Hey everyone!

i'm new here.
i currently have an 07 honda fit and i'm going to be trading it in for a MCS
preferably 02-05

it's got everything i'm looking for and the extra cargo space from the Fit isn't needed.

what are some of the things i should be looking out for as far as buying a used mini and maintanance?

i've read a lot about the 'mushrooming' which i saw there are plates to correct that, but i plan on running coilovers so would i still need that?

any other common issues i should know about?

thanks,
Ricky

 

Hey Ricky, Welcome from North Carolina. Can't offer anything on the older Mini's but I am sure others will help out.

 

thanks

any problems with your minis since you had them?

 

Welcome to NAM!

There were some pretty significant cosmetic and mechanical changes introduced with the 2005 model, so I'd recommend a 2005 or newer if you can find one you like, especially since you're considering an 'S'.

As for the mushrooming, you may need to correct existing mushrooming, but if you run coilovers *with camber plates*, that's usually enough that you don't need extra reinforcement.

 

where can i find a list of differences between the r53/r56
i know the most obvious one is the switch between supercharger to turbo

thanks
-Ricky

 

bump

 

The differences are too numerous to list in one post, the short answer is everything. They're completely different platforms.

 

point me to a link or something guys.

it seems most of you prefer the newer r56 over the 53 due to what? less problems? more refined?
i won't get one because they are way too far out of my price range.

someone chime in lol

thanks
-Ricky

 

bump

i test drove an 03 R53 tonight
silver/black roof
black leatherette interior
dual roofs
xenon/heated seat package
50k miles

i'd like to say i'm pretty much sold :D lol

HUGE step up in every aspect compared to the Honda Fit

i'm guessing i should have it by next week at the latest

no signs of mushrooming also
anything else i should look for?

-Ricky

 

bump