LewisE 199 Posted February 6 (edited) So as you all have seen I've replaced the R56 Cooper S with an absolutely stunning Kite Blue R59 JCW. I know the R59 is a bit of a Marmite car and the Kite Blue adds to that.. But I dig it!Ā Ā So here's the start of my build thread. Nothing to report on as of yet and I'll be taking it slow until the warranty runs out but the GP2 diffuser and Team Dynamics alloys are on the cards for this month as they're just cluttering up the shed.Ā Ā Really looking forward to the show season this year and praying for a great summer! āĀ Ā Have some picture spam because I'm chuffed with it š Edited February 13 by LCWElvin 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bornared 138 Posted February 6 Looks good mate šš» Are you keeping the stripes on? The blue makes it stand out well š 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted February 6 On 06/02/2019 at 21:23, Bornared said: Looks good mate šš» Are you keeping the stripes on? The blue makes it stand out well š I'm undecided about the stripes. I like them but I've seen a CoupĆ© in Kite Blue that hasn't got the stripes which also looks good. š¤ Ā The blue is a very bold colour.. I parked it next to my friend's yellow Abarth 595 the other day and they stood out like sore thumbs!Ā 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bornared 138 Posted February 7 3 hours ago, LCWElvin said: I'm undecided about the stripes. I like them but I've seen a CoupĆ© in Kite Blue that hasn't got the stripes which also looks good. š¤ Ā The blue is a very bold colour.. I parked it next to my friend's yellow Abarth 595 the othet day and they stood out like sore thumbs!Ā Ā Iāve seen one without the stripes and it looks good, that why I wondered if you might keep them or not. Its a rare colour and I think thats why it stands out šš» 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Watton 402 Posted February 8 On 06/02/2019 at 21:49, LCWElvin said: I'm undecided about the stripes. I like them but I've seen a CoupĆ© in Kite Blue that hasn't got the stripes which also looks good. š¤ Ā The blue is a very bold colour.. I parked it next to my friend's yellow Abarth 595 the othet day and they stood out like sore thumbs!Ā Ā Hows the JCW Roadster going @LCWElvin ? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted February 9 14 hours ago, Mr Watton said: Ā Hows the JCW Roadster going @LCWElvin ? Ā Loving it, @Mr Watton! Though I'm still using the Cooper S as it has a full tank of Petrol! š¤¦š»āāļø Ā I'll have to bring it round to show it off and get a FOM sticker or two š 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted February 12 (edited) GP2 Diffuser fitted today. No problems with fitting apart from the lack of undertrays to put the final screw bolts in but the tunnels are secure enough on the hangers šš» Ā Ā Ā I loved the look of the rear end but I think it looks even better with the Diffuser on.Ā Edited February 13 by LCWElvin 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kettlepot 201 Posted February 12 It looks spot on there Lewis !Ā Ā Was there any extra bracing underneath ? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted February 12 Thanks Ian š Ā There were extra braces that I don't recall seeing on the underside of the hatch 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kettlepot 201 Posted February 12 1 hour ago, LCWElvin said: Thanks Ian š Ā There were extra braces that I don't recall seeing on the underside of the hatch Obviously didnāt get in the way then . nice work 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted February 12 30 minutes ago, Kettlepot said: Obviously didnāt get in the way then . nice work No not at all. I was sceptical when I first went under the car but the bracing is further forward than the diffuserĀ 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Watton 402 Posted February 14 On 09/02/2019 at 10:53, LCWElvin said: Ā Loving it, @Mr Watton! Though I'm still using the Cooper S as it has a full tank of Petrol! š¤¦š»āāļø Ā I'll have to bring it round to show it off and get a FOM sticker or two š Ā Ā Welcome anytime 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted March 1 New black light surrounds courtesy of @Littleredhead š just need to wrap the washer jet covers so it doesn't look cross-eyed šµ Ā Ā Ā Only found one suitable place for a FOM sticker! I'll not be repping when the roof is down so I'm trying to think of another location for one š¤š Ā Ā Now to finish the dechrome and get the wheels on!Ā 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Watton 402 Posted March 1 Looks great so far. Wish we had some grille covers for you too, but the box from Del Monte say nooooooo š¢š 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted March 3 Fixed the crossed eyes today with the help of some black vinyl wrap I had lying around. Doesn't look half bad considering I was the one who wrapped them! š¤Ŗ Before: After: Ā Fitted some black side scuttles too Ā Dechrome is almost done now, just need some grille surrounds and a belt line 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Watton 402 Posted March 3 Coming along nicely 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted March 11 My copy of the V5 took forever to come, but now I've finally got my private plates on! Now it looks like it'sĀ my carĀ š¤© Ā Took the opportunity to take some photos while it was sunnyĀ Ā Ā Ā Absolutely loving this car. I was worried I'd regret replacing the Cooper S so soon but there are no regrets here!Ā š Ā Also found out this week that it is *potentially* the only Kite Blue R59 JCW in the UK. Some clarification on this is definitely needed but the thought it could be 1 of 1 is quite exciting! Ā 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Watton 402 Posted March 11 Looks great Lewis, now the plate is on it really does look mega! As for 1/1, IĀ wonder if MINI can cooperate with that ? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kettlepot 201 Posted March 11 Canāt hurt to email MINI uk !!! Ā I agree with Aimon, deffo gives it more of a personal feel with the private plate on šš» 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted March 11 I think some sort of contact with MINI UK is in order. I'll get on that tomorrowĀ š” Ā I much prefer having my reg on, tidies the car up nicely.Ā The only thing is that the plates are made of metal.. They're from a main dealer so I'm assuming that's the new standard for number plates? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Watton 402 Posted March 11 18 minutes ago, LCWElvin said: I think some sort of contact with MINI UK is in order. I'll get on that tomorrowĀ š” Ā I much prefer having my reg on, tidies the car up nicely.Ā The only thing is that the plates are made of metal.. They're from a main dealer so I'm assuming that's the new standard for number plates? Ā Itll be just the type they have been given, i think they are aluminium. I used to make them from ali or plastic, just depended on the supplier at the time 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted March 13 So I've finally got a result on my tyre pressure issue!Ā Ā For those of you that don't know, 3 of the tyres on my car have been loosing pressure quite rapidly causing me to get a tyre pressure warning.Ā Mini have checked the wheels, tyres and valves TWICE and both times concluded that there's nothing wrong and I'm just not pumping them up enough...Ā Ā Hmm, me thinks not š¤ Ā I've battled with them and they're going to refurbish all 4 wheels (2 of which have paint peel and scuffing) at no cost to myself! Result!Ā Ā I think they're hoping a fresh set of wheels should make the tyres seal better once they've been re fitted.. Why they didn't just take the tyres off and refit them I don't know š¤·š» I'm not complaining though, fresh wheels for me, woohoo!Ā Ā I wonder of they'll do them in anthracite for me.. š¤š¤£ 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kettlepot 201 Posted March 13 Result ! Ā I wonder if theyād sell you your old āknackered wheelsā Ā cheap ???? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Watton 402 Posted March 14 Great news on the refurbishment @LCWElvin š Did you get Anthracite? š„° 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LewisE 199 Posted March 19 Little (and not very cheap!) mod done today. Genuine MINI DRLs. They speak for themselves really: Ā Ā 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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