Mini R53 Checkmate Project
Discussion
Another Mini, what have I done?
No MOT, plenty of rust.
It belonged to a family friend, only around the corner from my parents. It’s been sat in his garage for the past few years, one day the MOT ran out and he just didn’t bother getting another ticket.
Just awaiting quotes from Shipley to get it moved from its tomb. Surprisingly Mrs Chedders is happy with this, that’s rather worrying
No MOT, plenty of rust.
It belonged to a family friend, only around the corner from my parents. It’s been sat in his garage for the past few years, one day the MOT ran out and he just didn’t bother getting another ticket.
Just awaiting quotes from Shipley to get it moved from its tomb. Surprisingly Mrs Chedders is happy with this, that’s rather worrying
Edited by Chedders on Tuesday 28th March 12:41
Great cars, so much character. I bought my R53 MCS in November, replaced every front suspension and steering component and since it’s done a track day and daily duties.
They are absolutely shocking on fuel though, mine is only about 5mpg better than my W204 C63! Tax is silly too for a supermini.
The chance to own a genuinely cool little car with a supercharger and LSD was too good to miss out on though for the little money they are.
They are absolutely shocking on fuel though, mine is only about 5mpg better than my W204 C63! Tax is silly too for a supermini.
The chance to own a genuinely cool little car with a supercharger and LSD was too good to miss out on though for the little money they are.
It needs alot of work!
Brett748 said:
Great cars, so much character. I bought my R53 MCS in November, replaced every front suspension and steering component and since it’s done a track day and daily duties.
They are absolutely shocking on fuel though, mine is only about 5mpg better than my W204 C63! Tax is silly too for a supermini.
The chance to own a genuinely cool little car with a supercharger and LSD was too good to miss out on though for the little money they are.
They really are, I really enjoyed the R50 I had last year as a run-about while I fixed my Astra, enjoyed every minute of it. They are absolutely shocking on fuel though, mine is only about 5mpg better than my W204 C63! Tax is silly too for a supermini.
The chance to own a genuinely cool little car with a supercharger and LSD was too good to miss out on though for the little money they are.
That's what I thought too, I couldn't miss out on it. I've wanted this one for quite a while.
tallpaul26 said:
Love it. Toyed with buying a Checkmate when I was looking for my R53.
Hope it’s kind to you!!
Cheers, I hope it is too! Hope it’s kind to you!!
Finally I've been able to have a proper look and make a list of what needs doing.
I've decided I'm going to keep it, just haven't decided what exactly I want to do.
It's a 2006 R53 with 91,000 miles. I'm quite pleased it comes with a limited slip differential.
I did have it running, but wasn't particularly happy about it having 4 year old oil running through its veins, the first thing I did was an oil & filter change and a new battery. There's a little tarmacked farm track on private land leading away from our house so had a little drive. For a completely standard car, it's very lively - very different from the R50 I had last year.
Things that need doing are:
New suspension, exhaust and brakes - there's nothing wrong with these, just very crusty,
A damn good polish,
New tyres
Gear stick is very sticky / heavy
Boot lock appears to work 80% of the time
Big service & supercharger service
Then an MOT and take it from there. I would like to add a smaller supercharger pulley and a bigger inter cooler sometime in the future, but keep it looking standard.
I've decided I'm going to keep it, just haven't decided what exactly I want to do.
It's a 2006 R53 with 91,000 miles. I'm quite pleased it comes with a limited slip differential.
I did have it running, but wasn't particularly happy about it having 4 year old oil running through its veins, the first thing I did was an oil & filter change and a new battery. There's a little tarmacked farm track on private land leading away from our house so had a little drive. For a completely standard car, it's very lively - very different from the R50 I had last year.
Things that need doing are:
New suspension, exhaust and brakes - there's nothing wrong with these, just very crusty,
A damn good polish,
New tyres
Gear stick is very sticky / heavy
Boot lock appears to work 80% of the time
Big service & supercharger service
Then an MOT and take it from there. I would like to add a smaller supercharger pulley and a bigger inter cooler sometime in the future, but keep it looking standard.
Similar age & mileage to mine (June ‘06/82K here)
I’d change the coolant expansion tank before it goes pop. Also full check of the rad and hoses. Some part of the coolant system failing seems to be the number one cause of breakdowns on the FB groups!
I’m happy with the quality of this. BMW want about £70 for one!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191781735433?mkcid=16&a...
I’d change the coolant expansion tank before it goes pop. Also full check of the rad and hoses. Some part of the coolant system failing seems to be the number one cause of breakdowns on the FB groups!
I’m happy with the quality of this. BMW want about £70 for one!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191781735433?mkcid=16&a...
tallpaul26 said:
Similar age & mileage to mine (June ‘06/82K here)
I’d change the coolant expansion tank before it goes pop. Also full check of the rad and hoses. Some part of the coolant system failing seems to be the number one cause of breakdowns on the FB groups!
I’m happy with the quality of this. BMW want about £70 for one!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191781735433?mkcid=16&a...
Just ordered, thank you I’d change the coolant expansion tank before it goes pop. Also full check of the rad and hoses. Some part of the coolant system failing seems to be the number one cause of breakdowns on the FB groups!
I’m happy with the quality of this. BMW want about £70 for one!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191781735433?mkcid=16&a...
Had a look at your thread with your Mini, it looks gorgeous!
Chedders said:
Just ordered, thank you
Had a look at your thread with your Mini, it looks gorgeous!
I’ve polished and waxed it to within an inch of its life. It’s a bit of 10ft car at the moment but once I’m sure there’s nothing terminally wrong with the engine I’ll give the paint the attention it needs. Had a look at your thread with your Mini, it looks gorgeous!
I hope your doesn’t have lacquer peel. It’s pretty much a certainty for Chilli Red R53’s but I’ve seen it on other colours too. Have a look for scabby bits hiding behind seals as well - door and boot seals, the rear lights, boot handle and the silver/rubber belt line trims can all trap water and be hiding rust.
Court_S said:
Looks great; these seem to be having a revival on here at the moment which is no bad thing because I love the R53. I’d have another as a toy in a heartbeat if I had the room to keep it and tinker until my heart is content.
Looking forward to seeing the progress.
Cheers, they do seem to be multiplying on here just recently. Looking forward to seeing the progress.
tallpaul26 said:
I’ve polished and waxed it to within an inch of its life. It’s a bit of 10ft car at the moment but once I’m sure there’s nothing terminally wrong with the engine I’ll give the paint the attention it needs.
I hope your doesn’t have lacquer peel. It’s pretty much a certainty for Chilli Red R53’s but I’ve seen it on other colours too. Have a look for scabby bits hiding behind seals as well - door and boot seals, the rear lights, boot handle and the silver/rubber belt line trims can all trap water and be hiding rust.
You can tell, it does look in good condition - this ones a 20ft car, but sure I'll get there with it eventually. I hope your doesn’t have lacquer peel. It’s pretty much a certainty for Chilli Red R53’s but I’ve seen it on other colours too. Have a look for scabby bits hiding behind seals as well - door and boot seals, the rear lights, boot handle and the silver/rubber belt line trims can all trap water and be hiding rust.
No lacquer peel at the moment, it does have a scabby bit on the boot lid, in the standard mini place. I've found plenty of water trapped in odd places, so I'm sure there will be more rust. The worst I found was in the battery tray when I fitted the new battery - which is odd considering the car was garaged for a long time before buying. Thank you for the advice Tallpaul, it's greatly appreciated
Cambs_Stuart said:
Did these come with a LSD from the factory? Or was that an upgrade?
I think they're standard on the Checkmate and an optional extra on the standard version, but not 100% sure. President Merkin said:
LSD's were an option.
The good news on the gearshift is it's almost certainly the ball & socket linkages at the gear box & cured by cleaning & regreasing. You'll find them under the airbox.
Thank you, wasn't 100% sure where it was, I'll whip that off when I get chance. It is very squeaky in that area so fingers crossed.The good news on the gearshift is it's almost certainly the ball & socket linkages at the gear box & cured by cleaning & regreasing. You'll find them under the airbox.
I do love an R53. I'm sure you'll enjoy getting back to its former glory. The Checkmate will have an LSD, although they're not the best of LSDs, still better than the open diff though, I have a quaife in my R53. I've had 5 and currently own two R50 Coopers and an R53 track car.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2o7fngk]
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2o7fngk]
Alan16ac said:
I do love an R53. I'm sure you'll enjoy getting back to its former glory. The Checkmate will have an LSD, although they're not the best of LSDs, still better than the open diff though, I have a quaife in my R53. I've had 5 and currently own two R50 Coopers and an R53 track car.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/2o7fngk]
Very very nice! If it ever needs a new clutch I would be very tempted to upgrade to a quaife.[url=https://flic.kr/p/2o7fngk]
..
Very slow progress, but I'm in no rush 
I've jacked it up ready to replace it's exhaust.
First job was to go round and spray WD40 on everything and a general look over. There was an exhaust leak near the front as well as back, I had hoped the front leak was just the joint, but no. Nice little bodge job
The parts fairy made another appearance.
-
I've jacked it up ready to replace it's exhaust.
First job was to go round and spray WD40 on everything and a general look over. There was an exhaust leak near the front as well as back, I had hoped the front leak was just the joint, but no. Nice little bodge job
The parts fairy made another appearance.
-
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