Last week I picked up a new to me, 06 MCS Checkmate. I'm located in Savannah GA and was recommended here from a few from Nasioc.com.

Got her for $5.2k and she has 58k miles on her. It had a xenon headlight out and needs new interior. The seats are trashed from what I can guess dogs, and the headliner is sagging. I've already tackled the headlight, but god was it a PITA. The bulb and igniter melted together. Wiring inside had many uninsulated points that I believe was the cause of the short...hopefully. And god, whoever designed the unit so sandwiching together bulb+ring+igniter all at different locking points and upside down in the hood should receive an uppercut to the nuts.

The seats I've also swapped out semi-successfully minus airbag lights. That's for another thread that I'll need yalls help on.

The exterior is great though and the car is fun to drive. I'm getting more and more used to it's power delivery (other cars are a WRX/GTO), so this is a lot different. I'm looking for excuses to drive it and make small trips here and there. That's a good sign.

Glad to be here and learn about these cars!



Suddenly the rear hatch was dirty AF. Is this a "vortex" zone lol


Swapped interior. I should have taken a before pics.

 

Nice Find, enjoy the ride and Welcome to NAM. as far as the "airbag lights" when you install the front seats back because there is plug when disconnected triggers the sensor for your Airbag light when disconnected. and thats why its on .when you reconnect the seats go to a local shop or dealer they can just reset the lights at a minimal cost lets say Free if you're a regular customer and if not then anywhere from $15-$35 USD .I had my seats removed when doing the audio in the car the light went on and they reset them for me in secs.

 

Very nice find!

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome, Nice Flames spokes and JCW Floor mats (those are NLA now).

 

Thanks for letting me know. I like learning about the little deets like that. I'm about to butcher the blue checkmate seats because I need the wiring apparently to make the 02-04 replacement seat airbags work.

Before I do that are those rare and need sought after at all?

 

Thanks for the tip! Do you know if there is a way to do this yourself? Dealer scan tool or ECU tuner options?

 

Pretty rare, someone would want to fix those up, re dye them or re finish them. Not too many checkmates out there.

I would see if you could find a standard set of seats wiring from that era. Might be worth it. How bad are the seats?

 

Hi and welcome to nam and a bunch of crazy enthusiasts, MF-DIF.
I always liked the pepper white Mini. It looks great and sits great. O5 and 06 are best engine years for Mini Cooper. Enjoy that car, even if it is to go and get something you really didn't need!
The airbag light will need to be reset. Also there are many recalls on passenger side air bag switch in the passenger seat. (if the light stays on after reset)

 

Great find. It's perfect in Pepper White/Black roof and the tinted windows to finish the look. Fun drivers. Totally impressed with the way these Minis drive. Would love to have one... but my wife says I can't add another car.

 

Great looking car! I have to say I do not see alot of 1st gen white cooper...at least not in my area.

 

Looking good. My last Mini was a Pepper White with black roof. I love the JCW floor mats, I have them in my current Mini too. Makes it look sharp on the inside. Welcome to NAM!!

 

Welcome from Atlanta. Nice low mileage car.

 

Thanks WMW. I just ordered some cosmetic parts from you.

 

Welcome!

How about a Tybee Island shot with Fort Polaski in the backgound?

Motor on!

 

Thank You