Hey guys, just dropping in for a little feedback, thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm Matt, 23. Live in ATL, GA. Currently a Datsun fanatic and own a Series 1 240Z. Looking for something to DD that's moderately priced, fun, and easy to mod. I have a few friends who are into mini's, and I've always loved them so I thought I'd give them a try.

Anyways, I'm looking at an '06 Convertible S. They call it a JCW, and has some JCW stuff on it, but according to the build sheet a friend got me, it is indeed not a JCW.

I've been learning a bit and reading and it appears some people mention looking into replacing/rebuilding the Supercharger on the '06 around 100K miles due to a possible oiling problem? I don't like to take a few peoples word so if anyone could chime in from personal experience, I'd love it. Also planning on keeping my eyes on the strut towers for the mushrooming... Reliability is my biggest concern, I know Mini's have gotten a bad reputation on the earlier years, and on the '07-10' for their timing chain issues.

If all goes well, I'll be snatching this up tomorrow morning. Hope to get some feedback from you guys first.

Here's a few pictures.

 

I've had 2 03 minis (the first was totaled in an accident) my first car made it to 160,000 miles on the original clutch and no problems with the super charger. Other than normal maintenance in my 11 years of owning the car, I had to replace the harmonic balancer, power steering pump/fan, door latch cables, radiator, and a wheel bearing. I did have some mushrooming on my shock towers which didn't really negatively affect the car, but I bought an m7 strut tower brace for my second car before I even drove it so that I could prevent any mushrooming.

If I were to look at one, I'd ask if the power steering pump has ever been changed (there was a warranty/recall on them but I think 05 was the cutoff, supposedly they improved the pumps after 05) and look around the power steering reservoir for any leakage, I'd look around the coolant expansion tank for signs of leaks(they tend to fail) and I'd pull the #3 spark plug lead off the ignition/coil and check for any rust as that can happen which leads to rough running.

other than that, I can't think of any mini specific issues. some people have had super charger issues but I don't think that it's a widespread issue (won't make you feel any better if it happens to you, but it's a pretty slim chance I think) I don't have any experience with the convertibles so there might be some convertible specific problems I haven't heard of.

The cooper works bolt ons are pretty but they don't make it a works car. The airbox is somewhat of an upgrade, and it looks like they either upgraded the brakes, or just painted the calipers red, I'd ask if they installed the JCW supercharger pulley which I think is a 16% reduction in size which generates more boost.

it looks like someone painted the exhaust tips black, I think they were originally chrome.

All in all, if it drives well and you can get a decent deal, I'd probably get it. I'd add an alta cold air intake, alta intercooler diverter, a 15% supercharger pulley, an m7 strut tower brace, under chassis bracing, oil catch can, and a beefier rear sway bar and then in my opinion, it'd be perfect

 

Looks nice, I can tell its an R52 MINI Convertible with the JCW Tuning kit = Engine and possible the brake package. They could have ordered that way or had it installed at the dealership later on.

Think its great find the JCW Tuning kits cars are hard to find.

 

Welcome to NAM! Just keep up on the maintenance with the vehicle and make sure to maintain the basic & essential services it needs. If you ever need any DIY assistance, we are here to help! You can also check out our DIY Tech Articles here. Cheers!

-Luccia

 

Thanks all! I actually bought my Mini the day after making this post I've had a few annoyances so far, noticed there's a little residue on the power steering reservoir, it's developed a clung on the front right when hitting small bumps at low speed, and there's no power to the OBD port and cig lighter with both the fuses in good shape.

I'm pretty excited about this car, and I plan take great care of her. I actually spent 3 hours this morning before work waxing and polishing the car, just for the lawn guys at work to get it dirty again.


Also on the JCW side of things, it does have a stainless JCW exhaust, JCW build tag, JCW brakes, and a few other goodies. Not a factory JCW car but it has some of the goodies!

 

Hope you Enjoy your new Find and Welcome!

 

Residue on the P/s cap. Sometimes is the little rubber gasket on the cap.

On the power check the fuses on the kick panel driver side and the ones under the engine bay near the air filter.

Check the tie rod bushing on the front cluck over bumps.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ll-joints.html



Thanks

 

Nice MINI! The clunk at the front or rear can also be caused by old sway bar bushings and also old sway bar stabilizer links. I had an R53 that the slow speed clunk ended up being old and worn sway bar links. That was the last thing I checked and that cured my clunk. My R53 also had a power steering lower hose leak that was caused by a loose clamp. I swapped the pressure clamps for adjustable hose clamps and that solved my weeping power steering connections.

You will find this forum very helpful in tracing odd problems. MINIs are very quirky and the knowledge base with experiences will help out tons!

Great vendors too!

Matt

 

Welcome to NAM, metalmonkey47 and congrats on your new MINI. It looks fantastic and thanks for those pre purchase pics. I hope you're up for the challenges of maintaining a black finish. Happy motoring and please don't forget to wave.

 

Metalmonkey, the link for those clunks are above. Good info on the forums here.

 

The PS reservoir cap is vented (if you look at the side of it, you'll see a little hole), and will gunk up over time. Wipe 'er down, and keep an eye on the level. Use only CHF 11S fluid.

 

Thanks all for the advice! I've been researching a lot and will continue to do so. I'm probably ordering some coilovers soon, so I'll just order end links, and everything in there at the same time.

This is my first ever black car, and I can tell you right now this won't be easy. I've washed it every other day from obvious dirt. It's starting to bug me. It's satisfying though, as it seems to look really nice when it's clean and waxed.

 

Thanks for the pic.