I bought this car brand new in 2006. We've decided we're going to hold onto it as long as we can. (until the zombie apocalypse) Well, we put the car in for massive work today. It needs, at the very least, a new head gasket. It may need a new cylinder head or a new engine. We'll see. My family thinks we're crazy for doing this. However, I don't want a new MINI. I want this MINI! On top of that, if $4,000-$9,000 buys us 100,000 more miles, it's worth it to me. (Come on…the first 100,000 miles cost $30,000.) Am I crazy? Are there other people out there that love the R53 this much?

 

I am going to keep mine as long as possible, but being in the north east, nothing lasts long up here

 

Doesn't sound nuts to me at all. R53s are a rare breed. The size, interior & exterior design, and driving characteristics are all unique compared to the successors. There's a reason sooooo many people who want a MINI want a R53 .

As the days pass, getting your hands on a R53 that has the specs you like & hasn't been beaten on will be harder & harder. Plus, you already know this car well and its history, its quirks. I've had to put a fair amount of money into mine over the past 12 months (new clutch, head gasket, water pump, yada yada) but I know the cost of maintenance & repair is far less than a monthly payment for a different car. You've owned the car since new, so I think it's natural for an enthusiast to develop an attachment that transcends the human - car relationship that most people have with their "appliances" like Toyotas, Hondas, or Fords.

I'm among the crowd that plans to keep their R53 forever (cost be damned), so you're not alone.

 

Not crazy. If your car's body is in good shape, you're doing the right thing!

 

Same here.

Just hit 111,000 miles with my 06 MCS and it is now in pieces to replace the LCA bushings and supercharger oil.

I was thinking about selling it but there is nothing out there that interests me except the Cayman R - out of my budget range:-(

 

Thank you for the comments all. Eric, I used to take my MINI to you guys when we lived on the East Coast, and I would have taken it to you guys this time if we were still living there. :( It's at the dealer right now…which is fine. I trust those guys too.

 

Have you asked yourself how your engine turned to toast? Did you abuse it, ignore it, etc.

 

 

Not crazy at all....
Its a great car, and if it still meets your needs, go for it!!
I'd stick with a decent inspection schedule, and run many items "on condition" and fix stuff as they show impending failure or excessive wear...
Many folks here love to spend $$$$ on on time big service calls....and it might be OK for some, it has risks...like car getting totaled, or replacing a OK part with an inferior aftermarket part...
Price $$ seems more than adequate....even if you need a clutch, $2000, and a SC, say $800 for reman, plus a $200 water pump, then $500 labour, tons of $$ left for various wear items like ball joints and the odd item like a new set of keys if the battery give up the ghost..
Heck, putting away $1000 a year for repairs of a car you own if the body is good is a great way to save $$ and keep a car you love!!! Cheaper, and more fun than a new one!! Just keep the oil fresh, and check it often...hate to have the math get all messed up if it was to run low on oil and need a motor!!

 

Not crazy at all. I spent $16K on mine a few years back (new engine + JCW conversion). After doing the math it was cheaper than buying a new Ralliart or whatever.

Happy motoring!

 

I'm crazy **** about maintenance. I've taken very good care to change the oil more than necessary. I've kept the tranny fluid changed, and I've done everything else imaginable. (spark plugs, air filter, etc.) The dealer says my injectors are the cause. I needed a new cylinder head. The head would have cost $6,600. A new engine, new clutch, new water pump, and super charger service will cost $8,800…so I went with the second option. I'm do a clutch anyway, so that alone would probably cost close to $2,000.

I'm in for the long haul.

 

Wow, sounds like a lot of money for a clutch .... well, depending on the parts used I suppose. I got a Valeo pressure plate n' disk for around a buck fifty and had the flywheel turned for another 30 bucks, works great now


In fact, I have a brand new slave still in the box if anyone needs one?

 

Post like these make me a little sick.
$6000 for a head???

You can buy a really nice one for $2000 from way. In fact he sells a whole engine for $6k

http://www.waymotorworks.com/revolution-mini-works-custom-ported-head.html

While you're on their website look at the clutch prices. Less than $400 for a better than stock clutch kit.

I know you love your car but shop around for a better mechanic. Or if you really like your current one, show them these prices and ask them why they want $4000 in labor for an 8 hour job.

 

Other people's labor is expensive. I love the r53 I'm keeping mine for a long time. I'm in the middle of a rebuild myself. It is a lot cheaper to rebuild than buy new.

 

This is so true ..... I just rebuilt the engine for my other driver,(05 Cavalier) and had alot of fun doing it... Ported the head myself also and had a friend cut some cool angles on the valves n' seats to compliment the portwork. What a difference in performance


Anyway, the thing is knowing the engine is getting tired to begin with and buying a core/doner to rebuild at your own pace. This way you have a little time to do shopping for better pricing on parts and such..... A re-man ecotec 2.2 engine goes for around 4.5k, I rebuilt it for about a thousand. I'll redo the engine in my Mini the same fashion when the time comes, but it runs like a champ at 82k miles so I still have some time ....

 

I'll 2nd what others are mentioning.... you really shouldn't be using the dealer for things like this. First, their diagnosis doesn't make any sense and second, there are many MANY more cost-effective options for fixing the car. Dealers absolutely suck for major repairs like this. Find a good Mini specialist shop.

Head gasket issues are almost always due to overheating problems. I can't imagine a sceanrio where it would be caused by fuel injectors. If you truly need a head gasket and the engine is otherwise running fine, you should be able to get it replaced for $1200 or so and I'd do the common things while you have the front of the car off but no more: supercharger inspection/oil, CPS oil seal, etc. While the head is off, I'd have it inspected (particularly for flatness) but leave it alone unless there are problems noted. Properly maintained, a R53 engine should go 250K miles or more before requiring outright replacement.

- Mark