My MINI COOPER S R53 Impressions!

I've now owned my R53 MINI COOPER S for a week and it has come a long way from when I picked it up.
Check out the vid for what I have done to it in the last week.
Plenty more content to come on the R53 MINI COOPER S.
Give it a LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & COMMENT below.
Follow me on Instagram @k4byx

[@Lee-cz6ss]

Nice Review My Friend ., lovely ride too.... I have had my 2004 R53 now for 4 years ...its eaten my Credit Card And now Chewing into my Pension - Pot .....what a Money - Pit... The car was 2k , bit of a mess but had most of the Goodies powerwise already ..got sucked into that being on the car and didnt legislate for the cars mileage...Then , inside 24 months at 129,000...it all went wrong..Clutch & Mass ...Top end rebuild, pumps , cranks went , had new Tailgate and rear full prof respray( Rotten) , apart from those and servicing , pads ..AC issues etc , tyres ( eats them too!) extra key ., and things I wanted to do to the car cosmetically ...My Fault ...plus other costs I would prefer not to remember....I am now at 6k spent ....cost me 2k year! I thought I was done and tried to trade it in for a Type R Fn2... Most Garages where scared to quote a price .....a £1000 was " Mumbled"... By one dealer ....so its a keeper... I am not letting someone else capitalise on my expenditure ... So its time to upgrade it... Now added 183 Remap ...Wheels being done , Bumper flaking( Common on Red cars) sorted , Supercharger being serviced and having Koni Active Suspension done ....I am in the Shit financially anyway ....may as well go the distance... As you say , when they are Nice , And mine , despite the above in Chilli Red / White / Pan Roof and widened Minilites , is really clean without those jobs being done ... People do admire them ...I wouldn't thank you for a bloody "KrautBox " everyone has one and they are far too expensive for a car that doesn't stand out ... Your Review has Given Me some hope....and Mate ...the cars ain't gonna be a Months Wages to buy for long ....heres to " Appreciation " in more ways than one!... So , Enjoy ,,Despite the heartaches ! 200Kid.

[@billmarsh3767]

Nice transformation---I have a 2004 R53 JCW which is a real treat to drive, good luck with yours---it's very tastefully done IMO. I really like your videos---very level-headed.

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Thanks Bill. Appreciate your comment. Enjoy your R53! Good bit of kit and plenty of fun!

[@kiftikhar]

My brother had one of these back in the day in green with a white roof. It was a riot to drive!

[@DownShiftThrottle]

My brother had one in 2004 in grey with chilli pack and black roof. This drives just as good as it did back then....

[@kiftikhar]

@@DownShiftThrottle Well built. Nicer proportions than the newer Minis

[@automotivediversity554]

I’m just about to buy a electric blue r53 to replace my civic ep3. Love my Hondas but after nothing but Hondas for the last 20 years it’s Time for a change. Subscribed for more mini updates 👍

[@DownShiftThrottle]

My mini makes a come back to the channel after xmas and I'm gonna get serious with mods. Stay tuned! Get the mini club here!

[@callum4035]

Your stupid for changing a ep3 civic for a mini

[@furrymonsters4337]

Nice, I have the same model, colour, chilli pack, no mods. I like that exhaust, that’s what brought me here, I’ve spent a good two hours researching r53 exhaust kits. I’m not a fan of the rims but that’s purely personal choice of course. Enjoy.

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Ah fantastic......these are nice little cars. I'm currently daily driving my r53 and never fails to impress. Yes the rims are glitzy. Soon to be changed. The exhaust is a nice upgrade. If you're on Instagram then please drop me a DM and I can share more details of the set up. Instagram @k4byx

[@Brad5161]

There have been nice stainless catback systems on ebay for around $200 here in the US. Theyre not always available. I chose the exhaust with bolt on flanges instead of slip joints. I've had mine for maybe five years and it still looks and sounds great. Decided to finally clean the tips yesterday, watched several videos, gathered lots of materials only to find that simply putting wheel cleaner on them and agitating with a medium stiff brush completely cleaned then inside and out in less than five minutes. They look like new. I love this car. Next up, K&N RU-3190 in the stock airbox, cutting some holes out in the rear wall.

[@kanenyman991]

I'm watching videos to keep my optimism going on mine. I just had a rod go through my block and I gotta get a motor

[@DownShiftThrottle]

How did that happen mate? Hope you find the motor!

[@parvinkukar1259]

You have got it looking a lot better. Got a Mini Cooper s and found a puddle just recently so given it to the garage to repair. They said it was a common problem and hopefully will not cost too much. I would recommend getting a set of full leather seats, which I imagine you could pick up quite cheap only to lift the interior and be on par with the exterior

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Yes I do need to address the interior.....do I go leather or do I go race bucket seats.....hmmmm

[@albertrodriguez4190]

Best daily driver, ever!!

[@Ambrosonic]

A Sprint Booster throttle response unit works very well with these supercharged Minis. I've kept mine on race mode since day one. Fun increases exponentially!

[@DownShiftThrottle]

I can imagine. I just picked up a Pedal Commander fir my Porsche Macan and its incredible!

[@1QKGLH]

That support behind the grill should be painted black. It stands out like crazy. car looks great though.

[@Nigriff]

Great work!

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Thank you

[@Brad5161]

Just did a 15% pulley on my 2002 MCS. Took the car over from my wife when it hit 100k. Way too much fun, even after all these years. Getting ready to hit 170k.

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Pocket rockets these things!

[@bign3ck]

Fit Michelin pilot sport 4 tyres and r56 front brakes and it will destroy so many faster cars. Also fit KAV turret plates and a OMP front strut brace, the OMP brace actually works and holds the structure.

[@DownShiftThrottle]

That's a good set up there......

[@rigelabanes699]

Gorgeous looking car. Have you re-placed the gas cap (9:58)? That's kinda eye sore when you have chrome door handles, trim wheels and tail pipes.

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Yes that was replaced in time. It's a car I miss dearly

[@claudiushempstead9893]

Love it.

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Thank you

[@adebrade172]

I've got 140i, but have always hankered after cooper s supercharged, new ones lack a bit of character.

[@DownShiftThrottle]

I drove F56 Cooper S.....its on the channel.....better build quality but no real sound....

[@RawkustvOfficial]

I need this in my life and in this exact colour too.

[@DownShiftThrottle]

You definitely do need one....

[@RawkustvOfficial]

DownShift Throttle Will hit you up when I get mine, will be a fun project car. Like you I like the keeping it looking unmessed with look 👍

[@kiftikhar]

This channel deserves more subs ..

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Put the word out mate

[@kiftikhar]

@@DownShiftThrottle I will do

[@teamjono69]

"My main worry around such an old car is will it start...." Seriously bro. I'm not that old and I've had cars I've had to park on hills so I could bump start them! Good video though bro!

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Hahaha.....trust me I have considered that too lol. Thanks for the comment

[@jackbutler4633]

Speak too Jeff lamb on the R53 owners group and get one of his Not so hobo diverter plates for the intercooler, it’ll bring temps down more and help the cheaper intercooler

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Great shout out! Thanks mate!

[@waterlover]

what are the specs on the wheels? by the way my r53 has 279thousand plus miles, still drives super smooth

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Wheels are BBS as far as I know and the tyres are 205 40 R17. Not sure of the offset. Serious mileage that!

[@yolandagomez1143]

My r53.. 215/45 r17.

[@waterlover]

@@DownShiftThrottle that's tire size. the wheels are 17 but do you know with , et ?

[@DownShiftThrottle]

I'm afraid I dont know the ET.....

[@conrad152]

Great review.

[@hitman9997]

Car looks great👍. I think you picked up a bargain there.

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Thanks mate. I think it's a bargain when you look at it now

[@Alanphuphalee]

Mashallah brother. Very nice

[@God-Almighty]

You put the intercooler on upside down and back to front .

[@DownShiftThrottle]

I don't think so.....it only goes on one way which is this way

[@God-Almighty]

Are the brackets there to attach to nothing ?

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Exactly

[@hidri86]

How much oil does it drink ? Minis have problems with oil drinking lol 😂

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Never really drank much.

[@Crylhound]

Electric blue is the best mini color!

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Definitely is!

[@Crylhound]

@@DownShiftThrottle people always have a look at mine because most minis around here are either grey, black or green.

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Same here. It was a head Turner!

[@debbiepeter112]

You think that one is old. I have a 2001 plate Cooper lol

[@bmwb5858]

nice wideo

[@DownShiftThrottle]

Fanks

[@sleepercell9926]

What accent is that? Its kinda British but not.

[@xzing7]

Bingo !!!!!!!

[@peskachina]

I would change the wheels, these are the wrong size and wrong style for a MINI

[@Brad5161]

I had a mesh style wheels when my wife drove the car and went back to the original 8 spokes to keep a stock look. Running Ironman iMove Gen2 215-45-17 all season all around. I've been very happy with them in a 235-35-19/265-30-19 fitment on my 2000 BMW Z3 Coupe so it was an easy choice. $55/tire delivered last year was nuts. And that includes road hazard coverage. They've gone up since then but a full set is around $300. These cars can be way more affordable to run than most could probably imagine, especially with a good independent shop that allows you to supply parts. I've literally saved thousands over going to a dealer.