Hey everyone! I'm new to Mini Coopers, I plan on picking up an R53 Cooper S to turn into a weekend car/track car. I've got a few questions for you guys! 1. What are some common issues and problems that are known to affect these cars? I mean like things that only Mini owners would really know about. For example, the E36 M3 is own to have issues with things like the differential bolt, rear shock towers breaking, VANOS rattling, that sort of thing. 2. How much would I realistically need to spend to get about 240 WHP? I think it's intake, exhaust, pulley, (maybe) cams, and a tune. 3. Once I get the car to 240 WHP, would it be reliable? Can the engine realistically take being beat on for hours at a track day? What about the transmission?
Welcome to MA! Good choice of MINI The SC oil can leak out causing the gears that run the water pump to go bad. The controll arm bushings go bad around 30k, replace them with Power Flex bushings. And check the crank pully if replacing it use an ATI. You you can get 240 reliably. Dave.0 does he uses Meth. Well not him but his car. SC pulley, CIA, headers, exhaust and ECU tune will go a long way. Bigger injectors and Meth should get you there. There are several guys here that can help.
Dave.0 has a RMW head as well as the other mods listed and others!! I believe he has more HP then that though.. With mods listed above without the head, and stock header your probably around 210-215 with the cam +- a few. Without the cam around 200..
Welcome to M/A the FUN Mini site. If you buy and R53 try to get one without a sunroof it will help to keep all your cars weight down low. If you want to build a reliable track car speak to Jan @ RMW. I have a little over 250 HP at the wheels and it is very reliable and drivable as a daily driver. All the info about my car is listed in my M/A garage.
The 2005 and 2006 year MCS are the two best years to buy hands down. Where are you located? This is all you need to make 250 Wheel HP all day long and have it reliable as a daily driver. 1 RMW Big Valve head. http://store.helix13.com/rmw-mini-cooper-cylinder-head/ 15% pulley (I like the Helix pulley and you do not need to go more that 15%) http://store.helix13.com/helix-supercharger-pulley/ 1 RMW Cam (Jan @ RMW has several options) here is the street CAM I have. http://store.helix13.com/newman-rmw-mini-cooper-cam-upgrade/ 1 set of RMW 450 or 550 injectors (Call Jan for Price) 1 custom tune by Jan. (Call Jan for Price) You can also add any intake of your choice and I like my DDM intake the best. http://www.ddmworks.com/Mini-R53-Cooper-S-Cold-Air-Intake_p_257.html Jan will recommend a port matched header like his Street header that is made to match perfectly to the RMW big vale head. :cornut: http://store.helix13.com/rmw-shorty-header/ You will also want to change your plugs one set colder. I use NGK Iridium IX Spark plug BKR8EIX # 2668 whcich you can buy on Amazon for under 30 bucks here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00332810I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 When you replace your SC pulley with a 15 % one you should replace all the other pulleys as a precaution if you do not know the last time they were changed if ever. (Crank, Idler, Tensioner) Jan has the ATI Damper or a Fluid filled damper available. I buy my MINI belt tensioner from Amazon for $70 - 90 bucks. Its the exact same tensioner with out the $200 OEM pricetag. http://www.amazon.com/Gates-38404-Belt-Tensioner/dp/B001KQJRDO/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1411409579&sr=1-1&keywords=Gates+38404+Belt+Tensioner People may disagree with me on this but you do NOT need a tensioner stop. Idler Pulley: http://www.amazon.com/Gates-36168-Idler-Pulley/dp/B001FM9WTC/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_y New belt for 15% SC pulley: http://www.amazon.com/Gates-K060535-Multi-V-Groove-Belt/dp/B000C2SIXC/ref=pd_sim_auto_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1MRRBQS5TTT4JF6RH1AR Just remember with more power comes the need to add better brakes and a better suspension. As anyone can drive in a straight line we have drag strips for that. The truly fun part of owning a MINI is running twisty roads and carving up the turns unlike any other car. This also includes getting real tires and dumping the MINI OEM Run Flats. To covert this car to a track car you will be dumping the rear seat and other weight.
Thanks for the welcomes guys! I test-drove a Mini today and I've gotta say, this car seriously puts a smile on my face. I'm seriously thinking about buying this thing! It's already got a 15% pulley on it too, so that mod's done. It's a 2005 with 107,000 miles and a sunroof. Tires are done, couple of dings and dents. Manual transmission. What would you say is a fair asking price? And what questions should I ask the owner before I buy it?