This could read like an obituary, but it's finally come to the point that I can no longer support the endless financial drain for Lil'Black Wow...



I am parting out my highly modded 2005 MCS, and returning it to stock to trade in for a Clubman. I'm keeping my custom wheels, Cross Coilovers, Wilwood BBKs, and headrest DVD screens, lol.

Anyone in Orange County, CA have some old struts to trade parts for or to sell for cheap? I will post a full list of what I have for sale/trade soon. Just remember, I need stock pieces for most things to go back to stock.

These very lightly used wheels are available for trade for any stock wheels + $$ (haven't figured out amounts yet...still in shock about having to do this)



I've also got a perfect spare tranny with a bad OBX diff that I just took off my MINI two weeks ago.

Full list will be posted soon. My prices will be more than reasonable and I'm sure will go fast.

Richard

 

I'm so sorry, Richard

But I can sympathize. Are you planning on the Clubbie now?

 

Sorry to hear that you have to get rid of the R53 for one of those Turbo Charged abominations .

I'm not local I live in North Central Arkansas, But....

I've been looking to get an Alta CAI. I'm well out of warranty, so I don't need the stock intake to pull the switch-a-roo with if i bring it to the dealer. Shoot me a PM if you are interested in a trade with some cash thrown in. I work at a Staples, So I can ship UPS very easily, and quickly.

 

Either way, soon the clubman will be your money pit. I've seen your cars!!!! But good luck with the Clubman. I'm sure it'll be a show winner for sure!!!

 

Welcome future Clubbie owner !!
Let us know when you get it, and please post some pictures.

 

wow, sorry to hear that although i'm curious as to what you mean by "endless financial drain". do you mean because of high maintenance costs?

 

Let's see, it all started with some repairs that I ended up modding at the same time instead of replacing with stock parts...spent around $15K by the time I was done that year in 2008. In 2009, had to park the MINI for 4 months because I couldn't afford a clutch job and needed additional repairs, came around $5000. Later down the road, had a problem with my engine mounts, and because of various reasons, couldn't get my MINI to my regular mechanic, had to do a second clutch job by the year end. Also replaced both my drive axles twice. Then my axle started popping out. Had the MINI flatbedded more than 5 times..started costing me $120 a tow each way.

Finally took the MINI to another mechanic that was closer and found out a lot of damage to my MINI that was overlooked or caused by the first mechanic. Had to undo that damage by replacing my tranny, solved the axle popping out problem for one day, I got a speeding ticket for doing 50 in a 45MPH zone, then it starts spewing coolant and once again it's parked. Replace the coolant reservoir, hoses, thermostat (again), and water pump(again), though I just did this about 15,000 miles ago...find out that the bolts holding the thermostat were stripped...the list goes on and on and on....spent $5,000 already this year on trying to fix the tranny, axle, and overheating problems.... find out the oil pan is leaking oil from various points as well. Finding a lot of metal shavings in my oil as well....

I've spent well over $25,000 in repairs over the past 3 years...my RMW header had to be rebuilt because it failed and it rattles like mad...despite it being pulled off and rewelded on the jig....

Would you like to be in my shoes? lol.

 

I'm so sorry Richard. Your Mini is so hawt, but I know your clubby will be too! Good luck, can't wait to see it.

 

Yes!!! I'll start off with this and see where it goes, lol.

Haha yeah I know what you mean...I'm gonna stick with cosmetic mods. Heck I'm getting soft in my old age...gonna go automatic too, lol.

Thanks! Absolutely!
So much for keeping it forever and handing it off to my son, lol.

 

Man, I'm so saddened to hear this news but at least you won't leave the Mini community.

Your car was so hawt looking at last year's Ijob charity event. Me and the passenger were enjoying so much of your car's ridiculously crackly exhaust lol.

Anyways, I call dibs on your CF dash. *looks around*




ok, that was a cruel joke.

 

Yeah I would say that is a lot of money going out, can't blame you for wanting out, good luck with the Clubbie.

 

Sad to see such a nice looking car being parted away.
Looking forward to see all the parts being sold.
Do you have carbon fiber down tubes? If so I would be happy to take them off your hands.

 

I'll be hurt if you don't get an Auto Sportplus for the new Clubbie!

Matt

 

Haha course I will get one, lol.

 

Hope you are getting a 'S' :D

 

I have to say that even I, a perennial lurker, was shocked to see you selling obssssd, but completely understand.

I think that you'll dig the auto in the clubbie though. For all the crap people give about automatics on here I can say that I have really enjoyed it. Hope you do the same.

I do look forward to seeing what you do to a clubman - I suspect it will be one to envy.

 

+1

I think it would be a greater tradgedy if we lost a pillar of the community like you!

 

Sorry to see you go, but happy to see you stay!! I guess we will start to see more folks doing the same as the ravages to time, wear and tear, miles, heavily modded cars, and those cars built on the wrong day. On the good side, you car's spirit will live on, in the "Franken-mini's" you will help to create when selling the parts to go back to stock. And out of every sad situation comes an opptunity....a new MINI will be bought, new modds done , but thankfully, the brand will live on in you garage. Me and my MINI (and it black trim) thank you, and hope that you will continue to frequent the Gen1 forums!!

 

sorry u have ot part yr car...it loosk great

 

I got a nice set of stock rims I'll trade if your still looking for some. Check the dark silver post for pics. Sorry to hear your having to do that though. PM to let me know. I'm looking to start pooring money into my new car!

~Kevin

 

I was given an auto Clubman loaner a few weeks back and was really surprised by it, although I just couldn't get the hang of the paddle shifters. I've got one more payment on mine and am seriously considering a Clubman (S or JCW) next time around.

I love the black/black, although I saw a pretty sexy red/black yesterday!

 

ouch.. crazy maintenance costs. you wouldn't want to wait for the countryman?

i'd like to grab those cowls and the front lip spoiler possibly...

 

Thanks everybody for the kind words!!! Yeah I couldn't leave the MINI community. I've been around too long!! And I just can't relate to other communities..I've tried, lol.

Anyhow, just an update on the repairs of my current MINI. I've been trying to solve the overheating and leaking coolant. Since I started this thread I ended up replacing:

Water pump $200
Coolant Reservoir $40
All hoses
Thermostat and housing $80 (twice--first aftermarket thermostat was faulty)
Labor $600 (so far)

The last possibility if there continues to be a leak is a cracked head..so I'm told..but will report back tomorrow whether the latest round of fixes has solved the problem.

I'm scheduled to attend Mini Mania's Open House event next weekend to do some Prima Demos, but it's really dependent on whether I can get my MINI reliable enough to make the 9.5 hour drive north...would hate to break down 4 hours into it and have to flatbed it back home, and pay $600 or whatever for that tow!

I found this video clip on YouTube last night of some Clubbies in Taiwan. The blue Clubbie has the JCW Aerokit like mine...so I'm just envisioning how mine will look all in black, lol. Can't wait!



My Clubbie is scheduled for production next week (week of 05/09/10) and is supposed to be delivered around 06/23/10!

 

Funny thing is I still haven't test driven a Clubman, though I know I should! I drove an R56 with paddle shifters and liked them. The Clubman JCW with the cosmetic mods I wanted was just way tooo much money for me right now, but will likely go that route instead of aftermarket when the time comes.

Lots of nice colors for the Clubbie. I took this pic at the dealership with my son, and the wheels make all the difference.

 

Wow what a bummer Wanna sell me your 05 tranny? I'll give you back my 03 tranny