r/MINI • u/MultipleGlide • 17h ago

R53 S as a first project car?

What would people on this sub say about an R53 Cooper S as a beater project/ eventually track car? Inexperienced and want to learn how to work on cars, is this a terrible idea? How are they to work on? Thanks

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u/OP1KenOP 17h ago

The best first beater project car is always the one you want to work on.

Whether or not it's worth doing isn't really worth discussing, most project cars arent really worth the effort (usually you're better off just paying the premium and buying a good one to begin with, a beater will always be a beater unless you're planning a full resto).

You can't buy experience.

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u/MarbleWheels R50 15h ago edited 15h ago

It's a sturdy engine and an easi-ish car to work on. Tons of documentation and cheap spares. You can get yourself out of any kind of error with a few hundred buck - except for the electronics, don't fiddle with them if you don't have the "coding" capabilities as swapping out modules often requires re-coding. I'd say it's a good project car just beware the engine bay is very cramped.

Set a realistic expectation when you start working on it: some jobs are not it fit - it doesn't and require more experience to get it right and also sometines LOTS of tools are needed. Start from simple stuff and check beforehand what is needed on the BONE TIS or Haynes/Bentley manuals. Take LOTS of pictures.

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u/MrCakehole 16h ago

A friend of mine has an R53 as a track day car . It’s an awesome thing . He has mildly modified it by changing exhaust , air filter and supercharger pulley ratio . He uses it at the Castle Combe track in the UK and has had positive comments from owners of more powerful cars, such as Bmw ‘s and Porsches saying how well it goes around the track . He asked me if I would be interested in buying it off him , but the only thing putting me off is the fuel consumption and horrendous price of road tax here on the UK.

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u/jeremiahishere R53 8h ago

The price difference between a beater and a nice one is only a few thousand dollars. I would get a nice one and do projects on the fun parts. There is a ton of stuff that is just mind blowing like the supercharger driving the water pump. You really want both to be in good shape before you go on track and replacements are expensive.

I had a fast r53. Full suspension bolt ons with an unopened motor making 200 whp. It was roughly a car payment in maintenance to keep it going for autocross and track days not counting brakes or tires.

I think you need to ask whether it is worth it over the double wishbone Honda's from the 90s. If I went back to a fwd track car, I am not sure if I would go the mini route again.

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u/Shirleysspirits 7h ago

R53’s are the jam! Mostly easy to work on and get parts for it. The engine is cramped and can leak oil, the interior is tricky until you figure out the quirks to getting into things but they are a hoot to drive.