hey guys,

im Looney from the Gold Coast and am looking for an R53 as a tinker toy to keep me busy. Ive researched as much as i can on the interweb and with friends, and im set on an 05+ (late 04 OK) R53, but i have a few questions which i cannot seem to find the answers to anywhere, so wonder if anyone can help.

> what was included in the JCW package? is a JCW a car with, engine, brakes, suspension & body? or are they just calling cars that had the engine work done JCW's

> is the JCW aero kit available anywere locally? because i have not seen 1 mini in Aus with the Aero body, however i want what ever car i get to look like the Italian Job mini's

> Is the JCW really worth any premium? or am i better off just doing some suspension, Pulley, exhaust Manifold & induction?

> Dials? what is the deal with the dashboard. it seems everywhere else in the world the Dashboard (in front of the driver that is) has the tacho, yet the Aussie cars have the speedo tehre, and tacho in the middle (unless you have a chrono pack). if i find a car that doesnt have the chrono pack, is there any way to switch the function of tacho & speedo to the differing dials and get new dial mats?

> sun roof, is it worth it?

if anyone has a lead on a well priced 05+ car please let me know im looking for

White/White
Red/White

cheers

Hi Looney and welcome :)

The JCW package 04 onwards included
Smaller pulley, Flowed head, Cat back exhaust, Airbox and bigger injectors aswell as a remap which increased redline to 7250rpm and afew shiny JCW badges. the suspenion brakes, STB and sway bars were all Extras so you would have to check the car yourself

Any local BMW can order you in an Unpainted Aero kit for the R53s

The JCW New is definetly not worth the premium however you maybe lucky and find the car you want already has the JCW on it.

The dials i have no idea but i LOVE the oversized tachio in the middle, its very bling bling ^_^

sun roof, ..... its debatable

Callan

Re the speedo & tacho -
For years, the Australian Design Rules required a speedo to be in front of the driver, so any car which had just the tacho there had to swap them around to be sold in Australia. I know the original Alfetta GT suffered the same fate.
I don't know if the ADRs changed, or whether the R56 gets around it because it has a digital speedo in the tacho as well as the dinner plate in the middle of the dash (the only value of which, as far as I can tell, is so new passengers can say "wow, what a big speedo!" :D)

Hey Looney - welcome to MINI2 mate :)

Let me know when you narrow down your search - I'm happy to look over any cars you are interested in and give you my 2c worth. Cjay would probably participate in the vetting process as well.

Gregg

Hey Looney - welcome to MINI2 mate :)

Let me know when you narrow down your search - I'm happy to look over any cars you are interested in and give you my 2c worth. Cjay would probably participate in the vetting process as well.

Gregg

My 2c worth... don't get an R53 unless your deaf... I'm kinda deaf and I can still hear the rattles in the dash and the sunroof ;)

There are a few aero kits around, look for DA MINI on the QLD clubMINI site.

Hi MINIxpat - what's the car in your Avatar? I don't recognize it.

My 2c worth... don't get an R53 unless your deaf... I'm kinda deaf and I can still hear the rattles in the dash and the sunroof ;)

There are a few aero kits around, look for DA MINI on the QLD clubMINI site.
Lol! This is why the Minis have a reputation as not being a "true BMW". They are a strong little bus, and the suspension is derived from the much applauded 3 series so handling is a treat, but the interior fit leaves alot to be desired. Most BMWs simply don't have the rattles and squeaks of the Mini.

I've personally tweaked mine (some extra sound deadening, and foam weather strips elsewhere. But you hardly notice it over the pod intake filter and open exhaust at 6.5k revs :D