R53 Mini Cooper S checkmate.

[darren9]

This has been in the household for a couple of years now. Initially bought as a run a round for the wife the arrival of a ford kuga for family duties mean I'm the new custodian.

The car is an R53 Mini Cooper S "checkmate" which means it's one of the early new MINIs with the supercharged 1.6 engine. Being a checkmate means it has an exclusive colour scheme of silver roof/mirrors and dark blue soft work, a questionable blue/silver interior 17" flame wheels and most importantly an LSD.

Prior to our ownership I wasn't the MINIs biggest fan but they are a riot and loads of fun to drive.

Picture



At one of the big breakfast Malton meets. -sorry about the overly instagramed images







The car is currently SORN while the mrs had been on maternity leave. Once it's been MOT'd I'll remove the A pillar graphics I fancy coilovers, R56 brakes lightweight wheels, jcw exhaust ... Etc etc etc. however with a house to pay for and do up and 2 kids under 4 it's unlikely to happen.

Edited by darren9 on Friday 10th July 17:36

[Maty]

Nice! Add to the list a reduced supercharger pulley, JCW Motorsport filter (if you can find one) and an aero grill and it'll be sorted.

Can't beat that 'whine'. I miss mine, whilst the Octavia VRS I have now is faster it's just too civilised about it all compared to the MINI.

Did the JCW's of that age have an LSD as well?

[Feirny]

That Supra behind the Mini in the last pic is my mates. I was parked at the other side of it from memory.

Car looks great and you know where I am if you need anything for it!

[darren9]

Maty said:

Nice! Add to the list a reduced supercharger pulley, JCW Motorsport filter (if you can find one) and an aero grill and it'll be sorted.

Can't beat that 'whine'. I miss mine, whilst the Octavia VRS I have now is faster it's just too civilised about it all compared to the MINI.

Did the JCW's of that age have an LSD as well?

The list grows ever longer, my bank balance however, doesn't. I just know there's so much potential on the car but I won't be able to unlock it.

The charger whine is addictive.

I'm not sure if the JCWs had an LSD ... This certainly does.

Feirny said:

That Supra behind the Mini in the last pic is my mates. I was parked at the other side of it from memory.

Car looks great and you know where I am if you need anything for it!

Cheers mate. Looks a decent premises you have. If SWMBO allows you may have some business coming your way.

[Bungleaio]

The a panel graphics are standard fit as this is the run out special edition of the R53 model. Also the LSD was an option across all cooper S and JCW cars, at an almighty £100 bargain.

These are fantastic cars I highly recommend changing the tyres to none runflats as soon as possible, for some reason part worn runlets go for good money on eBay. To let the supercharger noise out more a Dave F air filter is brilliant.

Enjoy the car, they are fantastic.

[darren9]

cheers.

Run flats went ages ago - replaced with continental sport contact 3s.

Its going for MOT in the next week - hoping to get it properly cleaned and those A pillar graphics off. Then go for a decent drive - its been a while since I had a car worthy of going out for a drive for the sake of it in.

[darren9]

Cleaned and MOT'd.

Removed those A panel graphics. Looks much better for it IMO

[tintopracer]

+1

looks great without the a panel graphics.

[darren9]

Thinking of changing the mini but don't want to put too much money on top. I'm currently lusting after renaultsports.

I really want a megane r26 but they're out of the budget.

I'm looking at either a Clio 182 trophy or an early 197 but would have to be a non cup pack for the budget.

[Feirny]

darren9 said:

Thinking of changing the mini but don't want to put too much money on top. I'm currently lusting after renaultsports.

I really want a megane r26 but they're out of the budget.

I'm looking at either a Clio 182 trophy or an early 197 but would have to be a non cup pack for the budget.

I had an R26 before my Elise and it was brilliant, I've had a Clio Trophy too which was simply incredible. I'll have another Trophy one day. What's your budget as I know of a decent R26 that will be up for sale locally soon.

[darren9]

It's only 4.5 - 5k. R26's seem to be at least another grand on top (for a decent 1)

BTW. You got any boot struts? Ours failed while it was SORN.

[Feirny]

darren9 said:

It's only 4.5 - 5k. R26's seem to be at least another grand on top (for a decent 1)

BTW. You got any boot struts? Ours failed while it was SORN.

Would a black R26 tempt you?

Got loads of boot struts in mate, someone is in until 2ish if you want to go today.

[darren9]

A black R26 would be ideal. But, like I say out of the budget. In hoping to free up some cash to pay off some credit card bills too.

I'm out today. - I'll pop on for a couple of struts during the week.

Edited by darren9 on Saturday 15th August 12:33

[CheckmateJCW]

Hi mate, sorry to resurrect such an old thread, just wanted to ask you about the graphics removal.

I've just agreed to buy a 55 plate S Works with the checkmate kit - I'm a big fan of the pop & crackle jcw exhaust and the supercharger whine, but I'm less keen on the decals.

Just wondering how you removed yours (I hear hairdryer is popular) and if you encountered any issues with paint match or anything?

[darren9]

Hi. I waited until a really hot day, parked the car in the sun and just peeled them off. The paint was fine underneath. But I've heard a hairdryer does work very well.