I'm going to check out a GP this weekend, what should I be looking for? I feel like I already know the answer, but it's just the nervousness of buying a new car that's getting to me.

 

Make sure it is a GP. I have seen clones that people try to sell as GPs. Usually easy to see the difference.

Make sure the GP options are on the car or provided. JCW suspension, JCW brakes, larger intercooler (extends over the spark plugs), GP decals, GP numbers (roof and dash), GP floormats, rear luggage bar, wheels, aero kit, underbody flat panels, and alum trailing arms.

Look for all the common 2006 MCS problems; leaking engine mount, worn-out lower control arm bushings, oil leaks (oil pan and/or crank position sensor), and leaking thermostat housing/gasket.

I feel that aftermarket parts are OK as long as the OEM GP parts are provided.

 

Crap. The GP I'm looking at has a Borla exhaust... the JCW GP exhaust is already sold/gone

 

Personnally having a different exhaust would not be a concern for me. I would prefer to buy a GP with a different exhaust because I think the JCW is too quiet.

I replaced the JCW with Milltek on my GP and also sold the JCW exhaust.

If a Borla Sport/Race exhaust take a cruise on the highway in 6th and load the engine lightly to make sure the exhaust does not drone too much for you. I had a Borla Sport on my GP for awhile but decided it had a little too much drone on the highway. The Borla was OK on my 2003 MCS but not on the GP without the rear seat and rear insulation. The Borla sounds great but there is highway drone so it might depend on how much highway driving you do.

 

I think it is important to get a good feel for the owner. This usually gives a good idea on how the car was taken care of. You may or may not be good at reading people, but talking with the owner a bunch is a great idea.

Additionally, armed with the roof number, you can look here and at gpmini.net and see if there is any information on the particular car. You can search for posts with that roof number, see if it is in the registry and even post threads asking members if they know the car. Seems like the GP community is especially astute in regard to these cars, so there is a good chance you'd get great info about the car just asking around.

 

GP280 is the one. I've done a bit of homework

 

And the 4 jacking blocks...other than that, quikmini's list is spot on.

The stock JCW exhaust, with crimp removed + a header sounds fantastic. And its certainly not what I'd call quiet...its near silent when cruising and sounds pretty stock at idle (other than my cam), but when your on it...it's arguably the best sounding combo for a MINI that I've heard. Others that have heard my car have agreed...

 

Thanks for adding on to the list


Yes. I was reading about how the JCW exhaust plus header is a good combo, silent when normally driven but you can hear it when you open it up. The one I'm looking at has a Borla exhaust

I'm basically at that point where I don't want to keep up with modifications any more and just want a car that's great right out of the box. Refined, fast, composed but mature when it needs to be. Tired of attracting the wrong attention with my Supersprint exhaust

 

Good advice above. Like real estate "Location, location, location!", it's "Condition, condition, condition!" Check for dings, dents, underbody damage, any paint & body work and look carefully for wheel "rash". Most wheel refinishers won't touch the GP wheel and those who will, charge serious money. Look closely at the seat upholstery, too.
Check that the owner's books are there, all keys (two remotes and the plastic valet). The original window sticker, service records, etc. score bonus points. Of paramount importance is to try and take out the emotion of the moment and just concentrate on being objective. Best of Luck!

 

Curious about this... why is that?

 

Good points on jack blocks and wheels.
The jack blocks can be expensive to purchase (I think about $30 each).
The clear coat on the wheels is pretty delicate. On a couple of my wheels it is bubbled or chipping away in small sections on the edge from tire installations just from the pressure of the plastic mounting tools.

Looking at the GP wheels it seems like it would be a pain to recondition the wheels with the matte finish and brushed edge. I had a wheel damaged in an accident and the repair shop had to purchase a new wheel because they could not find a reconditioned wheel.

 

QUIKMINI's got it right. That charcoal metallic appears to be powder-coated and then there's the silver rim and spoke detail. Most restoration shops will want to re-do the entire wheel rather than attempt a partial repair. List on the wheel, when available, is close to $400/ea. Of course, there are re-pops out there.

 

This says it all. And make sure they don't get cute with you and tell you they are OEM GP Wheels if they are only 17", I have seen this one tried before as well. Look for (and this is hard), engine oil on the bottom of the motor, around the crank sensor, and a leaking coolant housing as they dry rot. Other then that, you know what a GP has in it, just make sure it is 100% complete.

Most importantly, if this is the one you showed us the other day for $30k+, dont even go look at it for that price, it isn't worth it! And if you drive it, you will have to buy it, they are exactly what a MINI should be. I see people staring at it and waving at me every single time she graces the roads of Pittsburgh. Good luck, I hope you get it!

 

My wife has a Borla Race exhaust, bad a$$ sounding exhaust and makes great power, but drones going down the highway which will be worse in this car without rear seats.

 

It's GP280. Located in Vermont. He's the second owner. Around 37K miles. Asking $21.5K. Car was sold to him about half a year ago with 31-32K miles. Original owner was asking for $21.5K back then as well. Since then, it has seen a bit more mileage. The new owner claims new slotted jcw rotors and brake pads are in, new alcantara jcw steering wheel, new fluids all around and a borla exhaust.

I personally don't care that it has new pads and rotors. I can do that myself. The alcantara wheel is cool, but isn't worth much in my book. And I am definitely NOT excited about the borla exhaust with the drone. I had a supersprint exhaust, it is VERY refined. No drone at the highway but opens up when you punch it. Gave my 04 more pops and burbles than a 06. I really don't want the drone because I'm looking for a more refined car. I may trade the exhaust for a JCW or buy a new JCW exhaust and sell the Borla for a loss.

You guys are right. Condition, condition, condition. It also depends on the price too. The Borla drone is a big no for me. The way I factor it in is that the car depreciated a bit with the added mileage and loss of value over time. This is hard to calculate but I got a figure in my mind. Since the owner is asking for the same price that was sold to him, I guess he believes all the new parts equal to the value of that loss. $500 bucks for rotors and pads? $400 for the steering? Fluids....$200 at most? Borla exhaust is a negative $ for me. Guess we will talk about it this weekend

 

Are you kidding me? You have no idea what you just said. The JCW Alcantara wheel is by far one of the best mods you can do to your Mini or GP. It should have been standard issue fro JCW cars (or at least the GP). It is night and day and reminds me of the ///M wheels that come in the BMWs. Think about it, what is the single most thing you touch when you drive? The steering wheel. To me, it has to feel GREAT in your hands. And the JCW wheel lives up to that.

BTW, 21.5k is fair asking price considering the mods and maintenance he's done. In reality, he's saving you both TIME and MONEY.

 

I have an Alcantra steering wheel in the box, brand new I am really anxious to put it on my car! But the guy looking at this car is right as well, to him, he doesn't care about it, that just his opinion which we are all entitled to. Me, I am siding with you!

This is the car that was for sale in Vermont, on ebay, has a really nice write up on the internet and he works at a dealer that wells MINI. He tried to sell it, it didn't happen right away so from what I can remember, he said he was taking it to the Dragon a few weeks ago if I recall correctly. Looked like a nice and clean car for sure. Just makes me wonder why he is selling it so quickly when it is out of warranty. Once you drive one of these, you will want to buy it and hopefully keep it forever like me!

 

Thanks for chipping in. I guess I can understand where you guys are coming from with the usage of the steering wheel but I see it right now as a dollar sign. I'm just trying to figure out if it's a good price. I got time before money haha

 

Here's a GP that's relatively close to you with reasonably low mileage that's apparently been properly maintained with a few tasteful mods at a pretty fair price. Suggest that you go see it with an open mind and, if it "trips your trigger", buy it. I've learned that, over time, the price I paid for something I really wanted was miniscule compared to the enjoyment of ownership.

 

Been there done that, go drive it and it will click for you if it is the right car the exhaust can always be changed out.

 

I agree with this for sure. Just drive it and you will know if you want it........... and chances are, you will!

 

Do they drill holes into the front bumper to add the front license plates?

 

Yes, but that,too, can be fixed.

 

Here are pictures of my front bumper with the license plate bracket holes plugged. I just used small screws painted them with gray primer and clear coat. The color matched pretty well and they have held up well for six years.
You can also get bumper plugs from:
http://www.bumperplugs.com/BPindex.html
I used these on another car with metallic paint that I knew would be hard to match. You will have to call to see if they can do Thunder Blue.

 

Ok. So I drive four hours today to test drive the car.

The good: the engine runs smoothly. Shifts smoothly. Great power delivery.

The bad: wheel rash on most of the wheels. Rear bumper has a small dent from a license plate screw. Borla exhaust drones. Jcw exhaust is gone. A aftermarket alarm system had once been installed in the car along with a after market horn that has been drilled to the top of the passenger strut mount for mounting purposes. A couple of the hex bolts holding down the GP wing is starting to rust. There is a weird blemish in the carbon fiber wing. It might be the clear coat. Doesn't seem like the carbon fiber, not sure what it is. Just seems a bit off. Small bit of wear in the back boot.