Guess the morale of the story for any new R53 owners is to get them mechanically sound before starting mods. Need some TLC but once running properly they are reliable cars. People buy them as cheap cars run them cheap without showing them the respect they deserve, hence why they get an unfair reputation for being unreliable.
Also, people put their R53 on sale once they don't want to fix the issues. So, passing the issues to the next owners. That adds to the reputation of being unreliable.
Thanks for the update. Suspected this was the case with the lack of R53 content. The reality is…the purchase price when buying a pre-owned R53 needs to be considered just a “down payment”. It’s not unusual to double (or even triple) that amount to get them perfect and begin modding. Glad you got to have the experience. Tremendously fun cars once they are sorted!
Tell me about it lol, mine certainly was not cheap and although it’s had a tonne of money spent on it and maintained things go wrong. Wheel speed sensor and airbag light came on within 2 months but relatively cheap to have done. Having a remap and possibly bigger injectors next month so that’s another £1000. It does have a real thirst for BP ultimate and top up of oil more than any car I have had but don’t think it’s leaking - just an R53 thing from what I can tell.
Come to think of it I did the exhaust and wheel bearings on my R53 back in the day. Along with brake pads as the cheap ones the garage had put on nearly killed me! Did it all myself so didn’t cost much, not sure I could be bothered now!
I would love to see you back in an Abarth. Maybe get a base model and build it up from there. Who knows how long you will be able to buy a brand new one that’s not electric.
I had an R53 with similar mods to yours, also stripped out, lightweight wheels and with buckets. I relate to what you said about not really loving it. I wonder if the pulley mod has anything to do with it as my BIL has a standard Checkmate and it seems much more revvy than with the 17% pulley I had. Anyway, I moved onto a Boxster S which was good, but the maintenance worried me, then it got written off (not my fault!), but it always seemed a bit 'sensible' in comparison, so good it was kinda dull. Now on a BBR MX5 which is more fun than both but I'm still thinking about something else, perhaps a 370Z. Will be interesting to see what you decide on.
I got my R53 modified before I purchased it the only change was to actually remove the bucket seats (my wife could not get into the buckets due to arthritis but then purchased another run about 2 months latter so wish I had them lol) they are a bit of a money pit and I have no idea what the mpg is but I have bigger injectors, remap, different cams, 17% pulley, airtech intercooler , upgraded engine mounts , cobra sports cat, scorpion manifold , Scorpion none res exhaust , ported inlet manifold, Tein coilovers, Megane RS brakes with GP2 disks. Some other bits as well and going for another remap next month and probably bigger injectors (550cc from the current 440cc)
I bought a 2007 Mini Cooper S with the John cooper trim in 2010. The car looked great but I was also shocked by its fuel consumption. Then just after getting it the abs light started to appear intermittently. It was diagnosed as the abs control unit which was over €3,000 to buy not including fitting. The car was under warranty but all they would do is supply a reconditioned unit so I gave the car back and got all my money back too. My experience with the car would even make me think twice about buying an electric one but also the range on those electric mini's is a joke.
Fair enough, the issues with any car often get t the point when you don't want to put the money in to it to keep it. Its no good throwing good money after bad Looking forward to the press cars and what you decide to do next
Found your channel because of remapped Smarts, just having a gander at your videos as you've had similar cars to me. Had an R53 as well, power steering issues, exhaust fell off, brake issues, rattled like a tin can in a washing machine once it got close to 100k. Fun cars, loved the handling, but 20-25mpg and terrible build quality killed it for me. Says something considering I'm a serial Lotus/Smart owner 🤣.
My R53 is going off to 1320 mini as it’s running a bit lumpy and I want to get a new map put on the car and a proper rolling road as well. They are certainly not cheap cars to run but I suppose it’s a 21 year old car. Looking at another £1000 for the remap and tweaks. You need to drive mine at some point
@@StefABtv hopefully we can be in the same place this year and I can give you the keys and see if you have a change of heart. It’s very different to a turbo charged mini
I just didn’t gel with the car if I am honest, it was great every now and then when you open the taps up but driving it as a daily I just preferred driving a newer car with better interior comforts and ride
Guess the morale of the story for any new R53 owners is to get them mechanically sound before starting mods. Need some TLC but once running properly they are reliable cars. People buy them as cheap cars run them cheap without showing them the respect they deserve, hence why they get an unfair reputation for being unreliable.
Also, people put their R53 on sale once they don't want to fix the issues. So, passing the issues to the next owners.
That adds to the reputation of being unreliable.
Thanks for the update. Suspected this was the case with the lack of R53 content.
The reality is…the purchase price when buying a pre-owned R53 needs to be considered just a “down payment”. It’s not unusual to double (or even triple) that amount to get them perfect and begin modding.
Glad you got to have the experience. Tremendously fun cars once they are sorted!
Tell me about it lol, mine certainly was not cheap and although it’s had a tonne of money spent on it and maintained things go wrong. Wheel speed sensor and airbag light came on within 2 months but relatively cheap to have done. Having a remap and possibly bigger injectors next month so that’s another £1000. It does have a real thirst for BP ultimate and top up of oil more than any car I have had but don’t think it’s leaking - just an R53 thing from what I can tell.
Anyone buying one today need to understand you have to do most of the work yourself. It’s part of the fun
Come to think of it I did the exhaust and wheel bearings on my R53 back in the day. Along with brake pads as the cheap ones the garage had put on nearly killed me! Did it all myself so didn’t cost much, not sure I could be bothered now!
It’s a old old car they all need work at that age surprised you binned it off…
I would love to see you back in an Abarth. Maybe get a base model and build it up from there. Who knows how long you will be able to buy a brand new one that’s not electric.
I had an R53 with similar mods to yours, also stripped out, lightweight wheels and with buckets. I relate to what you said about not really loving it. I wonder if the pulley mod has anything to do with it as my BIL has a standard Checkmate and it seems much more revvy than with the 17% pulley I had.
Anyway, I moved onto a Boxster S which was good, but the maintenance worried me, then it got written off (not my fault!), but it always seemed a bit 'sensible' in comparison, so good it was kinda dull. Now on a BBR MX5 which is more fun than both but I'm still thinking about something else, perhaps a 370Z. Will be interesting to see what you decide on.
Mx5 must be fun to hoon around in!
I got my R53 modified before I purchased it the only change was to actually remove the bucket seats (my wife could not get into the buckets due to arthritis but then purchased another run about 2 months latter so wish I had them lol) they are a bit of a money pit and I have no idea what the mpg is but I have bigger injectors, remap, different cams, 17% pulley, airtech intercooler , upgraded engine mounts , cobra sports cat, scorpion manifold ,
Scorpion none res exhaust , ported inlet manifold, Tein coilovers, Megane RS brakes with GP2 disks. Some other bits as well and going for another remap next month and probably bigger injectors (550cc from the current 440cc)
@@DamoDrives sounds good can i ask how much did that all roughly cost? Thanks
I bought a 2007 Mini Cooper S with the John cooper trim in 2010. The car looked great but I was also shocked by its fuel consumption. Then just after getting it the abs light started to appear intermittently. It was diagnosed as the abs control unit which was over €3,000 to buy not including fitting. The car was under warranty but all they would do is supply a reconditioned unit so I gave the car back and got all my money back too. My experience with the car would even make me think twice about buying an electric one but also the range on those electric mini's is a joke.
Yeah range on the electric is terrible but it’s been great with no issues, would expect that though as it’s a new car lol
sorry to hear your update
Fair enough, the issues with any car often get t the point when you don't want to put the money in to it to keep it.
Its no good throwing good money after bad
Looking forward to the press cars and what you decide to do next
Thanks 🙌
I can ALMOST see you in that E Abarth but hopefully you get back into an Abarth, if not you've got several N products to chose from💡❗️
I’m not sure on the E for £38000!
Found your channel because of remapped Smarts, just having a gander at your videos as you've had similar cars to me. Had an R53 as well, power steering issues, exhaust fell off, brake issues, rattled like a tin can in a washing machine once it got close to 100k. Fun cars, loved the handling, but 20-25mpg and terrible build quality killed it for me. Says something considering I'm a serial Lotus/Smart owner 🤣.
😂😂😂
My R53 is going off to 1320 mini as it’s running a bit lumpy and I want to get a new map put on the car and a proper rolling road as well. They are certainly not cheap cars to run but I suppose it’s a 21 year old car. Looking at another £1000 for the remap and tweaks. You need to drive mine at some point
Yours is lovely, bet it’s great fun mate!
@@StefABtv hopefully we can be in the same place this year and I can give you the keys and see if you have a change of heart. It’s very different to a turbo charged mini
Fair enough.
When you prefer the electric, instead of the 1.6 16v go-kart Supercharged Mini..💀
Lol I’ve been fortunate to have other cars to play with so the daily is the electric and much nicer to drive rather than the 20 year old car
How is Rolo ?
He’s doing great! :)
Why didnt you enjoy driving it, you never said?
I just didn’t gel with the car if I am honest, it was great every now and then when you open the taps up but driving it as a daily I just preferred driving a newer car with better interior comforts and ride
buy prius, lease a tesla or.... seems to be the right car for you....
Get a 4.7 Maserati
Heresy
actual skill issue 'heres why' because i can't maintain my own cars
electric mini. switches off
😂LOL
Electric mini that costs nothing to run! Really?
When you get free charging at work, yep
coward ngl
Lol