Hi Guys -

In 2012 I was looking for a "new" car and had my heart originally set on a R53 S. Everyone I test drove needed some work or they were way over priced (2006 for 17k!). My wife ended up talking me into a 2011 S4 as we had plans to start a family and well she just loves Audis. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago and I got bit by the Mini bug again. I was looking at Clubman JCWs to fit our needs for a rear facing seat but then I stumbled upon a video of an R53 with a nice exhaust, pulley and intake screaming down the highway. I just can't resist those noises! My wife gave me the go-ahead on acting on one of my impulses:

• Option 1: Buy a R53 S for the 6k - 7k range
• Option 2: Buy a R55 JCW and sell the Audi
• Option 3: Buy a R55 S and sell the Audi

Here are my thoughts / questions so far:

• Any R53 I see has in the low 100k range miles. What am I looking at in terms of reliability and preventative maintenance on a car with say 100k - 120k miles?
• The R55 JCW is a rare animal in my neck of the woods. Do I really NEED the JCW package? Truth is I just want the exhaust noise, the aero package, and the HP. All of which can be added to a 2011+ S.
• The R55 S is much more available than the JCW and as I mentioned before I can add all those bits I want onto it. With that said it would need a tune. How is the N18 holding up to being modified? Any warranty included would be voided if I went this route.

With all the experience you all have in the Mini world what would you recommend? The R55 seems practical but the R53 just seems like so much more fun!

 

Have you driven an R53 and R55? If not, start there so you know if you want a supercharger or a turbo charger. I love my R53 JCW. It took me several (3-4) years to find the car I wanted. I knew I wanted an R53 "factory" JCW in red. The one I found had almost all of the options I wanted and it was very low mileage at the time. I can only speak about the R53 as far as maintenance and it varies from car to car of course. I have been very lucky with mine so far. You can possibly expect PS fan and hose leaking issues. The coolnt tank is prone to leaking unless you get an aluminum tank. Look for a water pump to go out. There are several others, you should probably research in the forums both cars for an extensive list of pros and cons. Really, these issues happen to other cars also.
When it comes down to it, know what options you want, spend some time looking for a car with low mileage, have a shop do an inspection on it and most importantly buy the car you WANT. I found several I liked but I bought the one I wanted and I love it! Like I said it was missing a few options but I knew I could add them later, rear fog lights, driving lights, etc... Good luck and take your time, as hard as that will be

 

Drive them all. JCW is an animal, especially when it is tuned. I wasn't that impressed with an S clubman; didn't even look back after test driving my jcw. Make sure to get some kind of warranty if you decide to go for the turbo, especially N14. It will pay for itself.

 

" Truth is I just want the exhaust noise "

Buy a new exhaust for the Audi and bank the cash for a rainy day. Old age and wisdom has taught me.

 

The S4 already has exhaust work and it does sound fabulous. I'd want to trade for a JCW Clubby for efficiency and that fun factor. Even with suspension, swaybars, tire package, exhaust and intake the S4 isn't all that fun. Yes it's fast, but forget about it being tossable.

I have driven both the R53 and R55 JCW / S. They were all fun but the R53 felt right to me. I just don't know if I'm signing up for a world of hurt.

As for N14 vs N18, I'm not even considering N14 cars at this point.

 

My vote is Option #1. The R53 cars are just straight up fun cars. I haven't owned my R53 JCW for long, so I am unsure what I will think of it in the long term, but I am loving it so far. I personally planned on buying a R56 JCW, but I found it less involving than the R53. I think the R56 is a better car....but the R53 is a better MINI. More character all around in the R53 I think.

I would suggest trying to find a R53 factory JCW or one with the JCW dealer kit. The power delivery of the R53 JCW is nicer than a modified R53 S, unless you get a custom tune on the modified R53 S. I am not a fan of how the R53 S runs out of breath at 5500 RPMs. The JCW makes max power at 7000 RPM.

 

The only way I can suggest an r53 is to get an exceptional example, which will cost at least 8,000 these days. I'd just keep the Audi if it's been good to you, can always mod that.

 

If I opt for a R53 I'll be keeping the Audi.

Where did you guys find your R53 JCWs? And how do I identify a true one vs. just the dealer add-on? If I use the BMW VIN decoder will it say Cooper JCW?

 

I was lucky and found my 2006 factory JCW at a small town local dealer. The dealer didn't even know what a John Cooper Works was.

The factory JCW was only available in 2006, and it was basically the 210 bhp tuning kit plus LSD and sport front brakes. If you put the sport brakes and the 210 bhp tuning kit on a regular R53 that had the factory differential, they are essentially the same car.

If you use the BMW VIN decoder, the 2006 factory JCW will have option code 3AL. The last 7 of my VIN are TL18460. Look up the options and you will see the 3AL code.

Also, expect to pay over $8k for a clean R53 JCW.

 

Thanks. That's a huge help.

 

I have an R53 and an R55 s.

Both are fun. Both are quick. My daughter drove the r55 against me and the R53 at a few autocrosses and well I lost. I insist it was the tires, but there you are.

I have had more problems with the R55 s with the turbo oil line failing, two recalls, and intake valves clogging up needing a walnut blasting to clean up. Flawed engine design with direct injection.

The R53 has had a water pump leak, but that was covered under a BG warranty. I had to replace the power steering pump which choked me as the official recall did not cover the 2006 model year.

On balance the R53 has been less trouble, and that seems to be a consensus at the local dealer.

On the plus side if you want to put an aftermarket stereo in the R53 it is easy. Later models are difficult to impossible.

Also I love the supercharger noise. The little beast sings.

Cheers.

 

Scott - I say you buy Scooter

 

FWIW... I recently got my 2004 R53 with just under 91k for $6300 from a dealer. It was hands down the cleanest one I had seen inside and out. They had it listed for $8000. I had been looking for just 2 months or so. I had the itch bad and dont think I could have found a better deal for me. Was shocked when the dealer beat my bottom dollar by $200. Good luck on the search.

 

If you get an r53 it has to be a facelift model, I've driven both for hundreds of miles and the facelift is the only way to go.