1st Gen R52 Cooper Convertible New-to-me R52

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Fastlane, Jul 2, 2014.

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  1. Fastlane

    Fastlane Member

    May 4, 2009
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    Just thought I'd share a couple of pics of my new toy. This is going to be my daily driver. I've had two other modern MINIs in the past...an 06 R50, an 08 MCS....and currently also have a 77 classic.

    A bit over a year ago I traded my 08 in on a new Golf TDI (love diesels!), but lately it had been in the shop for clutch issues multiple times. After having enough of that, I ditched that car and found this 06 cabrio and decided to join the ranks of the supercharged gang.

    So far I love it. It was well taken care of for the most part. New brakes recently, new PS pump as well. Had to replace the tires as the ones on it were toast. Also found a couple of issues needing addressed....one of the strut mounts is cracked so new IE fixed plates are on order. Also a periodic clutch "moan" noise has appeared which I understand is related to the original flywheel perhaps being glazed. Other than the sound, the clutch works fine while being quite heavy. Looking into replacement cost now and may just bite the bullet and replace for piece of mind.

    Also have a pulley, belt, plugs and tensioner bushings on order.

    I had forgotten how these first gen cars drive and sound! Love it.

    Here she is...

    This is when I went to look at her. You can see my classic in the background.
    [​IMG]

    Another but topless.
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    [​IMG]
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    Very nice daily driver. You did well. :Thumbsup:
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Congrats on the new to you cabrio.
     
  4. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Great looking vert in a nice color. :Thumbsup:
     
  5. eMINIparts

    eMINIparts Well-Known Member
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    Super Awesome!! :cornut:
     
  6. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Looks great! :Thumbsup:
     
  7. iovecables

    iovecables Member

    May 25, 2014
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    I'm green with envy :D
     
  8. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Congrats! Welcome to the club!

    Every time I see one that looks this good... makes me want to buy a spare. :)
     
  9. Fastlane

    Fastlane Member

    May 4, 2009
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    Thanks guys.

    Let the mods begin...

    5afef68bf7b41d940618cb1b842b7959_zps336d055e.jpg fa73e9310fb6298c053e0f859873439a_zps948716c2.jpg

    Pulley, plugs, belt, tensioner bushings and stop are all in. Still waiting on the strut mounts but they should be here this week. Also discovered that my LCA bushings are toast (no surprise) so they are on order as well.

    Regarding the clutch noise, I've decided to hold off and see how it acts for a while. The noise was a one day thing and has not returned. The car had not been driven much in the past several months, so I'm hoping that daily use will work out whatever was groaning. The clutch functions fine. It's been a while since I've driven a gen1 car....I do remember the clutch of my r50 being somewhat heavy, but this clutch is quite heavy/stiff. Other than that, engagement is fine.

    So far I'm enjoying the extra zip from the pulley change. It's great to be back in a MINI.
     
  10. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Need to replace that OEM dampener pulley with an ATI or a fluid damper... because the OEM one WILL strand you sooner or later.
     
  11. Fastlane

    Fastlane Member

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    Great....something else that is prone to flying apart down in there! Thanks for the advice. I will put that on my list.
     
  12. Fastlane

    Fastlane Member

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    IE camber plates are in. Still fighting with the lower control arm bushings but one side is nearly done and back together.

    5107aac9167b7c3d0f7055b266618bea_zpsca6cfc6d.jpg
     
  13. Fastlane

    Fastlane Member

    May 4, 2009
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    An update....

    New Wipac driving lights....
    63a22f39086bcbc5fb0e4071f3a9d590_zpsa4e13667.jpg

    New shift knob....the original one had peeling chrome and sharp edges...ouch...
    d154d3c3493a06714945880f01bd6bb5_zps7a7fef23.jpg

    Decided to try an Ireland Engineering exhaust. Sounds great, but may end up being a bit loud for a cabrio....will drive around for a while and see if we get used to it.

    bf8b645cfbcf306eb30ef560e677a0d2_zpsd9d15504.jpg b308bbd44a7007513fde04a172840e3a_zps7358e692.jpg

    Also replaced a failed upper motor mount...twice. Ordered the cheapest one from amazon and installed it only to have the car vibrate worse than with the failed mount. So I ordered another aftermarket brand that appeared to be an oem part with "MINI" ground off....no more vibrations.
     
  14. Fastlane

    Fastlane Member

    May 4, 2009
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    It's been a LONG time since I've updated this thread....so here we go...

    I've replaced and added a few things recently in prep for MOTD. I wasn't sure if I would be able to go this year since I missed last year (flu) and had no reservation anywhere. A spot opened up at the Tuskeegee Motel, so now its a go!

    First, I decided to replace the crank pulley with an ATI just for good measure. One less thing to worry about...

    [​IMG]

    Within the last couple of week....new shocks (FSDs), H&R 19mm Swaybar. The original shocks were trash. Can't believe how much better the car rides now.

    [​IMG]

    And just today...new intake...

    [​IMG]

    I'm having driveshaft issues....I think. Last fall the car began making a single "click" sound every time I'd take off or decel in gear. I remember way back when I had my r50 I had a driveshaft replaced under warranty for the same symptom. I tried retorquing the axle nut a couple times....would fix it for a short period but would eventually come back. Finally decided to get an aftermarket driveshaft and just replace it. It cured the problem for several months, but recently returned. Going to re torque it one time to see what happens, but then probably will be looking for a driveshaft again....but not a cheapo next time. Any of you run into this click issue before? Most of the suspension bits have been replaced since this issue popped up, so I'm certain it's not that. Also, motor mounts look good....so it about has to be the driveshaft (driver side).
     
  15. Ronbo

    Ronbo New Member

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  16. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Good stuff. And good call on the crank damper. That one will last.
     
  17. Goldsmithy

    Goldsmithy MINI Alliance Ambassador
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    The is a great looking R 52.Drive it in good health...
     
  18. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

    Jan 5, 2014
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    Nice work on a nice car. How did you do the LCA bushings? On the car or removed from the car?
     
  19. Fastlane

    Fastlane Member

    May 4, 2009
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    Thanks.

    I did the lca bushings on the car....cut the old out with a saws-all. Pressed them in with a homemade tool made from threaded rod, washers, nuts, etc. it was a ***** but got the job done.
     
  20. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

    Jan 5, 2014
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    I am also going to do my LCA bushings on the car. I bought 2 of the brackets, with bushings, from a member who was parting out an R53 (Oh, the humanity!). From these, I have taken measurements to make a tool that will "pull" the old bushings out, and press in the Powerflex replacements. I am a tool and die maker by trade, and I have access to machinery, material, CAD, etc. I will use the old brackets/bushings to try out the tool when finished. Wish me luck!!!
     

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