New to this forum and new to the Mini community :)

Discussion in 'Starting Line - New Member Introductions' started by EverydayGetaway, Dec 25, 2015.

  1. EverydayGetaway

    EverydayGetaway New Member

    Dec 23, 2015
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    Hi everyone! I've been a BMW guy for about a decade, always wanted a Mini and now I finally committed and got one... I'm mad at myself for waiting so long!

    This is my '06 R53, 50k miles and completely stock (aside from the painted black wheels, which I'm usually not a fan of, but they're growing on me) :)

    [​IMG]DSCF7932-2.jpg by Lucas Graenicher, on Flickr
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Welcome to MA!

    Now get to Moding!!

    We are here to help spend your money...........I mean help pick out Mods
     
  3. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    Apr 23, 2009
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    Good choice! And welcome to the site.
     
  4. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

    Feb 24, 2013
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    Great looking ride and Welcome to Motoring Alliance the onlyest MINI Forum you'll ever need !!
     
  5. Goldsmithy

    Goldsmithy MINI Alliance Ambassador
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    Jan 30, 2015
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    Welcome to the modness... Great looking ride!!!
     
  6. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.
     
  7. Friskie

    Friskie Well-Known Member

    Jul 20, 2009
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    In the here and now, for now.
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    Welcome to M/A
    Fine looking ride...but...but...the top doesn't fold back.
    Only way to compensate is to swap out the struts and rear sway bar for KONI FSDs and a 22 MM adjustable sway bar.

    How's that for a start, MCS02?
     
  8. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Thats a good start Friskie! I will call your Koni and sway bar and double down with a 15% SC pulley and CAI.:D
     
  9. EverydayGetaway

    EverydayGetaway New Member

    Dec 23, 2015
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    Haha, thanks everyone! I already have a plan setup for the car :)

    First thing I'm going to do is put in some seat heaters... sadly the seats in it don't have the elements so I'm going to use cheap aftermarket pads (and probably upgrade the seats for genuine leather ones with adjustable lumbar in the future).

    Then I'm going to go with a CAI, 15-17% pulley (haven't made up my mind since I can't find a definitive answer on which is best to go with for daily use), upgraded ignition and injectors, new brakes and possibly a helix or other shifter.

    I also want to get some driving lights up front, possibly remove the stripes, possibly an aero grill, and I also want to leather wrap the dashboard (top part), but that seems an impossibility due to the passenger airbag :(

    For now I just want to get my iPod and/or bluetooth to work properly :frown2:
     
  10. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
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    When it comes to ignition, the OEM remains the choice for most of us. Red aftermarket coils have been known to burn the ECU's in R53's. IMO the 15% pulley works well.
     
  11. Goldsmithy

    Goldsmithy MINI Alliance Ambassador
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    Jan 30, 2015
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    Do you have the service records? If not, I would take care of all maintenance first...fluid change, filters, etc.
     
  12. EverydayGetaway

    EverydayGetaway New Member

    Dec 23, 2015
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    I do, that's part of why I bought this particular car (instead of waiting for one with Chrono pack and heated seats) ;)

    It just had the 50k service done and it's had all other regular maintenance done by the dealer. It spent it's first 41k miles in California and has been in VA for the past 9k.
     
  13. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

    May 29, 2009
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    Welcome to M/A! It's always really special to see another '06 R53, too! :Thumbsup:

    My '06 R54 has seen copious track days at Mid Ohio and I have a 15% pulley and some other stuff. It's "good enough" for the track and the car is my daily driver, as well.
     
  14. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

    May 15, 2012
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    What he ^^^ said.
     
  15. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    I have a 17% pulley. Go with the 15%

    And your first mod will be bun warmers? :frown2: :D
     
  16. EverydayGetaway

    EverydayGetaway New Member

    Dec 23, 2015
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  17. Razone23

    Razone23 Active Member

    Nov 3, 2013
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    Bienvenido. Nice ride
     
  18. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    Jan 5, 2010
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    Nice Ride from an old R55/R56 driver!
     
  19. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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  20. Whales

    Whales Well-Known Member
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    Nice R53 in the best year and best color!!!
     

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