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Low miles, and looks to be in good shape (yay!). But two owners, and the dealer doesn't have any records or the Cert of Auth (boo!).
I've been reading the threads here, but am still confused about a couple of things:
1. It's an 06, but how can you tell if the JCW kit was installed at the factory or at the dealer? From what I've read here, it really shouldn't matter.
2. Is the JCW brake kit part of the package? Red calipers right? Which this car doesn't appear to have.
My read here is that this was an MCS that got the engine upgrades, but that's it.
Ask them for a carfax or get one yourself...No carfax and no records = NO BUY. Already 2 private owners and now at a stealer.. I would want everything documented.
The JCW brake kit is optional and doesn't come with the JCW engine kit.
Looks clean, but shows 2 owners, last one having sold the car in Sept. 2008, at which point it seems to have bopped around at a bunch of different dealers before ending up in Spokane.
The only way is to take the VIN to a dealer's service department.
The factory installed JCW kit included the upgraded brakes. HOWEVER it was also a available at the dealer but it is highly unlikely because it costs so much. And as you said above, it doesn't really matter when it relates to performance. It may make a difference in negotiations though.
So, really no way to tell unless you can get the dealer's service department to tell you. The dealer's service department will be able to give you lots of other info also. Go in there telling them you are looking to get this car and that you will be bringing it in for service as needed (aka you'll be a customer).
You might be able to call 1866-ASK-MINI, too.
__________________ mike roberts co-founder stlmini | formerly president, currently apathetic blue d3mon:78 austin mini | cash:07 MCS JCW
You can also call MINI USA with the VIN and they can tell you what factory options are on the car, from there you can tell if it was a Dealer install or factory install.
Thats a dealer installed JCW all factory JCW cars have the front JCW brakes, and this one doesn't indicating that it's a dealer install
Thanks, Alpha. That was my suspicion. I'm not ruling the car out based on that, since from what I've read here (a) there isn't a difference between a good dealer install and one from the factory and (b) a JCW brake kit should run me $1000.
The dealer is saying they are into the car for $23K+, so are selling it at a loss. Which I find hard to believe. Part of the negotiation process, no doubt.
We shall see. Might be making a trip to Spokane this week...
Yes there isn't anything wrong with that JCW car from what I can tell, it's just a 06 with a dealer installed JCW nothing weird about it, you don't really need the JCW brakes unless you're going to be driving her hard, you can always upgrade pads, rotors, stainless lines and fluid and you'll still come under the cost of JCW brakes
Yes there isn't anything wrong with that JCW car from what I can tell, it's just a 06 with a dealer installed JCW nothing weird about it, you don't really need the JCW brakes unless you're going to be driving her hard, you can always upgrade pads, rotors, stainless lines and fluid and you'll still come under the cost of JCW brakes
I am planning to auto-x it, so a brake upgrade is probably in order, though not right away. Good tips on the alternatives, thanks.
If it only has a dealer installed JCW engine package, it probably does not have the Limited Slip Diff (LSD) which you would want for Auto-X. In my opinion the LSD is a must have for track or aggressive driving. Since the car does not have the JCW brakes it also might not have the JCW suspension (springs and shocks). The JCW springs are red.
__________________
2006 MCS JCW GP #1405: Adj Front Camber Plates, 19mm Rear Sway Bar, MM Front Lower Brace, Milltek Cat-Back, TCE 13" Front/11.75" Rear BBK, 15mm Spacers, Wheel Studs, JCM Modified Intake, MM Filter, Gauges
If it only has a dealer installed JCW engine package, it probably does not have the Limited Slip Diff (LSD) which you would want for Auto-X. In my opinion the LSD is a must have for track or aggressive driving. Since the car does not have the JCW brakes it also might not have the JCW suspension (springs and shocks). The JCW springs are red.
I'm still trying to line up someone to take a look at it. But just from the pictures, I suspect you are correct: no LSD, brakes or suspension.
I found the two 4 wheel alignments an interesting activity. What was going on with the car that it needed to be aligned 2 times in 13k miles?
__________________ Babaganoosh:2007 MCS Lightning Blue|White roof w/ Union Jack |Cold Weather|Sport Pkg|17" Web spoked wheels|Performance Run Flats|LSD|PDC |Comfort Access|Xenons| Rear Fogs|Punch Carbon Leather|Dk gray color line
Ordered: 07/20 | Born 07/28 | Shipped 07/30| Delivered 09/01||JCW Tuning kit Aug 2009|
I found the two 4 wheel alignments an interesting activity.
I did, too. Carfax is so vague as to be almost useless. It could be as innocent as a vibration in the wheel from a misbalanced tire. Or something as serious as suspension damage that was never reported to insurance and therefore never showed up on Carfax...
I would just send an email to MiniUSA with the VIN and ask for the original options installed. I bought a 2005 DS with the JCW Engine upgrade and found out from MiniUSA before had that it indeed did come with the LSD. I have been nothing but excited witht he car ever since.
Bad News: Well, after thinking about it, I've decided to pass on this car. That Carfax history was just a little too suspect for me. On top of that, and thanks to all of you who replied, I realized that I really wanted to make sure I got a JCW with the LSD and brakes.
Of course, I could add them myself later. But given the prices on these R53s now, it makes a lot more sense to see if I can find one spec'd the way I want.
Good news: I think I've found that car. I'll post more shortly, but I am a few days away from closing a deal on a great R53 JCW.
Thanks, everyone, for your help. I feel like I am making a much better purchase as a result!
Already 2 private owners and now at a stealer.. I would want everything documented.
