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

Yeah - on the sunroof cars, I think the sunroof plays an important structural part of the roof, which is probably why the filler panels all crack over time. Too much stress without proper structural engineering.

If I was going to go through the trouble of getting a filler panel made, I'd just convert the car to a non-sunroof top.

If I keep this car long-term, it may just be something I do.

 

Alrighty! After some time away and some crazy shenanigans...

Like, selling my Ranger and buying a 2010 Frontier Pro-4X...



So, that truck was a complete basketcase, it turns out. After one month and a few days of frustration, I decided to trade it in on a 2016 Crew Cab Pro-4x with 0 farts. Keeping this truck long-term.



Anyways, it's time to get back to MINI things.

The R53 needs to be up and motorable by 4/10 so I have a month to shake it down for MotD. It's game time.

First focus: Brakes.

- Pads: Carbotech 1521s. Streetable, good quality pads, can take a little abuse on the backroads, too.
- Calipers: R56S front calipers, stock rears.
- Rotors: Centric high-carbon blanks. 294mm Cooper S front, 259mm stock rear.
- Lines: Stoptech stainless on all 4 corners
- Fluid: Need to figure that one out... OE maybe, just to get things started. Any recommendations?

Next will be suspension. Thinking Bilstein + springs + H&R rear sway bar. Toying with the idea of some kind of coilover, too, but I'm not sure yet.

I don't want a big drop - I want this car to be streetable. I know Swift springs come highly regarded, what other options are out there?

 

Nothing against Colin, but I'm still wary of those coilovers and I'm not sure why (probably the fact that they're BC coilovers and the price seems a tad high for that), despite reading a ton of great reviews.

Also - the camber plates in the front use a spherical ball mount that in my experience, will just rattle over time. I've been there, done that on coilover setups in the past, and suspension NVH drives me up a damn wall.

 

I've made a decision on suspension and brakes, putting together my shopping list now.

 

Suspension:
Going H&R street performance for coilovers - I don't want a rattletrap. Bilstein makes the dampers for H&R, and the H&R springs are quite good. I'm prepared to hear the peanut gallery get all fired up over this decision.

Brakes:
Rotors: Pagid high carbon coated rotors all around
Calipers: R56S front calipers, stock R53 rear calipers (for now, may upgrade to R56 rear arms and brakes down the line)
Lines: Stoptech stainless lines on all 4 corners
Pads: Stoptech street performance pads
Fluid: Motul RBF600

While this is not my daily driver, it's not a track rat either, and I'm working with a budget as well. So, certain concessions needed to be made moreso towards pricing, and I wanted to maintain a slight modicum of comfort. The GP2 was pretty much perfect as far as ride quality goes, and I feel the H&R street coilovers will be a good match for that.

Brakes are getting ordered now, I'll tackle the suspension soon.

Dave, how many liters of brake fluid are needed for a full bleed on the R53?

 

You mean 3 of the 1/2 liter bottles, right?