Hello everyone,
I am hoping to be a future Mini owner. I have always loved the concept behind the Mini and figured I would love to own and drive one but never gave into my desire to do so. I finally am giving in and have so far set my sights on the earlier S/C models, hoping to find a slicktop. I will be lurking on here as much as I can and hope to learn and enjoy my time on this site.

 

You picked the right forum to reasearch ...

Welcome to the forum

 

Welcome!

Not sure where you're located, but this slick top '05 JCW is listed near Los Angeles. It looks like it has some nice mods, and says they still have the original parts to go with the sale. Also says only 17K miles and a LSD. The ad has the VIN so you can run it on a decoder to see what options it was built with.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sg...379528345.html

 

Thanks for that, but unfortunately I am on the Eastcoast, NY to be exact. As much info I'm reading on if there is any specific information you guys want to include here is welcome. I am very new to Mini's so all help and information is appreciated. Just a heads up so far I have read about the mushrooming towers, coolant tanks, S/C bypass valves and rust issues.

 

Keep us informed of your endeavor. As you are in the "car rust belt area" where cars disintegrate before one's eyes due to road salt, suggest you stay away from those type cars. Have you checked the below thread? This is a very nice southern car.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...36k-miles.html

 

Thanks r53coop. I am trying to stay more local so I can have the chance to check out the car in person prior to purchase.

So as to what I have read so far, it is my understanding that a 02-06 MCS is pretty darn reliable but there are minor differences which are debatable as which is better (02-04 vs. 05-06)?

 

Find what you like, if you are willing to maintain them and even with a purchase of what looks like a perfect car, expect to go over it with a fine tooth comb to find and repair/replace all the wear and tear items (you may not need to but best to expect it) things like all the suspension bushings, motor mounts, serpentine belt, flex brake line and possibly the whole brake rotors and pads, even tires. Also plan to replace all the fluids and filters.

It is easy to spend $5K for what looks like a great car and find yourself putting another $5K in it replacing worn parts. but you end up with a very reliable car.

Bottom line, expect the worse... so nothing you face will upset you. It will be a nice surprise to find out that it only needs a few things to get it back to that "almost new" feeling.

Don't let the older GEN1s scare you, with the age comes the option to haggle purchase price.

No matter what you do, best of luck and...

Motor On!

 

Hi and welcome to NAM!

 

Thanks itsmewayne.

Jabowders, that's good information there. I will keep those items in mind during my searches. Hope to find one soon. A little Xmas gift for me!

 

Buy an 06 Mini S 6 speed with chrono package. The John Cooper Works package will make it an ultimate drive!
I search almost a year for my 06 MCS JCW model and it is hard for m to drive anything else. My first was an 05 MCS with chrono package. It was a sweet ride and I really liked it, but the 06 MCS JCW is sooooo fun to drive and it really gets with it in the twisties!


All are a blast to drive, but the Hyper Blue one is just Kick Butt to drive!

what can be said here

 

Itsmewayne, quite the collection there. Any issues with the sunroof? I personally don't use them much so I figured I should look for a slicktop car but they seem to be hard to find in my area.

 

The good thing about a MINI is that there are so many modification options out there. On a Gen1, with 05/06 R53s and the 05-08 R52S you have the last of the superchargered MINIs that have the most advancements in the Gen1 frame/motor. Yor are able to change the supercharger pulley and pick up some nice horsepower. With forced induction, the basic rule of thumb is when you increase the boost by 15 PSI you double the horsepower. The stock S motor is around 10 PSI of boost and you can pickup 5-8 PSI pretty easy without detriment. Throw in a stiffer rear sway bar, something like a Detroit Tuned BPV and you a very nice canyon carver. The JCW also has the limited slip differential.

When your feet are about 16" from the front axle and both axles being just about at the edge of the front/back, the term "go kart" rings true. For the years noted above the JCW also has the limited slip differential, another nice option.

 

I know I said I prefer a slicktop but this car appears to be a good deal considering all the recent work done. What do u guys think?

https://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/c...396391297.html

 

Hi CoopSearchNY,
I don't use the top, as I also have no real use for them, but sadly almost all of them have this feature and most love it. I have the suction cup light blockers in mine and never open it.
The convertible is a bit different, but I don't use that one much.
I am dreaming about getting a GP model, but they are really rare to find!
I have since sold two of them here, the green one 05 MCS w/chrono package (that I really loved) and the silver one, as a person pursuaded me to cut it loose to him.
Mi 06 MCS JCW in Hyper Blue is my daily driver. This thing came with chrono package and I hunted for it for almost a year.

PS; Get a 2006 MCS #1 get a 2005 MCS #2 side note: the 05 and 06 models have a better 6 speed manual!

 

The price looks good for the miles. I have questions on the rebuild. They need to show you supporting documentation, to show the work they did on it.
The vin, should show what it came with and you can decode it at: http://bimmer.work/
Then put in the last 7 numbers in the vin and you will see what it came with.
Auto chek can let you know how it did in life to this point, as can Car Fax, if it had been reported to them.
I am a retired Machinist/tool and die maker, so I am a bit touchy about someone, I don't know messing with the internals. I used to build race car engines and I have seen some awful rebuilds done!
Does it really have the JCW head, valves and cam? You can add the 380 injectors later to bring up the HP, with a tune. (03 did not come with them)(they are blue)

Are the front brakes red? Does the engine have the JCW serial number on the cam cover? Does it have the larger exhaust tips?

 

Thanks for the info Wayne. After I posted that link for the jcw mini, I thought about it some more and a thought I had was what kinda of driving were they doing that it requires that much work? Prior to this latest ad it was posted as only needing a supercharger. Also when in contact with the seller he would not answer if it was a true JCW or not and that made me feel uncomfortable about it.
Gonna keep searching and wait for one that speaks to me. This would be a second car for me so I'm not worried about mileage necessarily (plus my commute to work is 3miles on way!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I think you are making the right choice. The car should not have needed that much work for those low miles. These are easy 300K mile cars, before they need that amount of work (usually). The fact they were not saying what or why it was done, would be enough for me to run away.
Don't be in a rush to buy one, but buy one that tests well, feels like yours! Then buy it!
To get the price you want to pay, you will need to research, find, test and buy. Again, I am a Gen 1 guy and the 06 is the best one of them. I would settle for a great 05 MCS, as my BRG 05 MCS was a fantastic car also.
Keep on looking, as a Mini Cooper will change your life!

 

So finally last week Tuesday(01/02/18) I bought a Mini. Its a 05 MCS 6spd. Slicktop. Pictures will be posted soon. With the weather here lately I haven't had a chance to clean the car yet. Here are the lists of options:
Type code RE33
Type COOPER S (USA)
E series R53
Series M
Type COUPE
Steering LL
Doors 3
Engine W11
Displacement 1.60
Power 125
Drive FRONT
Transmission MECH
Colour DARK SILVER METALLIC (871)
Upholstery STOFF SPACE/PANTHER SCHWARZ (S4PN)
Prod.date 2004-08-08

Code Description (interface) Description (EPC)
S1CAASELEKTION COP RELEVANTER FAHRZEUGE Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S210ADYNAMISCHE STAB. CONTROL (DSC) Dynamic stability control
S249AMULTIFUNKTION FUER LENKRAD Multifunction f steering wheel
S262AKOPFAIRBAGITS Head airbag
S369ALM RAEDER/S-SPEICHE MINI LA wheel, S-spoke 85
S381ADACH IN WAGENFARBE Outs.mirror black/roof vhcle colour
S3ABASPIEGELKAPPEN IN WAGENFARBE Mirror cap in vehicle color
S429AINTERIEUR-OBERFLAECHE ANTHRAZIT Interior surface, anthracite
S441ARAUCHERPAKET Smoker package
S450ABEIFAHRERSITZ HOEHENVERSTELLUNG Height adjustment, passenger seat
S493AABLAGENPAKET Storage compartment package
S520ANEBELSCHEINWERFER Fog lights
S522AXENON-LICHT Xenon Light
S534AKLIMAAUTOMATIK Automatic air conditioning
S563ALICHTPAKET Light package

Code Description (interface) Description (EPC)
S645ARADIO-STEUERUNG US BMW US Radio
S657ARADIO BOOST Radio, BMW Business/MINI Boost
S692ACD WECHSLER I-BUS VORBEREITUNG Preparation, BMW 6-CD changer I-bus
S736A2. FUNKFERNBEDIENUNGSSCHLUESSEL 2nd radio remote control key
S895AZUSATZLUEFTER Additional fan
S8SPACOP STEUERUNG Control unit COP
S925AVERSANDSCHUTZPAKET Dummy-SALAPA

Code Description (interface) Description (EPC)
S228ASPORTLICHE FAHRWERKSABSTIMMUNG PLUS Sports suspension settings Plus
S255ASPORT-LEDERLENKRAD Sports leather steering wheel
S470AKINDERSITZBEFESTIGUNG ISOFIX Isofix-System
S481ASPORTSITZE FUER FAHRER/BEIFAHRER Sports seat
S546ADREHZAHLMESSER Revolution counter
S823AHEISSLAND-AUSFUEHRUNG Hot-climate version
S845AAKUSTISCHE GURTWARNUNG Acoustic belt warning
S853ASPRACHVERSION ENGLISCH Language version English
S876AFUNKFREQUENZ 315 MHZ Radio frequency 315 MHz
S992ASTEUERUNG KENNZEICHENBEFESTIGUNG Control of number-plate attachment

 

Congrats...

Looking forward to seeing a pic.

Motor On!

 

A couple winter mode pictures. Yes I know she is dirty! She seems to like it.

 

Looks great...

I would suggest to move the front plate, you really don't want to block the air flow through the grill, not a major issue during the winter but with hotter weather ...

Chances are you don't want holes in your front bumper, Take a look at something like this: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...912ecs04-01~a/

Congrats!

Motor On!

 

^^ +1

 

Or you can get this: https://www.cravenspeed.com/the-plat...ount-for-mini/

 

Thanks, the car is originally from Florida, so that helps a lot. Yes the front license plates current position is just temporary, didn't want to get a ticket for it it being there. The next issue to tackle will be a noisy supercharger

 

Great looking car, where in NY you located? How many miles?