Interested in this as well. I've seen this trim on another car for sale on NAM, but he didn't know where they were from either.

 

Might be the factory option....hard too tell....had it on mine...ordered it that way.very high quality. Imo gave the interior a "lift" . There have been cheesy aftermarket double-sided tape kits that look flat out bad...but there were many different kits around from many companies....some ok, some great, depends on the $$$ that folks spent.
But the OEM factory kit always got compliments from people.

 

I have the oem chrome and mine looks different than his in the photos, his seems to have a grey and chrome with a flat edge similar to the r56 trim.

 

I'd bring it into the dealer to have any extended warranty/recall work done that it might be due for, like the power steering pump. While they're in there they can look around for you and find any obvious deterioration of hoses and gaskets and such. Then fix any of that that's needed. Then drive it for 6 months to a year. Put about 5,000 miles on it. Perhaps right up to just under 10k miles, just for the sake of not passing a magic number.

Then sell it. At that point, all the common objections against a garage queen have been removed. Whatever has gone bad while sitting around you've found and fixed, and so you can offer it as an ultra-low miles car in running order. The problem with that is that to get the price up to $15k where you want it, you might have spent a few thousand on repairs and maintenance, if you're paying a shop to replace a lot of hoses, filters, gaskets and so on. If you can do that stuff yourself, it is much more worth it.

During this 6-12 month shakedown, you can still advertise it for $15k. If there is someone out there who really, really, really wants this exact car with such low miles, that's enough time to find them.

For reference, I just bought a 2005 MCS in the same electric blue with 24,900 miles, for $7,600. It was a little bit of a steal: if the owner had been patient, they might have gotten $8,000 or $8,100 for it, but I doubt much over that. If I had been very, very patient, and willing to travel, I might have eventually found the same car for maybe $7,000.

 

Its all perspective/supply/demand. I agree that an S isn't a Justa but its not a GP. I just bought an 05 MCS, 118K miles, fully optioned and accessorized with BBS R90's for $6200. Not a fantastic deal, but a fair price for the car. I think this is an "in between" car. Cause it has the early model OEM problems without the warranty to fix it, but on the other hand its an extreme low miles vehicle. The OP is better off driving it, vice buying anything new, moneywise. Folks that can afford $15-20 for a used vehicle will either want a whole lot more car or a warranty for peace of mind.

GLWS

 

ehh, see this thread

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4238344

lots of people pay a premium for R53s, I personally think they are worth it, the 05-06, not the GP though, I'm not interested in those

 

4,000 miles IS the magic number. This is Unicorn status. That type of car can certainly reach $15k and out perform the GP in the retained value market. Return it back to stock OEM. Collectors defy logic.

Throw it up on bringatrailer (BaT).

 

See, mine new was around $41,000 the OP paid $24K. That is a big difference in options or trim levels. But, I did see my car and was willing to pay a premium for it because of the mileage and service history. Hopefully you run into one of me who likes to get exactly what he likes regardless of price.

 

When I get back home I'll probably get plates and insurance, take it to the dealer for the recall, and have them look it over. Maybe drive it to 5000 miles, and then decide what to do.

Paul.

 

exactly, cream of the crop vs limited options 03. Not sought after, still will have the same issues without a warranty. Rubber degrades over time so all the gaskets and bushings may have dried up whether it has 4,000 miles or not. Still a 13 year old car.

 

I have some original bushings on a 30 year old bmw so meh I disagree with everything you said

 

Yes rubber and leather dries over time but TRUST me, my Mini is MINT. The leather is just like new, I never EVER rubbed any armorall or any chemicals and such. Everyone that sits inside always comments that it still smells new. I don't smoke or use any airfreshners EVER. The car was garaged in my basement garage for the first 10 years, never driven in snow or rain yes I was opsessed

Then I had kids and life changed

I will post the latest pics when I get back home

Paul.

 

PUT IT ON BRINGATRAILER.

DO IT. SERIOUSLY.

But make sure you go in for that power steering recall first. And fix any time-worn items. On BaT, post all receipts, window stickers, collector information you can find. I think you'll get over $10k for it, but I don't know by how much.

 

Sure, what's the harm?

If you've already kept the car for 13 years, what's another few months, or even one more year? Spend some time on BaT and other sites searching for that one buyer who loves this one car so much they will be happy to pay $15,000 or more. I'm sure they exist somewhere, it's just a matter of finding them and how long you want to spend searching.

I would personally want to get all that warranty and recall stuff done without hesitation, but it makes one wonder if there exist collectors who prefer cars so mint they haven't even had any extended warranty and recall work done. Like when they pay a lot for a coin or stamp that was made with a flaw? Because they're even more rare? I'm not an expert on collecting; I don't know.

Paul D'Orleans (The Vintagent) is the person I'd email with these kinds of questions. He follows the auction and collector world.)

 

I bought my 2005 R52 S, chili red,in April 2015 with 3,468 original miles. Drove straight to the Dragon and was offered $16,000.00 for it. I didn't pay near that much, but with that offer, that's what my car is worth. But I'm not selling, I'm driving. The car now has a little less than 15,000 miles, has gone to 2 Dragons, and is an absolute ball to drive.

 

the way the brand is going, these low mile r53s are not gonna be cheap in the future

 

Just for another point of reference, in February I bought my '05 R53 54,000mi for $5,200(talked him down from $6,500) In March I was offered $8,000.

 

GL trying to find someone to pay 15k for your car.

 

You must be from NY

 

Me? Yes

 

The above refers to the GP edition, which was only 415 units and only for 2006. It was about $8,000 more than the standard Cooper S. These prices are not applicable.

I have a one-owner (me) since new, ordered to my specs, R53 with 42,500 miles. That's 4,000 miles a year. Low mileage compared to the other 2006's out there, most of which seem to have 80,000 or more at this time.

I'd be very happy to sell it for anything over $15,000. I don't think there's that much of a premium for very low miles, even only 4,000. There's no warranty, and there's no way to guarantee to the buyer of a 14-year old used car that there won't be expensive repairs.

I think you're maybe looking at $10 to $12k, but go for it. But I think at $15k you won't get any response.

Better still: sell the car/appliance Nissan and drive the MINI. The MINI is just as practical as a daily driver.

 

I bought my 2005 R52 S,auto, in April of two years ago and went to the dragon the next day. It had under 4000 original miles. I was offered $16,000.00 for the car. I refused...but that is what my car was worth. I am having too much fun to sell it.

 

Man, that interior is something else. I personally, am one of the people who care about low mileage like this.(my r53 has 200k and i hate it lol) but personally that's the only color I would NOT buy on an r53. if it was hyper blue like mine, or astro black. YES.

I'd recommend if you don't get the amount you want for it, just drive it. that's what the other person buying it is gonna do either way.

GLWS!

 

^^^^^
That's the only reason i want another r53 with low miles.

 

Yeah I think it's called the "Chrome Package) it has chrome accenting everywhere. door handles, gear lever trim, speedo etc. Had it on my '07 r52 but personally I'm liking the normal silver better lol.