Hello all! I live in the mountains of Colorado (7,300 feet!) and I'm a bit obsessed with the R53. I recently found one for sale, and I have some pretty basic questions for you experts.

Basically, this one is modified a pretty good deal, and I want to know how long I can expect it to hold up. It is a 2002 electric blue MCS with 72,000 miles. The mods (To the running gear at least) are as follows:

17% reduction pulley
2% crank pulley
380CC injectors with tune (Will come with 660CC injectors, not installed)
M2 3" Catback exhaust
Alta TMIC
Alta CAI
Front and rear anti-sway bars and strut braces
Water/Meth kit (To cool down IC only, according to him)
MSD wires and coil pack
Detroit tuned BPV
17lbs boost spring
M2 headers with flex pipe
High-flow cat
New cv boots

He's also done all the right cosmetic mods, IMHO. Just need the stripes and badges gone, and paint the roof black.

So here are my questions for you pros:
How long is this going to last? He's done as many mods as I would ever want to do to it (He's done a lot to the suspension and has some nice wheels/tires on it), and it seems as though he's a bit of a street-racer. Any estimates as to how well this car will hold up with these mods, these miles (72,000), and having been driven hard?
Also, he's having some issues with the pre-cat O2 sensor going off. He says it's a normal MINI quirk, but I haven't seen anyone on here with the same issue. Thoughts on that?

I've (Hopefully) added some pics of the front/rear.

Thanks in advance.

*EDIT* After doing some serious digging up, I found that the owner of this car is on this forum, under the name Jake02mcs. Anyone know how he treats his MINI/know him? And just so you know, he's dropped his asking price to $6,500. A little more than I think it's worth, especially with the cracked rear bumper, but much better than the original price of $12,500.

 

Cosmetically that's gorgeous. Love that blue. Maybe you are right on with the black roof. Can't help you with all the mechanical mods; but you are probably correct with the street racer deal (at least assume it's the case). I think you will get a lot of diverse opinions on your questions, and probably only serve to confuse the issue for you. If you really dig this car, then pay some dollars and get it independently checked out. And how much does he want for it? The miles are low, less than 7000 per year.

 

@R53Junkie

I can't help with your mechanical concerns, but......
If I was buying a car and the price went to half in a short time....I'd be afraid!
If you love the car and have to have a R53, (I understand your dream) then buy it.

But since you have questions and concerns, and then the guy drops the price 50%.........I'd personally pass.

****since you asked for opinions

 

Wow he's dropped $6k? I would have thought $4k would be right on the money to buy it...but I think I'd run too. Sounds desperate to offload, but just my opinion.

 

Thanks for your replies! I think it's a beauty as well.

He's been trying to sell it for a while, and he's 19 years-old and decided he wanted to get back into the Subaru scene. He kept on dropping the price and has now found the car he wants to buy in its stead. What he's asking for now is finally reasonable. I think he just based his price off of some pre-conceived notion of what he could get for it, which is way off from reality.

@BubbaJCW yeah, for me it has to be a pre-facelift R53. This one is just about perfect.

And to @MINI_42 I'd definitely get it checked out independently first, I was just wondering what you people, who really know your MINI's, think, as far as longevity goes.

Thanks for your input, I'd love to hear even more opinions!

 

Oh, and I couldn't help but notice that it's very reminiscent of your car, @MINI_42. Haha. Very nice. XD

 

Yes definitely get it looked at before handing over ANY money!
Spend now to avoid spending later!

Once again, just an opinion......

19 years old and getting back into the Subaru scene, he ran the crap out of the MINI.

Great price
Great car
Your in Love
It's your decision on the second date!!!!!!

 

Haha. Thanks for the info, guys! I think I just might go for it. You guys are a helpful lot. I dare say more helpful then the gents at MINITorque.