My 2004 Black Beauty

Started by Bernie, September 28, 2015, 15:54

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Bernie

My MR2 adventure started back in August 2009 when I decided to get a 2nd car to help keep the miles down on my funded Company Car.
I wanted something sporty & fun and the MR2 was ideal
 
I found one at a Toyota Main Dealer, it was a 2001 SMT with full UK bodykit & hardtop 35,000 miles in silver and was a great looking car


 
I joined the Club after I had made the purchase and right away started to have nightmares about the potential oil burning monster I'd just bought !
I covered 23,500 miles in just under a year thoroughly enjoying every mile but you've guessed it over the last 5,000 miles it started to drink oil.
 
I knew what the cause was so I took it back to Mr T for a service and mentioned the oil use, they rang me that afternoon to say new short block engine needed £2,500 please.
I reminded them of my Toyota warranty, "we'll ring you back !"
That phone call was "it's a known fault so the warranty doesn't cover "
So after contacting Trading Standards and Toyota Finance, TS advised that the finance co if I didn't get anywhere would step in, they agreed to buy it back less £1,000 for my years use which I snapped their hands off to agree !
 
My 2nd was a privately bought 2003 in black with 37,000 miles on in which I covered 60,000 miles in 2years 9 months, the plan was to get Matt P to refresh the engine with a rebuild at 100,000 miles but that changed


 
My 3rd MR2 and absolutely the best one by far was crafted by FGRob who spared no expense assembling a well thought out plan of mods to improve all aspects of the car
 
He sold it to S12vea, one of many Steve has owned ! and I was extremely fortunate to buy it from Steve after the birth of his daughter back in March 2013.

Apart from the Fidanza lightweight flywheel it was perfection performance wise and I've tried to add to its appearance as tastefully as possible like to think I've struck the right look
 
And now the reverse applies for use, last year I covered 4,000 miles all in the dry, it does not go out in the wet and is kept garaged
 
I will never sell it and hope to keep it on the road for many years to come !
 



 
Engine Modifications:
 
Crower Stage 1 Cams (Monkey Wrench USA).
Fidanza lightweight flywheel
Zero - 4 into 2 Equal Length, tuned collector, Manifold SS.
Silverstone Performance De-cat pipe, fitted with 200 CEL Sports Cat.
Moroso Racing sump (baffled and extra capacity)
Blueflame Custom Twin Exhaust.
PPE Cold Air Induction system
Apexi Power FC (ECU) with Commander hand controller
Greddy Iridium 8 sparkplugs
C-One Engine Damper
Up graded serpentine belt tensioner (Alloy)
Carbon Mod's - Carbon fibre cam cover.
Mapping / Dyno by Noble Motorsport.
171 BHP - with dyno print out
 
Suspension
 
Tein MonoFlex Coilovers plus EDFC controller. (30mm drop)
Megan racing rear adjustable Tie bars C/W pillow ball ends (Camber, Toe and caster)
Standard front and rear Anti roll bars – nylon coated
Super Pro up-rated anti roll bar mountings
Twos R Us Heavy Duty front and rear Drop links
 
Brakes
 
EBC Dimpled / Slotted disc all round.
EBC Yellowstuff pads
DOT 5.1 brake fluid
Goodridge Stainless Steel brake lines
 
Gearbox
 
Standard 6 speed with Torsen LSD.
Speed Source solid Brass cable / gearbox link connection
TRD Short shifter
Wildermuller aluminium cage mounts
Redline MT90 Gear oil
 
Chassis
 
Standard 04 front and rear bracing
TTE centre cross brace
Cusco Front Top tower brace
C-One Rear Top tower brace
 
Exterior
 
Hardtop (winter months only)
Hartz Red mohair roof
Toyota GB full bodykit – Front spats with 3m Paint Protection film
TRD Rear spoiler (with blanking plate for brake light)
Zunsport full grille kit front, rear, side intakes & engine vent stainless steel grilles
Toyota JDM chrome windscreen surround and door mirrors
Side indicator chrome finishers
Full exterior GTechniq nano coating
 
Interior
 
Red Leather seats & trim
Celica GTS Red Edition steering wheel
TyrePal tyre pressure monitoring system
Piano black dash trim kit
Wildermuller aluminum H&V knob set
ChromDesign gear stick & speedo dials surrounds
ChromDesign Wind deflector.
Mongo's side window deflectors
 
Audio
 
Kenwood double din CD Player with MP3 / USB / Ipod / parrot handsfree
JL 500/3 Amp fitted in rear bin
Morel Maximo 6.5 inch 2way component speaker system
Underdash sub enclosure with JL Audio 6W3v3 Subwoofer
 
Wheels & Tyres
 
Rota GT3 lightweight
15x7 front – 195 x 45 Goodyear Eagle F1 Tyres
16x7 rear – 215 x 40 Goodyear Eagle F1 Tyres
Black 2004  N/A  Many Mods = 171BHP 
2019 & 2021 MR2DC National Day Modified Best in Class
Readers Ride
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56481.0

s12vea

#1
I should of kept this one! Great car
Another one won't hurt  .....

Msp

#2
I have one of Steve's cast offs too.

Where did you get the screen surround? I really like that.
2 less :(

Bernie

#3
Quote from: "Msp"I have one of Steve's cast offs too.

Where did you get the screen surround? I really like that.

Was a JDM part from Japan no longer available
Black 2004  N/A  Many Mods = 171BHP 
2019 & 2021 MR2DC National Day Modified Best in Class
Readers Ride
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56481.0

Bernie

#4
As its nearly a year since I first posted my Readers Ride thought I'd update particularly as I'd thought there wasn't any more to do !

So firstly managed to obtain a set of JDM Chrome mirrors

Second despite utilising 2 bucket cleaning method was not entirely happy with the light swirling so got a full professional valet and application of GTechniq nano coating

Lastly today had the roof replaced with a red hartz mohair roof

Like to think it can now be regarded as Bernies car being mindful that it was originally FGRobs but as I've owned it now 3 and a half years it's now got my stamp on it !





Black 2004  N/A  Many Mods = 171BHP 
2019 & 2021 MR2DC National Day Modified Best in Class
Readers Ride
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56481.0

stu h

#5
really like this car-drool

s12vea

#6
Really like the red roof Bernie
Another one won't hurt  .....

StuC

#7
Roof up, I am not a fan of. For me,  the chrome doesn't work with it as well. Sorry Bernie.  s:-( :-( s:-(  

I'd be interested in seeing with the roof down (when you can) and the seats exposed.  :-) :-) :-)
URBAN CUSTARD COLLECTIVE FOUNDING MEMBER

Bernie

#8
Quote from: "StuC"Roof up, I am not a fan of. For me,  the chrome doesn't work with it as well. Sorry Bernie.  s:-( :-( s:-(  

I'd be interested in seeing with the roof down (when you can) and the seats exposed.  :-) :-) :-)

No worries each to their own Stu, idea was to be different and floats my boat, pik with top down



Black 2004  N/A  Many Mods = 171BHP 
2019 & 2021 MR2DC National Day Modified Best in Class
Readers Ride
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56481.0

StuC

#9
Now THAT ^^^^ I am OK with Bernie. Looks how I hoped it would.  s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:

As you say, main thing is you like it.  s:-D :-D s:-D
URBAN CUSTARD COLLECTIVE FOUNDING MEMBER

Bernie

#10
In the main will be top down and pleased with the colour not an exact match but pretty close

Took some inspiration from a £100K Porsche I parked next to a while back wanted to freshen up the look and quite a few new cars run red roofs on black cars

The mohair roof is a step up from OEM




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Black 2004  N/A  Many Mods = 171BHP 
2019 & 2021 MR2DC National Day Modified Best in Class
Readers Ride
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56481.0

StuC

#11
Like twins now matey.
 s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
URBAN CUSTARD COLLECTIVE FOUNDING MEMBER

Bernie

#12
Quote from: "StuC"Like twins now matey.
 s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Until he floors it !


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Black 2004  N/A  Many Mods = 171BHP 
2019 & 2021 MR2DC National Day Modified Best in Class
Readers Ride
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56481.0

mr cool

#13
Loving the look you've created and looks in great condition, Sweet.

Brizee67

#14
Where's the 'like' button...your Black Beauty looks stunning!!


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ilovejapcrap

looking good Bernie.

Just out of interest how did you do the chrome mirrors / surround.

Bernie

Quote from: ilovejapcrap on February  6, 2018, 21:51
looking good Bernie.

Just out of interest how did you do the chrome mirrors / surround.


They are both JDM original optional extras so are real chrome

The windscreen surround was on it already was purchased and installed by FGrob and I was fortunate to purchase the door mirrors a couple of years ago

They are no longer available so rare as hens teeth
Black 2004  N/A  Many Mods = 171BHP 
2019 & 2021 MR2DC National Day Modified Best in Class
Readers Ride
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56481.0

FGrob

Not seen this thread before, looking great Bernie I did think about a red roof but at the time of ownership it wasn't a priority.

Rob.
Ex owner of a Black 2004 car "which is quite possibly the finest normally aspirated MR2 Roadster in the country" as quoted by Japanese Performance Magazine Dec 2010.

Classic & Performance Car Show Winner Sunday 5th June 2011 - Tatton Park - Best Toyota MR2.

Bernie

Quote from: FGrob on March 14, 2018, 14:28
Not seen this thread before, looking great Bernie I did think about a red roof but at the time of ownership it wasn't a priority.

Rob.


Thanks Rob she's still going strong I've had her 5 years this month glad you approve :-)
Black 2004  N/A  Many Mods = 171BHP 
2019 & 2021 MR2DC National Day Modified Best in Class
Readers Ride
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56481.0

StuC

5 years!?!? Wow!
Did you pick her up just before Paris then?
URBAN CUSTARD COLLECTIVE FOUNDING MEMBER

Bernie

Quote from: StuC on March 14, 2018, 19:19
5 years!?!? Wow!
Did you pick her up just before Paris then?

Yep Paris was 1st Club event

Black 2004  N/A  Many Mods = 171BHP 
2019 & 2021 MR2DC National Day Modified Best in Class
Readers Ride
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56481.0

StuC

Quote from: Bernie on March 14, 2018, 19:34
Quote from: StuC on March 14, 2018, 19:19
5 years!?!? Wow!
Did you pick her up just before Paris then?


Yep Paris was 1st Club event



Nice trip that one.  :D :D

I can just make Banana out at the back. Lol.

Yours looks in in tip top condition now just as it did then. Credit to you fella.

I remember being in front of you before we set off for the Versailles run. Prolly got a piccy somewhere.
URBAN CUSTARD COLLECTIVE FOUNDING MEMBER

stewart@boro

Quote from: StuC on March 14, 2018, 20:50
Quote from: Bernie on March 14, 2018, 19:34
Quote from: StuC on March 14, 2018, 19:19
5 years!?!? Wow!
Did you pick her up just before Paris then?


Yep Paris was 1st Club event



Nice trip that one.  :D :D

I can just make Banana out at the back. Lol.

Yours looks in in tip top condition now just as it did then. Credit to you fella.

I remember being in front of you before we set off for the Versailles run. Prolly got a piccy somewhere.
Your eyes must be tuned in to yellow Stu, I can't see it ;)
TF 160 TTE exhaust and style bar and other shiny bits.
Replaced by an Abarth 124 Spider

Treboeth


Your eyes must be tuned in to yellow Stu, I can't see it ;)
[/quote]


3 back from the Emerald green 10th car I think  ;D

Bernie

So just to update my RR genuine JDM chrome door handles and TTE Grandstand 16" wheels added
Black 2004  N/A  Many Mods = 171BHP 
2019 & 2021 MR2DC National Day Modified Best in Class
Readers Ride
https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=56481.0

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