Ok guys, I'd like anyone who has a GP to comment on this one. I keep hearing about problems with the R53 MINI's. Does the GP have any issues?

 

I dont have a GP but a R53, so where did you here this about problems? Mine has been fine, my mechanic has 135k miles on his highly modified R53 with stock clutch, SC and water pump...ect....

 

GP1292 driven every day since Nov 2006......30k miles....NO PROBLEMS!

ONE SWEEEEEEEEETTTTTT RIDE!!!

 

I was reading a thread from yesterday where a user was commenting on the issues he has encountered while owning his MINI. For me it's all about the way the car drives, and doing a little maintenance on a car would be easy to overlook. I'm still saving up money for a GP and wanted verification that my efforts to join the MINI club as an owner weren't in vain.

 

I have a GP and a MCS (with 103,000 miles) and haven't really had anything I'd call a problem. Got any specifics you would like to know about?

 

I understand the back seats are really uncomfortable...very little in the way of support.

 

Later R50/R53 MINIs are much more reliable than earlier - although annoyances like failing window motors and the occasional power steering pump are curses for any R50/R53 MINI.

The GP's, built in 2006, inherit all the improvements and reliability of the later MINIs - I've had no issues with GPMINI (32K miles).

I don't expect a GP to be any worse than another MINI reliability wise - and much better in all the fun categories

 

I have 41,000 miles on GP1405.
Problems have been:
- Coolant leak at thermostat housing. Repaired under warranty.
- Engine mount failure, black goo leaked out. Replaced myself because dealer is 120 miles away and I had no faith they would remove all the goo.
- HVAC panel lights go dark at low instrument panel light settings. Dealer agreed there was a problem but did not find solution in the one day I could leave the car at the dealer.
- Whistle/Screech from windsheild at about 110 MPH. Dealer could not investigate. I fixed by pushing on inside top center of windshield. Appears that some GPs had a problem to the windsheild gasket not sealing properly.

 

Bought mine as a one owner with 24,000 miles on it I now have 34,000 miles and it drives great and is a blast lots of fun!

 

I have about 14,500 on mine..Just got the flywheel/clutch replaced under warranty (dreaded flywheel chatter) and had some wacky electrical/instrument lights/battery dying problems...replaced the BC1 at 12k.

 

I wanted to thank everyone for their reply's to my question. My intent was not to ruffle any feathers, but just gain more information on the car I intend to purchase. I loved the original Mini Coopers and now the new designs as well. The GP being a unique and limited edition run there is some data I just cannot find. Thank you all for sharing your opinions.

 

MINI Buyer's Guide: http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/
Here is some info on GP: http://gpmini.net/wp/introduction/

 

My 2004 MCS w/ M7 intercooler, crank, alt. and sc pulleys, M7 throttle body, custom unichip, alta headers and catback, DT bypass, JCW injectors+:

1. @ 50k my water pump went - I went with an electric one and not replace the whole supercharger.
2. then my compressor
3. then my belt tensioner (3 times) removed crank pulley
4. My ECU then burnt up, in shop for 5 months with leak etc fixes...

It ran fast and perfect before the pump went. Mini dealership said they could find nothing wrong when the engine started to squeel so I had to go with an independant mechanic - whose work may of created some issues.

My 2006 GP (no mods/13k): Perfect, runs like a dream, the way the car is ment to feel on the road.
I think MINI got out some more quarks in 2 years too. Not sure how the water pump will hold up with time. I will get the extended warranty.

 

How did you like this mod? Pros/cons?

 

Did you get a chance to read Buyers Guide?
I suggest you read before buying a MINI.

BTW I have a 39, 599 miles on my GP no issues. Still under warranty, few things all under warranty like relpaced cltuch/flywheel, engine harness, throttle.

 

Thanks for the links, I really appreciate the help! I was always focusing on the 2006 model (originally a MCS JCW) but ever since I drove a GP I've been hooked. Not a day goes by that I don't search for a GP for sale. Most of the GP's for sale either end up in California or the East cost. Since I live in the Midwest it's hard to justify the cost fo the car, and then travel costs to pick it up, or tranporting it on a car carrier. I just need to wait for one that is close, low miles, no mods and affordable. I know, I'm not picky at all

 

You sometimes see GP's listed on GPMINI.net, too ...
http://www.gpmini.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=5

 

I have 6300 miles on GP 1652 and no problems what so ever...

 

Yeah I got a one way ticket from Monterey to Las Vegas to pick my GP up. Dude, I can drive/deliver a GP! Mine has been on 3.5 cross country trips. What about the GP from IL?

 

By the time my wife and I talked about which car to sell to buy it, it was on it's way to California VIA Carmax. I completely missed the boat on that one. Also, just my luck 1099 (that was in Indiana) is now in Arizona. How come all the cars I want go WEST. (Haha)

 

Back when I was in Texas, just out of military, I was looking for Convertible Mustang GT, by the time I called advertisments, they told me they sold their cars to dealers in California. Good luck finding one, check all these sites:gpmini.net, NAM, autotrader, ebay, cars.com, MotUnd, etc.

 

I think the idea is a good one, the implementation by the mechanic is my issue I believe. I had an overheat right when I got the car back because the crossed some of the control wires. I have not had any issues I know of with the new one but the car has been in and out of the shop with other issues..

 

Thanks for the heads up. When I do my supercharger swap/head swap I think I am going that way.

 

it's not really that hard to justify for the right car...we flew out to VA to pick up 0944 and drove it back to norther California in 2 1/2 days