UK'S Hottest Custom Minis for sale

THE UNICORN MINI R53 COOPER S

Introducing ASBO 2.0

There are plenty of R53 Cooper S builds out there. ASBO 2.0 is something entirely different.

A truly unique, one-off R53 created through a combination of performance upgrades, bespoke fabrication and an obsessive attention to detail. Originally commissioned by our good friend “The Bingster”, owner and founder of the rapidly growing UK MINI community The MiniMandem.
This R53 was always destined to become something special.
With the engine, supercharger and gearbox already receiving the 1320 Mini treatment,
including an upgraded engine, upgraded supercharger and a fully overhauled gearbox, the focus then turned to creating an R53 that would be every bit as dramatic visually as it was mechanically.

And that is where the transformation really began.

Mini R53 Cooper S wide bodt super charged engine

THE BUILD

We took delivery of this very special R53 in December 2024, with the original plan being to fit a set of Gen 1 wide arches already available
on the market. Unfortunately, after an eight-week wait, the quality and fitment of the arches fell well short of the standard we were looking for,
So, we went back to the drawing board.

Rather than compromise, we decided to take a completely different approach—using a set of our own Gen 2 MINI Flares and extensively
modifying them specifically for the Gen 1 R53.

What followed was a serious piece of bespoke fabrication.

BESPOKE FABRICATION

A huge part of the transformation was carried out by Ashley Otley, owner of Bespoke Custom Fabrication — BC-FAB.

Ashley took on the challenge of extensively modifying our Gen 2 flares to work with the R53 platform, carefully reshaping and refining them
to achieve the aggressive stance and fitment we were looking for.

The result speaks for itself.

In fact, the modified Gen 2 flares ultimately achieved a better fit and finish than the original Gen 1 kit we had initially sourced.

This was not a simple bolt-on conversion. Countless hours of fabrication, fettling and refinement went into making the finished installation
look as though it had been designed specifically for the R53 from day one.

THE FINAL TRANSFORMATION

Once the bodywork and flare conversion were complete, the MINI made its final journey to our trusted wrapping specialists and partners,
Smifys & 1st Choice Tints in Birmingham.

Wayne and the team brought the final vision to life with an exceptional wrap and finish, completing the transformation
and giving ASBO 2.0 the presence it deserved.

The result is an R53 Cooper S that simply doesn't look like anything else on the road.

ASBO 2.0 — ONE OF ONE

This isn't an off-the-shelf R53 build.

It's a one-off MINI, created through collaboration between some exceptionally talented people, combining serious mechanical upgrades
with bespoke bodywork and a completely individual aesthetic.

From the upgraded 1320 Mini engine, supercharger and overhauled gearbox, to the heavily modified MINI Flares wide-arch
conversion and bespoke exterior finish, every part of ASBO 2.0 has a story behind it.

Unique doesn't quite do it justice.

ASBO 2.0, The Unicorn MINI R53 Cooper S.

One car. One build. One opportunity.

ASBO 2.0 — THE UNICORN MINI R53 COOPER S

Full Specification & Build Details

Mileage: 167,000 miles
Ownership: Owned for the last 8 years, purchased at 79,000 miles
Engine rebuild: 15,000 miles ago by 1320 Mini
Supercharger: Fully serviced Teflon supercharger — under 500 miles
Timing chain: Replaced — under 100 miles
MOT / history: Part service-history stamped book plus extensive supporting paperwork accumulated throughout current ownership
Keys: 2

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE

This R53 has received a significant amount of mechanical investment, with the engine rebuilt by
1320 Mini approximately 15,000 miles ago.

Full engine rebuild by 1320 Mini — 15,000 miles ago

New 469 Cat Cam Bosch 550 injectors, Kavs 17% supercharger pulley, New supercharger belt & tensioner

Fully serviced Teflon supercharger — under 500 miles, Airtec enclosed induction kit

Rooster bypass valve, New charge pipe & seal, GRS intercooler, New water pump

New timing chain — under 100 miles, OEM coil pack with HT leads, BK8 spark plugs

Every engine seal and gasket replaced, New alternator, New starter motor

New power steering pump, New power steering hoses, New radiator

New radiator reservoir, New air-conditioning radiator

New heater matrix, New oil cooler, Brand-new battery, Fully serviced

EXHAUST

A bespoke stainless-steel exhaust system, including the manifold, has been custom built specifically for the car.

This is not a generic or budget off-the-shelf exhaust system. The system features a single exit positioned around the battery tray,

rather than the more conventional twin-exit arrangement.

GEARBOX, CLUTCH & DRIVETRAIN

Considerable attention has also been given to the drivetrain.

BKL gearbox fully serviced, New release bearing, New single-mass clutch & flywheel from Orranje Performance

New engine & gearbox mounts throughout, Polyurethane mount inserts, New driveshafts

SUSPENSION & CHASSIS

The chassis has been extensively refreshed, with a substantial amount of preventative maintenance and upgraded components.

New OEM suspension all round, H&R 35mm lowering springs, New top mounts and bushes throughout

Lower arms fully polyurethane bushed, New steering rack, New inner & outer ball joints

New inner & outer track rod ends, New drop links all round, Front subframe restored

BRAKES

Brembo drilled & grooved discs all round, Brembo brake pads all round

EXTERIOR & AERODYNAMICS

This is where ASBO 2.0 really separates itself from other R53s.

The car features an extensive collection of bespoke and carefully selected exterior upgrades,
including the unique VAD 1-of-1 wide-arch conversion.

Custom VAD wide arches — 1 of 1, Vented A-panels / front wings, Aero side skirts, Orranje Leap Gamma front splitter — £875 new

Orranje Leap Tau rear diffuser — £640 new, Track-inspired adjustable rear aero wing, Rare rear window louvre

Custom bonnet vents, JCW front grilles, Halo LED headlights, Halo LED side lights & repeaters

Union Jack rear lights, Genuine carbon-fibre scuttle vents — currently finished in gloss black, Fully tinted windows, Front sun strip

WHEELS & STANCE

Dare wheels, 10-inch wide wheels all round fitted with 245/40r17 Yokohama Tyres

Combined with the bespoke VAD wide-arch conversion and H&R suspension, the car has an exceptionally aggressive stance
while retaining the unmistakable character of the R53.

INTERIOR

The interior has been given just as much attention as the exterior.

Fully heated JCW Recaro leather seats, Grey suede Alcantara headliner, Grey suede Alcantara upper dashboard

JCW cog floor mats, Custom illuminated clocks/dials, Blue illumination with white faces, Matching illuminated switches,

Chronic Pack dual clocks mounted on steering wheel, Boost gauge integrated into air vent, Ultra Gauge

AUDIO & ENTERTAINMENT

Alpine head unit, Phoenix Gold amplifier, Phoenix Gold subwoofer, Uprated Pioneer speakers in front doors

Uprated Pioneer speakers in rear quarters

DOCUMENTATION & OWNERSHIP

Perhaps one of the most important aspects of this particular car is the history behind it.

The current owner has owned the R53 for approximately eight years, purchasing it at just 79,000 miles.

It now stands at 167,000 miles, but the mileage tells only part of the story. The car has undergone extensive mechanical refurbishment
and upgrading throughout the current ownership, including a full 1320 Mini engine rebuild 15,000 miles ago, a fully serviced supercharger,
gearbox work, clutch and flywheel replacement, suspension renewal, braking upgrades and extensive replacement of wear components.

The car is supplied with:

Part service-history stamped book
Extensive paperwork from the current ownership
2 keys

THE IMPORTANT BIT…

This is an R53 that has been owned, developed, maintained and continuously improved over eight years, rather

than simply modified for appearance.

The amount of money, time and expertise invested into this car is substantial, and the mechanical specification is every bit as interesting as the exterior.

With its 1320 Mini rebuilt engine, upgraded supercharger setup, custom exhaust, GRS intercooler, upgraded drivetrain, Brembo brakes, H&R suspension, bespoke VAD 1-of-1 wide arches and extensive JCW/Orranje specification, ASBO 2.0 is genuinely unlike any other R53 currently available.

ASBO 2.0

The Unicorn MINI R53 Cooper S

A one-off build with a story, a serious specification and an enormous amount of investment behind it.

Now offered for sale.

Build your own mini to spec, Suspension, wheels, tyres, colour