Most liked posts in thread: Project R53 :: 2006 MINI Cooper S

God no.

That's what my poverty truck is for.



As far as mounts go, I snagged a replacement OEM one for cheap for now - but plan on upgrading all 3 mounts down the road.

Also, I see you only have the passenger side mount in stock. I could always return the mount I have, but would you recommend running only the passenger side Vibratechnics mount without any other mounts upgraded?

 

Yes, house with a garage bigger than the house. :ihih:

Actually, the front LCA bushings are brand new/recently replaced. Fresh brackets and bushings on the front sway and LCAs - so they're not on my immediate to-do list. Engine mount is leaking, so that's an immediate item to address. Same with the oil filter housing gasket.

Also, the sunroof seal has drooped in the front corners, and the PO installed a stupid weather-tech sunroof deflector that damaged the glass, so I ordered a new gasket through work, and I found someone parting out a 2005 R53 that I'm snagging the front glass panel from. I also have him pulling the dash top out of his car, since there's some glue smeared on the right corner of the dash in this one from something the PO did. And the glovebox latch is broken, too - so he's getting me the glovebox as well.

For upgrades I'm looking to get the brakes and suspension sorted first, then tires (wheels are coming over from the GP), then pulley.

Brake-wise, I'm working on putting together a custom OEM R56 JCW BBK. Centric sells remanufactured 4-piston JCW brembo calipers, and I'm going to do Centric high-carbon rotors all the way around, new pads in the rear, and stoptech stainless lines on all 4 corners.

Suspension I'm not sure what route I'm going with yet. I do know Colin has his custom coilovers, but (and no offense here) I'm going to need some convincing to go with those over Bilstein or H&R offerings. I want something stiffer than stock, but still streetable - basically on par with the coilovers in the GP.

I will be adding a 19mm H&R rear sway - I don't want to go too aggressive and upset the balance of the car.

Pulley is on the eventual list, probably an early spring deadline, right before MOTD. Maybe I'll combine that with an ignition tune-up (new plugs/wires/coil) and knock that all out at once. Should probably add a coolant overflow tank to that list, too - the one in this car is looking pretty yellow.

I also ordered the cabrio braces to add to the front end and hopefully eliminate some of the cowl rattles in the car, too.

 

Aside from overall ride quality, my other concern is long-term durability. How long has everyone been running the Greene coilovers so far?

I also rode in Whales' car, as well - seemed pretty good at the time, but that was back in May.

Price also plays a minor part, since I have connections for Bilstein and H&R products, and I'm trying to keep my suspension budget somewhere around $1200.

 

With the core charge, it comes to about $250/caliper, which isn't bad at all, especially WITH pads.

Through one of my favorite parts sources, TheBMWMINIPartstore.com, the calipers are $506.21 each, without pads.

I wouldn't be moving to R56 rears, though. Maybe in the future if I upgrade the rear arms to R56 arms - I don't feel like cutting the R53 arms to fit.

 

So, question... with your Wilwood front calipers, what rear pads are you using?

Reason I ask is because my plan has changed again.

Wilwood DP6 front caliper kit through TCE Performance: MINI 01-06 - Kits

$719 and free shipping. With rear pads, lines, and rotors all the way around... a cool $885. Not bad.

 

I still haven't figured out how to remove the rear glass - sunroof cartridge out and all, I don't know if it bolts in or if it's glued in.

You'd be better off pulling the entire cartridge and doing a custom kevlar or carbon filler panel that bolts in place and eliminates the sunroof altogether. The glass isn't all that heavy, really - the whole mechanism is, though.

 

I mean, having seen some of the cars I've taken in as trade-ins... it wasn't bad.



But it was still bad. Dog hair everywhere, coffee stains on the console, never once vacuumed in the last 3 months, dog slobber on windows, dirty tissues stuffed in the door pocket. And that's just the inside.



It looks nice, now, aside from all the chips on the front and the front emblem that disintegrated when I was drying it.




And she's one of the few who enjoys and prefers driving stick. So, can't win 'em all. :lol: