I have a 2004 mini cooper (I assume this is R50). I find rebuild kits and used engines, but no rebuilt engine. Also, the rebuild kits sometimes say for Cooper S or R 52/53, the engine is the same isn't it as far as pistons, rings? The R numbers are just body changes, is this correct? Would appreciate any advice, thanks.

 

Many compotents on a r53 motor (the sc version) are different...some parts are forged, or otherwise stronger....some things are very similar, but not the same...there are a few threads listing the exact compotents....but any kit that lists the r50/53 motor as the same is imo not with buying unless when it comes time to pay the $$, they ask which one you have so thy can include the correct rings, etc....
Many mini's are low milage weekend cars....so often there are some good used motors around from wrecked cars, so don't rule out used.

 

R50 motors are a W10.
1.6 Liter, 10.4 C/R, Normally Aspirated
The R53 is a W11.
1.6 Liter, 8.2 C/R, Supercharged
The engine blocks and internal components (rods, crank, pistions) are completely different.
The heads are also different.
The R53 has harder valves to deal with the higher heat of the S/C.
The R50 cam is different than the R53.
You can get performance cams for the R50 & R53.
You can bolt on a R53 head to a R50 block with no problem.
The fuel injection system is also different from each other.
The rebuild kits are almost always for a R53 engine.
Pistons, rods, crankshaft are available for R53.
I have only seen a factory OEM R50 rebuild kit.
It is just the stock parts.
No performance rods, etc.

 

R numbers represent Generation and Body Style.
1st Gen. cars
R50 - Base model, 5 speed
R52 - Cabrio
R53 - S Model, Supercharged.

 

Better question, does Vollgas still have the JCW engine and could you put that in it?

 

I sold JCW R53 engine.
No, the engines are not interchangeable.
R53 motor water pump driven by S/C
R50 water pump driven by belt
R53 ECM would have to be used in R50
Won't work
Fuel injector system different
Many other issues involved in that.

 

VOLLGAS would be the one to come to for anything R50 related, he has quite an intresting project lined up.

R50 motors and A/M parts for them are harder to come by, some parts are interchangable some others can work with modification, between them and the R53 "S" models. Your best bet would be to find a salvage motor, or pay out the wazoo for a new one from the MINI dealership.

 

What are the issues with the motor?
How many miles?
The bottom ends on R50's are pretty strong.
Have you done leakdown test?
Is it blowing oil?

 

I've got a good used R50 motor with 60k on it from a parts car, but for a rebuild kit we would have to put it together.

 

Well there ya go. WAY always seems to have everything.

 

Vollgas......car has 115K, engine has been trouble free until now. It did start using oil recently and I was monitoring the amount, more recently it started being a quart per less than 1000. I was asking around, but then the check engine light came on and it died on low rpm. Read out was misfire on #1 and #2......there was 0 compression on #1, the 2,3,4, were at 140. I have not done a leakdown test, the valve cover is now off and valve springs look OK. I was trying to determine if a rebuilt engine would be less than the rebuild with labor cost.

Way Motor Works.....I had been to your site and did not get the info about an engine. I will call. Thanks, and thanks to all for your help.

 

Sounds like you have a burned valve.
If that is the case, you only need to do a top end job.
You can pull the head off and get a complete valve job done.
If you want to add a little performance to car now is a great time to do it.
You can buy a nice Stage 1 ported head, put in a cam, header, injectors.
Depending on what you want to do.
A head is a lot cheaper than a engine.
115K is a little high mileage but I'm sure lower end is good.

 

^^+1^^ Thumper can build a great small valve R50 head.

 

Thumper uses a better valve than OEM R50.
The R53 valves OEM valves are very good.
Alot harder steel than the R50 because of heat by S/C
You don't need to go oversize on the valves on R50 unless you want to.
If you want to replace cam, the NitroStick NS-1 is a great cam for R50
You can use stock valve springs with this cam.

 

Yeah I don't have all our used parts on our website. We have parted out 3 R53 MCS, and one R50 Cooper so I have shelves of parts all over.