proud owner of a 6 speed standard r53, and let me tell you i don't ever think ill regret buying the car. as a driver with a more performance oriented perspective on cars, getting a car that would be quick stock and had massive potential was a must, and the only car i can think of that fits the bill is my mini cooper. save taking out the back seats and the "one-ball" exhaust, my car is completely stock, dictated mainly by my tight starving-student budget. but i wouldn't have it any other way. its far too common around were i live for "drivers" to rely very, very heavily on their cars, rather than honing their own talents or sharpening their driver's instinct. but thanks to my point of view, were it is 90% driver and 10% car, i can easily lay the smack down on pretty much every twisty road by my place, or at least make much more powerful cars sweat as i crowd their rear-view.
rant over and long story short, i think owning a mini has made me a much better motorist, and i can't reccomend taking that first step enough; although i would suggest holding out for a standard like mine, 6 speeds FTW

 

minicoopas and davii, I have 71,000 miles on my 05S and the only problems were lower control arm bushings (replaced at about 55k) and the dreaded leaking passenger motor mount. Mine is a 6 speed, but my friend loved my car so much she got an 05 MCSa. As with the others, she has had minor problems and the Aisin has been perfect! Good luck with your purchase and happy motoring!

 

I just got the 15% pulley installed--lovin' Scoopie's new sound, 4 sure! Now, this CAI thingy ... it'll get me better gas mileage? Is that its sole purpose? I TOLD myself I wasn't gonna do anything else engine-related ... *sigh*

 

I bought a 2005 MCS with the Aisin auto trans in April of 2009 with 56,000 miles on it. I didnt know how well thr privious owner took car of it so I did a full work over the first weekend. Heres what I did and recommend to yoo.
1. Sign up on NAM
2. Buy the Bently manuel (any diy stuff you do cross refference with nam and the bently manuel.
3. Changed oil- used Royal purple with napa gold filter. Every 5k miles
4. Bought new tires.
5. Replaced both front and rear brakes.
6. Replaced serpintine belt. Tool is expensive but I plan on replacing it yearly.
7. Replaced factory air filter with K&N.
8. Relaced Fuel Filter.
9. Seafoam in the gas tank every 3,000 miles
10. Semi Flush of cooling system with Purple Ice.
11. reset ecu
12. fully cleaned the engine.
I did all of this at my home by using the forums and the bently manuel. Its was easy and my car runs great!

 

A CAI will allow more air flow into the engine. This will boost your mpg and hp a bit. I saw about a 1.5 gain in mpg. But it also unlocks a treasure trove of new and amazing sounds. From the inside you hear loads more S/C whine, and from the outside you hear a massive amount of sucking. It's amazing on all count.

 

Double post, ; (

 

We have 53,000 miles on our 06' MCS and are still about 7000 miles from the recommended replacement of the serpentine belt. The closest dealer is 6 hours away but we are going to be in that city anyway in a few weeks. Would it be a wise move to replace it early or drive it another 7000 miles? That old saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" keeps popping into my head! The serpentine belt looks good from what little we can see of it without taking the wheel well out. What advice would you give us on this?

 

kind of an odd thread to bump for your question.
You don't need a dealer to change the serpentine belt. It is not especially difficult to do and any competent mechanic would be able to handle it for you. You can order the belt on line for about $25 and bring it to the shop of your choice.
If money is not the concern then go ahead and do it early at the dealer.
Mine went 58k miles with no problem, but it was old and time for it to be replaced. I could smell it slipping on hard acceleration. If they break it will likely destroy your crank pulley with it and cost much more to fix.
I would replace it early, 6 years is a long time for a rubber belt under tension in a hot engine bay.

 

My wife has an '06 MCS auto and the automatic transmission has been flawless.