So around November time I decided to take the plunge and go for another MINI, with the initial step being to sell my R53, so come December/January I started stripping the car for a mega part out. Before I had even started stripping it, most of the parts had already sold. So next came the shipping of a million and one parcels. Returning the car back to stock was a nightmare. The sad thing for me wasnt getting rid of the car, as it just felt like a car to me now however it was more taking it from what it looked like to the final picture below:
Link to my project thread on here: http://www.newminiclub.nl/forum/about22595.html
It went from this:
The day I brought it by tweedbean, on Flickr
To this:
The best it looked in my opinion by tweedbean, on Flickr
Then to this:
The purple wheels, well some one had to
by tweedbean, on FlickrAnd finally it ended up like this:
The last picture of my R53 Cooper S before being traded in by tweedbean, on Flickr
So once it was back to standard the decision arose on whether to trade it in or sell it privately. I couldn’t be bothered with selling the car privately so I decided to take the hit and trade it in. With 97k on the clock it was never going to be a great figure, even though half the parts on the car were brand new.
On a happy note, the final thing to come off the car was my coilovers. I had brought some used Cooper S suspension to replace my coilovers however they turned up with bolts etc missing. So next came a quick telephone call to Sytner B’ham to order the missing parts. Then the following day I went to pick up said washers and ended up sitting down with a sales man checking out the fJCW’s on MINI cherished. 24 hours later I ended up putting a deposit down on a Laser Blue fJCW, having initially been interested in a Pepper white one in similar spec. When I put the two next two each other, the pepper white looked a bit flat however laser blue was rare in fJCW form and jumped out the screen.
Next on the agenda was to actually see the car as it was in Coventry, so me being lazy, I got them to ship it over to B’ham as the staff at Sytner Coventry are a bunch of numpty’s. So while it was on its way we had the discussion around the part ex of my chrome covered R53. The good news was he looked over it for at least 30 seconds and managed to offer me over £1200 more than both Rybrook and Sytner Solihull had done previously, putting it very near to the price I could have sold it private for in the condition it was in. Therefore there was no decision to make, trade in FTW.
Now onto the new MINI, it’s a fJCW with most options ticked. The only thing missing for me is the JCW Sportster CS seats however I picked up a set in full leather and also the JCW CF handbrake grip and gear knob.
Had just taken it for a test drive by tweedbean, on Flickr
Deposit paid
by tweedbean, on Flickr
The new interior with satnav, hifi stereo, multi function steering wheel, cruise control, alcantara steering wheel, full blue tooth, voice control and by tweedbean, on Flickr
Dealer shots of the car from MINI Cherished website by tweedbean, on Flickr
Dealer shots of the car from MINI Cherished website by tweedbean, on Flickr
Spec list:
59 Plate fJCW in Laser Blue, with body colour roof and wing mirrors
20k on the clock
Multi-function steering wheel
Cruise Control
Alcantara Steering wheel
Black Roof lining
Piano Black Dash
Climate Control
Exterior Mirror Pack
Electronic Diff
Panoramic Glass Sunroof
Uprated HiFi Speaker system
Full Bluetooth with USB
Y lead for Full ipod Integration
Built in Navigation System
Voice Control System
Rear Parking Sensors
Arm Rest with Phone Cradle
JCW Floor Mats
Full Leather Seats
Chilli Pack inc Xenons etc
Electric Folding Mirrors
Balance of Five Years Free Servicing Pack
Black JCW Grills
Black Spotlights
Black JCW Brake Ducts
Updated Larger Front Lip
Folding Mirrors
All the JCW bits being an fJCW such as JCW Challenge 17” wheels with runflats, JCW Brembo’s, JCW body kit, JCW exhaust, JCW airbox and stronger engine/turbo etc
I think that’s everything.
I know your next question, what are my plans? Well im looking to keep as standard as possible for at least the first few months as it has a years warranty from MINI so I want to make sure I pick up any little niggles etc.
Aftermarket Spec:
Suspension:
MeisterR Coilovers with adjustable top mounts
Whiteline rear anti roll bar
Whiteline adjustable droplinks
SPC Control Arms
Engine:
210bhp fJCW
ITG Panel Filter
Piper Decat Downpipe
Tyres and Brakes:
BF goodrich tyres
JCW Brembo brakes
Exterior:
White LED Sidelights to match xenons
Silvertec indicator bulbs front and side
MINI Sports Aerial
Interior:
Recaro Sportster CS JCW seats - full leather
JCW CF handbrake grip and gear knob
Exterior parts waiting to painted:
Chrome Headlight and rear light rings
Chrome Petrol Cap
Chrome Door Handles
Chrome Black Side Vents
Future Plans:
New wheels with decent tyres
Joey Mod
Goodridge brake lines and aftermarket pads
Aftermarket Intercooler
P-Torque Remap
