Description:

For sale: A beautiful Chili Red/White top 2006 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works R53.

Here's the back story: I already have a 2021 JCW on order (passing through the Panama Canal today!) but when this Chili Red R53 MINI JCW became available for sale nearby, I had to take a look. Of course I fell in love and took it home with me, and I'm not even a huge fan of red cars. I really think this one is special though, so I registered it for 2 years, just got the new title in the mail, and I've already bought a thousand dollars in goodies for it (see below). I was really hoping to put this R53 next to my upcoming Rebel Green JCW for a fun photo shoot, but life happens and unfortunately I'm going to have to put the car up for sale. We just recently decided to put our house on the market (it's crazy here), and try and build a new home (with more garage space!), so although I may return to another R53 in the future (a British Racing Green JCW would be nice!), my Italian Job dreams are going to have to be put on hold. This all happened pretty quickly - heck, I haven't even had a chance to wash it yet!

You can see the details of the original Craigslist ad I bought the car from here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4553470

Since getting the car, I've only driven it about 200 miles, haven't even put any additional gas in it yet. Title is now in hand. Yesterday I replaced the perished side view mirror gaskets (OEM), replaced the 3rd brake light (OEM), replaced all 4 gas struts for the bonnet and boot with OEM Stabilus units (they were all original and working OK, but new is better), and replaced the cup holder (OEM) due to a small crack in the silver mount. During the course of replacement, I found that one of the screws mounts for the cup holder in the pillar is broken, which I assume requires a whole new silver pillar to fix - but the cup holder is plenty stable as-is, and I assume it's been that way for a long time. I also purchased a brand new OEM sun shield (still unopened in the box). The previous owner installed a brand new OEM shift ****, and new OEM rubber floor mats for the front. He also had the seat occupancy sensor replaced on the pass. seat at a local BMW indy shop.

Everything works on the car, no lights on the dash, AC is great (used it today), and all it really needs in my opinion is some cosmetic refreshing. I think a good PDR specialist for some of the dents and dings along with a mild paint correction would make this car amazing. Because of the way the Chili red fades on plastic as compared to the metal, I have also purchased a new OEM scoop in primer as well as a new complete OEM lift-gate mechanism in primer. I have the Chili red paint here with clear coat, and if I get a chance, I will try to get those pieces painted as well. I also purchased the ridiculously priced OEM front and rear badges, but ECS seems to have left out the $40 front badge from my package, so I've alerted customer service in the hopes they can send one out soon.

I've also ordered the factory R53 rally lights kit ($$$), but it has not arrived yet, and apparently has a long lead time. As I touched on above, my plan was to build a pseudo Italian Job car, even though I don't have the Aero kit, or correct interior, or model year for that matter... But you can get reasonably close for the untrained eye, and I would always keep an eye out for a cheap MINI that had Aero bodywork to use as a donor car. I even bought enough black vinyl to change the side mirrors from white to black. The front grill is aftermarket gloss black, but is obviously not the proper Aero kit honeycomb version. The original red slat grill is included with the car. Lastly, I was one click away from buying a new set of R90 wheels for the car as well, but ECS' sale was only for one wheel, not 4... so I passed on those for now. If I was keeping the car, I'd definitely be getting a set (even though they're only slightly lighter than the S-lites).

BTW, I found a hardwired iPod cable in the glove box; I assume it's an AUX in for an apple product through some kind of interface box like a DICE or Grom box.

Anyway, I've got a lot more photos, and 6 walk around videos available for anyone interested. Please PM me for links and send me your email if you want a specific photo or have any questions. Lots of maintenance was done on the car and I have some (undated) printouts and some somewhat cryptic handwritten assessment of the cost spent by the previous two owners, and there's over $10K of work done... I just don't know exactly when and where however. Happy to scan all I have on the car, including the Autocheck I received with it (nothing out of the ordinary there).

The build sheet is attached, noting the JCW package and limited slip option, so it's a proper 3AL/2TA equipped car. White S-lites are original to the car as well. Note that I've since removed the black checkered vinyl... I think only one photo from today shows the car without the checkers. Also included photos of the new side mirror gaskets, new brake light, and cup holder.

At $10K, I'm just looking to get some of my money back out of the car at this point, and I would definitely include the Chili red paint, black vinyl, F&R OEM MINI badges, OEM hood scoop and OEM rear tail piece along with all the other items I just installed with the asking price of the car. I will be selling the Rally Lights separately, or possibly keeping them for the next R53 I get in the future (if they ever arrive).

Here are some photos, and again, please PM me if you have questions etc. After typing all this up, I can't believe I'm selling this gem!