Hi folks! I have been shopping around for a mini project and have come across a couple, but am unsure how much I should pay for a project. I am reading up on all the maintenance and the high dollar potential repairs.

I am curious- for those of you with experience in the mini game, how much would you pay for a running/ driving, but far from perfect example of R53 and/ or R56? It seems like there are lots of cheap examples out there, but with the potential to get upside down on the real value of the car quickly.

Examples:

I am chatting with a guy about an R56 with the N14 that has recently been rebuilt. He wants $1800-2000.
Here is what he says about it:

R56 Cooper S
Green
Manual transmission
Cold weather package
Sport package
Cloth interior
2 keys
Clean title

Bought from Ohio. Motor was in pieces, missing cylinder head and other parts.

New valves, timing kit, head bolts and gasket.

Vehicle runs, moves and drives, clutch probably 80% or better, seems like it has been replaced. Newer brakes and tires.

No a/c (all parts there, but needs reassembled, filled, etc.- not sure if compressor works)

Body is rough, dents, dings, and a hole in the hood from a previous hood pin.

Originally bought car to steal motor and trans for a classic Austin mini I own, but decided to go a different route.

As it sits, it’s probably close to $2000.

car doesn’t seem rusty anywhere like the R53's tend to do, the front subframe has some slight rust, but nothing I was worried about. Forgot to mention, the front glass is cracked pretty bad.

turbo feed, turbo return, exhaust manifold, intake manifold, throttle gaskets, complete vacuum pump were all replaced, including valve stem seals and the timing chain assembly. All were factory OEM parts. The valve cover assembly was replace, it was an aftermarket replacement.

Interior is dirty, headliner saggy, but nothing a good shampoo and detail won't make liveable.


So, that is what's known about the car- I am comfortable with the work that needs to be done, and have done most of it before. I could see him being $1000 into the car easily, but am also worried that the N14 has a reputation for issues and I might be better of to look for an R53. What would you pay for it? What would you pay for an R53?



What would you ask in terms of questions to be informed?

Thanks! Here's a pic or two of her!

 

I bought my 09 clubby for 5700 cash, tax, title, license. It was clean and drove nice, had 137,000 on her. Over the past 6 months I have put over 3000 in mods and maintenance. It has been worth every penny. The part that scares me on some of the used mini’s out there, especially one like above, is people get so deep into them, then just make it someone else’s problem. I personally wouldn’t buy someone else’s mess, you never know how far down the rabbit hole you will have to go. Ultimately if I’m buying it I want to drive it home. I can take care of fixing things once she is there.

Edited side note, this car was so clean I found a pen and a popsicle stick in it that was it, no fries, no glitter, animal hair, etc.

 

I am currently in the middle of my project R56 '13, but i dont have room in the driveway for two cars and want something bigger and with 4 doors as i am 6'5" and recently engaged. Im not looking to sell her but if someone was looking for what i got i'd be willing to talk.

spice orange metallic 2013 mini cooper s manual everything stage 2 except downpipe some cosmetic blemishes

 

Yeah, that is what I am trying to weigh. Clearly, you can get a really clean, well maintained R53 or R56 for about 5k. However, I have had cars in the past that were too nice for me to mess up by taking it apart and doing everything myself. I like to tinker and like the learning curve associated with making it run better, doing all the catch up maintenance, however, I don't want to be in so deep that I have a non-runner sitting in my garage for 6months, nor do I want it to be so rusted out that I am fighting it every time I turn a wrench.

So, there are thousand dollar project minis out there, but there are 10k low mileage examples- I don't want either. I want a runner, driver, that has some service history, that won't blow up, but could use some love. Right now my budget is probably 3500, but would rather throw 1500 at something and have more to put into parts.

 

Thanks for mentioning it! Post a picture. I love a good road trip and tow back or a fly and drive! Post a picture of it! I will send you a message!

 

I had a mechanic do the clutch and coolant tank/ flush for 1600 and the rest of it has been performance parts or maintenance items, I did all of the work here. I live in a townhouse and the don’t like us doing fluid maintenance here, hence why mechanic did my flush. The looks you get when you drop the front bumper in a shared parking lot are priceless, I just smile and keep on trucking. Some of it isn’t hard to work on, having a mechanic you trust though is key. Mine loves to work on BMW’s so I knew he wouldn’t complain to much on this.

 

I've been there- used to live in an apartment complex and did a couple clutches and rebuilt a motor cycle from engine to paint out of a 10x 12 storage space next to the parking lot! I have my own garage now, but it's pretty much the smallest two car garage you can have and I share it with all of the saws, tools, and home improvement gear, as well as my wife's rav4. Driveway is too steep to put the car on jackstands there, so a big part of the mini appeal is that I can actually tear it apart, have room to work around it, and then leave it half- finished and close the garage. I am looking at mk4 gti 1.8t's also, as I have had 3 in the past, but have driven a few friend's minis and loved them too. Not gonna be my daily driver, I have a tacoma for that, but I'm a teacher and with coronavirus the year is all but over and all my Summer plans have been cancelled, so looking for a project!

 

Just by looks the valve cover - looks like it has been changed, someone took off the heat shield, that need fixed or the hood scoop and valve cover might melt. My guess is this car might have has a larger turbo? The hood pulls tell me someone was modding it for a look like a race car look (might be good or bad for more engine problems). Good luck on the fix. lots of N14 at good prices because lots of people to A. maintain them. B. Even change the oil or check the oil.

I like the R53 but if you get a good car and then turn it into a track car the R56 may be the fit for a good price.

 

Seller did say he had put on an aftermarket valve cover. I looked at the turbo shield- looks like an ebay one can be had for 30-50 bucks. I wondered about the previous history of the car given the hood pins, but don't know anything about that. Seller said he bought it and motor was in pieces, so he has done basically the whole top end.

I hadn't considered that it might have a larger turbo- figured the heat shield never got put into the "parts bin" when the whole motor was apart. Some good ideas for questions to ask there:
-Why the hood pins? What was the history of the car?

 

Maybe race car? Most of the time its just for show. Might had a turbo blanket on it? Good luck if you do get it.

 

If you are willing to travel to Atlanta I have a few R53 project cars and a couple R56 S that would be good starter cars depending on what you actually want. As I'd want to let you know about them and know what you will need so you know what you will have to do and be able budget time and funds.

 

That's a nice offer! Thanks! Dont recall if I said, but Im around Chicago, so trip to Atlanta would be possible with a trailer, but I really love to fly and drive (depending on the car of course). I have probably flown into Seattle and driven back to Chicago 10 times over the years.

Mostly, I think I would be interested in the R53. Never had anything Supercharged and would like to play with that, but Im open to suggestion.

Should I call you at Way Motor Works? PM you?

 

For a project I would actually recommend an R53 as it is easier, and more affordable. Plus they have a feel that is hard to match.
shoot an email over and we can send some pics and options
https://www.waymotorworks.com/help.p...us&mode=update

 

Cool! Just sent you a message through the link!