# MINI Project (again) **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [May 5, 2014, 1:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278 "2014-05-05T13:28:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Baker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/baker/32/5423_2.png) [@Baker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 1:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/1 "2014-05-05T13:28:41Z")
Hey Everyone. As most of you know my 2005 Cooper S was recently totaled. Right after the accident I really wasn’t sure what I wanted for a replacement. I began to search for different vehicles, trying to find something that I would enjoy as much as my old R53. It wasn’t long before I made the realization that nothing was going to compete with how much fun I had daily driving my Mini. At the same time @**[HallockR](http://www.nyspeed.com/member.php?u=5559)** told me that one of the the techs at Towne MINI recently bought and fixed up a 2005 Cooper S. His asking price was so low that I had absolutely no choice but to buy the car despite the bright red paint and red interior. [![https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/14084504314_71fba30bee.jpg](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/14084504314_71fba30bee.jpg)](https://flic.kr/p/nsALrh) [![https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/13897408757_b5ede1f927.jpg](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5480/13897408757_b5ede1f927.jpg)](https://flic.kr/p/nb4RrP) [![https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/13898215307_c88c0f8029.jpg](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/13898215307_c88c0f8029.jpg)](https://flic.kr/p/nb8ZcR) 2005 Cooper S with almost no options other than an LSD. It’s a pretty big difference compared to my old car which was practically fully loaded. Since I was buying basically the exact same car I had before, it made sense to buy the old one back from the insurance company. I would be able to reuse a ton of stuff like the rotors and pads, supercharger pulley, motor mount, gearbox bushings, boost gauge, and short shifter. Plus I would have a spare motor/transmission/LSD. [![https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5451/13897534277_94d34d9af4.jpg](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5451/13897534277_94d34d9af4.jpg)](https://flic.kr/p/nb5uKX) So after everything was out of it, we got it ready for the scrap yard [![https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/14080997512_3e5523014d.jpg](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/14080997512_3e5523014d.jpg)](https://flic.kr/p/nshMZb) While all of that was going on I was spending way too much money on parts for the new car. Go big or go home, right? Corbeau fixed back seats in suede and Schroth 4pt. harnesses with ASM [![https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5280/14084156345_15bbd87705.jpg](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5280/14084156345_15bbd87705.jpg)](https://flic.kr/p/nsyYZP) Trak Lite 15x8 +35 bronze wheels (12.4lbs each) [![https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/14084606354_996039d6c6.jpg](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/14084606354_996039d6c6.jpg)](https://flic.kr/p/nsBhLA) BFGoodrich Rival’s 225/45/15 [![https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/14084170465_238c425c14.jpg](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7435/14084170465_238c425c14.jpg)](https://flic.kr/p/nsz4cg) Megan coilovers with adjustable dampening and front camber adjustment, H-sport hollow 25.5mm RSB, H-sport adjustable lower control arms [![https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14136673353_dfa0056478.jpg](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14136673353_dfa0056478.jpg)](https://flic.kr/p/nxd9tt) I still have a TON of parts ready to go that I don’t have pictures of. @**[BREETIME](http://www.nyspeed.com/member.php?u=4024)** is building another exhaust as well as a rear cage for the car in the next couple weeks. I’ll continue to post pictures as things begin to be installed. Stay tuned! ---
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 1:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/2 "2014-05-05T13:44:34Z")
Nice man :tup: ---
**Author:** ![llink78](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/llink78/32/8037_2.png) [@llink78](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/llink78)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/3 "2014-05-05T15:03:02Z")
Nice, bigger and better 🙂 Glad this worked out for you. ---
**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/4 "2014-05-05T15:13:24Z")
Awesome man!! ---
**Author:** ![pirite](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/pirite/32/5308_2.png) [@pirite](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/pirite)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 4:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/5 "2014-05-05T16:50:32Z")
can’t wait to see this once its finished :tup: ---
**Author:** ![2TurboZ](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/2turboz/32/7577_2.png) [@2TurboZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/2TurboZ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/6 "2014-05-05T17:10:57Z")
Glad to see you back in a car that makes you happy…you can always plasti dip it if you arent in to the red. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/baker/32/5423_2.png) [@Baker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/7 "2014-05-05T17:58:23Z")
> [@2TurboZ](#): > > Glad to see you back in a car that makes you happy…you can always plasti dip it if you arent in to the red. :snky: ---
**Author:** ![honda4life](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/honda4life/32/5300_2.png) [@honda4life](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/honda4life)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/8 "2014-05-05T18:34:31Z")
Mike! Your spending too much money! Dude can’t wait to see this build thread! Best of luck buddy! ---
**Author:** ![2TurboZ](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/2turboz/32/7577_2.png) [@2TurboZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/2TurboZ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/9 "2014-05-05T18:44:17Z")
Oh snap…bringing the :snky: to the mini…dang son! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/baker/32/5423_2.png) [@Baker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/10 "2014-05-05T19:40:56Z")
> [@2TurboZ](#): > > Oh snap…bringing the :snky: to the mini…dang son! Haha just wait! ---
**Author:** ![GV1390](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gv1390/32/5432_2.png) [@GV1390](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GV1390)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 5:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/11 "2014-05-06T05:08:32Z")
Battle of the go-karts if I finish my pile. Looks good dude! :tup: ---
**Author:** ![lorge1989](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lorge1989/32/6153_2.png) [@lorge1989](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/lorge1989)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 5:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/12 "2014-05-06T05:10:48Z")
Oh god please don’t dip it. All the other stuff thats going in looks sweet though! ---
**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 5:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/13 "2014-05-06T05:30:23Z")
:tup: ---
**Author:** ![Shockwave179](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shockwave179/32/7496_2.png) [@Shockwave179](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shockwave179)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 5:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/14 "2014-05-06T05:34:01Z")
Good stuff. Let us know how you like the Rivals once you start driving around with them on. ---
**Author:** ![Norb\_O](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/norb_o/32/5189_2.png) [@Norb\_O](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Norb_O)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/15 "2014-05-06T06:02:41Z")
looks really promising, although that red is fairly hideous… ---
**Author:** ![captain\_morgan1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/captain_morgan1/32/5928_2.png) [@captain\_morgan1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/captain_morgan1)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:20am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/16 "2014-05-06T06:20:19Z")
pirate on the front? Uncle bens? i like the red interior, exterior though… ---
**Author:** ![neonglh](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neonglh/32/4951_2.png) [@neonglh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neonglh)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/17 "2014-05-06T06:30:48Z")
:tup: ---
**Author:** ![drewster99](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drewster99/32/5468_2.png) [@drewster99](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drewster99)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/18 "2014-05-06T06:32:41Z")
I’ve decided I really only like the red with the JCW kit and black roof… I’m okay with your decision :snky: This thing is going to rip. ---
**Author:** ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/19 "2014-05-06T06:33:05Z")
Very nice… ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/baker/32/5423_2.png) [@Baker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2014, 6:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278/20 "2014-05-06T06:56:09Z")
Thanks everyone. > [@Shockwave179](#): > > Good stuff. Let us know how you like the Rivals once you start driving around with them on. Will do. They were recommended to me by a few people who autox their Mini’s so I decided to give them a try. They are the widest tires I’ve had so far so they should be fun. > [@Norb O](#): > > looks really promising, although that red is fairly hideous… It’ll be taken care of soon enough… > [@captain morgan1](#): > > pirate on the front? Uncle bens? > > i like the red interior, exterior though… Ha the sticker came with the car. The stripes are coming off soon though. I actually hate the red interior but fortunately I removed the grey panels from my old car so those will be replacing the red bits. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-project-again/269278.md?page=2)