Hey NAM! long time reader, first time poster. I was wondering if I could get some advice from you all.

I'm looking at a silver 05 r53 with 66k miles, comes with sports and cold weather packages. From a glance it looks alright, maybe a leaking power steering reservoir cap, malfunctioning driver door brake, noisy passenger seat slide, scuffed up wheels. That's all that is apparent until I take it in for a pre-purchase inspection.

I have them down to 11,500$

Opinions? Good price assuming all else is well?

 

the power steering cap has a vent in it so it's not leaking, just normal

with 66k you'll prob need control arm bushings, and did it have any major service done? belt, plugs, wires, filters? whats the oil change history? hows the clutch/flywheel feel? strut towers deformed? crank pulley replaced?

fyi I have my 06 MCS with 52k for sale.

 

How much for your 06? Also any mods already done on it? ebnewt, i love my Cooper S. I bought it with 120k on it, didn't know any of these things need to be replaced. I'm fixing them on at a time little by little and the car is still running great. Definitely do your research on the car before you purchase it though.

 

Good Luck with your new cooper, welcome to the family

snowman

 

Wanna tell me a little bit about what you have? Price/color/mods/condition? How much is delivery to west coast...?

-As far as the current car I'm looking at goes-

Its on consignment and the consignor doesn't have any of the car's paper work, I'm going to have to ask and see if the owner has any of it... It has a clean autocheck (not that that means a whole bunch..)

After a 20 min. drive, it seams to run fine, normal SC whine, smooth clutch and no odd noises. Eyeballing the strut towers they seem ok, flat with more or less parallel bolts. No mods as far as I can tell, stock air box ect. But the inspection tomorrow should tell me more.

 

Explore what Way has to offer; general consensus is that you can trust what he has to offer.

 

+1.

 

I just listed it in the marketplace:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-silver&cat=12
I'm trying to find a pic, but I think they are all on my laptop that died.

Yes I too always laugh when people mention Carfax, Do NOT trust it. I've actually got a car at the shop that is wiped but had a clean carfax.

shipping to OR would prob be $800-1000, but you could fly out and drive it back

 

Way's is spec'd just right, probably has all the weak points swapped out w/ better ones. You'll enjoy a properly cared for car longer w/o issues. Unless, you're one who won't mind tinkering as much as driving.

 

Way's MINI really does hit the sweet spot for an r53... Even has the Chrono pack.. Unfortunately its out of my price range even without considering shipping.

 

i just picked up an '05 r53 two weeks ago with 27k miles. take another look at it, if it still makes you smile when you drive it again do it up... i took this mini over a 2013 speed3

 

No new car out there yet (w/in the brand new R56 price range) is deemed a worthy replacement for my R53, IMO. This 1 is exceptional. Retains same thrill of every drive since new. Never experienced such w/ any other. May not be as reliable as a Honda or Toyota, but its quirks are pretty easy to forgive & accept. Beyond explanation & comprehension! This is simply MINsanity!

 

IMHO (and many others), the '05-'06 MCS were the best of breed. Better gear ratios, less problems. Way's car w/o SR means 80 lb. less weight to carry around and lower CG. The ChronoPac/LSD options are highly desireable.

 

So I just got back from the inspection and it looks pretty good. They said it needs a new battery (I guess its still on its first one and has been siting around for a while), and a new oil pan gasket (you could see a little oil on the oil pan).

After playing with the clutch a little more it feels like there is a tiny bit of 'grating' down and back, but that might be a rusted/worn clutch slave?

With that in mind I have him down to 11300. I would love to hear more of your opinions!

 

You've had it inspected and it sounds like it's within budget. If you like the car and it feels right to you, who cares what we think?

PS. Hope you decide to get it.

 

Whelp, paid the man. I'm picking her in the next couple of days!

 

pic pic pic pics...^^^^^me want seeeee

 

Welcome to the R53 Family! You'll love it here...

 

Congrats. Post pics soon.

 

Grats!

 

Went on a little country drive.. Could not stop smiling! Here she is!

 

congrats!

 

You won't regret your purchase--even with the few niggely fixes that you will have to do. If it hasn't been done yet, start saving for Powerflex control arm bushings. You'll need them.

 

Very nice good luck with it and remember to wave