Hello,
New guy here looking to get his first Mini... I found sharp one that looks interesting, but it's supposedly an S, but the center-exit exhaust was replaced by what looks like a stock non-S exhaust and bumper. Is that a thing people do? Or am I looking at a car that was cheaply rebuilt after a rear-end collision?

AutoCheck comes up clear, the VIN checks out as a Cooper S. Not sure what to make of this and I'm hoping someone here can help me out.

Thanks!

http://cincinnatiford.com/Cincinnati...-Car/39409155/

 

Its an S bumper but with the black plastic lower trim piece (I think they call it a valance) from a non S. He's also got the fuel cap and side scuttles from a non S as well. I'd personally stay away from that one. Its got a lot of not so tasteful customization done to it (in my opinion) and I think the price is high for the year, mileage, and condition.

 

The driver's seat has seen better days

 

Isn't the three spoke steering wheel from later on ( or am I wrong) as well?

 

The 3 spoke was introduced in late 04's just before the "refresh" in 05. The engine mounts also changed.
This car is a December 03 build.
Quite a lot of money for an 03 IMO

 

They are pricing it pretty high...
Especially considering it appears to be customized with plasti-dip on the rims, and mods to make it look like a cooper....
About a $4000 car if sorted IMO. But bet it needs stuff...
It is an early 2004, built in 2003 from the Vin stickers...
I'd keep looking unless you LOVE the look...And the look could be duplicated with a $10 can of spray plastic, aka, plasti-dip...., and a used fuel door....

 

Side exhaust ( Cooper conversion ) , seen it done a couple times.

Had the three spoke update done.

Does have the dual under toggle bank gauges, but they have different gauge pods then factory.

Looks like it comes with the spare plastic key hanging. They sure did allot of cosmetic paint and graphic decals.

Good luck.

 

So the muffler swap may not be a deal breaker? Regarding the ones you've seen, is there a benefit to the Cooper conversion? Weight savings maybe?

I like the cosmetics. I know others don't and that's cool. To each their own. I haven't seen it in person yet, but if they are done well and it means I can get the car cheaper... bonus!

 

Sound changes, and less weight as its not a two barrel muffler.

You would have to hear it run, then compare it to the stock MINI Cooper S R53 exhuast from a video or sound clip.

 

some people like me enjoy the single sided cooper exhaust, you do have a bit of weight only running one muffler. seems like an aftermarket exhaust, so It could be loud. those gauges are aftermarket and all the styling details are definitely non standard. I like it except for the GTR front bumper. but to each their own. it could be a well taken care of care and they just wanted to move on, or it could have problems. hard to tell unless you bring it to someone you can trust and check it.

 

Going to a single exaust like a cooper on the s usually results in a buzz or drone on the highway...
The stock cooper s exaust could be "one balled" for better sound and lower weight, but now you are stuck exaust wise with that car...catbacks are not going to fit unless you buy bumper parts...
Sounds like the owner was more concerned with looks than fixining stuff...so you might find things like lower control arm bushing bad...not uncommon for a 10 year old mini to need $2000 in repairs. To be safe...and more to be "sorted".
But until you get it looked at...nobody knows...at that price, it better be perfect, then some IMO.

 

The 3-spoke steering wheel was actually introduced in December 2003

Press Release - 2004 Model Year Changes

 

Think it was in the end of the 2004 production for the US, first seen it on the MC40. I remember seeing it in the UK production MINI before it came into the US productions, so its might have been delayed vs press.

 

Vehicle Information TAG says "MINI COOPER S" so I would guess is has the single side exhaust MOD.

Nice looking car, and yes, that driver seat bottom has seen its share of FULL MOONs...

Motor on!

 

Way overpriced. Not even close to market value.

 

Yeah, well. It's a dealer. Their asking prices are always... shall we say... optimistic? He'll drop that price a few grand if he wants to sell it to me.

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I've got enough information to make a decision.

 

Just to put the prices into perspective...
In most of the country, an un-wrecked, in modded car in good shape, under 100,000 miles, 2004 would be closer to $5000 retail...modded drops it about $1000.
So maybe a $4000 car if its in good shape...$4500 might be fair, but not a good deal if you like the mods....

 

I would run, not walk, away from this car. Too many unusual mods and care issues. It looks like a car that was beat on. Just my opinion.

 

"Rear DVD"?