Hi there! I am looking to buy my first MINI and am debating between two models. One is a 2006 r53 with the chrono package, and 74000 miles. He wants 11000. A new clutch was just installed in it not to long ago. It has the Harman Kardan audio. Is this overpriced? Includes 17" rims.

Next is a 2007 r56, 50000 miles, Wants 12.5k. Cloth seating instead of leatherette in this one.

 

The o5/o6 years of the R53 are considered the most desirable years of the R53. That Price is not terrible, but without knowing the condition of common wear parts, I can not say for certain.

The o7 R56 is considered one of the most problematic of the 2nd generation cars, so you tell me me?

There are R56 that are better choices, but the cost is going to go up.

Common things to look for on the R53, Lower control arm bushing, crank pulley, low speed resistor on the fan, leaking gaskets, just to name a few.

I am sure that other here will add to the list, I personally am an R53 Fan and feel that the o6 is a great choice, just make sure that you get one in good condition and with the common repairs done.

If they are not done, then the price needs to be negotiated to one that allows for the cost of the repairs.

 

I bought my '05 MCS last October for about 9K with 68,000 miles, so your 06 might be a tad high, but if in great shape, you're not getting ripped off.

 

I have a R53 06 JCW (in pepper white) I just purchased a couple months ago. (With the chrono package and similar milage...woohoo).....4 just a little more than what you mentioned here.

That is too much for a 06 S. I did a lot of shopping for mine I saw a lot of 06 Cooper S's. From as low as 9k to 11k with similar milage. I would say 10k with that milage is probably about fair here in Arizona anyway.

I came very close to getting one (red) for 9k but waited for the JCW in pepper white.

 

Given that the price of a single repair to a R53 might be 25% of the value of the car, I'd pay a lot more attention to condition, history, maintenance records, and the owner's disposition than the price. Excellent condition cars with clean histories that are priced 15% above average are generally much better deals than average cars at average prices. If you find a clean car at a fair price, even if it is not a particularly low price, I'd pay the guy what he wants and get a nice car.

I'd avoid the early years of the 2nd gen. Pay the extra to get into a 2008 or later, preferably later.

- Mark

 

Offer 9K and see what happens. Happy motoring! The fun is worth it if the car is excellent shape. I'm wondering on my '05, first SES light was a vacuum leak taken care of easy 3 months ago, the new one...light coming o and then parking in the college garage for 4 weeks until I get back in 3 weeks. Massive loss of power to 'Limp' mode. turned car off and then back on, ran fine to the parking garage and then died again. I hate to know what it is.....Moving expenses suck!
You Toyota guys; it crap piles all at once. Rav4 with 230K now decides the rack and pinion has to be replaced, AND the '05 Camry's rack and pinion needs to be replaced all at the same time. I'm sad, now, and broke!

 

I thought the '03 R53 in Indi Blue was the most desirable, LOL.... Superchargers are fun.

 

Well I have heard that also!

 

I just bought my 06 R53 with 65000 a month ago for 10,5. fully loaded in royal grey with black leather and hk. 17" bm wheels

 

That is pretty close to full retail price at that mileage, but it is an '06 R53 6-speed and chrono which I feel is a rare combo. Is it a private party sale or a dealer? What does it have for options? HID/heated seats/sunroof/LSD? Options or lack thereof would also factor into the price.

For my '06 S(no chrono but came with English panther leather), the price I paid last June was between NADA "clean trade-in" and full retail but it was a single owner car with maintenance history and mods that I would have opted for down the line. It was definitely worth what I paid.

 

To the op: you probably shouldn't compare an '05 - '06 cooper S to an '07 cooper S as they are completely different mechanically, and have very different issues.

You guys in the midwest are lucky: im in the LA area, and it seems to be getting more difficult to find clean r53s around here with less than 90k miles for a decent price. Snap them up when you can!

 

06 MCS JCW for $10K in my area.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4535118956.html

 

I'm liking this thread. The other half is thinking 2 series to replace the R53 in a year or so and I had assumed the value of our R53 was half what some people here are paying and ours has a lot going for it.

 

R53 > R56. Supa-chargers > turbos. IMHO anyway. My R53 has 61K and is in about as good condition as a daily driven 8 yr old car can be and private party book value is 9.5k. That's with full options. If I were to sell ( and I wouldn't), I'd ask 10.5k.

 

I would say the R53 is one of those cars where you could very well get hosed buying one with say 80k vs. 120k plus.

I rather have one that’s had a recent clutch, suspension work and or supercharger replacement with a 120k vs. a 90k one that has all that stuff waiting in the mail.

IMO the clutch and the supercharger have the highest potential to break a new owner in half if they don’t do their own service work.

I still have the service receipt for mine, which was done two years ago by the first owner @ $2900 and change. I’m pretty sure he got hosed and walked with a limp after that deal.

 

For a frame of reference: I bought my '06 R53 with 82k miles for $6,000. It is just the base R53 package so no chrono. I had to fix the driver's window but other than that, it has been solid since purchase about 8 months ago. There are deals out there if you look long enough.

 

I picked up my 02 R53 4 years ago. At the time it only had 120 000 Kilometers on it for 8500 CAD. The car had never been winter driven and was in really good shape . I am a tuner, bought the car as a project knowing id have to do work to it and was fine, as i like turning wrenches. We are now 4 years in, alot of time and money have been spent. Engine has had a full rebuild, and the mod list is getting very short. I bought the R53 due to the looks and the purist nature of the car. In my opinion the R53 is a gem and they nailed it with the first one. The new coopers are big and bloated, and do not feel the same as a R53.

If you want a fun toy, and like being a gear head, get a R53.

 

Also found a 2005 r53, looks like its been pretty well maintained so far, at 65000 miles for 10,000. Seems like the going rate here for r56 2008's is about 12-13000 (CAD)

 

For additional reference: mine was an '06 r53 with 40k miles...bought Dec 2013....with h/k, leather, sport pkg, etc....I think everything but nav, Bluetooth and limited slip....For $12.1k. That was through a dealer (non-MINI).

 

I bought my 06 R53 with 58k miles last year for $12k. It had the Chrono package, sunroof, HK, LSD, and excellent maintenance records.