Hi everyone,

i'm lookin to get an R53 mcs in the near future. I was wondering, as R53 from June '04 onwards has a revised gear ratios, which has been said to be better, Should I look for this year onwards? Or go with an older model, and install my own short shifter to decrease the gear ratios. I've also heard that pre '05 models tend to have alot of faults with it, and that 05 models onwards are the most trouble-free r53.

The prices are not that far off for 2003-2005 (sometimes even 07), and I would get a JcW upgrade as well if the car doesn't already have it.

Please advise me on this matter as I'm kinda lost as to which one to choose.

 

I'm certainly not an expert on MINIs, yet, but if given a choice I would opt for the '05 and later based on what I've learned here and from having conversations with MCS owners.

 

short shifter kits will not change the gearing ratios of the transmission. SSK's only shorten the throw of the shift. the gearing ratio is internal... 05-06 (including 07-08 convertible

I'm not sure if the JCW upgrade is still available for those years anymore but it's pricey.
and yes, the newer gearing is much more preferable as well as the fact that factory LSD (limited slip differential) was available with the new gearing

 

certain build 04's are the same thing. look at the key fob... 3 buttons is the newer R53 and two buttons would be the older build. there are some exceptions in between like mine which is old electrical new mechanical. better gear ratios but to be sure you would want to pay attention to just the key fob as an early indicator. make sure it is still under warranty for at least a little bit so you can get a new clutch and etc. if yours is worn or fading. new brakes all that jazz. i got a good deal on mine and had the clutch replaced and some rattles addressed as well as a ticking noise behind the supercharger which resulted in an all out replacement of it. so new clutch new brakes and new SC pretty good deal.

 

you can also tell by the steering wheel. 2 spoke is the first gen, 3 spoke is the facelift (05+)

 

I owned an 04 and an 05 and the 05 was definitely a big improvement. The best model years for any car are the ones near the end of the series. So 05/06 would be the ones to shop for, imo.

 

Go for the '05 R53 S. I have one and love it! 3 years and 36K miles of troublefree motoring!

PS: I had a pre-facelift 2004 MCS and didn't like the tall gear ratios. Sold it when the '05s with the shorter gear ratios came out.

 

got the 06 last friday and couldn't be happier

not to mention the interior quality is better on the 05+

 

Bottom line:

either you want the newer gearing ratio (which I recommend except I've only driven the 05 and newer MINIs . . . so no basis for comparison), or you want to save money and go with an older MINI -- but you can't get both by throwing a ss kit on the older MINI

 

Like someone else said, try and get one with some kind of warranty left.

As to the short shifter, I love the one I installed in my 03 MC. I find the OEM shifters, in all years, to be like shifting gears in a tractor. Throw is long, and the height of the stick is to high.
Just my 2 cents

Mark

 

Some late '04s also had the three spoke.

I love my '04, but the gearing on the '05s is much nicer.

 

o rly? that's interesting fact. i thought it only came along with the face lift... there ya go, ya learn something everyday

back on topic, ive driven an 02 a couple of times and my 05 daily. i have to say i like a few things about the 05+....
1) the gearing is very noticeable and appreciable.
2) no yo-yo feeling
3) the door card pull is bowed so you can actually rest your arm on it
4) you can play mp3's in the stock head unit on a data cd
5) i opted for the LSD and i DO feel the difference
im sure there are more but that's what comes to mind.

i agree with 911fan, the last years of a generation of car model are the best because the manufacturers finally get things right.

 

I just got these armrests, they are great


Mark

 

true, the 02 i drove... the owners just got those last time i saw them and it DOES make a difference driving with that arm rest.

 

-- Or you could rest your arms by holding on to that round thing in front of the driver

 

The MINI Magic Motoring 8 ball?

 

i am. im just holding the bottom side of the wheel... when im cruising i hold the wheel at the 8 and 2 o'clock positions