Mini R53 JCW GP #1571

[Leins]

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

[Leins]

Ta very much! The plan is for this to be the daily, although as I get the train to work I'm not entirely sure how much daily use it'll actually get

[Leins]

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

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

[Leins]

^^^ Thanks!

[Leins]

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,...

[Leins]

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

[Leins]

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

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

[Leins]

This thing likes a drink - it's even marginally worse than my CSL!

[Leins]

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

[Leins]

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

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

[Leins]

Went on a Mini run over the local hills earlier today. Nice quiet roads, lovely sunshine, and fairly cool air = perfect driving conditions and lots of fun!

[Leins]

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!

[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

[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

[Leins]

^^^ The joy of cars!

[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

[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!

[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