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We have 3 MINI, one from each Gen, and a Wrangler. The ‘04 R50 waiting for me to do something about the CVT that has a “Hiccup”, but not the chain. That is going to be kept.
Same here...intending to keep forever our 2006 r50 (now with 165K miles). Bought it for US$ 2,500 three years ago with 155K miles with a shattered rear bumper and some tail light rust...all of which we were able to fix ourselves. Matched the factory paint with an excellent resource that matches all cars' factory paint with rattle cans and accessories.. Just now have our Mini apart on the garage floor for new suspension parts, calipers, rotors, tie rods, strut/springs, etc., and new wheels/tires. Went with 16 x 7 inch wheels as a step up from the factory 15 x 5 inch wheels.. Using Wool Wax on all frame members for corrosion/rust mitigation. Only surprise in this current project is having to replace both steering knuckles; someone had used inferior pinch/strut bolts that were so badly seized that even after days of soaking with PB, the bolt heads broke right off (tried reaming out one of the bolts and mangled the knuckle's bolt hole; about the same cost to replace with new OEM knuckles than take to a machine shop for proper reaming and threading).
Very nice car. Wishing it had the 6 speed manual, however the 5 speed is fine.
Same here...intending to keep forever our 2006 r50 (now with 165K miles). Bought it for US$ 2,500 three years ago with 155K miles with a shattered rear bumper and some tail light rust...all of which we were able to fix ourselves. Matched the factory paint with an excellent resource that matches all cars' factory paint with rattle cans and accessories.. Just now have our Mini apart on the garage floor for new suspension parts, calipers, rotors, tie rods, strut/springs, etc., and new wheels/tires. Went with 16 x 7 inch wheels as a step up from the factory 15 x 5 inch wheels.. Using Wool Wax on all frame members for corrosion/rust mitigation. Only surprise in this current project is having to replace both steering knuckles; someone had used inferior pinch/strut bolts that were so badly seized that even after days of soaking with PB, the bolt heads broke right off (tried reaming out one of the bolts and mangled the knuckle's bolt hole; about the same cost to replace with new OEM knuckles than take to a machine shop for proper reaming and threading).
Very nice car. Wishing it had the 6 speed manual, however the 5 speed is fine.
First or second post? Either way, welcome the wonderful world of MINIs...
And yes...
Only surprise in this current project is having to replace both steering knuckles; someone had used inferior pinch/strut bolts that were so badly seized that even after days of soaking with PB, the bolt heads broke right off (tried reaming out one of the bolts and mangled the knuckle's bolt hole; about the same cost to replace with new OEM knuckles than take to a machine shop for proper reaming and threading).
is typical of Gen 1 MINIs. Most people just bore/drill out the remains of the stuck/broken bolt and replace it with a bolt and nut, the same as the Gen 2 MINIs.
Do you have a build thread going? If not, you can start one and share your fun.
Original owner. 03/05/2002. Twentieth birthday this month. 1 & 1/2 engines; two clutches, radiator, ps cooling fan, right and left cv shafts.
180k miles, drive it like I stole it. Starting today, swapping out the 5 spd Midlands for a 6 spd Getrag. Anyone know of one in the pacific northwest?
Can't (won't!) give it up.
Not sure if they’re still around, or their reputation, but possibly NorthWest Euro in Seattle? They used to post a lot of part outs here on NAM.
A facelift 6 speed might be a better match for regular Cooper due the the lower gearing. I’ve read all of the gearing up to 5th is lower to improve performance, but 6th is close to the same for fuel economy. A pre-facelift might be better for cars with a lot of HP or for the track, but a lot of it also comes down to personal preference.
Took Msfitoy out yesterday while my son was home from UNC. We went out for a ride and had a great time...the last time he rode with me, he was sitting on a booster seat lol...Glad he enjoyed that experience...
Took Msfitoy out yesterday while my son was home from UNC. We went out for a ride and had a great time...the last time he rode with me, he was sitting on a booster seat lol...Glad he enjoyed that experience...
114K miles...20 years old...still mine...
So happy to see you got it out of storage and still have it. I've got a soft spot for your car as I loved it back in the mid 2000's!
So happy to see you got it out of storage and still have it. I've got a soft spot for your car as I loved it back in the mid 2000's!
Thanks! Need to get back into Mini...forgot how nice she rides even on CO...can't believe she's going be 20 years old...can't believe how old I am lol...
From: Fulltime RVer - R53 towed behind a vintage 1979 35' MCI MC-5C Saudi
Forever in progress...
Still love Sebby Binks, my MCS.... 265K and counting. Have addicted my husband and daughter as well. He's still a daily driver and an occasional toad (towed behind our motorhome, which we live in fulltime). Daughter is learning to drive on him too. As long as I can repair him, he's mine.
weather premitting, I ride a triumph bonneville and a ducati monster, And our family owns a VW tiguan for daily use
so I guess Winston is likel;y gonna last pretty much forever. currently he has logged only about 160000km
My R53 has sat in the corner of my shop for about the last 5 or 6 years due to relatively small jobs and just having too many vehicles to be bothered with servicing it. She touched the ground again and ran around under her own power as of last week. 10 years of ownership and only 22,000 miles traveled. My truck is 4 years old and 47,500 miles on it already.
I know it's been a very long time since I last posted but 20 years ago today I rolled out of Patrick Mini in Schaumberg, IL with a brand new, built to order DS/B 2004 MCS. Although she's showing a bit of wear and tear and a little corrosion on the underside, she's still going strong at 156K. I don't put the mileage on like I used to as it's taken me 5 years to put on the last 10K miles. We've gone through multiple sets of tires and brakes but only one clutch. The supercharger has been serviced twice but it's still the original. I know the newer Mini's are bigger, more powerful, quicker, more comfortable and have a ton more features, but the analog nature of the R53 makes it so much more engaging to drive. I am going to keep her going for as long as I can.
My R53 has sat in the corner of my shop for about the last 5 or 6 years due to relatively small jobs and just having too many vehicles to be bothered with servicing it. She touched the ground again and ran around under her own power as of last week. 10 years of ownership and only 22,000 miles traveled. My truck is 4 years old and 47,500 miles on it already.
5-6 years?! How did you prepare the car for restart? What did you do with the fuel? I'm having anxiety worrying about getting mine restarted after month, maybe year before I get around to getting the starter fixed...
So... who is planning to keep their 1st gen MINI literally forever?
I am.
I'm totally broke.
My pre-facelift '04 R53 is nearing 100k. I've put so much TLC and $$ to keep it looking and running like new over the past 20years.
I was hoping to take it off the road and store it before it reached 100k (or before some "a-whole" crashes into me) and buy a POS daily to continue to commute to work.
I just looked at couple of late model "just-a" 2009 & 2010 R56's today in the $4k - $5K range w/165k - 190k mi on the clock...Neither were as nearly well maintained as my 20y/o R53.
While I still intend to store my Mini sooner or later....
I guess I'll have to start looking for an old Honda I could care less about.
I am.
I'm totally broke.
My pre-facelift '04 R53 is nearing 100k. I've put so much TLC and $$ to keep it looking and running like new over the past 20years.
I was hoping to take it off the road and store it before it reached 100k (or before some "a-whole" crashes into me) and buy a POS daily to continue to commute to work.
I just looked at couple of late model "just-a" 2009 & 2010 R56's today in the $4k - $5K range w/165k - 190k mi on the clock...Neither were as nearly well maintained as my 20y/o R53.
While I still intend to store my Mini sooner or later....
I guess I'll have to start looking for an old Honda I could care less about.
or you could find another R53 😁 the amount of r53’s for sale under 5k is going up. I really wish the wife would let me pull the trigger on some of them, there is a mc40 for sale in Indiana, paint looks tired and missing stickers, no rust, but the interior was in good condition and would look way better in my r53, and yes it’s on fb sub 4k price.
I'm planning to, depends on which one of us gives up first!
Maxx turns 22 in March, a pre spec MCS I took delivery of in May, 2002.
Just getting broken in, 92K or so on the odometer.
Still wears original paint, I've replaced the drivers seat covering and the turn signal stalk, along with numerous tires and the normal consumables MAXX at the QCBAC show
.
Runs great!
He's been a great car, may just end up with a grand kid one day.
