R56 Cooper S - Car enthusiast worthy or Teenage girl's dream?

[83N]

The VS-XX's will be incredible on the car!

[Hvmbone]

There was a set of VS-XX's for sale in Japan that were awesome spec'd for a decent price so I bought em. Haven't even had a chance to test fit yet, hopefully this weekend. They should fit VERY similar to the SSS's above that I never actually ran.

IMG_5040 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_5051 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_5068 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_5073 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

[Hvmbone]

I think more and more people are getting into mini's now. Anything pre 2012 CAN be a maintenance nightmare. My '09 was okay. My '12 has been perfect.. the motor got a major face lift that year. Haven't updated this in a while.... not much has changed but about to get a second car and I'll be able to work on this thing a little more.

Nothing has really changed the last photo set except my front lip got ripped off....

IMG_3278 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_3267 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_3284 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

[-adam-]

This thing is awesome, I love R53's!

This is an R56 lol

An awesome R56 as well ��

[et cetera]

This thing is awesome, I love R53's!

These dont get enough love. I'm guessing its because they are cheap to buy, but a total pain to keep maintained. You have to be ready to double your purchase price in the first year just to keep it running.

[cblock406]

This thing is awesome, I love R53's!

[Hvmbone]

Went to Import Alliance in Kansas City last weekend. I applied twice to the showcase and never heard back. Was kind of bummed. Got there and they gave me a slot aha. Wish I had known earlier so I was a bit more thorough when detailing the car. There are a few small things I still need to do, including the vented fenders. But I am getting bored of the TE's.

IMG_2209 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_2156-2 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_2198 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_2170 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_2167 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

[Hvmbone]

Nice car, air you maxxed out?

Thanks man. Yeah unfortunately this is maxed out lol.

[SanderZ]

Nice car, air you maxxed out?

[Hvmbone]

Some of the things I wanted to do listed above have been completed. Installed front lip and side extensions, blacked out beltline, and repainted headlight and taillight surrounds. Also wrapped the grill trim, interior door handles, and some other bits. MAF sensor went out so new one will be going in on Monday.

Still sucks how un-low this thing gets.


IMG_1897 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_1903 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_1914 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_1918 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

[Hvmbone]

Got the lips on my wheels sanded down before getting them powdered and installed the decals. Here's some before and afters.

20180525_165203 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

20180525_165236 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

20180525_170310 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr


received_2451517154888851 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_20180602_153608_653 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

[Hvmbone]

Got my bent wheel back. The photo doesn't quite show the true damage of the bend; it was very short lengthwise, but was clearly a hard hit whatever caused it. In order to fix it entirely, my guy did have to shave the lip down about 1mm. I think it turned out well though.

And apparently these wheels are painted form the factory, not powdercoated. I was surprised by this!

20180321_191802 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

20180524_180705 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

[Hvmbone]

More pictureless updates.....

I installed my side skirts and front lip yesterday. They are just ABS plastic and I was on the fence on if I should try to get away with not painting them, plastidipping them, or paint gloss black. But the natural ABS actually looks very similar to the Mini trim so I think I will leave them 'unfinished' for now. I'll get photos of this today.

Dropped off the bent wheel to a local guy. Should be finished today or Friday and I am repairing the curb rash on the other 3 today. Should be ready for powdercoat by Saturday.

[Hvmbone]

a couple photos from this weekend before the car goes to the garage for the next 10 days.


IMG_1854 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_1831 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

IMG_1864 by Alexander Hamby, on Flickr

[Hvmbone]

Just an update:

Received my corrected decals from the seller, glad he was proactive about getting it fixed. I highly recommend Marion for dead stock sticker replacements if needed! @mrmdecals on Instagram.

Starting on Monday, I'll be able to put some serious time and money into this thing before a couple shows. Updates include:

Modify and install exhaust system
Refinish wheels, install new center caps and decals
Install side skirts
Install front lip
Vented front fenders
debadge the trunk
Repaint grille and headlight trim
Move air compressor to engine bay and change air tank setup
blackout the door handles and beltline


Chances of all of this getting done may be hopeful but we'll see. I'll be taking plenty of photos to document it all.