Hello, members.
I am just about to purchase R53 S, MY03 as a DD.
The milege is around 59k.
How do you like your mini's over long term?
Especially reliability?
I believe the main thing that people look for in DD is the reliability of maintenence.
The vehicle comes with 3 year, 60000km(37500miles) warranty.
I want to go for R56 but can't afford at this time..:(
Is r53 that bad compared to r56?
I understand the more I pay, the more I get right? but I just wanted to see if used r53 S is still good for its value.

I almost made up my mind to go for R53 S.
One thing I am a bit worried is that when I previously owned 06 528i, I had a lot of trouble with electronic devices. As mini is based on the BMW's technologies, I wanted to see if R53 S is fairly reliable vehicle.

Thanks in advance, gentlemen!

 

I've got 47,000 on my 05S and literally not one minutes trouble. I ordered it new and have no intentions of gettin rid of it, I will also admit to being one of the highly biased towards the R53. Love 'em!!

 

Every time I sell a MINI, I end up buying another one eventually.

I have had 3 in the past 4 years. I think that says something. I have never gotten stranded in any of my cars because of something that was the car's fault.

 

Congrats !

No electical issues with the MINI, never heard of any either.....

I have had no major problems either - 66,000 miles,,,,,knock on wood,,,,,, !

G@@D LUCK !

 

Bought my R53 in 2006. I've had only a couple minor warranty issues. Everyone will have their own opinion but I MUCH prefer the styling of the R53 to the R56, inside and out! I really like the engine too, super flat torque curve and smooth.

 

Well the MINI is based electrically around the 3 series wiring harness. I say that loosely though as may of the components the engine relies on are Chrysler parts.

I'm at 98,6xx miles on an 05 R53.

I had a bout of issues from 23k to 50k miles, all fixed under my warranty. Some where common, some where service bulletin fixes, many were technician error fixes (have the seat airbag need replacing and the new seat has broken heated seats, new oil pan and plug because the dealer free oil change over torqued it and it got stuck into the pan) After 50k I had a small coolant leak (about half a expansion tank a month) at about 60k common issue of plastic gasket on a metal head, one Saturday afternoon replace that, my next "problem" showed up at a bout 90k where I had an electrical wire come loose somewhere in the charging system and so I had to disconnect and reconnect a dozen hard to get to parts and verify the alternator battery etc all still functioned properly.

I've had a non normal reliability experience as far as most MINIs go. And after becoming my own mechanic @ 50k down time means lots of work for me as well, however I'm still willing to plug away at it.

Maintenance wise, your oil can last you 15k, I aim for every 5k and it usually works out to about every 7k.

Factory air filters, really were only ever good for me for about 7-10k mi. I've got a CAI now, and so the cleaning runs about $3 per when I divide the cost of the cleaning kit over several uses.

Transmission fluid supercharger oil, are claimed "lifetime" every 50k seems to be the diligent mechanics standard (and Eaton who makes hte supercharger says to change it every 50) The SC is rated to 150k mi, some go at 90ish some go well past 200k

Brakes are about a 30-60k item for normal street driving, MINI reccomend brake fluid at 2years

Collant flush is at 4, make sure it's been done recently (most dealers give you new fluids when selling a car, but check this.)

By far and large the issues out there are the "minor" and leave the car functional so you can count on it getting you to where you are going.

If that warranty is a BMW/MINI one then you can get them to take care of the applicable service bullitens so any know issue rattle, clock accruacy, cold weather starting ecu maps etc can be fixed easily.

Personally I prefer the looks and functions of the R53 it grows on you and becomes a very instinctual driving to the presice function and placement of things. The car has a different feel that makes the quirks I've had somewhat redeemable.

I'd look into the service history of the R53 that you're looking at, and if it's basic maintenace and a handful of common fixes I wouldn't worry about it as long as the maintenace stays kept up.

 

while I liked driving my R53, it had too many serious mechanical problems in the 27K I owned it (clutches, flywheels, steering, electrical, crappy body fit and finish) so I traded it last summer for an R56. Absolutely no regrets.

 

Mine has been a great little car even with the pounding of track days and long weekends on the twisties!!!
Oh yea... R53>R56

 

had my R53 since July, had to have a some leak repaired under warranty and once I ditched the crappy run flats I have never been happier with a car.

My previous car was a 2005 Caddy CTS

 

My 2003 MCS has been great and has 62,000 miles on it. It had some things replaced under warranty but nothing that is not normal for mini's. I would find out what has been replaced on it so you know what to expect as far as repair and maintanance coming up. The lower control arm bushings wear out fast on all mini's so expect to replace those in the future.

If I were buying a Mini wih plans to put a lot of miles I would get as new as possible with as few miles as possible. Then you know that it has been taken care of because you took care of it all those miles.

 

I love my 4 year old 2005 R53 S. I custom ordered it on January 2005, built in February 2005 and delivered new on March 2005. Love, love, love the car, did I say that enough times?

The car has been fairly solid. Its only teething trouble spot has been the OEM clutch and flywheel which has required 2 replacements under warranty in 53K miles. But other than that, it has been a rock solid daily driver. No problems with electrics/electronics, fit/finish, engine, etc. It just ticks away like the finest Swiss watch.

I have owned 4 MINIs (Currently my R53 S is kept company by a '08 Clubman S) and the 2005 is still my favorite of them all so far.

This is one of the very few cars that after many years of ownership I still look forward to drive and go places. I can't say that of many other vehicles even after 2 years of ownership.

You'll love the car. Be on top of its maintenance and if you are out of warranty, find yourself a reputable independent MINI mechanic and you'll be golden.

 

Do a search on "high mileage", it should turn up a lot.

Most issues are well known and easily rectified (if not done already). Coolant flange, assorted squeaks, etc. Your high mileage search will turn 'em up.

Only thing I'm not in love with is the mileage, at about 25MPG average it's not that good for a small car. It's FANTASTIC for a sports car, however, and that's what I own. That said, R56>> R53 in the mileage and power department. R53>> R56 in styling, but that's opinion only, and the R56 is growing on me.

I love mine.

 

I love mine, and I think it's superior to the R56. When I heard what changes were coming to the 07 and later cars, I jumped on getting my 2006 car. I have had no major reliability issues so far.

 

I agree and the R56 is growing on me as well. However a HUGE loss for me with the R56 is the supercharger whine. It really makes the mini that much different than your everyday hot hatch. You do gain a much nicer turbo back rumble with the R56 but to me that is not as much music to my ears as the SC.

 

103,000 miles of trouble free ownership. I'm selling my '04 MCS to get an '09 JCW but that's just because I want a new car. Otherwise I would continue to drive the '04.

 

Not always, there are always batches of cars that have consistent troubles. I have MCS R53 S and BMW E46 330 and both have been as reliable like my Honda.

 

If you're looking to get an R53, go for an '05 or '06. The early years had substantially greater problems. Also the gear ratios were tall and cumbersome on those early models as well. The '05-'06 got a sweet close ratio gearbox which took a full half second off the 0-60 times.