Hi everyone....

Just saying Hello - My name is Phil, and I've recently taken delivery of my second MINI.

First off I had this R50:


Which was a really great car, learned all about detailing whilst owning this, so when I sold it on it was in a much better condition that when I got it!!

Recently taken delivery of this R53:


Paint wise, its a work in progress (Many hours of DA work still to do!!), but bodily and mechanically it's perfect (as it should being from Cherished - purchased from Rybrook MINI in Shrewsbury). Could do with a proper wheel re-furb' at some point in the future, as the dealership has just tidied up the curb rash to make them presentable.

To that end, does anyone know of a good wheel refurb place in the Leamington area, that will do a proper acid dip, paint, bake - process re-furb'??

Anyway, really happy with the Cooper S, goes like a b*****d , well equiped and pretty comfy on the motorway.

Enough of my ramblings, and once again Hello!

Looks great, I love the classic red and white colour scheme

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Mini Cooper S R56 'Metallic Beige'
Mods? Not a thing, ta! :P

Hello brother, good choice there Phil! I could be biased though! Welcome to MCUK.

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Have Got ~ PlayMINI Exhaust, Dave.F Hybrid Air Filter, Custom BBR I/C Intake, Paul Martin & AndyH Detail, JCW AeroKit Front Bumper and Side Skirts, JCW GP Rear Bumper Trims, Aero Grill, 15% KAVS Pulley
To Get ~ Janspeed Manifold & GP Intercooler

I heard a rumour that red ones were quicker Though to be honest I nearly ended up with a Dark Grey/Black one, glad I went for the red though, responds well to a good polish and is the first car I've owned thats painted a 'Solid' (Non-mettallic) colour.

Possibly looking to do a few mods in the future, once I've had the wheels re-furbed. Are there any 'must-haves' that people recomend? - I'm not a fan of styling mods, I think a lot of people go OTT with MINI's especially, but I do like things that enhance the drive of the car. So, any ideas?

Hi El Corpo and welcome to the forum, Chilli Red is indeed a good strong colour for Minis!

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Hello welcome to the forum

Hello and welcome looks really good
As for must haves I would say get a Dave.f induction kit one of the best mods I have done and I am personally saving for a smaller pulley as I have been told that it transforms the car but not in a bumble bee kind of way lol

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I love LOUD NOISES while spitting FIRE!!
Mods: omp strut brace, spax lowering springs, Dave.f, grs motorsport ic, milltek exhaust system, janspeed decat manifold, 17% pulley newman cam, 550cc injectors and mynes tune
Next mod power or cosmetic I still don't know yet

I'll agree with that...just picked mine up from having 35mm KW lowering springs fitted and can't believe how it's transformed the handling, even compared to the superb standard set-up. Just need to get the tracking sorted as it feels a bit 'off'.

Dave.F CAI and a Catback are essentials.

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Have Got ~ PlayMINI Exhaust, Dave.F Hybrid Air Filter, Custom BBR I/C Intake, Paul Martin & AndyH Detail, JCW AeroKit Front Bumper and Side Skirts, JCW GP Rear Bumper Trims, Aero Grill, 15% KAVS Pulley
To Get ~ Janspeed Manifold & GP Intercooler

Hi and welcome, like the colour combo too....

Just been looking at those dave.f induction kits, quite interested - Was thinking: Pulley, Exhaust, Intake would be a starter for 10.

Do like the look of the Alta stuff as far as pulleys etc are concerned - appears to be high quality, unless anyone can advise otherwise.

As far as exhausts are concerned, there is a hell of a lot of choice - What do people reccomend - The Janspeed Manifolds + Cat seem to be popular here, but what about Cat back?

As far as handling goes I would be looking at going for a thicker rear ARB and maybe stiffer springs - Don't want to lower it at all, the roads round here are like a ploughed field and I'm finding it hits the bump stops quite often if I'm pushing on! I understand that one reason why MINI's dont make brilliant rally cars is due to the lack of suspension travel and the fact that you cant easily get more travel into the standard chassis - though I could be getting mixed up??