I have been pondering this question since the 2nd Gen MINIs have come to the USA. I have an '04 MCS and an '06MCSc. There are many more mods that I wish to obtain for both MINIs, but am not sure if I should continue to mod my '04 since it has 50K miles and is now 4 years old. With the 2nd Gens out and getting some after market parts that look pretty sweet, I am starting to have my doubts on my '04. The reason I am singling out the '04 is because it has the original 1st Gen tranny and in MINI terms is showing her "engineering age" compared to the other MINIs out there. I am also concerned about the support from the after market community for replacement parts. Sure, they say they will continue to support the 1st Gen, but what about 5 years from now? The 1st Gen was from '02-'06 for the MCS and '08 for the MCSc, so that leaves the 2nd Gen '07-'11, perhaps '12.

Why would an after market manufacturer continue to support the 1st Gen when the 3rd Gen is out by then. I am sure MINI will have the OEM parts, but will be probably scarce and perhaps even more expensive.

I am starting to think that perhaps I should save my pennies for a new 2nd Gen or even perhaps a 3rd Gen when it comes out........ I really don't know.

 

Hmmm ... tough one for somebody else to answer for ya. On one hand, you have the concerns you mentioned with keeping and continuing to mod the '04. On the other hand, a 2nd (or 3rd) gen would mean basically starting all over. When you say your tranny is showing its 'engineering age', do you mean it's showing signs of wear, or it's just technologically aged? If it still works ok and you've taken good care of it, there's no reason why it shouldn't have several more good years left in it.

I thought I heard or read somewhere that car manufacturers will continue making parts for 10 years after a model is changed or discontinued. After-market companies will continue to make parts as long as there's a demand for them, and how long that will be from one model to another is anybody's guess.

Don't know if that helps or just adds to the dilemma. Might be a good question for the Ouija board!

 

Oh no, the tranny is fine. The 1st Gen MCS had 2 transmissions, I have the earlier version.

 

I bought a '91 CRX Si in 2001 and proceeded to spend way too much money on it. Keep in mind, mine was the last year it was made, with the Del Sol taking it's place and being canceled in '97. So, the point is....I bought a 'performance' car a decade after it was last produced and was able to buy a ton of performance parts for it...Koni, H&R, Suspension Techniques etc. Yes, a new Civic Si at the time was faster and more refined, but that missed the point.

All these points I bring up can be transferred to the R53/R56/R5?

 

PGT, thanks for some insight , but I am not sure if this will happen with MINI. There are like what, about 1M MINIs out there and and who knows how many CRXs. Plus, correct me if I am wrong, doesn't Honda keep using the same parts for most of their models while just changing little things here and there?

MINI changed the suspension, crap, the whole MINI from 1st to 2nd Gen! I think the only thing I can use are the door handles of the 2nd Gen. Heck, there are things that I can't even use from '04-'06!

That is the problem I am facing is that I am afraid that MINI will keep changing so many little things in 2 year re-freshes that it won't be financially logical to keep EARLY 1st Gen after market parts available.

Now I think about it, I wonder how many 1st Gens are out there, let alone EARLY 1st Gens.......

 

no, Honda didn't reuse. they improved every four years...not interchangeable. there aren't that many CRX's around these days....obviously the talent pool was larger to start though

 

I had the same type of experience as PGT, but with a 300ZX. Got a 92 in 98, drove it and modded it until 06 when I got the MINI. There are far fewer 300ZXs than MINIs and they are still making replacement and performance parts for these cars. They guy I sold it to is still modding the car and we discuss what his plans for the car so support continues.

I don't expect to much different for the MINIs.

 

As long as RMW stays in business for a few more years and I buy an extra s/c before mine craps out, I'm not worried.

 

That might not be a bad idea.

 

Should I continue to mod my R 52/53....

Only you can answer this question. Every car is a gamble and a liability and for many of us necessary. There will be OEM and after market parts available for a long time, its just a matter of how long you have to look for them and how much they cost. Weigh that against how much you enjoy the car and decide when you've had enough and want to move on.