Planning to be the first and last owner of my '05 Cooper.
Just closing in on 100k and still the most fun I've had on 4 wheels.
Motor on.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimmy_racoon/7035732741/
(edit:12/20/13-just rolled past 121k)

 

My '04 MCS Just turned 90,000 miles. I've owned it since new. It's still my daily driver (50 mile round trip per day) and I still really enjoy driving it. No plans at this point to part with it.

 

'05 S is at 278,000 this week. Planning on at least 500K.

 

Well despite my original intentions - forever is a very long time. Gollum found a new home at 192k miles, and I'm waiting on a new BRG Justa who will be Gollum II.

The original went away healthy and happy and with plenty of smiles remaining, and I do miss him terribly. What a street weapon he became over the years, as I modded to the limit of the SCCA STX rules.

But even a great Works Cooper in STX is an underdog, and Gollum II will be far more competitive in H Stock than his faster predecessor.

And I will not have to dodge potholes and stop for sleeping policeman so much!

Cheers,

Charlie

 

I plan on staying with my 2006 and finding another. Brad Greek

 

We plan on keeping both....and adding a Clubman or Countryman within the next few years.

 

theres so many upgrades for the R53s, you can almost literally keep them forever, making them better with each repair! plus, nobody else really makes a stock supercharged car anymore :-\

 

I can still remember the excitement and anticipation after ordering my '04 R50. Now, after nearly 8 years and a short commute to work I have just over 40,000 miles and its been a great car. A few problems, like the air con is dead, had a stuck passenger window for a day that suddenly fixed itself, but other than that its been great. I guess I'll keep it until its totaled by some other careless nut job. I still have fun driving this car.

 

I am the original OP of this thread. 2 weeks ago I traded (Got a really nice trade in allowance) my '05 R53 MCS for a near mint 1 year old CPO 2011 BMW 328i sedan and I am very happy with the new car, my first "Bimmer" and first ever RWD car.

My R53 was great and it was running like a champ at 97K miles. But with a growing family and also taking into consideration its age and mileage, I decided it was time to let go. I had been out of warranty for many years and every little unexpected repair required a trip to my indy and time lost from work. My main concern was not so much the mechanical components (Engine, transmission and even windshield all original) but the inevitable aging and eventual failure of electrical/electronic components. Both of my power windows were still original, passenger side door lock actuator (Driver's had failed and replaced a couple of years ago), original power steering fan, pump, original CV joints. Seemed to us that it was a good time to let go of the car while it was still running fine.

Do I miss it? Sure I do. Drove it and enjoyed it for nearly 8 years. It was my daily little red rocket. Took great care of it. Great memories in it, too. But I won't lie to you and say that I am not really enjoying the bimmer. The N52 six cyl is smooth as silk and the handling of the E90 is just spectacular. This car is just in a whole different latitude than the MINI. At least going to a 3-series (E90) you are not going to give up entirely on the sublime handling quality of the MINI. Love the heavy and well weighted steering of the E90 (Which seems to have been softened in the new F30 generation with an all electric setup) that reminds me a lot of the heavy at low speeds R53 steering. After all the steering "Makedth" the car, so they say and this is true for both of these.

The 328 is a much better car than my R53 S ever was in many aspects. Far more comfortable, more up-to-date amenities like HD radio, bluetooth, 1000 times better A/C, fantastically comfortable seats, better interior materials, etc,etc. But a MINI is a MINI at the end of the day. The charm, design, character of a MINI can not easily be replaced. And this is true of the first generation cars.

Once a MINI owner, always a MINI owner. But fear not, we are not MINIless..... We still have the R55 S Clubman which we plan to keep a few more years and hope that MINI gets their act together again for the third generation, but not holding my breath.

 

ClubmanS - thanks for starting this thread - it turned out to be a good one. Nice counterpoint to the problem threads.

Peace and happy Thanksgiving.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Congrats on the BMW! I've had the opportunity to drive a few recently (2009 335i, 2010 323i.) and I could certainly see myself trading "up" to a 335i down the road. Great handling, pulled like a freight train, and little more practical.

Unfortunately (maybe.) I still have a real emotional connection to my R50... the thought of seeing someone else drive it makes me angry. My most current scheme is to hold onto it and find a nice, cheap, fast highway car (2000ish Trans-Am, maybe.) and have all my options covered.

 

After dropping $600 to get the passenger window motor and oxygen sensor replaced I'm keeping my 06. Headaches with this car not withstanding I still love diving it. I had an Alfa Romeo before the Mini; that was a high maintenance relationship.

 

i do not have a R50/R53, but i do plan to keep my R60s all4 a very long time

i ordered it 02/17/2012, took delivery 03/31/2012

last vehicle before the cms all4 is a 1997 gmc sonoma sls v6 4x4 5speed extended cab, ordered 11/27/1996, i took delivery 12/31/1996, i still have it 288,000 miles later and use it at work and for hauling

i also have a 1974 bmw r60/6 motorcycle and a 1987 bmw k75s motorcycle, both with over 120,000 miles, both bought new ... the r60/6 was my first "new" vehicle

at 58 years of age, i plan on the cms all4 being my last car purchase

scott

 

I'm going to keep my R53 until some inattentive driver inevitably causes more damage to it than can be repaired at a reasonable cost.

 

In June 2002 I took delivery of a new R53, DS/B. kept it for almost 8 years and 80k miles. Sold it and got a new AudiTT. Nice car in every respect. Never really connected with it. Sold it and bought a 2006 R53 with only 38k miles on it, CR/B, just a few months ago. The MINI is not as refined but as the TT but much more fun! I've been an Audi owner for many years, an A4 sits next to my "new" MINI. This time I'm sure there will be a MINI in the garage for a lot longer. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Just finish some mods that had my MINI sitting in my driveway(or hanging on jack stands for 2 month)
-madness control arm bushings
-madness lower brace
-vip engine damper
-headlight bulbs and few other repairs

I also got an ATI damper so this car is tune for longevity. Hopefully I will be reliable from now on as I've been on the fence to trade it quite a few times. Working on the MINI can so rewarding as much as it can be a pain in the ***. Now I'm just excited to keep it forever. As a member said a few post up "high maintenance relationship".

 

I have 158,223 miles on my '03 Justa. If you are going to keep your Cooper long term, well, get ready. Buy a service manual, collect tools, save up for parts and clear your weekends.

 

Hehe yeah will save alot of time and money doing the work yourself.

I done a few things without the book like all the..
Cv boots on both axles, cooling fan replacement, fuel pump replace, serpentine belt, and a few other things that is just normal

Nice you almost got 160,000 miles, congrats and have u done a transmission fluid change too, oil?

I got a 2003 cooper too! Motor on!

 

I have no issues doing my own work, nor have I needed to purchase a manual, yet. Normally the internet has comprehensive enough writeups for every DIY I've needed. Pelican Parts has been a good resource for me.

 

Recently purchased a nice '06 Cooper.

Keeping this one forever.

Note that in my case forever may not be as long as it will be for some of you.

 

Just took ownership of an '03 R53 with only 26,500 miles on it. I passed my 1999 E46 manual on to my son.

The mini is not as refined as the 323, but man is it fun to drive. So far my favorite part is the exhaust note.

 

My oldest son is 9 - so I'll drive it at least another 7 years then pass it to him - and take it out on the weekends. Would love to find another that is as good a steal as this one was...if I do, I'll drive them both forever!

 

That is awesome - big props to you! What is your secret? Please share the wisdom.

 

Cooper and I are going to be together for many years to come. I have no desire to make payments again and I really just love this car. I got him fresh from the dealer. I'm just beginning to get into mods and upgrades and at almost 70k the time is now to do preventative upgrades before things start crapping out. I belong to a local club where the dealership lets us work on our cars and helps us out on a quarterly basis. We just buy the parts. I don't mind doing the work if I can learn how. We have had little issue so far (thermostat, crank pulley) and I hope to take care of things on my terms while it is up on the rack vs when it leaves me on the side of the road. It is my daily driver, though my commute is short. Some upgrades I have on the radar include, but are not limited to rear swaybar, LCABs, Motor mounts, Ball Joints, Oil Pan Gasket, super charger pulley, idle pulley, Serpentine belt, Stainless Brake Lines, Power Steering Hoses, and more! Motor on!

 

My 2004 MCS is my daily driver, if I ever get another car, its going to park next to the cooper and not replace it. In the future Ill probably get a nice decent sedan, keep it stock and keep on modding the cooper, as a sort of hobby I guess. But for now, without any wife or kids .... Just me and my R53