Description:

Have too many R53 projects and not enough garage space, so I'm selling my best example.

I'm trying to make room for a '06 Checkmate JCW restoration that I've been wanting to get underway for almost 2 years. Just as a quick aside, I've had seven eight R53's, with 4 currently (another added during the course of this sale! ). All have been 2005-2006 models, and 7 out of 8 were JCWs. I love these cars! I just wish I had more garage space (don't we all).

Currently located in Tucson, AZ, this is a super nice 2006 Hyper Blue factory JCW has a great, unique factory spec.

2006 factory JCW, true 2TA/3AL (locking diff. + JCW package) car.... with anthracite headlining, chrono package, and Seven interior package (very rare to see, but it's just the piano black dash and door cards). Harmon Kardon audio. Dual sunroof. Matching black roof and mirror caps. R98 webspoke wheels original to the car (all are in really nice shape). Automatic climate control. Rear fog light (full switch panel). Heated seats. Rare MINI Cooper S lighted door sills (not currently working unfortunately).

I purchased it from an elderly couple who could no longer drive it due to debilitation. They had bought it on a whim from a MINI enthusiast while traveling through Nebraska some years ago (it was a garage queen in its Nebraska life). It's only lived in Nebraska and Arizona, so there is zero rust, but lots of dust . The elderly lady did get into a low speed parking lot accident with the car a couple years ago (front right with replacement bonnet) but it was repaired with a *very* high standard with regard to paint and finish, and 3M clear bra was applied on the front of the car and mirror caps. Unfortunately, the repair shop could not find a replacement Aero bumper (not surprisingly), so there is still some cracks down low on the bumper. I am willing to supply a brand new aftermarket Aero bumper to the buyer if they care enough about the crack...it's not that bad, but I do understand the perfectionist mentality . I feel it would be an easy repair for a proper body shop (unlike most of the used Aero body parts you see for sale on the used market).

I just want to be clear that as beautiful as this example is, this is still a project car (they *all* are!) and will be due for some love in the coming miles. That said, it doesn't need anything immediately, and I have already started the refurbishment myself; so some things are already good to go. This MINI does not leak a single drop of anything, dry as a bone on all of the engine oil, coolant and PS fluid trouble areas.

Here's some of the things I've done so far:

Replaced both headlights with a better condition matching set
Replaced both driving lights with some aftermarket units due to broken lens on one of them
Completely cleaned the wheels and installed brand new all-season tires (not runflats!) - tires have 0 miles on them
Installed NGK blue spark plug wires
New JCW air filter
New cabin filter
Fixed the gas door hinge (common broken nylon arm) - now has two gas door springs installed (stock only has one)
Cleaned up the car, including full seats-out interior detail
Fixed/replaced/adjusted various other little things throughout the car

Some things I noticed that have been changed by the previous owner:

New OEM MINI crank damper (there's no doubt they had the original one fail)
Aftermarket struts all-around (OESpec brand)
New upper engine mount (yes, the original one leaked black goo everywhere)
New battery

Things I would do if I was keeping the car:

New rotors and pads all-around (probably good for another 5-10K miles depending on how you drive)
Clutch (starting to get stiff, but absolutely no issues or slipping - it's very likely the original clutch)
Supercharger service (I assume it's never been touched)
New spark plugs (just because I don't know age of the ones in there now)
General going over on the mechanicals with all fluid replacements, etc.
Fix the right side Harmon Kardon tweeter /door handle surround (it seems to be in perfect condition with no broken tabs or separating, but remains loose on the door, can't get it to snap in
Re-tint the glass (current tint is OK, but would like darker all the way around)

Other items

I have all previous owner's records, both key fobs, all books, front license plate holder. I do not have the JCW certificate nor window sticker however. Clean AZ title is in hand!

Very few dings, dents and scratches. Cleanest R53 I've owned in that regard. Driven less than 6,000 miles a year, the current ODO is 105,568

Please let me know if you have questions or need additional photos etc. I've taken quite a few over the last few months of refurbishment. I did a quick cell phone photo shoot for this ad, so please forgive the lesser quality shots. Overall this car runs great, drives straight, and looks fantastic. It's a wonderful foundation car for a full refurbishment that I wish I could do myself, but other projects are a priority right now. Thanks for looking!

Would like this car to go to an enthusiast, so listing it here exclusively.