- Thread Starter
- #101
The R56 CS callipers really are an excellent upgrade. Much better than standard!
2005 R53 Mini Cooper S
- Thread starter Lauren_E
- Start date
Deezer-D
RMS Regular
I’d DS2500s in my Brembos on the Clubman and they were excellent, much better than the standard pads. Might have a spare set of decals for the callipers somewhere, if I can find them you’re welcome to them
- Thread Starter
- #103
Appreciate the offer. I actually ordered the decals a few months ago for the JCW to freshen them up so had a set left over
- Thread Starter
- #104
So all fitted and must admit they are night and day over the R56 Cooper S callipers, don't think the pedal is quite as spongy either so that is a bonus. Wasn't too sure about changing the R95s but I actually think the R112 suit it quite well
Quick wash after a run to try them out
Quick wash after a run to try them out
Wild Thing
RMS Regular
- Messages
- 4,794
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- Tandragee
Mental Mini now for sure
- Thread Starter
- #107
The list of things I wanted to do to the car is pretty much complete. One thing I had wanted for a long time was a proper detail and ceramic coat.
After speaking to @big_pete all was booked in and left for him to work his magic and apply Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra and C4 to the arches. Hope he doesn't mind me using his pictures. I never got a chance to take my own as it was dirty when I got home from collecting it
I'm thoroughly over the moon at how it turned out
One thing I meant to do months ago was paint the rear callipers as they had faded to a dirty orange/brown colour Last week my rear right calliper had begun to seize so I took that opportunity to replace the rear callipers with refurbished ones. While it was away at PMG I painted them up chilli red to match the front Brembos and left them to dry. All fitted up today and disc barrels painted to freshen them up.
Old callipers
New ones fitted
After speaking to @big_pete all was booked in and left for him to work his magic and apply Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra and C4 to the arches. Hope he doesn't mind me using his pictures. I never got a chance to take my own as it was dirty when I got home from collecting it
I'm thoroughly over the moon at how it turned out
One thing I meant to do months ago was paint the rear callipers as they had faded to a dirty orange/brown colour
Last week my rear right calliper had begun to seize so I took that opportunity to replace the rear callipers with refurbished ones. While it was away at PMG I painted them up chilli red to match the front Brembos and left them to dry. All fitted up today and disc barrels painted to freshen them up.Old callipers
New ones fitted
big_pete
RMS Regular
Car is a real credit to you. Couldn't tell you the last time I seen an R53 in as nice condition
- Thread Starter
- #109
Thanks Pete. You certainly have it in great shape now
- Thread Starter
- #111
Since moving the wheels with the Yokos back to the JCW I thought it was about time to get the original wheels refurbed. Sent them down to Prentice Alloy Clinic and as always done a fantastic job.
As this is a daily I thought it would be better to get a more all round tyre so rather than a second set of Yokos I opted for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4. I really rated these on the Ronals I had so it was really a no brainer
Back from getting refurbed they were then coated in Gtechniq C5 as well as new JCW centre caps
All fitted back on and a run up the mournes
Both my top mounts were shot, a common fault on R53s, so new OEM Mini ones were ordered up as well as a genuine oil filter for early oil and filter change after getting the engine rebuilt
Old Top mount
New ones with oil filter
Lately it has developed a chirping noise, I'm pretty certain it is an idler pulley but just to be sure I ordered up the full Gates kit which includes new idler pulley, belt tensioner and 6PK1360 belt (due to having 17% reduction pulley)
Also order a new alternator as when I'm that far down I might as well replace it as thats something else ticked off the list
Should get that fitted some time next week
Passed MOT with a clean sheet on Friday so that's it good to go for another year
As this is a daily I thought it would be better to get a more all round tyre so rather than a second set of Yokos I opted for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4. I really rated these on the Ronals I had so it was really a no brainer
Back from getting refurbed they were then coated in Gtechniq C5 as well as new JCW centre caps
All fitted back on and a run up the mournes
Both my top mounts were shot, a common fault on R53s, so new OEM Mini ones were ordered up as well as a genuine oil filter for early oil and filter change after getting the engine rebuilt
Old Top mount
New ones with oil filter
Lately it has developed a chirping noise, I'm pretty certain it is an idler pulley but just to be sure I ordered up the full Gates kit which includes new idler pulley, belt tensioner and 6PK1360 belt (due to having 17% reduction pulley)
Also order a new alternator as when I'm that far down I might as well replace it as thats something else ticked off the list
Should get that fitted some time next week
Passed MOT with a clean sheet on Friday so that's it good to go for another year
- Thread Starter
- #114
Was able to get stuck into this this week. The alternator I had originally bought was faulty and wouldn't charge (should have known better from an eBay special) so it was sent back and a new one ordered from the local motor factors.
Old alternator which had cracked
New one
Alternator, idler pulley and belt tensioner fitted with new belt so that's another thing ticked off the list to be replaced.
I had noticed the radiator had started to weep very slightly so now was the perfect time to replace with a new alloy radiator. I had been looking at the Fletcher 40mm Alloy radiators for a while and with the good reviews and OEM fitment I ordered one of them.
Out with the old
In with the new
Last thing to do was to change the top engine mount. On the facelift R53 they are oil filled and very prone to leaking when they get older. New OEM replacement fitted. Had thought about a Vibratechnics mount but I don't think I could live with the vibration at idle
Old one
New
All built back up again and engine cleaned and dressed
Washed and a quick coat of Anachem's Hybrid to keep the ceramic coat topped up. Back to daily duties again now the JCW is SORN'd
Old alternator which had cracked
New one
Alternator, idler pulley and belt tensioner fitted with new belt so that's another thing ticked off the list to be replaced.
I had noticed the radiator had started to weep very slightly so now was the perfect time to replace with a new alloy radiator. I had been looking at the Fletcher 40mm Alloy radiators for a while and with the good reviews and OEM fitment I ordered one of them.
Out with the old
In with the new
Last thing to do was to change the top engine mount. On the facelift R53 they are oil filled and very prone to leaking when they get older. New OEM replacement fitted. Had thought about a Vibratechnics mount but I don't think I could live with the vibration at idle
Old one
New
All built back up again and engine cleaned and dressed
Washed and a quick coat of Anachem's Hybrid to keep the ceramic coat topped up. Back to daily duties again now the JCW is SORN'd
Wild Thing
RMS Regular
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- Tandragee
I must admit, I was very impressed with the alloy radiator.
- Thread Starter
- #119
It would be the ideal time to do them while you are down that far. Saves having to worry about the later down the line
- Thread Starter
- #120
Haven't updated this in a while as there hasn't been much happening other than enjoying it
Upgraded to some Hertz front speakers, still need to get the rears done but just haven't had a chance.
Few trips over the Mournes during summer soon hit the 100k milestone
Last but not least, the Gates belt tensioner I had changed was faulty so got a replacement under warranty. While down there to try and eliminate any further issues the crank pulley was changed as well as another new belt. All seems good so far so fingers crossed no more belt slipping
Upgraded to some Hertz front speakers, still need to get the rears done but just haven't had a chance.
Few trips over the Mournes during summer soon hit the 100k milestone
Last but not least, the Gates belt tensioner I had changed was faulty so got a replacement under warranty. While down there to try and eliminate any further issues the crank pulley was changed as well as another new belt. All seems good so far so fingers crossed no more belt slipping
- Thread Starter
- #121
Over Christmas the car got some upgrades
First off was a GP rear bumper trim. I've been wanting one of these for ages so finally pulled the trigger as a Christmas present to myself Really finishes the car off exterior wise, just flairs out that wee bit more over standard and sits slightly lower
Old trim
Bumper off to fit new one
New GP one fitted
Also fitted an Alta silicone Intake pipe to replace the perished OEM one
First off was a GP rear bumper trim. I've been wanting one of these for ages so finally pulled the trigger as a Christmas present to myself
Really finishes the car off exterior wise, just flairs out that wee bit more over standard and sits slightly lowerOld trim
Bumper off to fit new one
New GP one fitted
Also fitted an Alta silicone Intake pipe to replace the perished OEM one
Last edited:
- Thread Starter
- #122
Also got a Piano black dash and door cards out of a Mini One Seven edition. I thought this was a bit different and it ties in well with the red stitching on the Recaros and the gear and handbrake gaiters
Last but not least it got a really good wash and decontamination then finished with @Big Pimp's hybrid to keep the ceramic coating topped up. The interior and engine bay dressed with Trim
Last but not least it got a really good wash and decontamination then finished with @Big Pimp's hybrid to keep the ceramic coating topped up. The interior and engine bay dressed with Trim
Looking well @Laureeno101 
Big Pimp
RMS Trader
Impeccable as always!
Robin_Hood
RMS Regular
- Messages
- 512
- Drives
- Defender
Lovely
Some very rare interior bits you have gathered up, shift lights and steering wheel
When you replaced the top mounts did you reuse the strut brace bolts or buy new?
Some very rare interior bits you have gathered up, shift lights and steering wheel
When you replaced the top mounts did you reuse the strut brace bolts or buy new?