WTB: Nice '05-06 R53 Cooper S 6-speed, specific options preferred, SF Bay/West coast
Wanted2005 - 2006 Mini R53: "Mk I" Mini Cooper S
Apr 17, 2024, 11:38 AM | Replies: 4 | Views: 695
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Price
$0 - $10,000
- Location San Francisco, CA, 94107, USA
- Condition Used
- Transmission Manual
- Vehicle Type Hatchback
Description:
Have wanted an R53 for a very long time and am in a position right now where I could go after the right car if it came around. Figured I would post up a want ad and see if that car might exist in the region before I buy something else. I live in San Francisco, CA but would consider traveling the West coast for the right car.
Must have:
- 2005-2006 model year
- 6-speed manual
- Either low miles or extremely well maintained with paperwork (no beaters or projects)
- Stock emissions equipment/no aftermarket engine mods (I live in California and have to follow CARB rules to pass smog)
- Zero rust or exposure to salted roads
- Clean title
- No sunroof, fewest possible convenience/comfort options
- Interesting paint color (not white/black/grey/silver/beige)
- LSD (I know this is unlikely but a guy can dream)
- Sport chrono
Thread Starter
|
Neutral
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../market/367904
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../market/368119
Respectfully...have been driving BMWs for 20 years, restored a Euro-spec E28 a couple years back, currently $25k into a Volvo 850R project...I am aware these cars can be needy and am not going in blind. But if they are THAT bad maybe I should just go ahead and get the Porsche Cayman I'm eyeing instead
Last edited by SlickDizzy; Apr 17, 2024 at 09:33 PM.
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 501
Likes: 257
From: Oro Valley, AZ
Hahahaha better not be that green one I've been eyeing on P-Cars!😆
Yea I was going to link those two cars to you but figured you've already seen them... I just sold this one a few months ago for $10k and he's already into things for another few grand after receiving it. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../market/366337
I've still got 3 of them here that I'm restoring/maintaining/refreshing/OEM+ modding (all 2006 factory JCWs), and I'm going to be into two of them for $20k each easy (third one's a cheap daily).
Been doing the BMW thing for 13 years also, just got my 28th project a few weeks ago ('05 E53 X5 Sport with OEM Aero kit). You know how deep these rabbit holes go!
Even at $20k all in, I've decided that the R53 is the best bang for the buck out there, given the raw fun quotient, the possibility for unique builds (like what you're looking for), rare but not so rare parts aren't available (although you do have to search!), and the great support community.
You've got a good checklist going for sure. We're here to help... and it sounds like you're already being realistic with your initial budget. I'm just telling you (8 R53s in over the last 3 years), to expect a little more than $10k for what you're after. Good luck!
Yea I was going to link those two cars to you but figured you've already seen them... I just sold this one a few months ago for $10k and he's already into things for another few grand after receiving it. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../market/366337
I've still got 3 of them here that I'm restoring/maintaining/refreshing/OEM+ modding (all 2006 factory JCWs), and I'm going to be into two of them for $20k each easy (third one's a cheap daily).
Been doing the BMW thing for 13 years also, just got my 28th project a few weeks ago ('05 E53 X5 Sport with OEM Aero kit). You know how deep these rabbit holes go!
Even at $20k all in, I've decided that the R53 is the best bang for the buck out there, given the raw fun quotient, the possibility for unique builds (like what you're looking for), rare but not so rare parts aren't available (although you do have to search!), and the great support community.
You've got a good checklist going for sure. We're here to help... and it sounds like you're already being realistic with your initial budget. I'm just telling you (8 R53s in over the last 3 years), to expect a little more than $10k for what you're after. Good luck!
Thread Starter
|
Neutral
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: San Francisco, CA
Yeah, the owner of the grey one has been unresponsive (shame as it’s like three miles away) and the red one in Portland is slick but if I’m gonna do a fly and drive I want to hold out for a no-sunroof car at least…
Having been messing around with European cars since I was a teen I certainly know how to “assume the position” when things go wrong…though I would still rather chance an R53 than another stellar VW/Audi product after living that nightmare enough times.
These MINIs came out when I was in high school and have been a bucket list car for me, I’m shuffling around the fleet and have the income to keep one up so feels like a good enough time to potentially check that box. Considering other stuff too but seems like a good balance of being compact enough to navigate the city and quick enough to go tear up CA-1 on weekends when the mood strikes.
Do appreciate the advice and kind words and apologies if my prior post seemed a little stern, suffice to say the headaches caused by my corporate commitments are a big part of why I’m looking for a new vehicular escape…
Having been messing around with European cars since I was a teen I certainly know how to “assume the position” when things go wrong…though I would still rather chance an R53 than another stellar VW/Audi product after living that nightmare enough times.
These MINIs came out when I was in high school and have been a bucket list car for me, I’m shuffling around the fleet and have the income to keep one up so feels like a good enough time to potentially check that box. Considering other stuff too but seems like a good balance of being compact enough to navigate the city and quick enough to go tear up CA-1 on weekends when the mood strikes.
Do appreciate the advice and kind words and apologies if my prior post seemed a little stern, suffice to say the headaches caused by my corporate commitments are a big part of why I’m looking for a new vehicular escape…
