Picked up my first Mini last week, an R52 MCS in Cool Blue. We had been considering getting one for the last 2 years, and finally saw the right car at the right price. It's been a blast so far. I have to drive a Prius as a company car, and so the Mini provides some well-needed gearhead relief. Mostly gets used by wife to run errands, and I don't think she's put the top up yet. We figured it would save enough gas and wear/tear on her Q56 to mostly justify the cost. Truthfully, I don't care if it does or not, it's just fun to have.

No mods, except for 18" PIAA wheels that it came with. May go back to 17s if I can find a good deal on some R90s. Already replaced the o-ring on the crankshaft position sensor and the timing chain tensioner, thanks to the help here.

 

Those PIAA's look good

 

Welcome to he MINIacs,
Nice looking R52.

Motor on!

 

I agree

 

Thanks to both of you. I think I'm going to keep them awhile (tires are brand new!) as I do like the look. Might have to beef up the strut towers though - thinking about the Madness plates.

 

Nice color, character without being blinded.

 

I did add the JCW Strut Tower Brace to my R52, looks nice and really does make a difference during hard cornering.

Motor on!

 

Nice MINI! What part of town are you in?

 

East Valley. Nice JCW!

 

I will keep an eye out for you. I'm in NE Scottsdale. Just as an FYI if you are not aware, on Saturday nights there is a car "show" at the Pavillions at the 101 & Indian Bend at McDonalds. I have seen numerous MINIs show up there. I know they usually try to all show up on a specific Saturday of each month, but it forget which one. it may be the second Saturday.

 

My in-laws live up that way so you may see me around up there. Might have to check out the show one night.

 

Those wheels look nice, r90s are pretty hard to come by these days.

 

Welcome to the club. If you're loving it now, wait till you add a supercharger pulley. Your face will hurt from smiling.

As for strut plates go with the Craven Strut Tower defenders, they are much easier to install and don't raise the ride height or reduce camber like the plates under the towers do.

 

Will definitely be adding a pulley, probably next time I take the front end apart or when it's time to change the belt.

I'm not worried about the work to install the undermount plates, but you bring up a good point on camber. I have a bit of mushrooming on one tower though and am not sure I could get the craven parts on. Do I have to pound it flat first?

 

I have an R53 and agree owning a Mini is a blast. I like the look of the wheels. I would keep them. Once you start modding and tweaking you will not want to stop. Welcome and enjoy your time here. Great people with great advice here.

 

Like the Cool Blue R52 Convertible, those are getting hard to find. Remember when they launched with the Hot Orange, two of the launch colors.


Make sure that your strut mounts ( rubber part ) are not cracked , since you are there.

Cracked rubber mount.



https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...alignment.html



Strut deformation fixes:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...om-repair.html

Other tips and tricks:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ng-repair.html

Then, once fixed.
Here is our ECS Strut Tower Plates for Gen 1 R50 R52 R53: Also has install PDF.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ziza-leds.html



Thanks