1st Gen R53 Cooper S New to the site and MC's, got a few questions for you guys!

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by dsautosport, Sep 24, 2014.

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  1. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    #41 cct1, Sep 25, 2014
    Short answer: no. If mine became a problem I'd replace it but not unless or until then. Jan is the guy to talk to; you might want to join the RMW forums too, especially with your list. MA is great, but there are a few folks on the RMW site that can really help you out--between MA and the RMW site, you can pretty much take care of anything you need.
     
  2. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #42 dsautosport, Sep 25, 2014
    Sweet! Hopefully I can have a nice, long, trouble-free Mini ownership.
     
  3. fridayxiii

    fridayxiii Member

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    #43 fridayxiii, Sep 29, 2014
    Another totally satisfied RMW customer here. Jan is The Man.
     
  4. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #44 dsautosport, Sep 30, 2014
    I did a self-PPI on a lift over the weekend. Here's what I found.

    Car appears to be in good overall condition.
    Headliner is shot.
    Brake pads and rotors are new (don't like drilled/slotted, but it'll do)
    Stock air diverter is missing
    Tires are bald
    What appears to be a valve cover gasket leak.
    Lower control arm bushings are worn out.

    Mods:
    Bavarian Autosport springs (anyone got spring rate specs on these?)
    15% Alta pulley
     
  5. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    #45 cct1, Sep 30, 2014
    Headliner can be more expensive than the roof skin depending on the liner...

    Valve cover gasket leak needs looking into obviously.

    Control arm bushings are a given to wear out--upgrading them makes a huge difference.
     
  6. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #46 Dave.0, Sep 30, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2014
    Friends don't let friends buy ALTA parts. :arf::nonod: :ihih::lol:

    If you want good springs buy Swift springs.
    https://www.greeneperformance.com/mini/swift-spec-r-lowering-springs.html

    Here are the PollyFlex Lower control arm bushings:
    http://store.helix13.com/powerflex-lower-control-arm-street-bushings/

    Valve cover gasket Part # from dealership: PROFILE-GASKET 11121485838 only $17.75

    As for a pulley I have a Helix 15% and have never had an issue over 8 years.
    Helix MINI Cooper Supercharger Pulley

    15% belt (535)
    Amazon.com: Gates K060535 Multi V-Groove Belt: Automotive

    Gates 38404 Belt Tensioner same as OEM:
    Amazon.com: Gates 38404 Belt Tensioner: Automotive

    Since you are doing all the above you may as well replace the idler pulley since it is only (1) bolt and you have the belt off.
    Gates 36168 Idler Pulley:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FM9WTC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
     
  7. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #47 dsautosport, Sep 30, 2014
    Well it's just a pulley, how bad can it be? It's already on.
     
  8. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #48 Dave.0, Sep 30, 2014
    If you start chewing up belts like a fat kid eating Oreo's you will at least know what the cause is. :ihih::lol:
     
  9. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #49 dsautosport, Sep 30, 2014
    Hmm that's a possibility, but he's had it on for a while now so idk
     
  10. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #50 Dave.0, Sep 30, 2014
    Well a pulley is a pulley so you should be ok. Its all about them being installed correctly. Maybe you will be lucky. :fingerscrossed::biggrin5:

    One more thing I forgot, make sure you check or replace the crank damper. If you are going to track your car because the OEM rubber ones have been known to fail and you don't want that to end your day of fun.

    I have the ATI-Super Damper:
    ATI MINI Cooper Super Damper R53
     
  11. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    #51 cct1, Sep 30, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2014
    He's right about ALTA. I wish I could credit the source of this piece of wisdom, but a wise man, probably Confucius, Aristotle, or Andy Warhol (or maybe it was Carrot top, before the plastic surgery) once said, and I quote: "If you buy ALTA, it's your FAULTA."

    Dave, you misspelled "Polyflex". Nate will be in contact with you shortly.
     
  12. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #52 dsautosport, Sep 30, 2014
    The crank damper looked okay. Maybe dirty and a little dry, but might not need immediate replacement.
     
  13. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #53 dsautosport, Sep 30, 2014
    Isn't Alta made by Perrin?
     
  14. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #54 Dave.0, Sep 30, 2014
    Yup and that's the problem..... CR_P or SH_T <- Like to buy a vowel ?:idea::lol:
     
  15. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #55 Dave.0, Sep 30, 2014
    ^^^ :lol::lol::lol:

    Yeah I made a new word Powerflex + Polyurethane = Pollyflex. :rolleyes:

    Powerflex Polyurethane Lower control arm bushings
    Powerflex Polyurethane Lower control arm bushings
    Powerflex Polyurethane Lower control arm bushings
    Powerflex Polyurethane Lower control arm bushings
    Powerflex Polyurethane Lower control arm bushings
     
  16. UKCoopeR

    UKCoopeR Active Member

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    #56 UKCoopeR, Oct 1, 2014
    I will jump in the party and say all these dudes helped me too :) my plan is to step up to ~220 (limit for my weight in TTC) via cams/injector/head/header/tune this winter.

    For track use, if you are going to do a lot of events I second doing the crank pulley, sustained high rpm use will break it and it will be messy (ask me how i know lol :p) another part I found value in is the RMW oil pan baffle dohickey. Adding an oil temp gauge made me realize I needed a cooler badly!!! I was running 280F+ in the summer events :(
     
  17. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #57 dsautosport, Oct 1, 2014
    Well there's some good info on this thread, and you guys have been really helpful, but it doesn't look like I'm going to be getting a Mini... here's why:

    I was looking at getting a Mini because my 240SX blew it's headgasket after overheating. I thought that well, I've had the 240 for a while, maybe it's time to move on. I fell in love with the Mini after doing all this research, but here's what it comes down to.

    To buy a decent Mini, I'd have to spend $6000. Throw in $300 for registration, $500 in immediate maintenance that I'd want to do, and about $1700 in modifications. That puts me at $8500. Assuming I could sell the 240 for $4000 (which won't happen because 240 people are seriously cheap), that leaves me with me with a deficit of $4500.

    However, I'm currently getting the headgasket fixed for $500 by a friend (which I was going to do anyway before I sell the car) and I can complete my turbo kit and do it properly for about $2500. It seems to be currently more financially feasible to keep the 240SX as a track car, not to mention that my mechanic described the condition of the short block as being in "f---ing fantastic condition"

    Indeed though, I WILL be owning a Mini someday, just not right now. I'll keep a lookout for the right one and I'll buy it as a weekend car and do regular maintenance on it. When the time comes to retire the 240SX from track duty, I'll mod out the Mini!
     
  18. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    #58 cct1, Oct 1, 2014
    Smart move. Take your time and find the right car, they are out there, and if time isn't an issue, you'll be able to find a good deal.
     
  19. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #59 MCS02, Oct 1, 2014
    Here is my 2cent worth on Alta. I bought parts from them twice. the second time I received some plugs one appeared to have a cracked electrode. when I called I was told it must have happened in shipping. I told them the box was in perfect shape but they did not care. I was told they don't guaranty shipping damage. I called the manufacture of the plug they were very helpful.
    I have not done business with Alta sense that time. If I can't exchange one plug I hate to think what would happen on a big part.
     
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