WMWRE33506TL18299 is the VIN he gave me.

 

 

Good point about the bumper . He did say Hotchkins arms are included but uninstalled.

 

Yep, confirms factory S3LA which included JCW brakes and LSD as part of total JCW pkg. If you're planning "eyes on" before $$ in hand, seems worth proceeding to final negotiation stage. Sometimes we commit sight unseen (as I did) but still with opportunity to walk away if condition "facts" weren't accurate.

 

How much would you offer?

 

Others here might differ but I'd use recent BaT final auction prices as benchmarks for fair market value. IMO, quality R53 examples will continue to rise in desirability, perhaps offset by the current financial downturn in "discretionary" purchases including classic/collectible cars. Pay cash - don't finance. If proceeding, spend carefully and buy what you want while planning to keep long enough while values rebound. I look at 1st Gen examples comparing new MSRP vs 2024, i.e., what might those equivalent $$ buy today. Not much, actually.

 

Yep, they dipped and leveled off for now.

 

I think it’s a Hotchkis sway bar. Good piece. Ask if he did the R56 rear trailing arm conversion. It’s a good upgrade. If it’s lowered, make sure there’s no tire rub. Depending on the height, sometimes adjustable end links are required.

 

IMHO, Anyone who tries to use the words "Gen-1/2/3 modern Mini Cooper" and "investment", in the same sentence, is kidding themselves, unless they buy a pristine GP with low miles for a song ... Or are a frequent flipper, who justifies low margins as an experienced 'hunter' with a strong network...

Heck, if that $56k sale on the GP1 on BAT was the original owner... He lost his azz vs. a legitimate investment of $34k back in 2006,

.

 

Clueless what happened to this thread with no new posts in nearly a year. Regardless, I'll refresh it with a recent PP listing in CL Phoenix for this 2006 R50 auto box with low miles. Might be a nice score for those shopping for a lower performance spec 1st Gen...

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/c...831819406.html

 

Great example of an R50 - and a very nice seller too... had the pleasure of speaking with him a few weeks ago before the car became available.

 

Only drawback I see is that it's a stick. Maybe a plus with traffic in and around Phoenix, though...

 

It's not a stick, it's the CVT automatic.

 

I meant to say that the drawback is that it's an auto...thx for catching that!

 

So, hoping this is not off-topic...
I've been searching various places for the past couple of years for a Mini. I've learned an awful lot about them and unfortunately, the more I learn the more specific is the configuration I'm seeking.

It so happened one appeared on CL a few weeks ago. In my head I called it a unicorn, because it was a one-family car with every option I wanted except for one. And it came with extras! I contacted the owner, swapped a couple of emails, and suddenly...nothing. No further replies. I sent messages indicating my interest every five days until the posting disappeared, at which point I accepted they were not interested in selling to me. Thinking it over and re-reading the listing. I surmised that 1) I was out of their local area and 2) I asked what form of payment they preferred and mentioned wiring money because I had recently done that for my siblings after a real estate transaction. I wondered if the CL warning of scams, including wiring money, was a factor. CL mentions using Western Union, but all mine have been bank-to-bank transfers. Anyway there is a questions in all this: for those of you who made purchases outside your local area, and did not have a built-in middle-man like BaT or some other auction house, how did you close the deal financially?

 

^^^ IMO, not off-topic at all. Locating one of special interest and closing the deal are quite different aspects when its difficult to meet eye-to-eye with the seller, agree on price and consummate the deal with payment...

 

PPI, small deposit (PayPal) while payment is being arranged. Bank to bank transfer, held in escrow until title is signed and received. from seller (overnight delivery suggested).

 

A little gem on EBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/146566771785

 

With notable to esteemed forum member @Chamberlin1 ...

 

He’s thinning the herd 😂

 

Got email notification on this new Cars & Bids auction, which IMO warrants posting here to share with others that might not otherwise see it. I initially thought it might be @BradLTL's "One Lap of America" R53 track car but it's not. I'd suggest viewing at least the initial few minutes of the video, outlining why this car is being offered at No Reserve, with all proceeds (including waived selling fees) being donated to the noted charitable organization. Pretty cool...

2006 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works 6-Speed Manual, Proceeds Benefit the American Brain Tumor Association

 

That looks like one serious track beast, @MCS4FUN, plus it looks like it might even be street legal.

 

this grey one just came up on Marketplace in Montreal. 57k km, looks to be in great shape, with the chrono pack, sadly automatic. But $6900 CAD asking price. It also has R99 wheels in anthracite, I haven’t see many of those.

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/659921547114599/

 

Here is a 23,500 km JCW R52 for $8k Canadian. I almost want to buy it for parts…it looks well sorted

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/747844891333008/