A few other modifications which didn’t make it into the video: - JCW Brembo front brakes with ss brake lines all around - Koni Special Active struts were installed - Adjustable rear sway bar from WMW - JCW front strut bar for some added bling
Another outstanding resto-mod MoS! Finally got time to watch the video on the big screen! Those seats were worth all the effort to get them here... Way to take the ultimate blank canvas car and end up with (another) masterpiece. Also appreciate the broad audience explanation, cadence, and balanced level of detail. I'd be so tempted to over do it on all the minutiae! 😎 Bravissimo fratelo!
Congrats on the new addition and on the spectacular refresh on car!…looks great! It’s inspiring to see the time and planning you put into bringing these cars back to their former (or even better) state. Recently purchased a GP2 that I’m refreshing ..find up here in Canada the hardest part is definitely acquiring parts. Keep up the great work and videos…..PS - I think Grey and Silver MINI’s are fast.
The seats were £1400 which is normal for a clean set. With shipping and all of the logistics to get them properly packed, crated, through customs, and door-to-door delivery to US was around £1200. Convert that to USD and you’ll get the idea. The process took several months to complete and required help from a friend living in the UK.
I see you have the HK stereo. What speakers did you put in when you replaced the OEM speakers? OEM or aftermarket? From what I understand it's hard to find aftermarket speakers that are compatible with the HK system. Thanks
@@MINIstryOfSpeed01 will do great thanks. Not many monochromatic grey Minis in the UK by the looks of things either. Completely standard at the moment and needs some bodywork doing on one rear quarter but nothing too bad, picking it up tomorrow, got an R58 cooper at the moment
Very nice and clean! I love driving, working on and improving my '05 R50, which I've owned from new. It currently makes ~130 whp, but it works very hard for that power and revs out at ~110mph. Still, it feels plenty fast. My goal is a built engine (1.8 or even 2.0) hopefully sometime this year if the finances cooperate. While keeping the car looking tasteful, I've made a ton of improvements over the years, most of them myself: R56 aluminum trailing arms, R53 throttle body w/ CAI, R52 strut tower braces, adjustable sway bar, cam, tune, full exhaust w/ header, Koni FSDs, purple Powerflex bushings everywhere, super-light OZ wheels, Wilwood big brakes front and rear, Vorschlag camber plates, carbon fiber R53 hood... removed the rear seats... and on and on! These are great cars if you look after them. I also switched from Michelin Pilot Super Sports to the Continental Extreme Contacts like you have, which I find much more comfortable and quieter.
where did you get those front and rear bumpers? both of mine need to be replaced and ive been looking at alternative options besides stock and love the look of these
Those bumpers are optional from MINI, but are no longer available so it gets complicated. Front bumper is a reproduction, purchased from ECS Tuning. It also requires the 3 front grills and mounting hardware (I had those in storage). The rear bumper was used, and all parts were repainted. If you are in the US, search Allmagautoparts.com as they usually get some of these each year. It will take a while, but you can eventually piece a set together.
Man I want a Mini but way too worried about the many problems they seem to have as it would be a daily. How is the diesel with the N47 engine from BMW? Also weak?
F31 diesel are great. Had one. 35 in town , 45-50 freeway. Better mpg, much much quieter as they cruise under 2k at 80, more room and nicer interior. And they make more power. But the r53 is special.
A few other modifications which didn’t make it into the video:
- JCW Brembo front brakes with ss brake lines all around
- Koni Special Active struts were installed
- Adjustable rear sway bar from WMW
- JCW front strut bar for some added bling
Another great video, MINIstry. The steering wheel swap is a killer upgrade for the pre facelift G1 MINIs. What a difference that makes.
Another outstanding resto-mod MoS! Finally got time to watch the video on the big screen! Those seats were worth all the effort to get them here... Way to take the ultimate blank canvas car and end up with (another) masterpiece.
Also appreciate the broad audience explanation, cadence, and balanced level of detail. I'd be so tempted to over do it on all the minutiae! 😎
Bravissimo fratelo!
Nice to see another video. The car looks great.
Thanks Josh!
Congrats on the new addition and on the spectacular refresh on car!…looks great!
It’s inspiring to see the time and planning you put into bringing these cars back to their former (or even better) state.
Recently purchased a GP2 that I’m refreshing ..find up here in Canada the hardest part is definitely acquiring parts.
Keep up the great work and videos…..PS - I think Grey and Silver MINI’s are fast.
Congratulations on the GP2. Those are extremely capable cars. Had one when they were new.
Rare in Canada - only 50 went there.
Very nice work, John! I always enjoy your videos.
Hi trying to find JCW aero kit, JCW exhaust any places you know ? I am in the Uk. The car looks great !
I’m jealous.😜❤️
How is your experience with the Mini ?
How much were the seats? I bet the seats plus the shipping from the UK probably cost as much as the car.
The seats were £1400 which is normal for a clean set. With shipping and all of the logistics to get them properly packed, crated, through customs, and door-to-door delivery to US was around £1200. Convert that to USD and you’ll get the idea. The process took several months to complete and required help from a friend living in the UK.
Awesome mods and ride! What size and width are those wheels? They look amazing on the MINI! Any chance you have a link for them?
Awesome steed for the stable!
Ok so what is your daily driver?
Also you still have the WC50 and the checkmate?
The WC50 and Checkmate are both sold and with their new owners.
So is this a daily driver?
Not a daily. it’s garaged and driven once per week in good weather. Will be stored in winter.
Great vid love my 03 Dinan! Curious what specs are those wheels??
Those are standard MINI R112 “Challenge Cross Spoke” wheels. 17x7 ET 48. Part number is 36116784130
How did you refresh the headlamp lenses? Replaced?
They are original and unrestored. Original owner had them covered in paint protection film. Looked like new after removing the film.
Mój wkład 500zl i zapłodnienie Bella. Tyle muszę robić i się nie przyznawać że jeżdżę takim pojazdem
Too bad that it has no xenon headlights!
These are Xenon. Remember the 2002-2004 headlights look different.
I see you have the HK stereo. What speakers did you put in when you replaced the OEM speakers? OEM or aftermarket? From what I understand it's hard to find aftermarket speakers that are compatible with the HK system. Thanks
Would like to see a comparison between the r53 and the Wc50. Would love to know which one is better amd more fun to drive.
Great video and I love the car so much I’ve just agreed to buy a monochromatic grey 2006 R53 in an attempt to replicate it!!!!
That’s awesome Dave. Let me know if you have any questions.
@@MINIstryOfSpeed01 will do great thanks. Not many monochromatic grey Minis in the UK by the looks of things either. Completely standard at the moment and needs some bodywork doing on one rear quarter but nothing too bad, picking it up tomorrow, got an R58 cooper at the moment
Very nice and clean! I love driving, working on and improving my '05 R50, which I've owned from new. It currently makes ~130 whp, but it works very hard for that power and revs out at ~110mph. Still, it feels plenty fast. My goal is a built engine (1.8 or even 2.0) hopefully sometime this year if the finances cooperate. While keeping the car looking tasteful, I've made a ton of improvements over the years, most of them myself: R56 aluminum trailing arms, R53 throttle body w/ CAI, R52 strut tower braces, adjustable sway bar, cam, tune, full exhaust w/ header, Koni FSDs, purple Powerflex bushings everywhere, super-light OZ wheels, Wilwood big brakes front and rear, Vorschlag camber plates, carbon fiber R53 hood... removed the rear seats... and on and on! These are great cars if you look after them. I also switched from Michelin Pilot Super Sports to the Continental Extreme Contacts like you have, which I find much more comfortable and quieter.
VERY LUCKY AND VERY NICE. Question can one of those digital screen kits be set up in something this dated?
Such a beautiful car. Great video!
Clean ride for sure
where did you get those front and rear bumpers? both of mine need to be replaced and ive been looking at alternative options besides stock and love the look of these
Those bumpers are optional from MINI, but are no longer available so it gets complicated. Front bumper is a reproduction, purchased from ECS Tuning. It also requires the 3 front grills and mounting hardware (I had those in storage). The rear bumper was used, and all parts were repainted.
If you are in the US, search Allmagautoparts.com as they usually get some of these each year. It will take a while, but you can eventually piece a set together.
@@MINIstryOfSpeed01 sweet thank you
Man I want a Mini but way too worried about the many problems they seem to have as it would be a daily. How is the diesel with the N47 engine from BMW? Also weak?
F31 diesel are great. Had one. 35 in town , 45-50 freeway. Better mpg, much much quieter as they cruise under 2k at 80, more room and nicer interior. And they make more power. But the r53 is special.