R53 2005 Mini Cooper S Checkmate LSD, ideal track car, owned 5 yrs, MOT APR 2025

  

2005 Mini Cooper S Checkmate NG55OEM. 170 bhp Supercharged 1.6 litre Petrol with 6 speed Manual Gearbox and factory LSD. Owned and used as a second car, done a few track days in it.

Where it performs very well. (Cadwell Park, Anglesey, Croft, Blyton, maybe 10 in total over 5 years). These are quick cars, 170 bhp / 1000kg, pulls really well out of corners with the factory Limited Slip Differential. The ABS / traction control was removed (this is within MOT rules) as the ABS was fickle and the traction control annoying (it cut power before LSD ever got a chance to work) so was always turned off.

Compared to non-Minis I would say clutch and steering are heavy, and gearbox is not slick, but I've driven a few of these checkmates and they've all been the same. Has quite a loud stainless steel exhaust amplifying the pops and bangs a bit on overrun. A few choice upgrades to R56 parts, including larger front brakes, and lighter rear arms. Otherwise it is just well looked after, with the following non-routine maintenance noted (plus MOT date & Mileage).

2019 (MOT 6 July, 98662 miles). Front exhaust inc catalytic converter and both Lambda sensors. Polybush front wishbone rear mount. 2020 (No MOT during Covid).

R56 Brake Conversion, front brake lines, front brake pipes, yellow stuff pads. Sony Bluetooth & USB HU / Fascia. New rear callipers, pads, handbrake cable. Water pump, Hoses, Coolant tank, Cap, Thermostat, Coolant. Fog lights removed, brake vents fitted. Drivers seat height adjust removed & base angle improved. 2021 (MOT 2 January, 100996 miles). New ABS sensor front right. 2022 (MOT 29 April, 101701 miles).

ABS removed(also removes traction control & TPMS). Rear near side wheel bearing. 2023 (MOT 28 April, 108431 miles). New tyres 4 x Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (Still lots of tread). R56 alloy rear arms (-1kg/side).

Polybush supplemental bushes on rear arms. Adjustable lower rear arms, new upper arms.

Halogen headlights (Clearer lenses and -1kg/side). Pure Silver Cooper tailgate with no rust.

New drive shafts both sides. 2024 (MOT 23 April, 113539 miles).

Including rubbers, bump stops etc. Rear offside wheel bearing (R53 part with R56 bolts).

Sony head unit with Bluetooth, expected signs of wear, though for the mileage I would say it's pretty tidy. Comes with some blue die to touch up leather. Same story outside, tailgate had rusted so was swapped for one and the same colour as the roof - with a view to spraying the lower part to match the deep blue metallic paint. Left hand side lightwell has rusted too. I have a repair panel for this if you want it, but needs welding in and spraying - ideal to do along with tailgate.

Otherwise just usual knocks, chips and scratches on a 19 year old car. Could be tidied up further if you want a show car, but for a bit of fun and track days not been a priority to get paintwork done. I've tried to make sure pictures are a fair reflection of condition. Just been put back onto original registration number. Located in Wakefield near M1 J39.