I've been looking around for minis for a long time, and I've finally done enough research (thanks to this site!)....and asked enough questions where I'm 110% sure I want one of the R53's (02-06 S). I've been searching all of the mini's for sale in my area, and although pretty rare...I've managed to find a few really nice ones, all for good prices.

I've heard that if possible...stay around from the 02's because they have some issues, but are the 03'-06's pretty much the same as far as powertrain and suspension goes? Given the same mileage (60,000-90,000)...and assuming that they all all well taken care of, is a newer (06) one going to be a better option if the prices are all similar?

Just trying to narrow down my search a little.

Thanks!

 

There were some updates for the 05-06 Cooper S's. Taillights and headlights changed along with a couple other minor exterior updates. They have the 3 spoke steering wheel, as opposed to the 2 spoke in the 02-04's. The OEM stereo gained the ability to play MP3s. Powertrain wise, the 05-06 got shorter gearing in the tranny that helps with acceleration, and they also got the coated JCW supercharger as standard, minus the JCW pulley. There was also an update to the engine mounts in 05-06. I'm sure there are other updates, but those are the major ones. If you can find an 05-06, it would be your best bet. That's not saying there is anything wrong with the 02-04's though!

 

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it!

As far as the motor and drive-train go.....should I be worried about anything needing to be worked on/rebuilt/replaced on a car with 80,000-90,000 miles on it? I've seen some people saying that they have supercharger problems around 100,000 miles....and others say that they have close to 200,000 miles on their mini's with no major issues.

I'm assuming that a lot of it has to do with how hard/easy you drive it.

 

I don't think there is any "magic number of miles" where the car is reliable before and then starts breaking. Within reason, fewer miles is better and you should expect some problems and deferred maintenance with any 8+ yo, 90K mile used car and especially with a Mini - I'd budget 20% of your initial cost for repairs in the first year and pay a lot more attention to condition, a very thorough mechanics checkout, and a car's history/records than price. Most of the good ones are worth the extra dough over the rough ones. Go into something like this with your eyes wide open. There is a reason a 90K Mini costs 40% what a new one would cost.

On the model year question, they made steady improvements in systems reliability with every year, but the biggest reliability improvements seem to happen in 2004; in fact, the CR data seems to show the 2004's to be overall the most reliable, if only by a slight margin. The 05-06 have the externally visible changes (e.g., shorter gearing).

- Mark

 

markjenn is absolutely right. There also seems to be no rhyme or reason to superchargers going out. I've heard of them going out at 50K and still going strong at 150K. No correlation to how hard they are driven either. The only thing I can add to markjenn's comments is to have any MINI you are considering, looked at by a shop that knows MINI's.

 

I agree with what others have already stated.
I would stay away from the 2002 because many little changes where made between 2002 and 2003. I had an 2003 and now have a 2006. I like the gearing on the 2006 better. I would also suggest trying to find one with Limited Slip Differential (LSD) because it really reduces wheel spin.

 

Well...this is the 03' R53 mini that I'm looking at in a hard way. The original owner is an older lady who appears to have taken great care of it. It's the JCW edition S model....not sure what that means exactly, I'm assuming that it's got the JCM exhaust and intake on it..and maybe some suspension upgrades?

2003 S model, lots of options, great shape, looks to have been babied, and I think I can get it for $9000. BUT...I hate the color, and it's got 87,000 miles on it. Luckily I do custom paint on bikes and car as a side job, so changing the color would be easy.

So what do you think...is that a good deal? I've seen some 05's around with the same miles, but they are around $12,000. I'm looking for a second car just to drive to work......so if it's well taken care of, the higher miles don't really scare me.

 

Looks good to me. Pretty badass car for a little old lady, stick shift and all!

 

I think thats a solid deal. carfax it and if shes been the owner... seems good to me. check the front tires to see if someones been running it hard.

 

Pretty sweet ride, esp for an old lady. Looks like its in great shape.

 

If you are going to change the color, you will need to think about changing the seats because the inserts match the vehicle color.

JCW can mean a few things but probably means it has a JCW engine upgrade which includes: 12% Supercharger, Exhaust, Intake, Spark Plugs, Fuel Injectors, Ported Cylinder Head, and ECU Tune.

The JCW suspension option included shorter springs and matching shocks. The JCW springs are red.
The JCW brake option included larger rotors and calipers. The JCW calipers are red with a JCW sticker.
Most "JCW" cars do not have the suspension or brake options.

 

How can you possibly say you hate the color?!?
Everyone knows that Electric Blue is the best !

Happy Motoring!

Jim

 

Well, I found one more car to look at besides that electric blue 03' R53 for $9500. I found a 2006 R53 (not JCW like the blue one), same miles (90,000), but it's $11,000. Same options, and same great condition.

So is that extra $1500 worth it for an 06' instead of the 03'?

The 06' is black and gray.

Here is the link....

http://www.wildwoodmotors.com/newand...-MO-63038.aspx

 

Both cars look pretty good to me and relatively cheap. If you don't like the electric blue, it would be a shame to repaint the first as the paint looks in good shape and this is a popular color. You'd likely reduce the value of the car by thousands with the repaint, not to mention the cost of paint and your own time.

Again, my only caution is that you get a thorough mechanical checkout. And have a couple thousand in the bank to handle the unexpected repairs. If $10K is going to tap you out on your car finances, you need to buy less car.

- Mark

 

Correction - it was mentioned above - but....One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that the Transmission in the '03 is a Midlands unit. MINI switched to the Getrag in 2005, which is more robust unit and includes the more aggressive gearing mentioned in an earlier reply.

Also, from the pictures, I can tell that the '03 doesn't have the JCW suspension, the ride-height is too high. As for the engine upgrades of JCW in '03, they weren't as extensive as later years. You'd need to research this to see what the package included as I don't remember off the top of my head, but the HP numbers were lower for the '03 kit.

Really, the '06 car has so many improvements from the '03, it seems like the better deal.

 

A couple of issues with the 06. It doesn't look like the upper engine mount has berated oil yet . . . yet. The front lower control arm bushings usually go around 60k whether it is driven spiritedly or not. The throw out bearing is largely plastic and there are no replacements for just the t.o.b.

It looks like the antenna is missing or broken. Many switch to a stubby aftermarket model but that is not what I saw in the video. The rims show a remarkable lack of curb rash for the miles.

Those are just the know. Items for that year and what stood out in the vid. It is a very clean car. Get a MINI mechanic to give his blessing and then enjoy!

Motor On!
Chris

 

Midlands were only used in Coopers, not the S AFAIK

 

I believe the antenae on roof is for satellite, my mini has same one.
Car fax and mini mechanics could give valuable info on making your decision.
Repainting the blue would be a major deal. Open the hood and look at all the areas you would have to paint.

Good luck!

 

Yep, I think you're right, my bad!

 

Isn't a JCW USUALLY badged to say it's a JCW? I know you don't HAVE to have them put on but I would have it looked at to make sure it IS a JCW.

 

pictures of the rear and engine bay would be helpful

 

Yep...I'm heading down tomorrow to look at that Electric Blue 03' Mini. i'm still going back and forth between than one and the 06' for $11,000....but that 03' looks like it's bee babied it's whole life...which makes me think it was very well taken care of.

I'll take some pics of under the hood, and the rear of the car. I figure if I can talk the little old lady down a little and get it for $9000...that gives me more money for some brake/suspension/engine mods

 

If you are already interested in making mods to the 2003 you might not be happy with the engine performance of the non-JCW 2006. Thus you will need about $1300 for engine mods on the 2006 to be equivalent to the 2003 JCW. 15% pulley package ($200), Intake ($250), and Exhaust ($850). Then an ECU Tune on top of that would be nice.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-pulley-package.html
http://www.waymotorworks.com/ddm-int...per-s-r53.html
http://www.waymotorworks.com/stratmo...3-hardtop.html

 

Well...I ended up buying that Electric Blue R53 JCW Mini....I was amased at how well it's been taken care of. The inside looks brand new, and I honestly don't think anyone has even sat in the rear seats. Such a fun little car to drive....I'm really happy I bought it.

The only think I'm a little let down with is the power. I've never driven any kind of mini, but it sure doesn't feel like it's putting out 200+hp.


If I blip the gas pedal while it's idling...the throttle response is very slow and sluggish. It doesn't seem to really make much power until I get the rpms up over 3000 or so. I can start hearing the supercharger start to make it's distinctive whine at around 4500rpms...and the motor pulls all the way up to the red-line. But I was expecting it to make the kind of power that would light up the tires in 1st gear if you really got on it...but it doesn't do that at all. Don't get me wrong, it's not a dog....but I was expecting 200+hp to deliver at least some decent torque steer in 1st gear..and at least break the tires loose.

Does that sounds about normal...or is something wrong with my "new to me" R53? It idles great, delivers smooth power, and shows 35+mpg on the highway....but I'm just worried that it's not making enough power.

Is it possible that someone took the 15% JCW pulley off and put the standard pulley on there? Could the pressure bypass valve on the supercharger been bleeding off boost? I guess I should install a boost gauge and see what kind of numbers I'm getting.

OR....is what I described pretty normal...and I'm just expecting too much?

Any info would be great! Thanks guys!!

 

What makes you think it is a JCW?

Even a 200-crank hp (which means more like 170 at the wheels) Mini isn't a beast that will break the tires loose at will. And the torque steer is well-contained in the R53 models. The engine has a lot of flywheel and revs slowly and deliberately. It also has pretty low torque below 3K - that is where the newer models are night/day different.

In an era when everyday family sedans (liike Honda Accords) often have 250+ hp and are very fast, you may simply need to reset your expectations.

- Mark