New R53 owner

Discussion in 'Starting Line - New Member Introductions' started by Rated_R, May 14, 2011.

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  1. Rated_R

    Rated_R New Member

    May 14, 2011
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    #1 Rated_R, May 14, 2011
    Last edited: May 16, 2011
    So after 8 years and 200 thousand miles I traded my ragged truck for an 04 Mcs with 70k miles on the ticker. And so far I am loving it.

    It has a couple of minor things wrong with it. Like a/c not cold, triple light of doom [abs,dsc,tire], and the nav doesn't work but that's okay. The driving experience makes up for all that.

    My name is Ben and I claim Nashville, Tn as home. Here is a crappy cell phone pic.

    [​IMG]

    I plan on Joey modding the heads and blacking out most, if not all, the chrome. Down the line getting the 15% pulley and a CIA.
     
  2. mike@MynesTuned

    mike@MynesTuned New Member

    May 16, 2009
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    Welcome Ben. Clean looking MINI. :cool:
     
  3. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    May 22, 2010
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    Hello Ben and welcome to M/A! Congrats on your new ride!
     
  4. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    Welcome aboard. Start planning for MOTD 10, now. It is in your back yard. :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  5. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Sep 29, 2009
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    Hey there Ben, welcome to M/A....
    The fun has just begun....:D
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    Welcome, nice MINI.... :Thumbsup:
     
  7. Professor

    Professor New Member

    May 4, 2009
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    Great looking car.

    You faults sound like a dead wheel speed sensor. Most common one to fail is the front left. Not a big deal to replace.
     
  8. Vollgas

    Vollgas New Member

    Dec 22, 2010
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    Welcome to M/A!
     
  9. Rated_R

    Rated_R New Member

    May 14, 2011
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    Yeah I've investigated all the threads about them and started looking. The one on my front left is cut/ripped. So ill get a new one soon.

    Today while hooking up my Alpine and satalite radio I wanted to replace the bulb for my driver fog light. Upon further inspection its not plugged in. I couldn't find the plug to plug into it. I'm going to have to dig deeper. Taking the inner fender off will help.

    Thanks for the warm welcome.
     
  10. lotsie

    lotsie Club Coordinator

    May 5, 2009
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    Howdy:D

    Mark
     
  11. Rae

    Rae Club Coordinator

    Oct 14, 2010
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    Wow, you are up to date on your research, welcome to the madness! Yep, take off that inner fender and the under bumper bits. Speaking from experience here :blush2: use some jack stands to get her up, it's easier that way! Also, love the wheels (I have the same ones on my '04). Happy motoring! :beer
     
  12. KC Jr 54

    KC Jr 54 New Member

    Jun 3, 2009
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    Welcome to the site !!

    FYI about Joey-modding pre-facelift head lights....dont do it!! 1) the oven method doesnt work on the CEMENT they used to fuse the lens with the housing. 2) If you cut them open, you will be plagued w/ finding an adhesive that will keep the pieces together, and this isnt the kind of plastic glue likes.

    GL on the car, and enjoy it !
     
  13. Rated_R

    Rated_R New Member

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    Help me out here. What determinds "pre-facelift"?

    What wheels are they so I can look em up?
     
  14. TATTRAT

    TATTRAT Well-Known Member
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    Oct 10, 2010
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    Welcome, from another 03 R53 owner, enjoy! Loads of fun!
     
  15. KC Jr 54

    KC Jr 54 New Member

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    #15 KC Jr 54, May 16, 2011
    Last edited: May 21, 2011
    "Facelift" Models are the 05 & 06 when dealing with r53. There were a few changes cosmetically, including the headlights. The HID lights went from a standard/dated (Halogen reflected glass type) design to one with projectors. The 02-04 headlight housings are VERY difficult to separate for various reasons; 1) the type of 'cement' used 2) some people theorize the hardening time on older models (well, b/c they are older)

    Other things changed:
    Grill surrounds became smooth, tail-light changed design and reverse lights were added, 3 spoke steering wheel, 3 piece dash instead of 5, dashboard became a solid unit, door bars stuck out further, s/c received Teflon coating, mood lighting was added (spots of orange light everywhere) and thats about all the 'important' ones i can remember ATM.
     
  16. Rated_R

    Rated_R New Member

    May 14, 2011
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    So for me to get blacked out heads i may be easier to just buy some instead of possibly destroying my heads?


    After reading your post I realized that I made a typo in my first post. Mine is an 04.
     
  17. WildThang

    WildThang New Member

    Oct 21, 2010
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    Enjoy that 04'!

    Drop a CAI in there, and listen to the supercharger whine!
     
  18. GHOST

    GHOST New Member

    May 18, 2011
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    Welcome Ben!!!

    I use to hang out at Nashville all the time with my friends..

    I lived in Clarksville, Tn.
     

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