2003 Mini Cooper S with lots of power

[HorneyMX5]

CABC said:

jealous of your journey.
i got an R50 for a station car last year. being facelift model and not an S it'll hopefully be a lot more reliable. It's good fun and i believe a real modern classic. i'm definitely enjoying the experience and now refreshing bits underneath.

i have a mini SC on my MX5, but i'm having dirty thoughts about an S.... it's the real deal as it were.

I had a supercharged NA MX5 and I have to say the factory setup on the MINI is much better than I ever got my MX5 set up to work.

There's a few folks out in the mini scene chasing big power and swapping out the supercharger for a Garrett turbo kit. They great numbers but I feel that these cars should remain Supercharged as it's a big part of their appeal.

I'm hoping one day to fit the Harrop TVS kit on this which replaces the original M45 Eaton charger with the newer version Eaton make. It runs cooler, produces more power and looks factory, It's £3K+ though!!!!!!!

https://www.1320.co.uk/mini-cooper-s-harrop-tvs-90...

[House86]

like the new graphics, looking good

[CABC]

HorneyMX5 said:

CABC said:

jealous of your journey.
i got an R50 for a station car last year. being facelift model and not an S it'll hopefully be a lot more reliable. It's good fun and i believe a real modern classic. i'm definitely enjoying the experience and now refreshing bits underneath.

i have a mini SC on my MX5, but i'm having dirty thoughts about an S.... it's the real deal as it were.

I had a supercharged NA MX5 and I have to say the factory setup on the MINI is much better than I ever got my MX5 set up to work.

There's a few folks out in the mini scene chasing big power and swapping out the supercharger for a Garrett turbo kit. They great numbers but I feel that these cars should remain Supercharged as it's a big part of their appeal.

totally agree that R53s should be SCd.
My MX5 is falling apart and due for a 'tighten up' at Nick's soon. though to be fair now the SC install is stable it's the rest of the car falling apart! i think the stresses being put through the aged frame are a little too much and it's being shaken apart.

How are you finding fwd thrills after rwd? as i wonder what to replace the 5 with i really can't think of anything for track work. a Caterham would be ideal but in my view only with a trailer.

[HorneyMX5]

CABC said:

How are you finding fwd thrills after rwd? as i wonder what to replace the 5 with i really can't think of anything for track work. a Caterham would be ideal but in my view only with a trailer.

My early days of driving were all FWD hatch backs (some hot, some not) and I've found myself well at home in this. It's power to weight is similar to my old supercharged MX5 but I am so much quicker in the MINI and have beaten all my PBs in the sprints I've entered.

Getting the tail out under power is still something I enjoy and still owning an MX5 means I get to do it still, but for going as fast as possible round a circuit I'd grab the MINI keys every time.

[HorneyMX5]

Went out and got some proper shots of the car now the livery is coming along nicely. Big shout out to https://blackflag-labs.co.uk for helping make the livery idea a reality.

IMG_0764 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_0768 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_0782 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_0779 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_0772 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_0788 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_0775 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_0789 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_0776 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_0777 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_0791 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

I've also been accepted into the paddock for Players Classic @ Goodwood weekend of June 22nd which I'm really excited about. The players guys always put on a good show and Goodwood is such an awesome place.

[The1Driver]

Looks naughty.... I like!

[HorneyMX5]

Thanks. I’m really chuffed with how it’s come out. Even the red belts and blue seats has grown on me.

[HorneyMX5]

Some more pics of stuff.

Keys:

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Went shopping in it:

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Replaced ANOTHER set of Driveshafts:

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr


Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Went for breakfast:

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

[HorneyMX5]

Been a couple of weeks, more things have happened.

First up I tried to do a Sunstrip and failed miserably, too many curves in a Mini screen and I suck at applying this stuff. I think I'll have to enlist a local sign writers to do it properly. For now I've just gone for a Yoko sticker.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

BlackFlagLabs sticker on the rump, because he sorts all my stickers out for me.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Next up coolant tank. This is a known week spot on these cars as they perish and crack as well as the caps failing. There's a few decent replacement tanks on the market from Airtec, canton etc but I've gone for the DaveFab one. It's new to the market but the Dave's have been knocking it out of the park with MX5 bits for a few years now plus this is designed and made in the UK. Really chuffed with it.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Finally I went to a massive "cruise" for the first time in years last night and it was quite amusing.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

[Maty]

Love that coolant tank, what was the damage cost wise? Especially the check level bulb on the side, nice touch. I tried the cheap Chinese one off eBay on mine but couldn’t get it right, it was forever burping coolant out even with a decent cap so went for a new plastic one for the time being - much better!

Like the key ring as well! I’ve had this original John Cooper Garages one lying around since the late 90’s when I had a Mini RSP, so decided the R53 was worthy enough now.



Also went on a MINI ‘cruise’ last week. That’s 72 of us in a line in the Peak District 😄... mines the black one 2nd in line.

[HorneyMX5]

Maty said:

Love that coolant tank, what was the damage cost wise? Especially the check level bulb on the side, nice touch. I tried the cheap Chinese one off eBay on mine but couldn’t get it right, it was forever burping coolant out even with a decent cap so went for a new plastic one for the time being - much better!

£162 delivered in the current 10% off sale https://davefab.com/shop/r53-mini-cooper-s-expansi...

That MINI run looked fun. A couple of mates went along but it was too far away for me for a day trip.

[HorneyMX5]

Went out this afternoon with a fellow track MINI owner Brian and his Dark Silver car for some photos.

IMG_1077 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_1094 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_1238 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_1124 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_1133 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_1181 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

[df76]

Those wheels really look good on the car. Keep meaning to change mine for something better!

[HorneyMX5]

Went to the Regal Autosport Cars and Coffee meet on Saturday. A good meet with some nice cars!

IMG_1292 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_1333 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_1335 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_1348 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_1305 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

IMG_1332 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Rest of my pics here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmBGaLnz

[HorneyMX5]

I took the MINI to Donington Park on Friday for the first track action of 2019.

After the first time out at 9:30 I had an excessively smoking front drivers side brake, which seemed odd. On closer inspection the CV boot had split and it was CV grease that had been splattered everywhere that was burning off. Doh!

A quick run to GSF in Derby and a replacement driveshaft was sourced. Massive thanks to my buddy Brian for giving me a hand swap it out allowing me to get back out in the afternoon.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

LHP_1864 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

LHP_4361 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

LHP_4370 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

LHP_4472 by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Highlights video: https://youtu.be/Q2p5e-m1LTQ

Next up Curborough Sprint Circuit on April 10th. I need to fit new brakes pads before then as the DS2500s on the front are now dead, I've got some Carbotech XP10s to replace them.

[HorneyMX5]

Curborough was awesome fun, what a great little layout to hoon round. Quite hard to get it all right in one single run as they layout we were running was quite complex. Very easy to over shoot an apex. I fitted some new Carbotech XP10 front pads which were ace however the extra heat has murdered one of my discs.

Anyway, enough rambling, you just want pics and videos:

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

A few other MINIS doing the day as well:

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

One mullered disc:

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Onboard fastest lap run:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6eOxJrilVc

Outside run shot by a friend:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o--lQfLo3qQ

Such a great day, killed my ADO8Rs though and the MOT is booked in for Tuesday. Ne tyres ordered and as the car was immobile while I was sourcing some new discs I swapped the wheels over to a set of MG Hairpins I had. This was to keep it rolling while the proper wheels were getting the tyres fitted. I quite like the look!

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

New boots mounted to the SPARCOs and new front discs fitted:

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Fingers crossed for the MOT.

Edited by HorneyMX5 on Sunday 14th April 18:32

[HorneyMX5]

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

MOT passed for another 12 months. Just one advisory for slight play in a front wheel bearing. A job for Easter maybe.

[Mikeeb]

HorneyMX5 said:

I took the MINI to Donington Park on Friday for the first track action of 2019.

After the first time out at 9:30 I had an excessively smoking front drivers side brake, which seemed odd. On closer inspection the CV boot had split and it was CV grease that had been splattered everywhere that was burning off. Doh!

A quick run to GSF in Derby and a replacement driveshaft was sourced. Massive thanks to my buddy Brian for giving me a hand swap it out allowing me to get back out in the afternoon.

Ah that's why you disappeared for a while. I was there running the white E-Type for our first pre-season test. Your car looked great on track.

Was the failed disc the same corner as the faulty wheel bearing?

Edited by Mikeeb on Wednesday 17th April 10:30

[HorneyMX5]

Loved seeing the E Type going round, not often you get to follow one on track and certainly a first time for me.

Good question, I don't know. The MOT cert doesn't say which side the wheel bearing has play. I'm going to assume yes.

[Mikeeb]

HorneyMX5 said:

Loved seeing the E Type going round, not often you get to follow one on track and certainly a first time for me.

Good question, I don't know. The MOT cert doesn't say which side the wheel bearing has play. I'm going to assume yes.

Sounds better without the exhaust dampers in! But they were still having to lift along the last straight and halfway down the start finish to avoid us being black flagged.

I bet the movement in the wheel bearing was putting twisting forces through the disc causing the failure.