North American Motoring

R50/R53 Octopus wiring top of Getrag 6-speed

Tombstone — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:34:57 GMT

Trying to gain access to the last top 15mm Getrag transmission bolt on a R53 JCW , wires are directly in the way ? The Bentley manual is useless for this question …

R60 Ultragauge v1.4 searching for a better mount

Raymo2u — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 21:29:14 GMT

Hey guys!
The past few days the summer heat has really shown its colors and has exposed some weak point in my car (Cooling System/Gauge Mount).
The Waterpump will be getting replaced next weekend (small leak) but the Ultragauge mount that I bought is 3D Printed and Im guessing out of PLA. The other day when the windows were up and it got up in the 90's I noticed the gauge was sagging way down, the mount was melting. I used a heatgun and got it back where it was but today it happened again.
For now I used a piece of steel flat to "brace" the mount arm so it should hold it up....I dont have much faith in it when it gets even hotter outside.

Is there a better mount? One preferably not 3D Printed or 3D Printed from a high heat resistant filament? Im not looking for a Window Mount though, somewhere near the RPM Gauge or A-Pillar area.

M7 Speed 2" Receiver Hitch for R60 Countryman -BRAND NEW

IBBMini — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 19:56:38 GMT

For sale is a BRAND NEW, NEVER USED M7 Speed 2" Receiver Hitch for an R60 Countryman. Bought this several years ago, but never took it out of the box.
Here's a link to the M7 Speed website with a full description:
https://m7tuning.com/products/gen-2-...M2jVu4jGwTXRz-

These are currently listed as $566 new. Get this one for less than half price at $200 plus shipping!

F55/F56 Down pipe recommendations

pureinsanity — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:09:20 GMT

Looking for recommendations on a free flow down pipe for my 2019 F56 JCW. I currently have a stage 1 tune and upgraded intercooler and want to go to a stage 2 tune.
My question is: is there really a huge difference between the $500 down pipe and the $1500 down pipe?

thanks

OEM Car Cover R50/52/53/56

Jonny — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:04:29 GMT

This is a genuine MINI car cover. It is very clean and lightly used indoors only. It has no wear, holes, rips, or stains, and is in as new condition. PayPal/Venmo only US sales only. Discounted shipping available.

ICE Software Update 03/2026.54 Now Out

PClay — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 01:53:05 GMT

Update 03/2026.54 just installed on my JCW. I have not noticed any difference, but thankfully no problems or glitches either. Anybody out there have any problems with this update ?

R56 Sudden engine knock sound

WaFFlz — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:10:44 GMT

My 2008 MCS started a sudden knocking sound after sounding just fine 5 minutes prior. This started after parking, turning the car off, and turning it back on 30 seconds later. Engine codes attached.
On start

Idling

I was planning on smoke testing my car again since everything has been back together, tonight, didn�t even make it�

From what I read online both of the important codes are related to �unmetered� air which means air is entering the engine from somewhere that does not travel through the MAF sensor. Figured it was just a leaking hose of some kind. Would this have caused it to knock?

my car has always been a little noisy but this is horrible! And all of a sudden!

R58 For Sale: 2012 MINI Cooper S (R58) only 36k Miles

burkai — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 23:09:11 GMT

+++ 2012 MINI Cooper S - Coupe (R58) +++ Asking Price: 12,500 USD +++ Vehicle located in Chicago, IL

FEATURES: 6-Speed Automatic w/ Paddle Shifter, Sport Mode, Cruise Control, Automatic Climate Control System, Harman Kardon Premium Sound System, Bluetooth Audio, Bluetooth Voice Calling.

EXTERIOR: Original Mini Black and White Racing Stripes, Union Jack Mirror Covers.

INTERIOR: New Mini branded Front and Rear Floor mats, New original Mini Trunk Cover, New Union Jack phone holder, Union Jack cup holder inserts.

TECHNICAL CONDITION:
A comprehensive MINI Dealer Multi-Point Inspection was performed at 34,267 miles. The full report, available upon request, confirms zero "critical/unsafe" issues, showcasing the car's overall solid condition.
Routine Maintenance items noted for further attention and factored into pricing: Oil/Filter change, Drive Belt replacement, Replacement Rear Tires, Front Suspension/Front Right Strut replacement recommended (damper oil leakage).

R50/R53 Catalytic cleaners - Have you tried / Do they work?

Here2Go — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:09:21 GMT

Just keeping up with general / preventative maintenance.
I had my original 22 y/o, 120k something CAT fail and replaced with a used low mileage OEM a while back.
All has been great 2k + miles so far.

I've heard and been reading about CAT cleaners. Has anyone tried or had success with any of these products?
Or are they just another snake oil?
Your thoughts, please.

R56 Please help: Key not recognized after battery change

N14isLife — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:44:06 GMT

2010 MCS.

changed the battery and while using an OBDii to register the new battery something must have fell out of sync or worse.

now the key fob cannot lock or unlock the door. The center console toggles also do not actuate the locks. When I insert the key into the ignition, a key symbol appears.

using the obd scanner, I am able to manually actuate all locks so I know they work. I am thinking that the cas module has lost sync with the keys or similar.

I have disconnected the battery for weeks in hopes for a reset. No luck. At wits end.

R50/R53 R53 Belt Tensioner

jcampbell6768 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:26:24 GMT

If you go through my past posts, you can see the progress and understand where I am right now.

So, new tensioner, idler pulley, and belt installed after the SC service. Everything running smoothly for a couple weeks. Did some spirited driving at times, but nothing too crazy.
Last week, upon starting the car, I�m getting what sounds like �belt slipping� / kind of a high pitched squeal. I sprayed some WD-40 (with silicone) around the pulleys (If I could reach them) and the noise would go away, only to return the next morning after sitting overnight.

I�ve read that even new tensioners can be �bad� right out of the box. And as I didn�t buy OEM (for cost savings), I wonder id that could be the case. Everything is stock, so it�s not a question of belt size, etc.

In the �old days�, my Camaro�s belt would start to stretch and you could get away with adjusting the alternator arm as a temporary fix. I was 17 at the time! HaHa!
Could this be an issue, and dare I say, can I �shim� the alternator a bit and tighten the belt.

I�m lost at this point�

R53 Mini Cooper OEM 17" Alloy Wheels – Set of 4 – $200

dosomething — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:14:06 GMT

For sale is a set of four original factory Mini Cooper alloy wheels in excellent condition.

These wheels were removed from a Mini Cooper S and are in near-new condition with very minimal signs of use.

Wheel Specifications:

OEM Mini Cooper wheels
Size: 17" x 7J
Offset: ET48
Bolt Pattern: 4x100mm
Set of 4 wheels

Features:

Genuine Mini Cooper factory wheels
Excellent cosmetic condition
Straight and true, no bends or cracks
Clean and ready to install

Price: $200 for the complete set of four wheels.

Cash and SoCal (LA / Pasadena area) pickup only.

Pepper White R53 JCW

r53jcw210 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:55:46 GMT

Super well-maintained, lightly modified, and well-kept, low-mileage R53.

- JCW kit

- 6-pot Brembo brake kit

- KW V1 coilovers

- Aluminum rear trailing arms conversion

- Carbon fiber Gruppe M intake

- 17% pulley

- JCW GP intercooler

- Milltek (no cat) header

- Mario Kart Tune

- Carbon fiber interior trim

- Red webbing belts

- Alcantara bolsters

- Carbon fiber mirrors, trunk lid, R50 carbon fiber spoiler.

- Ceramic coated and PPF in the front bumper and hood

All carbon parts are original mini parts wrapped in carbon and laminated.

Oil change every 2500-3000 miles Motul only, and 94 octane Sunoco gas.

9172144507 sasha

Full photoshoot link on request.

R55 N18 engine replaced - now NO POWER!

r55life — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:59:03 GMT

Long story short, my 100k mile N18 coked the valves, it was a sudden failure while trying to deal with multiple cylinder misfiring. While diagnosing, new engine light popped on, and the car would run into catastrophic overheating within 1 minute. At that time, the car was bone stock.

Bought a used (60k mile) N18 to replace it, its in good shape visual inspection wise, and leakdown test was good. intake internals looked pretty good. Walnut blasted everything just to be ahead of the game.

Shop dropped the engine in along with Stage 2 mods:
Catless downpipe
Completely straightpiped exhaust
Both charge tubes
Noisemaker delete
Intercooler upgrade

Car runs as smoothly as a new car. Smooth idle at 800-850rpm, no hesitations or misfiring while accelerating. Exhaust is stupidly loud in sport mode once warmed up as expected. Lots of white smoke out the back as expected from running zero cats.

Engine light for cat as expected

Car makes no boost. Hooked up a OBDII gauge to check all parameters, and boost will not go into positive numbers. Car is dangerously slow. You can accelerate to 100mph if you want, it just takes forever. Doesn't run funny at all aside from the low power.

I have a tune coming, but I'm afraid to putting it in, or even drive the car anymore until this issue is resolved. Any ideas?

Important to note that I havent had any new check engine lights pop up, no new codes to reference.after driving 40 miles on it.

2013 Clubman S

Bespoke Napa Leather Dash r50 r52 r53 Pre-face lift

r53jcw210 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:47:27 GMT

R50 R52 R53 pre face lift dash wrapped in Napa leather with grey stitching. Superb job by one of the top guys in Europe who's doing Porsche interiors only. Selling for what l paid for it minus shipping. Feel free to contact 9172144507.