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That dude is too cool --- he's the guy that hooked me up with my genuine aero side skirts and I'm truly thankful he was willing to ship from UK.
Sadly not installed them nor the Bremmen aero front bumper yet as they've been continually on stand-by until I get to the exterior-resto portion of my build which will hopefully be later this summer.
I love the look of the JCW leather dash, and appears like he did a killer job with it on fit n' finish,
are they being sold as of right now?
Asking price?
Somewhat conflicted though because I love the simple minimal anthracite and interior colorway just meshes together harmoniously, so most likely I will just keep mine as it is.
What would be friggin' great because I suck at navigating FB, is a resource thread here relating to JCW reproduction parts listing what it is, how much $ it is, and links to contact details on who to obtain it from.
I've seen lots of neat stuff, even some things that weren't officially ever factory-produced, but some creative resourceful person with good imagination has came up with and decided to make, but often it seems many of the parts are limited short-run production and need to be bought before they disappear...
...like at one time it was very easy to find affordable high-quality re-pops of JCW center caps for example, but not now or perhaps I'm just clueless about how to find them?
Got these a couple years back and the quality is most excellent:
I think the JCW embossing is shown on photos of the genuine MINI leather dash but I'm not sure. I messaged the guy on Facebook to get more information. Or I tried to -- I don't use Facebook much so who knows if it worked. If anyone has other contact information for Asif, please PM me.
WMW also has the genuine center cap "stickers". It's funny, I actually prefer the new JCW logo. That's why they make ice cream in different flavors.
I think the JCW embossing is shown on photos of the genuine MINI leather dash but I'm not sure. I messaged the guy on Facebook to get more information. Or I tried to -- I don't use Facebook much so who knows if it worked. If anyone has other contact information for Asif, please PM me.
WMW also has the genuine center cap "stickers". It's funny, I actually prefer the new JCW logo. That's why they make ice cream in different flavors.
My only contact with Atif was through FB as well, he was very responsive and will most likely respond to your inquiry with a lightnin' quickness.
I was highly impressed with just how fast he shipped out my bulky oversized aero skirts.
Dude is a trueblue goodguy.
And,
yeah,
peanuts or pistachios,
I'm glad that we're all nuts about something,
ice cream or otherwise!
LOL
Seriously tho...
...whatever we like is whatever we like and whatever makes us happy makes us happy!
Forget about outside viewpoints who may be overly harsh or critical of your individual tastes and just do whatever weird thing may bring us happiness.
Joy and passion are the keys to long life.
LONG LIVE THE R53!
Last edited by Oldboy Speedwell; 05-01-2022 at 12:34 PM.
The guy in the UK that I bought my shift and e-brake boots does a leather dash kit as well, and is significantly less expensive, but no JCW logo (even fake one). You can choose your own thread color though.
One aspect that I give major props to FB for is the hookup because it is so heavily populated and finding cool parts is somewhat simplified by that platform.
Used and rare parts abound.
As well as DIY enthusiasts with 3D printers who make up stuff that the aftermarket doesn't have time for...
...like this console design for a Coolerworx,
this is the downtube delete version but he's also developing a downtube version.
That's mainly the only reason I ever got on FB after years and years of successfully avoiding it, glad I did but still internally conflicted with regards to ethical dilemma because I think FB as a company is Satan incarnate. LOL
This has to be one of the best looking CAI's I've ever seen... Harrison from Japan.
They do indeed look good and if carbon fiber is a theme on your build then they make a perfect fit,
but very very expensive --- damn near the same price as an exhaust system!
"We have the last 2 Induction kits for R53 Cooper S Made In Japan (From the same origins as Buddyclub Japan) Imported by Buddyclub UK Fits Mini Cooper S R53 (2002-2006) Carbon Fibre High Luster Finish Alloy Billet Velocity Cone High Volume Washable Cotton Filter Large Volume Chamber Its our pleasure to offer you this rare air box 1 of only 3 ever imported into Europe."
I had no idea that the Gruppe M intake has been available for such a long time.
R53 elicits and stimulates such deep passion that to some owners with fat wallets, then cost is no object, and just about everything out there ever has been installed by someone here at NAM, like this post is circa 2006:
Regarding the leather dash discussed several posts up... I received a reply from Atif Malik. Unfortunately, he is only doing right-hand drive. The worse news is that the idea of a leather dash has gotten under my skin. The search will continue.
Leather dash is definitely super nice, most I’ve seen are red stitch, but I believe there was also blue and gray. I would grab either if I saw one. I forgot about the RHD thing…doh!
Leather dash is definitely super nice, most I’ve seen are red stitch, but I believe there was also blue and gray. I would grab either if I saw one. I forgot about the RHD thing…doh!
If I take the dive, I'll almost certainly go aftermarket. It will likely take a while -- I want it perfect, not fast. And definitely blue stitching.
Getting back to the "good old days" of NAM, I find myself constantly searching the archive and reading stuff.
I had never seen this thread on topic of the Defenders of Speed i/c development.
Really cool, and I'd try to buy it if one ever pops up in the marketplace again. Just about the only one that appeals to me besides stock, I mean a while back I was really gung-ho about getting one of those nifty looking Airtec examples but sort of got over it.
Anyway,
what was neat about that DoS thread is they actually did some relevant testing and made the data publicly available.
Which leads me to something else altogether in the impulse-buy department that I recently did --- from various reading on the subject I came to believe that a heat dispersant coating on a top-mount i/c is actually beneficial, but that's as far as it went, just an opinion, then the other day while browsing FB saw a post from someone who had DIY'd a couple of stock i/c's with Cerakote Artic Black P-202 that got my gears spinning...
...started looking around and investigating how I could go about the same thing, well it all adds up quick when you don't have an air compressor or spraygun and my noobie results would likely suck anyway LOL so gave up on that idea and started looking for professional services --- most all I found were firearms specialists, but did find some automotive shops eventually, however the pricing was quite high I thought.
So,
in that same FB post somebody had commented a link to RMW who offers a brand new factory unit coated with heat dispersant, and I just hit the "easy button" and ordered one.
Eager to see what if any difference it may make, but all I have as a barometer is a Scangauge so it's not like it'll be a scientific study or anything. LOL
Also,
I just simply dig the black i/c aesthetic look in combo with the silver JCW plate -
Wish I had been more keen on the thing, but I wasn't really really engaged until prompted by that FB post while before it was a topic just on low boil in my brain,
this was a good bargain: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../market/358335
I even commented on that listing and was totally stupid not to buy it right then and there, dammit!
Last edited by Oldboy Speedwell; 05-03-2022 at 08:51 AM.
The above link to topic goes to post #101 rather than post #1 dated 3Sept 2010, so I started there for context and read with much interest. Although the Water-to-Air intercooler (W2A-IC) in the topic author's parlance on mine is uniquely different, downsides as he outlined are potential heat soak (street usage) and more labor intensive R&R service access for components below, including spark plugs and injectors. As such, I'd seriously consider swapping to an Air-to-Air intercooler (A2A-IC) depending on total cost of parts which would mean NOS, with no desire to put old donor car parts on mine with just 5k miles.
The mentioned RMW IC is an interesting option plus no need for an OEM silver JCW top plate, since my non-JCW sports aftermarket parts throughout anyway. Unsure what else I'd need to do that conversion all-in, wrt OEM mounting hardware or sensors not in play on mine. Intriguing and tempting...
Thanks for letting me know the link was wonky, went back and fixed it so should now start 1st page.
Intercooler topics are always fun,
and often contentious too!
I myself used to frequently ridicule tmic as being like the stupidest thing ever,
and would often cite the ill-fated Nissan Sunny GTi-R rallycar as an example because it had multiple failures/problems,
and the tmic was nicknamed an "interwarmer".
haha
"...the top-mount intercooler (or interwarmer as it was nicknamed) was never really up to the job of cooling the intake charge successfully..."
But,
now I guess I can only ridicule myself for buying a car installed with tmic. LOL
The Airtec units look great to my eye,
but they are heavy I think,
and,
have their own set of problems to deal with.
:
The Pro Alloy is pretty neat design-wise in that they incorporated the horn into it,
but at the same time that also causes much ball-ache in terms of maintenance access etc...
I did briefly consider the Pro Alloy.
I'd kinda like a GP i/c but they are stratospherically expensive, like dumb money, and it's likely I'd get irritated with the requirement of removal for spark plug changing etc as well.
Ultimately just determined that the stock i/c is good enough and supposedly offers a better recovery rate than many of the aftermarket units as well, so for the time being my opinion falls into the "stock is efficient enough" camp.
Last edited by Oldboy Speedwell; 05-03-2022 at 09:19 AM.
...although the Water-to-Air intercooler (W2A-IC) in the topic author's parlance on mine is uniquely different, downsides as he outlined are potential heat soak (street usage) and more labor intensive R&R service access for components below, including spark plugs and injectors. As such, I'd seriously consider swapping to an Air-to-Air intercooler (A2A-IC) depending on total cost of parts which would mean NOS, with no desire to put old donor car parts on mine with just 5k miles.
The mentioned RMW IC is an interesting option plus no need for an OEM silver JCW top plate, since my non-JCW sports aftermarket parts throughout anyway. Unsure what else I'd need to do that conversion all-in, wrt OEM mounting hardware or sensors not in play on mine. Intriguing and tempting...
Yes,
the RMW option is great if you're looking to buy a brand new i/c.
I understand how it is, especially your freakishly clean car, with wanting stuff to look nice, and although stock used R53 i/c's are cheap-as-chips,
they often look very grubby,
like this one from AllMag,
only $40 tho...
:
...I found one at a local u-pull boneyard that had lower mileage and was cleaner than most:
Had planned on further clean-up then replacing my original which is a bit grubby, or even paying for it to be coated, but then again I'm lazy and has just been sitting in a box neglected. LOL
Easy-button option from RMW just makes it too simple, easy, painless, and hassle-free.
Also going to add some of this stuff to the underside of i/c body:
Re:
NOS
They're still easily available brand new I think?
MINI of Orland Park dealer is the cheapest place that I found,
coming in at $181.01 + $42.87 shipping for my location.
You may need the sealing plate and associated brackets too?
^^^ Agreed, the linked BMW parts dealer seems one of if not the best direct parts seller option presently, with *** cost of a new IC, sealing plate plus all related mounting hdwe being less than the otherwise cool heat-dispersant coated IC from RMW. As shown in post #s 21 & 25 of my sig topic, appears the W-2-A-IC installed when the car was new re-utilized parts 02 Supports / 04 Brackets but if not, cheap enough to replace from same source. I'm currently 140 miles east of home base (seasonal RV park at 7k' elev off-pavement SxS recreation up to 10k' elev), so won't be able to take another look-see for a few weeks. Question remains, how long these OEM parts will remain available until becoming NLA? Even factoring the last 2008 R52 s-charged W11 engine, I'm thinking we're well beyond the legal requirement for BMW to do so...
I do like the contrast of the RMW intercooler with the silver cover plate. Looks very nice but I have too many other Mini fish to fry at the moment to think about going down that road. Looking forward to seeing your photos when you get it installed.
I do like the contrast of the RMW intercooler with the silver cover plate. Looks very nice but I have too many other Mini fish to fry at the moment to think about going down that road. Looking forward to seeing your photos when you get it installed.
It'll be down the road a bit because I'm frying too many fish at the moment as well.
On the current menu:
Just now my fuel filter and finally freshening my brakes up with EBC slotted rotors + EBC RedStuff + ECS stainless steel lines + Motul RBF 600 --- I'm hoping that this will make a noticeable change for the better compared to the state of my brakes right now.
Then upcoming next is the Fortune Auto coilover install.
And after that I should finally have the Canada-spec radiator that's been on order (slowboat from Germany) and at that time will install the new i/c as well as the RMW teflon intake gasket, and a TPE Precision charge pipe.
More fishes will be downstream from all that too I reckon!!!
05-01-2022 | 11:06 AM
