Hello everyone I'm new around here and just purchased my r53 3 weeks ago. Its absolutely amazing but I had a question as to the worth of my mini and things to look out for.

It's a 2005 r53 with 140k on the odometer. It was rebuilt at 130,000 with lots of new parts. A few mods which include

Steel skid plate
H&r lowering springs
Koni yellow adjustable shocks
Montegi 17" wheels with firestone wide oval tires
Adjustable upper and lower control arms
Solid end links all around
Wilwood big brake not
Stainless steel brake lines
Alta 15% pulley
Alta intake
Miltek resonated cat back exhaust
Forge coolant resevoir
Alta dual guage pod
Auto lite boost guage and afr guage
Short shift kit
Msd ignition
Front, rear, lower strut braces
Vibra technics upper motor mount
Power flex and front control arms bushings
Silicon hoses
Ati super dampened pulley
Helix dyno tune
Arp head screws
Carbon fibre splitter on spoiler
Dechrome

It's not the fastest but it really does out corner corners. I'm in love with it

 

 

Nice car!

It's worth what you paid for it

Sounds like everything is new so there shouldn't be much to look out for, at least for a while

 

I'd list that for $6-7k in the Philly area. Could probably get $5500 in the end. Maybe a little more.

 

you would be able to get more if you parted some stuff out and swapped for OEM, most people would rather buy OEM cars. but it takes more time and effort, many mods don't up the price any unless its that 1 buyer, just keep that in mind

 

Looks great! Congratulations on your purchase. Check out this buyers guide HERE for common issues to look out for with your year R53. Looks like a lot has been done and it's in pretty good condition. We also have some great tech articles on our site HERE under the tech info tab at the top. Those can help you learn more about your MINI. The LCA with Powerflex is a great upgrade and same with the Forge coolant tank. Those are common problem areas on the R53.

 

It seems like my forge coolant tank leaks from the cap. There's coolant dried on top of the tank

 

Could be residual from when it was installed and when they added coolant in. You can clean up the area and keep an eye on it to see if coolant builds up there again. If so, you may want to replace the cap depending on what cap they put on with the tank.

 

It's definitely not residual. I just hope it's not a big problem

 

I just want it to be perfect before motd. I love like an hour away so I wanna go this year

 

Is it a cap that came with the tank or is it your OE one? May have a bad seal and if so should be replaced.

 

I was thinking about replacing the oring inside. Does the r53 not need a spout for coolant overflow. I can't see one and it's all air tight

 

All you have is your expansion tank, the image below. The expansion tank ensures you have the right amount of coolant level in the system and you only lose it if there is to much pressure or a leak. It helps through the seasonal changes also, so that the level stays at a better level compared to the over flow style that may be way to low in the winter if some one does not check often enough.

 

I'm gonna try to replace the lid.

I want to vinyl the roof and mirrors, eventually go with the xenon headlights and led tails

 

An 05 s without a sunroof! I am jealous.

 

Welcome to the Indi Blue club!

 

05 were hyper blue no?


hyper blue on left indi in middle

 

In that case, get out

 

You can have the indie blue club. I'll stay in the hyper blue no sunroof club.

 

Leaking coolant tank cap could also mean a bad thermostat. Ask me how I know...

 

The leaking coolant cap and thermostat here : I would check that back of that expasion tank. As well as the cap itself.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...endations.html





Check the thermostat also.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...at-change.html

 

Well I've got the dreaded p2096 but I'm pretty sure it's exhaust leak

 

I've got that one, too. (Still do)

 

Yea, more info here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...and-p2096.html

 

Hibernating on a rainy day