So, living near my parents with easy access to spare cars and having low living expenses has freed me to look into more expensive used cars than I otherwise might. I just committed to a yellow 2003 Cooper S with 70,000 miles, and I'll have it home this week. I'm definitely excited. I got it for about a thousand dollars below book value, although I will need to replace one of the front strut mounts this Saturday (it's pretty badly torn; is there any issue with just doing one now?). I'll also probably get the Madness strut reinforcement plates to fix the mushrooming that's developed. There's also probably either a pulley or a belt problem, what with the whine at startup and the squeal under heavy acceleration, and I might eventually have to do a wheel bearing (throb from the back end).

Still, it's not leaking anything as far as I can tell, and I'm more than willing to do the mechanical work on a car that's in such great shape body and interior. I'm glad I found it.

 

fish,

I just picked up a 2006 MCS with around the same amount of miles. My car has a very clean exterior and interior, but there does appear to be some leaks. I too am not worried about ripping the Mini apart to address the issues. Good luck and happy motoring!

 

Welcome to our MINI cult.

Congrats on both your R53's. They aren't that bad to work on and if you got a deal even better. If we can help you out let us know. We do not recommend those particular strut plates as they go under the tower and raise the ride height of the MINI, also that is not the correct fix as the mount should be replaced. A set of plate on top is much easier and cheaper to install and just as effective if not more.

 

I'm not too worried about the extra 1/8" of ride height, although I admit I'm more worried about probably having to have the car aligned again after I've done that (I'm either going to have the dealer replace the mount if I can talk him into it, or I'm going to do it myself this weekend). My main reason for looking into the Madness plates is that they'll correct the mushroom the towers have already developed, and I guess I'd have to have the alignment done either way if I'm fixing the mushroom?

 

Obviously, I've been remiss in not providing a picture.

 

SSSSSSSSSwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeettttttttt.........

 

Welcome.

 

Welcome to the Mini world....great car and a great forum here loaded with information and experience.

Your yellow car looks brand new.