Hi,

my name is Emanuel and I'm interested in becoming a Mini owner. Born and raised in Germany, but 2005 I moved to Illinois in order to marry the love of my live and to make her parents happy.

My favorite hobby is Autox and I been doing this since fall 2006. During that time I got to drive many different cars, but until March 2012 I wasn't struck awe by any of those cars that would be in affordable range.
However my world view changed after I got to drive a Mini for the first time in anger and the results suggest me driving a Mini might be a match made in heaven, lol.

http://ccsportscarclub.org/files/201...vent-1_pax.htm

Now seriously, I'm considering to trade my 2005 WRX with a first gen Mini Cooper and I'm trying to learn more about these cars. That's why I signed up here.

I have a few questions regarding what to look out for when buying a used Mini and what are specific differences between models.

My current ride at it's playground.



I hope to get to know some of you guys.

Emanuel

 

You could start here.
http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

 

Thanks very helpful. I read it all yet I still have some questions.

1st: Can you install R52 (convertible) struts in the R50/R53? If not, why?

2nd: Can you install later struts in early 2002 models?

3rd: How much weight does the panorama sunroof add?

 

I can't remember which year the R52 came in to production, 2003? 2004? 2005? one of those... but if I am not mistaken, the struts can only be installed to the year that the cabrio was built and newer as all models had the holes drilled in to the strut towers. You would have to drill the holes if it is an early 2002 model.

http://www.billswebspace.com/MiniCab...stallation.htm here are the instructions.

If you are going to autox the car, get it without a sunroof. You will be happy with the lower CG.

 

Thanks for the info John. I guess I should've been more accurate in my word choice. My question was regarding the shocks, which are struts on the Mini. Mainly because Bilstein my favorite shock manufacturer, makes a set of reasonable priced shocks, which the website claims can only be used for the convertible, but why?

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....cted_year=2002

As for the sunroof, yes I would prefer one without it, however most of the cars in my price range have it and I'm wondering if it is worth a lot to keep looking for one without it?

 

Sounds like their website might not be correct/updated.
the cabrio s (r52), is a twin of the 2005+ gen1 refresh r53. Many folks have added a few ectra cabrio braces to the hardtop (like on tge fron struttower), no isdues, and most all the parts are compatible. I would suspect it MIGHT have something to do with the reboundrate of the strut, since the cabrio is heavy....
most mini users tend to use koni yellow, koni sport or gold....
the bilsteins are usually reviewed as a bit too stiff....

 

I think Zippy covered it on the struts


For the sunroof, I would search around a little more and try to find one without it. Several people who autox their MINI go as far to changing the roof and removing the sunroof...

I don't know what level you are at so a sunroof may/may not be that much of a difference. But in the laws of physics, no sunroof is better.

 

Many early 2002 cars are sold cheap....for a reason.
Depending on the production date, many of the cars had a few preproduction parts...resulting in poor compatibility with aftermarket parts....for some items, you are stuck with oem, and even then the dealers will sometimes have issues getting/ordering the part...
Top engine mount is one case..can be modified to taker the later early mount, but one more issue...if you want to be able to bolt on patrts relilibily, get a very late 02 or 03+.

 

Very good point, the later you get to a 2005-6, generally the less problems you will run into.

 

Thank you guys for the quick replies.

That is the info I hoped for. Since I be probably looking for 500-600 lbs springs in the front anyway the cabrio rebound rate may be just right and if not Bilsteins are fairly simple and easy to take apart and adjust yourself. It takes some more testing, but personally I'm not a friend of the Koni lottery adjustment *****.
I was just worried that I may overlook a fitment issue.

I been working on cars since I was 8 years old, made my ASE master after arriving here in the states and pride myself to be a fairly good fabricator, so if things are essentially the same but may take some advanced tweaking, that would be ok with me.
I just didn't had to do much with Minis, other than helping my buddy AKA Driver (member here), so I need to learn as much as possible.

Next question; does any of you know if Minis grew heavier with every passing year?

 

The second generation MINI started in 2007, those are heavier. The weight difference between first gens is negligible

 

A 2005 MCS has the weight of 2524 and the second generation 2007 MINI and up has 2623. So almost 100lbs difference. Just so you know.

 

Thanks

So I read this http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/ and I'm wondering, if other than fitment issues and perhaps rattles, are there any objective (early steering wheels are kinda ugly) reasons to not safe a lot of money and go buy a very early Mini?

Less power would be a good reason. Serious confirmed reliability issues would be a good reason. Annoying or performance limiting things that can't be fixed using aftermarket or later model parts would be good reasons.

The more detailed your answers are the better.

 

Hmm, I just yesterday weighted my buddy's 2005 MCS all stock, but fully loaded (sunroof, leather, 17" wheels), tank about half full, on a regularly calibrated grain scale, reading in 20lbs increments and it was defenitely more than that.




Another friend of mine has a 2004 base Mini Cooper (the one I got to drive in autox), cloth, no sunroof and lighter wheels and he claims 2370 lbs for his car, ready to race.

So is there a list of parts and their weight anywhere? A certain Subaru forum has one of these.

 

His weight gain comes from the heavy sunroof glass.

 

2005-6 START with more HP than earlier years, 170bhp. They also had shorter gearing, slightly different exhaust, revised ECU and supercharger. Some also have LSD but that may be harder to find.

 

I'm actually looking for a non super charged Mini Cooper. So I can run it in STF. Getting an MCS wouldn't change much of my current situation, as it and my WRX are already in the same class. Which means I still would have to buy expensive tires and invest in a good limited slip differential.

I believe going with a base Mini Cooper could actually safe me lots of money down the road, not to mention that the base Mini might be a top car to have in STF, while in STX a 2005 WRX might be overuled by 2011/2012 WRX with more power.