The family is coming back to an R53 after a long hiatus. Found a very well maintained and total base model '02 with very low miles and upgraded wheels. Was supposed to buy it today but forgot about some Mother's Day plans we've made.

Woke up this morning to find that an '06 Factory JCW with only 25K miles I had been chasing for a week is now ready for sale.

$6K difference in price between the two. Both are well cared for cars with really good histories. Sure the 06 JCW will be faster. We're trying to decide it we prefer the really basic car with less stuff to break versus this unicorn of a car in a 25K mile factory JCW.

Thoughts?

 

Are both cars manual or automatic?
The auto CVT is junk.
If both are manual transmission it's really comes down to what you want.
If you want a zippy fun mini, go with the JCW.
If you just want a basic, ahem, slow mini, go with the base model.

 

I don't think you can go wrong if they are both manual's and Cooper S's (you did say R53, right?)

The JCW will probably be super fun right out of the gate, where as the 02 could probably use a few upgrades to make it more interesting to drive, like a super charger pulley, rear sway bar, strut brace, CAI ect. So I would consider if you are the type of person who likes to personalize a car, or would prefer to have good performance from the factory. (as the JCW has versions of those upgrades already plus a slightly ported exhaust I think)

I would probably choose off of options and color more than anything, but the JCW sounds really tempting, and might retain is value a little better. The other thing is the JCW will still have a rust warranty, limited slip diff, closer gear ratios, 3 spoke steering wheel, power steering pump that doesn't need to be recalled, and I think nicer seats.

So I would go with the 06 but I think you'll love either one.

 

Both are manual. I think we're going 06. Can't pass us a car with this low of miles...

 

Go for the 06 IMO...
Many parts were "improved" over the desgin life....
Heck some 2002 cars have non-standard parts ...engine mounts and suspensions are most common...
And the 2006 is still covered under factory rust warrenty.... The 05+ cars had it more than doubled in length.

 

So we bought the 2006. I found this car a couple weeks ago. It was listed without pics but a quick decode of the VIN showed what was listed as a regular S to actually be a factory JCW. Black on black 6 speed manual (did they even offer it in auto then?)

I quickly swooped in to buy it at the 11991 asking price. One owner local car with only 25K on the clock. All maintenance done at Mini. No accidents. No stories. Just a very rarely used car.

It was originally overheating and they thought it could have larger issues but a quick check showed just a cracked hose and some other minor surroundings which were all tidied up. They put 4 new tires on it and away we go.

Thanks for the feedback all. This is our 4th mini. '02 MCS, '04 MCS and a highly modified '08 Clubman. We're excited to be back. Will post some pics later.

 

If you don't, I will.

Oops, too late.

 

On another note what did you use to decode the vin? The only one I've seen doesn't give detail such as color, etc.
TIA

 

Nice choice :-) have fun with the mod bug!!

 

I just used one of the standard decoders I found on this and other sites. I got color by calling the dealer and asking them to snap a pic of the car on the back lot. The decoder only listed packages. The pics the dealer sent showed it to be a JCW but it wasn't clear if it was factory or even real. I couldn't see the brakes.

Now that it's home I gave it a basic wash. I think the original owner lived near the beach as there is some pitting in the chrome. It's going to need a real good coat of wax and full detail which I'll get done tomorrow.

Once that's done, no MOD's. Plan is to keep this as a great bone stock example of the JCW. I'll debadge it but those can easily be reapplied.

 

Sounds like a really nice find.

 

Pics?

 

Congrats!!

 

Sure. Fresh off a detail today. Just debadged the rear. I prefer the clean looking back on all my vehicles.

 

bav is going to be super jealous of your wheels.