTs to SuperSports has transformed the car
Met a mate of mine the other day with a "not quite standard" R53, and then headed into town for a coffee after a bit of a spin out the back roads to get more acquainted with the Mini. Absolutely love it, especially the supercharger whine and all the little pops & crackles from the exhaust. Haven't put the decals or badges back on yet, but I've found it still seems to attract a fair amount of attention - actually a lot more than I expected really
Edited by Leins on Monday 4th May 12:25
Well, still in love with the Mini, and actually have used it much more over the summer than any of my other cars. Still not put all the decals back on, as the new roof number for #1571 is on back order
One little change is that I've activated the "marker" running lights. The car actually came with the bulbs installed, but I had to get the wiring kit from the local dealers and hook them up. Probably not to everyone's taste, but I like them
One little change is that I've activated the "marker" running lights. The car actually came with the bulbs installed, but I had to get the wiring kit from the local dealers and hook them up. Probably not to everyone's taste, but I like them
yonex said:
Blimey, my E90 M3 averages more than that!
Soft spot for these Mini's, there's one locally which sounds quite naughty
It gets a little bit more on a longer run, but for a 1.6 they do drink the fuel. Worth it though IMO Soft spot for these Mini's, there's one locally which sounds quite naughty
I really have fallen for this thing, I find it a riot to drive and never feel short-changed when I use it instead of one of the Ms
Haven't updated this thread in a while, but the little GP is still with me, and is as fun as ever. It's also proved to be a very reliable car over the past year, albeit I don't drive it too much. It's had a supercharger oil change a few months ago, although the old stuff that came out still looked pretty decent, and I've switched it to Mobil 10W-60 on its annual oil change, which it seems to really like
And the car never seems happier than when it's hustling down a B-road, but as I've no pics of that I'll just add one of it out in the sun in Dublin. Great car, love it to bits!
And the car never seems happier than when it's hustling down a B-road, but as I've no pics of that I'll just add one of it out in the sun in Dublin. Great car, love it to bits!
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