I'm looking into buying an 04' MCS with the john cooper works addition. Two questions; what are common problems with this car? Second, the guy is selling it to me for $17,500, too good to be true? I'm taking it to a dealer to get a pre-sales check done. Any help or general advice is much appreciated.

 

Check out the following for general comments on 04s:
http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

As to the value of this deal: hard to tell without knowing options, location (West coast prices tend to be a little higher), condition and, very importantly, mileage.

 

How many miles are on the clock?

 

make sure it has the three button fob not the two button. it means upgraded electronics. i learned this the hard way.

 

What is the fob?

Also I checked the mileage and it has 86,533miles and he revised his price to $17,000. What do you think?

 

Use the Edmunds Used Car Apraiser to get a ballpark figure. The value will take a "hit" for the high mileage. Add perhaps $2000 for the Works Kit.

 

That's pretty high mileage for an '04, especially a JCW.

 

I just found another seller with an 03' MCS with 50,000miles offering $16,200. Which do you think is the smarter buy in the long run considering the miles on the 04'? Thank you for all the help, it's very much appreciated.

 

It's difficult to guesstimate the value without knowing what optional equipment is on the cars and what condition they are in.

 

I just bought an 04 MCS with 33,900 miles, sports package and cold weather package for just under 17,800 tax title and license all told 18,500.

 

I have 85K on a 2005 MCS/JCW. I bought it new and I've had fantastic service out of it. I'm not interested in selling it, but it's not a worn out POS either.... I change my oil every 2500 miles, sparkplugs every 20K miles, and anything else as soon as it shows signs of wear.

I have a long commute and I'm an active guy, so I put on a lot of miles. I still enjoy my car as much as I did on Day 1. I never have understood people who trade cars every year or two, but I've also still happily wear a watch I bought 18 years ago...

Rawhyde

 

Above someone mentioned that if the fob (keyless entry device) has three buttons instead of two the electronics have been upgraded. The car dealer is claiming the car to have the JCW upgrade completed on it but the keyless entry still has two buttons.

Is he yanking my chain or is it possible to get the JCW package and not upgrade the electronics which in turn changes the keyless entry unit to have three buttons? Thank you for the help in my thread, I appreciate it very much.

 

Not real sure as to what greengobln is referring to when he say "learned this the hard way" The earlier MINIs came with a different key fob, and at some point , it was changed. There were also some minor changes made to the OBC ( on board computer), radio, and such. The installation of the JCW upgrade does nothing to affect any of this, and it does not change the keyless entry. The JCW upgrade for that car should consist of Exhaust, Head , upgraded supercharger, intercooler cover, engine and exterior badges ECU flash, and May or may not have the JCW air intake and injectors. Do a search here, or over at Motoringfile.com, lots of pics so you will know what you are looking at.

 

Thats what I paid in March 07 for my 04 w/24k on the clock. At the time it was under trade in value.


I think I'd shy away from a high mile 04. There are plenty of low mile Minis around and lots of them are weekend warriors and not daily drivers. A couple grand more will net out a better value from the OP.

 

I own a 05 mcs 5 spd was thinking about selling it, only has 28.000 on it, has every option on it.would you be interested?

 

Yes I am interested, how much will you sell it for?

 

the newer the year the better in general. and as always, condition and service history are just as or more important than mileage. and for that reason, it's better to buy it directly from a meticulous and conscientious owner than any used car dealer. cars of active members here are usually well taken care of as well. make sure you check over any car in person in as much detail as you can. the buyer's guide on motoringfile is very useful

 

05 MCS w/5 speed?

 

06 MCSa with 10K miles on it for 22K including tax

i prefer 05+ coopers.

 

Shop around for one with less than 5oK miles...better yet, less than 40K. They're out there!

 

Bought an '04 MCS40 in Feb '07 with everything but the heated seats with 37,500 miles and got a $500 allowance for new tires. Paid $17,200. an 0'4 today with 86,500 miles is a pretty steep pricetage. I'd shop around.

 

Not sure I'd buy a MCS with a 5 speed... as they all came with a 6 speed...

 

Ah shucks, what's a lost gear or two between friends.........

 

sorry I didn't get back to you I didn't think anyone would be interested.and it is a 6spd manual. I thought I would fix this small mistake for all the people that are so picky.