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Hi there, I'm very new to this forum so don't mind if my post has any issues, i used to own a few rc's with my latest one being a 3s 4wd monstertruck, i am totally addicted to mini coopers and also own one. I recently got my hands on a 1998 M-03 mini cooper, i intend to restore it to fully working conditions and probably make it a bit more current aged to drive around on car meetings or mini tour rides. Y'all have any info regarding this little car and what to look into. This is older then i am myself haha

Also i don't know how to add a photo, so i put as attachment 

Welcome on board.  I love the cooper to. But if you could put several picts of the chassis, we could better help you.  Firstly your wheele nut seem to be anodized aloy ones. First option to put inside a rc are the ball bearings. IMO, it's enough to have fun with a m chassis.  For fun or if you want to make some competitions, hydraulic dampers and a big motor with a esc. But honnestly, if you just want run it on a" parking", a set of ball bearings is enough. . 

I don't plan to do any competitions, it's just a fun car I'd like to restore and also use from time to time. I'll get some pictures made when there's light again, it's totally different compared to the 3s monster I've used before haha

Yes it is . I like run my mchassis. Enough fast, easy to use  and out of box very fun with a good run time.

Welcome !!
The M03 is a fun little chassis. you can do as much or as little as you like to it, lots of fun with the stock silver can, but with suitable shocks & tyres they can handle brushless power.
I raced one for a season before moving on to an M05, but in all honesty the car was far more capable than the driver.

Welcome on board

The "ears" on the back of the chassis where the rear body posts fit are a bit vulnerable to breaking & I haven't seen spares at a decent price for a long, long time ... just don't crash it I guess

Bearings as already said - may I recommend Tamiyabase sponsor rcbearings.co.uk www.rcbearings....ini+cooper ?

A cheap ESC (Electronic Speed Control) will give better control, longer run times and less fire risk - nowhere near as good for J-turns though, a Tamiya TEU-104BK or Quicrun 1060 for example.

Handling wise, Tamiya seem (to me) to keep making the same mistake on RC cars, and especially FWD cars of putting lots of toe in on the rear, this makes them super stable in a straight line, but (IMO) they do not want to turn. Personally, I like a squirrelly back end on a fast RC car so it will turn in quickly, IDK if you can get upgrades or swap any parts over to give toe out or at least a neutral back end. Failing that, soft supension on the front and hard on the rear will help make it unstable, if you like that sort of thing.  

I don't know what radio gear you have, a modern 2.4ghz set is a better bet than old fashioned 27 or 40mhz if you're going to run it in uncontrolled areas. I don't know what sort of motor it's got in it either, but I would suggest the kit standard "silvercan" motor is not going to cut it an open car park environment, a Tamiya Sports Tuned motor  will give around a 30% increase for under 25 EUR & will be fine with those ESCs I mentioned.

Or, you could spend no money and enjoy it as is, you did say "restore"


That body is not a Tamiya one (the bulgy wipers are a giveaway)  I'm not sure who makes it, my guess is somewhere in China, but it's sold in lots of reputable places. I have one on my 1:10 version of my 1977 1098cc saloon



 

Update, it finally arrived.

The bulky wipers were just stickers that were terribly put on, the car literally has EVERYTHING including all the old manuals

Post picts to see it we took time to help you if needed. And we like to see rc members.

The car seems to already have ball bearings, oil shocks, soft tyres with foam inserts and some other bits and bobs.

I was looking at changing the esc / reciever to make it more 2025 proof (2.4ghz)

Was thinking about going sensored brushless aswell (to be able to go slow controllably and more efficient then the brushed)