Decided this would probably be the best place to stick this, as it's not technically a "stock problem" anymore.

I have a 2003 Mini Cooper S with 109k miles. Engine blown and needs new cat. Decided it's more trouble than it's worth.

Question: What would be a reasonable asking price? I know kbb isn't much to go on. If engine didn't need replacing it'd be almost $9k....but.. thats not the case, so i know a LARGE fraction of that will be chunked off.

I put a lot of money into it recently. Everything from replacing all the rocker arms, motor mounts, expansion tank, oil cooler, all the engine gaskets, serpentine belt, belt accessory kit, among other things.

Has full leather, heated seats, 6spd transmission, roof bars, etc etc yada yada.

The mechanic has offered to buy it off my hands for a grand, but I'm now in the market for a new car, and spent loads of my moola on this poor guy. But as I said.. not sure whats reasonable. any opinions or anyone else been in this situation?

 

I would say 2500-3500 depending on body condition

 

Do you think the engine can be rebuilt or will it need to be replaced?

 

I would say atleast 4-5000$,Near me you can barely pick up a NA mini cooper with a blown engine for 3500

 

I paid $1,500 for my Cooper with blown trans a little over a year ago. 2002 with 120k. Not same car or problem, but that's what I know. I wouldn't pay any more than that myself for your car.

 

I'd look at the problem this way, the price of getting a new engine is less than buying another MINI. I love my car too much to abandon it over a blown engine.

How exactly is the engine broken? Spun bearing? Ventilated piston? Hole in the block?

 

My guess...find the cost of a used motor....subtract that from the kbb value...munus the cost of the install, plus an extra $1000 or so for the added risk/downtime.
If you priced it with a new/crate motor, then you are doing upgrade fom a higher mile motor...might be worth it, but you cannot expect the seller to take that full hit. The simple fact is you THINK the motor is the issue....but if the ball joints, exaust,brakes, tranny....etc are weak/bad, you will not find it till the car is on the road...hense the discount....more than $1000 might make sense...just depends on the level of risk you can tolerate to get the car....

 

I would like to know if you have already sold your Mini cooper, i want to buy a used oone..please contact me at cell 786-320-1657 Elena

 

So my Cooper had a overheating problem I finally thought I got it fixed and while driving it home forgot to top it up with coolant. The temperature gauage read 140 degrees when i pulled in at home. Accelaration was very sluggish, and car felt limp before dying out on me. I love this car from the bottom of my heart do you guys think it's worth rebuilding I've already poured $6k into the car rebuilding rocker arms, arm bearings, tranny & clutch, etc.
I would like to rebuild the motor but don't know where to start and would consider myself adept at best on working on cars. I don't have the tools to drop the motor so if that is required then it can't be fixed by me. I wanted to take it to a shop but I don't want to drop another $3k in a car that has been troublesome since I've got it. I'd rather figure it out on my own so I can replace it whenever I need. Mechanics are top dollar expensive in Atlanta especially because its a Cooper and not many mechanics can work on it.