What I did with my R53 fuel filter was to add a small piece of masking tape under the seat on the fuel filter access plate. On the tap I added the service date and miles the filter was changed. This could help the next person who owns the car. No plans on selling but would be helpful for the next person. I also have an extensive spreadsheet going on all maintenance on each of my cars. I have done the fuel filter service twice on R53’s both with the fuel tank installed. one of my least favorite jobs. I have owned four R53’s since 2018. Three 2006 and a 2003. My current is a late model build Astro Black Slicktop with now 50,000 miles. My first was a Hyper Blue with a white slicktop which the original owner installed a Scottish flag on the top.
@@RichT53 owned four and have rehabbed five R53’s. My humble advice… power steering pump, double check the lines for leaks, make sure the PS pump cooling fan works and isn’t crunchy when you manually turn the blades. I had a PS pump explode on my first Mini and it took the car out. Burned on the side of the highway… fire started with me in the car. Another thing to consider (if you have not already done so) is swapping out the crank pulley for a fluid filled harmonic balancer. It is a weak point in the R53 as the OEM is rubber mounted and with heat and time the rubber breaks down. When the crank pulley goes it can cause all sorts of problems. Supercharger… service it. Mini says 100,000 miles for the service. However it is one of the more expensive parts to replace on the car so why not just go ahead and service it early? Yes it takes time and a few parts but for about $50US you can have peace of mind that that service is complete. Also change the crank position sensor o-ring while you are in there. They all weep oil. The o-ring is less than $1US. Lots of R53 owners think that the oil is a bad pan gasket when in fact it is the crank position sensor o-ring… hard to get to but if you do the Supercharger service it is right there and easy to access. Clean the engine while you have the access as well.
@@billcunningham8485 thanks for the advice 👍👍 I’ve done all of what you have suggested and have noted a little weeping from one of the pipes just under the power steering reservoir so need to get that done. I’ve done all of the other things. When I did the supercharger service made sense to get as many jobs done as possible. Fingers crossed 🤞 I don’t have any fires- that must’ve been scary 😧
Hi there, Thanks- much appreciated! My mini actually had the R56 trailing arms on when I bought it so I don't really have a parts list that I can share with confidence. One thing I would say is that if you buy a full kit then make sure you get the right wheel bearings as I found out the wheel bolts are different to the R53. Make sure you get as many parts as possible including all the bolts and the front mounts. 👍
@@RichT53jubilation definitely! Just make sure you go over all of the silly things they could possibly pick fault at. I know its obvious but bulbs, fluid levels etc, you know the score. Deffo video regardless, don't be afraid to show the good an bad side, of which I like either way. It's honest and makes us human. Sometimes channels can be false, warts an all for me please 😂
@@BigCol78 Not sure I have your confidence matey but will, as you say, double-check everything before heading off to the test centre. Warts n all approach it is 😉
Really nice and clean! Great job! I got a Quick Jack a couple of years ago (TL 5000, I think) and can't believe I got any work done before. Surprised you still have stock lower control arms (especially since you've done the aluminum trailing arms upgrade), but suspension settings are an individual preference.
Hi there, thanks for taking the time to watch and to comment. Can't agree more with you re the Quick Jack- probably one of the best purchases I have eve made! Yup, adjustable rear control arms are a likely purchase, just need to manage the £££'s 👍
I'm glad it isn't just me, my heart sank when i got under my 2008 mini clubman, hats off to BMW for helping the government get cars of the road, and helping the environment by making a car that is biodegradable i,ve never seen cars like this since the 70's and eighties , do you think they had a word with BMC about how to go about launching the mini , and also ask them about the composition of how the metals are mixed, i,ve heard of a authentic reproduction, but to remake the car that rots as well as it,s predecessor, that takes the biscuit, i thought this kind of rust was a thing of the past until i bought the mini, it has more rust than the TITANIC ,😒😒😒
It’s never rains it pours with these bloody cars lol. I don’t think it’s possible to start a job without finding something else wrong. You’re doing the right thing by changing the top mounts. I little movement today will be like a knocking shop next week, it’s just the way of the r53. Shame the sound dropped out, otherwise some more great content. Roll on part 2
Nice to see the process, once again another one on my long list 🤦♂️ building mine for my wife.... New everything in stock ready to go... hopefully get started next week 😂
Cheers matey! I'll take a look at that. I have the front undertrays to get back on as I have been waiting until I've basically finished before putting back on. 👍
Nice to see the car back on all 4’s Rich, brakes as you know have been the bane of my existence 😂 hopefully you’ll get yours feeling how you want them. The OBD diagnostic tool seem to do what you need a more, should be a good purchase. Got to get mine down off the axel stands in the morning before we go dad visiting so it’s ready for its MOT Tuesday. Have you booked the MOT for yours yet?
Hi Colin, Cheers bud- bit anxious even though I only took it off the drive 😂 When’s yours in for MOT? I’ve got a couple of small jobs to finish off before I book MOT but hoping to have done during July. Who knows, I might even get to drive it to a show or 2 before autumn 🤞🤞
🤞Rich, I'm confident that your car will pass. Mines booked for Tuesday 😅 I'm sweating a bit 🤣 I did what you've done an had a ride up an down the road. The brakes are on the spongy side. I will have another go at bleeding them but I'm going to do an ABS bleed/prime this time. Gutted, really, the pedal felt great on the stands 🤔 I'm not sure what the difference is. You need to get yours booked so you've got something to work towards, I had to, it's a big kick up the ass that I need. What shows are you hoping to go too?
@@BigCol78 bloody brakes!! I think it’s one of the most commonly talked about topics on all the R53 groups 😕 I’ll have my fingers crossed for you on Tuesday- let me know how you get on. You’re right, I just want to make sure I get the front springs changed and then I’ll get it booked. 👍👍
Well yesterday (Monday) I had a bit of a set back, I was going to rebleed the brakes an purge the ABS when my diagnostic tool decided that it had other ideas. I'm not quite sure what's gone on with it but long story short, it's f**ked. I had to bleed them the old fashioned way, fortunately luck was on my side an I now have a nice firm pedal 😅. Anyway while I was do the said brakes the sh*tbags at halfords rang me to say they've cancelled my MOT for tomorrow 😡 after a bit of a sharp tongued chat with the poor guy on the other end, he finally found another location for tomorrow. I've got to say I'm a little nervous travelling the 15ish miles to Wolverhampton instead of the 2 planned with no MOT or Tax. I know its perfectly legal but that doesn't mean I don't like it. 🤞It passes so the journey home won't be quite so nerve racking.
@@BigCol78 hi Colin, I actually woke up today and first thing I thought- Hope Colin’s Mini passes today! 🤞🤞 Bloody brakes- why are they so problematic? 😕 I know what you mean about driving to & from, I’ll be the same. Let me know how you get on bud
Hi Arthur, Thanks, starting to get there now. Not yet with the brakes. I’m going to invest in a decent OBD diagnostic tool that can bleed the ABS system in the coming weeks. I’ll repost when I do it. Cheers, Rich 👍
Hey Arthur, I've just done mine with a power bleeder an the missus on the pedal, this seemed to work a treat otherwise like Rich said you may need to use a diagnostics tool too bleed the ABS system. Both ways have worked for me but just using a power bleeder I struggled to get anything in the pedal. Don't make the same mistake as me an over pressurize the power bleeder otherwise you'll have brake fluid everywhere. 10 to 15 psi is more than enough, also add a small amount of red rubber grease around the fluid caps on the bleeder and the brake fluid reservoir helps them to seal. Good luck
Looking a sounding great Rich. Final few touches and you’ll be back on the road. Finished off the brake bleeder repair on mine after work yesterday then got the missus on the break pedal today when I bled the brakes, so far so good, 🤞🏻no leaks, I’m so relieved. I will just check tomorrow before I celebrate 😂 but this time I’m confident. MOT’s booked for a week Tuesday so I suppose the proof will be in the pudding. Can’t wait to have it back up and running it’s been two years now.
Nice one!! Well done bud! Fingers crossed you’ve sorted it 👍 Hopefully the MOT goes without any issues too. I’m hoping to get mine MOR’d in the near future but with everything I’ve done I’m not sure if I should be thinking it’ll fly through or expect a list of advisories 🥴🥴 Let me know how you get on
I’m sure yours will fly through its MOT, you’re doing a fab job. Got a bit of spare time tomorrow, I’m hoping to get a few bits an bobs done on the car so I can get it back on all 4’s if my knees hold out 😂 I wish I had the confidence to do what you’ve been doing an start recording and uploading. I may have a play tomorrow but will most likely be for my eyes only 😊😂
@@BigCol78 Just give it a go. I just use my phone when recording and nowhere near these major RU-vidrs. If people like it great but if they don't that's just as fine to me. 👍
@@RichT53 I did a little tester an I just bumbled an fumbled along like Boris Johnson. Luckily I was on the sofa when I tried so I promptly deleted it. I will have a proper go at some point lol. Cars all done now ready for it's MOT next week, just got to drop it off the axle stands over the weekend. Looking forward to seeing you use your new toy when you sort the brakes. Good luck
@@BigCol78 🤣"If you can stay at home go to work" BORIS!!! Oh mate, that is s shame- you should definitely give it another go. I have my fingers crossed for a PASS!! 🤞
Nice job, it’s all coming together nicely now. Won’t be too long before you’re blasting round the streets again. I really need to pull my finger out and sort mine. Been doing some other jobs on the daily, I’d like to say that’s been taking all of my time up but the truth is I’ve just been lazy and putting off try to sort the calliper leaks.
Cheers matey! Actually starting to feel like I am getting somewhere now. Can't wait to get the new exhaust on and on the floor and then give it it's first run 😁😁. Get that Calliper sorted- you know you want to LOL
I definitely want too… well until I’m stood beside the car that is, all I seem to manage to do, is find 101 reasons why not to try lol. It’s quiet at work so I have a bonus day off tomorrow. I was really tempted to go fishing with the old man but I’ve been strong and decided to finish off the daily, if I have time I’ll tackle the mini but not before I’ve watched homes under the hammer and maybe bargain hunt but definitely not Doctors 😂
Well I've started the process. I'm going to let it drain off for a few days before I thread loc the repair kit. Fingers crossed I'll know by Monday if it's worked or not. I attempted to make you a little video but I ain't got a clue what I'm doin an now I can't bloody find it😂
I had exactly the same issue when I did mine, nothing coming out of the rear nipples. I initially thought the bleeder nipples could be blocked that’s why I changed them, this is whole reason I’m in the 💩 with them leaking now… I would suggest you get a decent odb2 reader and bleed/prime the abs system. After I did mine the fluid flows well. Don’t make the same mistake as me, don’t put too much pressure in the power bleeder (25 plus psi) it will end in tears and brake fluid everywhere. 10 to 15 psi is more than ample, did you do a pressure drop test to check for leaks before adding fluid? I use a Topdon top scan ODB2 scanner via my phone, so far so good and quite cheap too it has quite a few hot functions like ABS prime. You could try a get a copy of Ista plus BMW dealer level program on a laptop and a ODB2 interface lead with that you can do anything a dealer can on your car. I personally haven’t used it but I’m told it’s one of the best ways to go. Fingers crossed all goes well.
Hi Colin, Yup! That is definitely what I am going to do. BUUUUUT if I am going to get an OBD tool I might as well get a decent one that can do more than 1 or 2 cars as I think it will be worth it in the long run- what do you think?
@RichT53 100% go for something that will do most, if not all cars. There's plenty of brands choose from like launch, autel, topdon, carley etc the topdon I have is Ok but if I had my time again I'd have got something with it's own dedicated screen. From watching mechanics on RU-vid they tend to have a few different ones, some work better on certain brands or cars. It's a minefield, sorry. If you want something that will do what you need then the topdon topscan will do what you need an they are sub £50 on ebay atm.
Good luck it's probably gonna cost you twice the amount keeping her sweet lol. I've just had a quick look at them they look good, more than capable of doing what you need plus much more.
Hi there, Thanks for taking the time to watch and share your thoughts- much appreciated!! I didn't drain the entire system however, I think you are right in that I need to buy myself an OBD unit and bleed the ABS system. 👍
The brake line on the offside is a larger nut from factory. Nice job bud, it looks so much easier than with the tank in the way. I bought the same pipe benders as you but I found it just as easy if not easier to do them by hand. BTW WTF was your neighbour thinking? He must be mad being out in that weather lol I suppose he probably thought he was going to get wet anyway so why not. Roll on part two, oh I almost forgot I paid £10 delivered for the abs/brake wear sensor clip, I’ll definitely be going to mini in the future for bits and bobs.
Hi Colin, We were having a laugh with him and he did say that he couldn't get any wetter 🤣. Yeh, I gave up on the pipe benders and just did it by hand- seemed like a good idea until you need to change direction. I am hopping that we don't have any leaks when I finally add the brake fluid. AND I thought of you when I was trying to get the braided hose into one of the callipers- almost threaded it- would NOT have been happy! Hoping to get the other side completed this weekend but Garden jobs to be done as well 😏
@@RichT53 bless him, at least he has a good sense of humour. The braided lines weren't to bad I just a tap down a they were fine. It's the bleeder nipples that seem to be my nemesis. I had the bright idea of replacing them with nice shiny stainless ones. Big mistake on my part. Still leaking, both my eyes an the bleeder nipple. Left the car alone last week an this weekend. I was supposed to be at a bbq today but gone fishin instead lol. Enjoy the gardening an what's left of the bank Holiday. I'm sure yours will be fine though.
Good luck with the clips. I searched the internet and really struggled to get the double clip on the offside. I can’t remember exactly where I got it from, it was either Latvia or Lithuania eBay. I should have gone to Mini if they are available. The rear is really coming along nicely, it looks sweet.
Hi Matey! I actually bought one previously for the front end from Mini- only a couple of £ so will be heading down there for this plus a couple of other little clips n things that I need to get the Brake lines located properly. Need to get them done and the wiring so I can get the petrol tank back in AND stop tripping over the chuffing thing 🤣
@@RichT53 nice one, I'll have to pop to the local mini dealer next time I need clips etc. It's good to know they have them or can at least get them. At least the brake lines will be easy with the tank off 👍🏻
Hey man, I got a 2019 m4 comp in San marino blue, from vertu bmw in Durham on december 24th last year, mine sadly hasn't got the carbon fibre body kit, did you get it or was it already added from the dealership? I don't wanna buy anything off ebay ya an yours look good,finishes the car off nicely 👌 Is yours lowered at all ?
Cheers matey! The kit was already on but not sure if it was done by the garage or not where I bought it. Something to be aware of though- the front splitter is VERY low and a nightmare in multi car parks. I will be replacing mine because I caught it in an underground car park at a hotel in Belgium 😡. www.carbonfactory.co.uk/products/bmw-f80-f82-f83-m3-m4-carbon-fibre-front-lip-splitter-cs-style This is the same as mine (I think) and probably what I'll be ordering. Hope that helps dude! 👍
@RichT53 cheers mate..is that a good site then yea ? Have you used them before? I'm really dubious about sites an sellers so I really appreciate that link. Sounds a nightmare catching your front splitter, gutted for you..I'm constantly anxious driving it incase I scuff a wheel (even tho I have tyre an wheel cover) or someone dings it in a car park, I miss not having to park in the far corner of any car park too lol I love the car an love the attention it gets but I'm a wreck haha miss my focus rs tbf. Thanks for the info man an love the m4 vids 👍
@@leeanthony270 😆😆😆 I am EXACTLY the same bud- hate leaving it in a car park and always leave it miles away. Just last week I did that and when walking back a guy was just reversing in next to mine and I kid you not there is no way he would have got out of his car without dinging mine- we had words! This site seems to be ok but I haven't used it yet- Calvin's car diary (RU-vid) recommended them recently. Hope that helps.
Good video RichT, I think as a country we should push this issue together, but where would you start? I work at a insurance approved car bodyshop and I have hundreds of customers a month through the door, all ages and everyone is sick of the state of our roads 😡. East Sussex is probably one of the worst in the country! I drive a f83 m4 comp and I honestly have no enjoyment driving now, I've also put my motorcycle up for sale, as its just to dangerous to ride, specially when I have a family to provide for. How is this fair!!!
Hi there 100% agree that the public should put pressure on councils and the government to get the roads into a condition that makes them fit for purpose. I’ve just driven the same route that I was on this video and guess how many potholes have been filled or repaired- precisely none 😩 In fact this road is now even worse. The HS2 was scrapped so the money could be spent on repairing our crumbling road network but there is absolutely no evidence of this. I actually nearly came off my bike a couple of weeks back due to a huge gap in the tarmac- was VERY scary. I guess we just have to hope there is an army of guys ready to get going but o doubt it. Cheers again 👍
@@RichT53 I'm glad your ok from your motor bike near insodent 👍🏻, it is scary and I know riding motor bikes are dangerous anyway, but when u don't know what your going to be faced with round the next corner I.e the grand canyon, it just takes all the fun out of riding in my eyes! Further more regarding the community standing together to face the local council / government, I don't know about you and probably most of the UK tax payers, I am so busy with constantly working to pay my bills and supporting my family, I just don't have the mental capacity to face anything else week to week, I feel like we are all chasing the pounds to keep our heads above water that anything outside of this box is a massive mountain that we can't climb! I feel like this maybe the big plane of the government, to keep us all on the grind stone so we don't have the mental of physical capacity to stand up for our rights! (sorry for going so deep, but I do feel this is a big part of our issues as a community and country). Fingers crossed for changes to come.
@@richardinnes6752 There is definitely a lot of merit in what you say and I’d say that the vast majority of Middle England such as you and as well as millions of others feel exactly the same way. We keep working to provide for our nearest & dearest whilst getting less and less back from one clueless government to the next. If we look back in time we can see the many many things that we pay taxes for being taken away such as dentists- when was the last time you saw anyone sweeping the streets? We need to be kept in our place! The French public have it right (in some ways) they don’t put up with it and let those in power know. Until we speak on mass it will continue, sadly 😢
Hi mate, pretty much the same point as you, , I too have found a hole in the same place as yours, interested to see how you get on welding, I've been looking at mobile welders to do it for me, hope it goes well.
@@arthurpayne4013 nice one 😊 it was cheaper to buy the welder than what I’d been quoted my a mobile welder so thought I’d give it a go 🤷♂️ fingers crossed I don’t mess it up and still have to pay the mobile guy 🤣🤣
Hi there, the 435D is a lovely car and xdrive thrown in, what’s not to like. If it has 19 inch alloys then you’ll have more rubber to protect the wheels 👍
As a long time bmw driver it puts the fear into me hitting a pothole! Not because the buckled wheels, worn suspension or even the cracked wheels (I’m sure long time bmw owners know this pain with the cracked wheels) but it’s the possibility of an airbag being deployed that scares me, I’ve seen it happen first hand and I’m sure it happened to clarkson on a top gear episode years ago too. It’s not a rare occurrence unfortunately.
There simply isn't enough money, you have the black hole that is the NHS sucking in more billions every year, people living longer claiming state pensions, infrastructure buckling under the pressure of so many people accessing it, it's either massive tax rises, or some other radical way of saving money.
Good points made, and not just for car drivers, a motorcyclist could lose their life on some of the roads. Something has to be done because we're paying road tax and nothing is being done about it. There should be an 'MOT'esque test for the state of the roads, rather than just the motorist forking out for an MOT test. That's just another thing we have to spend money on. On a positive note, that's a beautiful car 👌
I drive an M135i, I feel every bump in the road & if I hit a minor pothole it sounds so bad within the cabin. I am now finding I am spending more time looking for potholes instead of other dangers on the road or moving to avoid them. Totally agree it takes the joy out of driving, you are on edge ALL the time looking out for potholes.
