I beg to differ, I have two good buds who will give any R53 a run for their money on an autocross course with their R50's. Yes, both are excellent drivers, but "Justas" simply handle extremely well with their lighter front-end weight and take very well to mods. I can get 'em on the straights in the R53, but they're Right Friggin There (atually make up some time) in the corners.

Bottom line: Get what YOU like.

 

Relatively low-mileage '05-'06 MCS is the way to go. Try to find one w/ltd. slip. "They just don't make 'em like that anymore!"

 

Update: the transmission on the R50 was about to go! I drove it about 50ft and turned around for fear that it would break on the test drive. Good news, found a 2004 R53 with 10K miles on it! Going to check it out...

 

so a lot of craziness has happened in the past week... and decided to take a few days off to go to mountains of north carolina for some r&r. my wife and i decided to fly to Atlanta (much cheaper), and rent a car to drive up to NC.

Then I thought "instead of renting a car why not BUY one and drive it back to FL." Would save on return flight and rental car. A couple of hours later, found a nice looking one ten minutes from the airport!

Here she is!
http://www.miniofsouthatlanta.com/Ve...-GA/1695561843

Just signed the PO and deposit, picking her up next Wednesday and off the hills of NC!

I have had two R53's and after testing driving a few R50's, I really like the low end torque and "fun to drive fast" feeling of the slower sibling.

I also plan to keep this one for a while, so figured a low mileage justa from '06 would be about as bombproof as it gets from the first gen.

Now to find some chrome mirror caps

 

nice- congrats !

 

Here is the options list:

VIN long WMWRC33556TK71924
Type code RC33
Type COOPER (USA)
Dev. series R50 (2)
Line M
Body type COUPE
Steering LL
Door count 3
Engine W10
Cubical capacity 1.60
Power 85
Transmision FRONT
Gearbox MECH
Colour ASTRO BLACK METALLIC (A25)
Upholstery KUNSTLEDER/PANTHER SCHWARZ (K7PN)
Prod. date 2006-09-23

Order options
No. Description
1CA SELECTION COP RELEVANT VEHICLES
210 DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC)
249 MULTI-FUNCTION FOR STEERING WHEEL
3AB BODY COLOURED MIRROR CAPS
300 EMERGENCY WHEEL
325 REAR SPOILER
368 LT/ALY WHEELS/5-STAR
381 ROOF IN BODY COLOUR
403 GLAS ROOF, ELECTRIC
450 HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT F FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
481 SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
520 FOGLIGHTS
534 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING
550 ON-BOARD COMPUTER
645 RADIO CONTROL US
650 CD PLAYER
692 CD CHANGER I-BUS PREPARATION
8SP COP CONTROL
895 ADDITIONAL VENTILATOR
925 SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE

Series options
No. Description
255 SPORTS LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
262 HEAD AIRBAG
429 INTERIOR SURFACE, ANTHRACITE
441 SMOKERS PACKAGE
470 CHILD SEAT ISOFIX ATTACHMENT
493 STORAGE COMPARTMENT PACKAGE
546 REVOLUTION COUNTER
563 LIGHTS PACKAGE
657 RADIO BOOST
736 SECOND RADIO REMOTE CONTROL KEY
823 HOT CLIMATE VERSION
845 ACOUSTIC BELT WARNING
853 LANGUAGE VERSION ENGLISH
876 RADIO FREQUENCY 315 MHZ
992 NUMBER PLATE ATTACHEMENT MANAGEMENT


Anyone know whether this is equipped with sports suspension? Looks by the photos that the car has sports package, but doesn't show up on the list. Also, leather or leatherette? 9/23/2006, looks like I got a late production date!

 

I would go with #2. It's closer, it doesn't have that many more miles, and it is still under warranty. It seems like a much better value to me.

 

Thanks for the advice, Pure, but I went with a different car altogether (see above). Cheers!

 

Update on the experience, along with pics and comments on R50 vs R53:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...09-post11.html

 

So miami whats the update?
I see its been a month since your last post,
Have you found anything yet..
Just wondering because when i get the bug 2 buy & start looking & driving..its on / im coming home with something A.S.A.P. P.D.Q.
But im quite the impulse buyer.. "A couple years ago i came home with a 2 Fer!"
a 1970 Chevelle "SS 396" & a Suzuki GSXR 1100 , heh purchased from the same
muscle car / sport bike dealership..
Good luck hunting..



2006 Royal Gray R53 "S"..window tint / Madness motorworks 22mm adjustable rear sway bar /
Silverstar ZXE hi & low beam / Silverstar 194 parking bulbs / Madness cold air intake /
Blackjack a-pillar vinyl stickers / Black vinyl "rally" racing stripe /

 

#2
Cloth interior is a no-no for me.
34k against 24k?.... 34,000 is nothing for a Mini! (105k on my 2005... No issues).

I've a Dark Silver and love it. Glad I chose it.

 

Nice car you got there! I actually ended up flying to Atlanta to pick up a 2006 R50. You can see some pics in the link I posted above. Very happy with my choice!