Category: Drivetrain
Price: $5000
Private or Vendor Listing: Private Listing
Part fits (you may select multiples): R53
Location (Region): West
Item Condition: Used

This for sale post starts with a sad story. A couple years ago I had an oil pump failure coming back from a weekend trip to Napa valley, and it spun a rod bearing. It debated for more than a year about rebuilding vs junking, and finally decided to rebuild and refresh it. So roughly $10K later I had a JCW crate motor, a new supercharger, Valeo single-mass clutch-kit, OS Giken LSD, new suspension and tires sitting in the garage. Then my wife got pregnant...and it took me over a year of pre-dawn Saturday mornings to get everything installed.

While still breaking in the engine I helped a lady in an SUV learn the meaning of "left turn yield on flashing yellow" at a notoriously dangerous intersection near my house. I saw her making the turn, but even standing on the brakes and steering away I wasn't able to avoid the crash. It was only maybe 5 MPH, but given the height difference and angle, my right-front headlight became the bumper. Damage was only to headlight, hood crease and bumper cover, but that was still enough for the insurance company to total it -- they gave not one wit about the new parts. So I bought it back for $300 and was going to fix it, but now we're moving internationally and have a second little girl and the Mini just doesn't make sense as a family car, so I'm parting out the car, trying to resell the new valuable low-hanging fruit.

The juiciest piece of fruit is the engine/transmission combo. This is a JCW crate motor I purchased from Way Motor Works. Bolted to it is a new supercharger w/ coated rotors, purchased from a member here on NAM, and a 16% pulley from Way. When I had the motor out, I installed a new Valeo single-mass flywheel kit, and an OS Giken LSD -- also from Way. JCW injectors of course too. And a Detroit-Tuned BPV to prevent any "yo-yo." The OEM crate motors come complete from coil-pack to oil pan, even the spark-plugs are new. I replaced the starter while it was accessible too.

Everything in this package has roughly 1500 miles on it!

It's a big ask, and it pains me that my poor Mini was worth more in pieces than whole, but for someone looking for a drop-in refresh "package" for their Mini it could be just what you're looking for. No bothers about core charges, no assembly hassles, bolt it in and motor on for another 100k+ miles.

Asking $5000 shipped, but I am open to offers. My job situation recently changed and I'm moving the family to New Zealand in December. The engine won't fit in the airplane's overhead bin, so I need to find it a new home!

If you made it this far, thanks for reading my novel of a post!

Brian

 

Ohh man...sorry for your loss. That is such. a. beautiful. motor.

Wish I had the budget, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat. GLWS!!

 

That's a hot set up for someone with a blown drive train.

 

how much is shipping for something like that to the east coast?

 

His invoice from WMW shows $406. It must be done via freight, and on a pallet. Seems a bit high but may be due to the weight and the floor space it takes up in a semi. It is a good buy for someone wants a fresh engine and lots of great bits.

 

We both have reading incomprehension.

The price including shipping. It is tempting even for my Mini that has a barely broken in engine. Should I get a spare engine plus gearbox - is the $5500 question of the day.

 

don't forget sc and LSD as well.

 

This is my thoughts for my MCS:

• I already have a Quarfe LSD and I am very happy with it even on track. Do I want to bother with the trouble of swapping it out and sell it?
• My SC is in good shape, so I can sell the SC that comes with the engine.
• I can swap out the JCW head and sell the fresh block with my low mileage MCS head. But the JCW head is just a MCS head with very minimal exhaust porting. A bit lame if I decide to go thru the trouble of changing the head.
• I can also sell the gearbox (unknown wear and tear), starter, AC compressor, clutch kit, etc; but is it worth my trouble?
• The term "crate engine" can be used very loosely. I infer this is a rebuilt engine by MINI. In reality it may just be the short block that is crate.

 

I can elaborate! In this case "crate" means the factory-built motor from Mini, purchased from Way. I planned to drive the car another ten years and wanted OEM reliability. I know it's cheaper or possible to get more power with an aftermarket rebuild, but that wasn't my priority.

This was literally brand new from valve cover to oil pan, assembled by BMW/MINI using all factory parts and gaskets. I bought a new OEM water pump, but reused my AC compressor and alternator. The parts counter guys at the local MINI dealer knew me on sight. I did get impatient at the end and used an aftermarket starter when there was a delay getting the factory replacement. That still bothers me a bit...that's how **** I am!

Brian

 

I would grab this in a heartbeat but my track beast 02 MCS only has 55k on it and is running flawlessly. Good luck with the sale and your new job in New Zealand.

 

Good to have more information for the potential buyer. To those in need of a healthy engine, and want some extra, this one is hard to pass up.

 

What's the story on the tranny? Also new like the engine, or pre-existing? If the latter, how many miles?

 

Love to get my hands on this but I can't even imagine what the final price would be by the time I got it up to Canada

 

Sorry, I missed this question.

Transmission is the original from my car, and had 140k miles on it when the old engine ate itself. Never any grinding or notchiness, or synchro problems. When I installed the clutch and LSD I checked the fork and slave cylinder and they looked good, but I replaced the throw-out bearing for good measure. So the transmission and the fork/slave have 140k, the flywheel/clutch/throw-out/LSD have 1500 miles.

Hope that answers your question!

 

You're on the "wrong" side of Canada! I used to live in the Seattle area and still go over the border into BC for vacation pretty regularly. I could probably have figured out a way to get it to BC, but Ontario's a little out of my normal range -- Kelowna's as far east as we usually go.

Brian

 

The clock's ticking for me. I'm open to offers! It's a nice combo for bringing a car back to (almost) showroom fresh.

 

I don' have the budget for this but go n to the casino tonight..who knows mabe I'll be messaging you with a how much to ship it to Ontario. My baby' running strong right now but I'd just love to have the piece of mind of having a nice new motor especially when I'm ripping up corners with my foot stuck in the headlight.

 

I even have a spare driver's-side headlight I can throw into the deal, if your foot breaks it.

 

I'm very open to offers! I don't want to turn this into an auction or anything, but I need to sell this by the end of the week.

 

So tempting. My 2003 has nearly 200K miles and would be ideal to swap it all out at once. Hmmm.

 

I have had a lot of intetest and couple offers, but nothing definite. I will be taking the best offer by the end of the weekend, so if you've been thinking about taking this combo off my hands there's another day or two in which to open a dialog.

I want it to find a good home!

 

This is a good seller, I bought the Koni/Swift setup from him and it’s in impeccable condition. I’d assume the engine would be the same.

 

Thanks!

 

I too hope this drivetrain finds a good home. He has been very forthcoming on the disclosure. I would buy this if only I have a place to store it. Good luck with you new country.

 

Thank-you! This is a big purchase, and if I was a potential buyer I'd want the seller to be open and descriptive about things too. It is asking for a lot of trust. I genuinely appreciate the opportunities I've had to talk to other Mini lovers too.