When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Year: 2006 Make: MINI Model: Hardtop Price: $1 Mileage: 100 Color: red Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing Location (Region): Midwestern
Originally Posted by Oldboy Speedwell
Not really a good deal as it will likely go bigbig bucks as all the OG NLA R53 JCW stuff seems to be escalating drastically in value,
but here's a factory original R53-correct dashtop shift light on ebay:
Don’t be surprised if that thing sells for outrageous stupid money. I messaged a guy on FB Selling one from Italy, looked up the lira to dollar conversion and it was $640...and it sold.
...got an alert several hours ago and this is what I saw:
Was super excited because I've been wanting a spare Genuine MINI aero grill so I immediately jumped in the car and started driving the 55 minutes north.
But, there's always a good chance that someone has beat you to it and already stripped the good stuff, and it's such a bummer after committing to an hour or two drive to the boneyard only to find it already gone over...
...so,
I was stoked to see this as I walked up to the right row:
I was able to get it!
$20 price is awesome too.
Also, this specimen was totally intact so I finally finally was able to get a nice factory core support that I've been looking for 1.5 years at various junkyards but they've always been crashed in front or mutilated by someone who wanted to get the supercharger and just tore everything off, I've come across plenty of nicely preserved R50 core supports but it's a totally different part, the R53 part has been elusive but my patience finally paid off because I just knew I'd get lucky eventually. Didn't wanna pay the $275 for a new OE part, and didn't wanna go with the $100 aftermarket part either, mine has been cracked on bottom ever since I got it so I'm glad I can finally install a good support.
Anyway,
that's all I got from it. Decided to leave the JCW airbox for someone else as the emblem was all scratched up and I have a nice spare --- so if you're anywhere near Chattanooga it's still sitting there...
Don’t be surprised if that thing sells for outrageous stupid money. I messaged a guy on FB Selling one from Italy, looked up the lira to dollar conversion and it was $640...and it sold.
YOWZA!
3 days left until auction end and it's already at $650+
Meanwhile,
over at BaT on the heels of the $35,000 GP:
I’m beginning to think that the r53 MCS and JCW are actually sound investments moving forward, especially if they are well maintained, close to stock, and under 100k miles. Maybe better than the GP as far as cash in, cash out.
Agreed, too early in the game to start flipping for a profit. But give the r53 some props for finding their way on BAT and bringing some decent numbers. I don’t think you’ll ever see a first gen Kia on there. Just as the early Camaros or Cudas sat in a pile of mud in the 80s and 90s, and now they’re pulled out, dusted off, and rolling across the auction block for crazy numbers. It takes time, but I think the r53 will follow the same path and be a future collectible. Being that they’re getting harder to find, especially low mile, and well sorted, their value will only go up not down. Buying a car that’s fun to drive is one thing, buying one that keeps losing value down to zero is not really my goal.
From a collectors point of view: It is incorrect to believe you made $1000.00 on your "collectable" MINI after you purchased it last year for $10k and sold it 12 months later for $11k. Most first time auto "investors" fail to include the many supporting costs involved in owning that vehicle for 1 year, like: possible buyers commission, the initial cost to retrieve, the cost to repair both known and unknown items (always), the cost of ins, the cost of storage (even if it is in your own garage there is a cost), the cost of prepping for re-sale, and of course misc costs. Aside from this, the modern MINI, in general, is not considered a collector car even though you may be in love with low mileage, low production or limited edition MINI's like I am. Aside from this, when you attempt to make a profit at time of re-sale, you are fighting against deflated book values showing further depreciation from the prior year.
Smart collectors buy what is already proven on the books to make money...and even then they are not always right. Don't get me wrong, everybody makes a buck now and then on a car they are selling, but in the used MINI market it is a gamble. Only you can decide if the "investment" is worth it.
I appreciate your input, and view as to the potential value of particular r53s, and classics for that matter. I am approaching my ownership in maybe a different way. Mainly, a low buy in price in general (entry level), purchase price and condition, mileage, length of ownership (mine will be quite a few years), model enthusiasm, model availability, but most of all, auction trends. There are many variables with investing in most everything, and generally most automobiles are not good investments. Obviously there are exceptions to that. I am already way ahead on mine, because of my purchase price, model and options.
I’m gonna have some fun, improve and preserve what I have, and keep an eye on this chart. For a low buy in, I like the stability and slow rise of what I see on this link.
As a footnote, I would have never thought a ratty little mini bike I bought as a kid for a few hundred dollars as a kid (Honda CT-70) would be selling on BAT today for $4-5k. Crazy.
Not really a good deal as it will likely go bigbig bucks as all the OG NLA R53 JCW stuff seems to be escalating drastically in value,
but here's a factory original R53-correct dashtop shift light on ebay:
Thankfully I'm not a hardcore purist in that sense of gotta have absolutely everything factory correct, but I do understand why some people strive for it.
Speaking of ridiculously expensive,
I'd love to have one of these Kyosho 1:18 models either in GP form or the MINI Challenge edition,
but man are they a little pricey.
So glad to see this thread is still alive and kicking! I started it a few years ago while I looking for an R53 JCW. I haven't been on NAM in a little while, is the old FS thread going to be closed? Any chance the moderators can move it to the new FS thread? It might get more traffic that way as well.
Anyways, I'm on the prowl for my 7th MINI, I'll post any deals I find. Either looking for a low mileage JCW again or maybe a good project in need of TLC that doesn't need the sub-frame dropped. I have a set of seats, rear bumper, headlights, etc.. that I could swap on a banged up MINI.
So glad to see this thread is still alive and kicking! I started it a few years ago while I looking for an R53 JCW. I haven't been on NAM in a little while, is the old FS thread going to be closed? Any chance the moderators can move it to the new FS thread? It might get more traffic that way as well.
Anyways, I'm on the prowl for my 7th MINI, I'll post any deals I find. Either looking for a low mileage JCW again or maybe a good project in need of TLC that doesn't need the sub-frame dropped. I have a set of seats, rear bumper, headlights, etc.. that I could swap on a banged up MINI.
Hey Burley, you definitely started a great thread. Although with social media, it has morphed into a FB thread also. And with the r53s getting harder and harder to find, they’re not all great deals lol. I tried to pump some life into your thread a few months back when I was looking for a JCW. I did find one, and it was a GREAT deal, but now I’m addicted to this thread, damn you lol. Hope they can move it for you.
Hey Burley, you definitely started a great thread. Although with social media, it has morphed into a FB thread also. And with the r53s getting harder and harder to find, they’re not all great deals lol. I tried to pump some life into your thread a few months back when I was looking for a JCW. I did find one, and it was a GREAT deal, but now I’m addicted to this thread, damn you lol. Hope they can move it for you.
Actually, I just threw CL up there as an example, the more sources the better. If you see one on ebay, CL, FB, Cars.com, toss it up!
There was a time when I would do nationwide CL searches on a weekly basis, might be time soon. Last time I found a mint '04 JCW with the full 210hp upgrade with ~34k miles, well optioned for $8k. I road tripped to Georgia, then after about a year and some change someone offered me $14k, so I HAD to take it. Some regret, but I think I prefer the '05-06 gearing ratio anyways, and LSD would be nice.
Same here, was on searchtempest for 2 years, then I pounced. 06 JCW 52k miles. Was in Denver, so I had to scramble. Probably the sweetest deal I ever made for a car. Not sure if the nice gentleman (70) knew what he had. Good luck with your search buddy.
Same here, was on searchtempest for 2 years, then I pounced. 06 JCW 52k miles. Was in Denver, so I had to scramble. Probably the sweetest deal I ever made for a car. Not sure if the nice gentleman (70) knew what he had. Good luck with your search buddy.
You know I'm going to need the finer details along with a pic
Hmmm
