Discussion
Following a recent what car thread, I decided to return to a 'hot' hatch. I used to own a Clio 172 cup, which I enjoyed and is one of those cars that I wish I'd kept.
It was sold as I needed a tow car but after spending most of the last few years in cars that were practical, but didn't excite me, I felt I needed a change.
After keeping the budget as low as possible, I decided on a mini and joined the R53OC on Facebook. I was originally after a grey one when I saw this hyper blue; I didn't like the wheels, I didn't want a white roof, the chrome mirror caps or the stripes. However, what I was really after was a well looked after car with certain jobs already done (supercharger service and reduced pulley, among a few other things).
I spent ages looking at pictures of other R53s and fell for the blue with white roof and I figured the other cosmetics bits could easily be dealt with so I agreed to see the car. It was the first one I'd seen, but I chose carefully which to consider in the first place. It had a good history, a good seller and it was a good price.
It was actually my first time in a Cooper S and I don't regret my choice. It's fairly nippy and I enjoy the whine and pops. The mrs keeps stealing it aswell, she loves it as much as I do.
A bit of spec:
Facelift
99k
chrono pack
JCW exhaust
15% pulley
club airbox mod
climate control
a very blue interior!
And today, I've taken delivery of my new wheels. Just need to get some new bolts and maybe spacers ordered, then will get my current tyres swapped on to them.
After owning it for a couple of weeks, I've decided the chrome mirror caps are staying, it isn't worth the money to change to white. I'm 90% certain the stripes will be removed over the next few weeks but I'm giving them a chance.
It was sold as I needed a tow car but after spending most of the last few years in cars that were practical, but didn't excite me, I felt I needed a change.
After keeping the budget as low as possible, I decided on a mini and joined the R53OC on Facebook. I was originally after a grey one when I saw this hyper blue; I didn't like the wheels, I didn't want a white roof, the chrome mirror caps or the stripes. However, what I was really after was a well looked after car with certain jobs already done (supercharger service and reduced pulley, among a few other things).
I spent ages looking at pictures of other R53s and fell for the blue with white roof and I figured the other cosmetics bits could easily be dealt with so I agreed to see the car. It was the first one I'd seen, but I chose carefully which to consider in the first place. It had a good history, a good seller and it was a good price.
It was actually my first time in a Cooper S and I don't regret my choice. It's fairly nippy and I enjoy the whine and pops. The mrs keeps stealing it aswell, she loves it as much as I do.
A bit of spec:
Facelift
99k
chrono pack
JCW exhaust
15% pulley
club airbox mod
climate control
a very blue interior!
And today, I've taken delivery of my new wheels. Just need to get some new bolts and maybe spacers ordered, then will get my current tyres swapped on to them.
After owning it for a couple of weeks, I've decided the chrome mirror caps are staying, it isn't worth the money to change to white. I'm 90% certain the stripes will be removed over the next few weeks but I'm giving them a chance.
Edited by iacabu on Monday 15th March 16:10
Welcome to the club. I bought mine as a stop gap, thinking it would be a fun little car but nothing serious, and yet here I am a year later getting ready to drop a load of cash on coilovers, brakes, tuning etc, even though its hardly standard to begin with (including the mandatory pulley upgrade). They really seem to get under your skin. I've also been a previous owner of 2 Renault Sport Clios and to be honest I much prefer the Mini.
Thanks for the comments.
If and when I do decide to remove the stripes, I'll use a hairdryer/heatgun and do it slowly and carefully.
It's definitely getting under my skin, although a bit more punch in 2nd gear and through the mid range would be nice. Enough to keep me happy for now.
The supercharger is strangely addictive. Here's a little video... https://youtu.be/dwZdRwSXbZc
If and when I do decide to remove the stripes, I'll use a hairdryer/heatgun and do it slowly and carefully.
It's definitely getting under my skin, although a bit more punch in 2nd gear and through the mid range would be nice. Enough to keep me happy for now.
The supercharger is strangely addictive. Here's a little video... https://youtu.be/dwZdRwSXbZc
Mine seems pretty fast in the midrange with just a 17% pulley. Overtaking in this car is easier than in most cars I've had, in fact I don't usually bother with 2nd as 3rd and 4th are usually more than sufficient to get past dawdlers in pretty short order.
That said, I'm told getting the full monty of injectors, uprated cams and a remap helps considerably with midrange poke and is something I will be getting done at some point. Not before I make it handle, ride and stop properly though.
That said, I'm told getting the full monty of injectors, uprated cams and a remap helps considerably with midrange poke and is something I will be getting done at some point. Not before I make it handle, ride and stop properly though.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Monday 5th April 17:29
TameRacingDriver said:
Mine seems pretty fast in the midrange with just a 17% pulley. Overtaking in this car is easier than in most cars I've had, in fact I don't usually bother with 2nd as 3rd and 4th are usually more than sufficient to get past dawdlers in pretty short order.
That said, I'm told getting the full monty of injectors, uprated cams and a remap helps considerably with midrange poke and is something I will be getting done at some point. Not before I make it handle, ride and stop properly though.
To be honest, you're right that 3rd and 4th are more than enough. I think sometimes it just depends on how I'm driving it. That said, I'm told getting the full monty of injectors, uprated cams and a remap helps considerably with midrange poke and is something I will be getting done at some point. Not before I make it handle, ride and stop properly though.
Edited by TameRacingDriver on Monday 5th April 17:29
I would love to go all out on it with cams etc, although I'm told it doesn't do much for the driveability on a daily. Either way, I couldn't put that much money into it, unfortunately.
iacabu said:
To be honest, you're right that 3rd and 4th are more than enough. I think sometimes it just depends on how I'm driving it.
I would love to go all out on it with cams etc, although I'm told it doesn't do much for the driveability on a daily. Either way, I couldn't put that much money into it, unfortunately.
To be honest mate, I don't think it really needs it, I don't find the level of power I'm getting from the 17% pulley lacking in any way for the road, I'm probably just being greedy. I am willing to look into it, but if there are any big compromises in doing so I probably won't bother truth be told. I have just ordered a set of coilovers for mine though I would love to go all out on it with cams etc, although I'm told it doesn't do much for the driveability on a daily. Either way, I couldn't put that much money into it, unfortunately.
iacabu said:
d_a_n1979 said:
What do you get from fitting MG Hairpins? Or is it just a 'better look'?
I just like the look and they are cheap wheels.However, a lot of people use them for track as they are lighter.
Years back; for my sins, I bought a set to fit to a 1.6 Rover 25
They were much better than the 14s that came with it 
I like them, they really suit the car.TameRacingDriver said:
Are they 16s? I reckon 16s are the sweet spot for the mini, much better ride and the lighter wheels make all the difference over the leaden factory 17s (which is a shame as they look nice).
Yes they are 16's and I agree on the comfort. I ran 17's on my R55 and switched to 16's and the ride is much better. I haven't helped the issue by lowering mine, but defiantly an improvement. The good thing about these alloys is they are cheap. I picked up mine for £100 in good nick, with 4 good tyres.
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