It's been a long time since I posted here, well I'm the original owner of a 2003 s model with only 4000 miles

The car was garaged for the first 10 years, the last 3 or so spend time in my driveway. Car is absolutely mint, still has the new car smell Only mods I did is 17% pulley, borla exhaust, and cold air intake. Still have the original catback in the basement.

So, what's it worth guys? Looking to finally let my baby go

Paul.

 

Wow! Why didn't you ever drive it?

 

This is a rather odd situation. Any car that has that history is a double-edged sword: lots of things haven't been worn, but lots of other things should have been exercised along the way; some other things are at least 13 years old (rubber, for instance) and would need replacing for nothing other than age. A car just sitting for years (and what conditions was it sitting in?) isn't necessarily a good thing. Further, why it was kept off the road is a curiosity. It's not like it's a particularly special version or desirable model of the Mini - it's not a collector's car, but probably a fine example nonetheless.

All things considered, it's worth what someone would pay for it. I'm sure you'd get top dollar for it, but what is top dollar? For me personally, mileage this low isn't a benefit (because of the trade-offs noted above). I would think you could get up to $8,000 for it from someone who's looking for that specific model, color, options, etc, with the (to them) benefit of low miles.

P.S. You can't honestly call it "mint" if it has mods.

 

I was going to say $6 to $10k depending on how much somebody really wanted it. Totally agree with the above post. That being said I'd buy it at $8k if it was at my door in Oregon. Flying east, driving back or shipping is too big a hassle for me. Hopefully the car didn't spend much time on the Belt Pkwy.

 

Wow, wish she was in the UK I'd have it straight away! GLWS.

 

8K LOL I would laugh if someone offered that pittance for that car

10-15 is more like it, there are a lot of people out there that would rather buy a new r53 than a new f56 and that's what you have got

 

there's no way your getting more than 10k for that car, it's gonna have the same problems all the other 03s had without a warranty. Miles or not it's 14 years old, It's not a classic sought after car.

 

it is a classic sought after car, you know how long I had to search for a factory JCW? There are others like me that have zero interest in an Fxx mini

 

Wow guys that's what I was afraid of, 8-10k is much less than I thought. Somewhere around 15k is more like it.

The car was my "baby" before I had my kids, I fell in love with it even before it was produced. I was probably the first person in queens county NY to take delivery of one. I can still remember driving it in early years and it felt like I was in an exotic car. EVERYONE wanted to know who makes it and where did I get it from, how much, etc. Lol

I was so crazy about it, it never even seen an automatic car wash, always hand washed. Never driven through snow. Yes I was nuts lol. I lost my garage 3 years ago, so it's been in my driveway since.

I no longer enjoy cars lIke I used to :( Family took over, and a passion for a new hobby as well (rc model airplane flying )

Well, after all this, if I can't get the $ I think it deserves, I might put her back on the road. My current daily driver is a Nissan note which I'm not crazy about.

Thanks for the replies guys, it's been sooooo long.

Paul.

 

you should update this thread when it sells, maybe try the BAT site too, you have basically a new car

 

Sorry 15k is GP money and plenty of them have low miles, those, are sought after.

 

not sure if you know what R53 low mile prices are like

Here's what 2006 GP's are asking for now

5000 miles and they want 32,000 $
9000 miles they want 32,000
15,000 miles they want 26,000
32,000 miles they want 20,900

 

Guys, if I do end up keeping her and making it my daily driver, what are the common problem areas? I remember the dealer replacing the coolant tank on recall years ago and I have another letter here stating of a power steering recall which I'll do if I keep her.

Thanks.

 

Sorry what is GP is it the turbocharged version? Like I said, it's been sooooo long

 

We can agree to disagree, what "they want" is different, those prices will be knocked down. Bottom line it's an awesome example of an r53 I'd just keep it I were the op, you'll never find another like it.

 

2006 had a limited special edition, no back seats lots of go fast parts they are pretty rare

 

The GP is the next level above JCW, only produced in '06 for the 1st gens. It's still supercharged, 218hp IIRC. JCW was either 200 or 210hp, and the '02-'04 S (like yours), is 163hp.

 

Asking and getting are different...
Many folks bought GP cars as collector items.....but far too many were made and far to many parked...you often see the same GP priced 5 ways in 5 locations in a year....trying to sell at nearly full new retail....
But ask a owner of a go what they paid....that tells the story.

 

the well driven ones with 80-100k miles are going for 10-15k I've never seen a low mile go cheap but I'm not in the market for one

I was in the market for a 06 jcw, and I would have paid 10k for a low mile one all day long, there were exactly 2 for sale on the entire east coast in the past few months, I bought one of them

 

What options does it have?

I am one of those crazy people that would pay ton of $$$ for an original low mile car. I would want the car to be 100% stock and mint though.

Also, what is the service history like? Have you kept them up or was the oil changed 3 times in cars life? Is it still on its original tires?

This sitting in NY weather outside for 4 years without being driven somewhat scares me.

I would not even take 8-10K for our 2002 with 55K miles not that is for sale. But then it has never spent a day outside in its entire life.

This car is worth $15K all day to the right buyer......

 

This may be true, but what pwilk20 has is a regular ol' R53, not a GP or even a JCW. It's probably a very nice car, but it is in no way a special collector's car other than having low miles (if that's important to people).

Paul, (pwilk20), you might consider trading someone your CAI and pulley for their factory stock parts, and putting the stock exhaust back on. The potential value in your car is that it would be "unmolested" with such low miles. The person paying top-dollar for that car would want it mint with no mods.

 

Love the hose storage.

 

What's with the chrome trim? I've never seen that style before, is that a special trim or something I'm confused.

 

yeah, I'd put it between 8-10 grand with possibly 12 grand to the right buyer. But there is a guy who just bought an 06 JCW with 10k miles for like 17 grand so it's worth whatever someone will pay for it. It's a beautiful car though and amazing to find an R53 with such low miles.

I had a mechanic friend (he restores classic high end cars for a living) who thought that it wasn't good for engines to sit for too long because the bearings developed flat spots from having all the weight sit on one spot for such an extended period of time. I think he spent too much time alone in the shop but, generally I do think that cars don't do well sitting for long periods of time. Things dry out, fluids breakdown, moisture creeps into places and critters can chew on things, but with a little work and a little luck, it could be a great car.

 

Guys I'm away from home for the next 3 weeks, but when I get back I'll make my decision weather to sell or make it my daily driver.

Like I said, I have the original catback in storage as well as stock intake. Just the pulley would remain 17%

I run the car around the block a few times a year, it has no check engine lights, nothing.

I installed 3m clear bra when new, so even with the little milage, there is no dings on front end or anywhere else.

The interior is ridiculous, just like it was when I took delivery.

Options are fog lights, sun roof, heated seats, factory hid.

I changed the tires at around 300 miles or so, just hated the harsh ride that run flats provided. I sold the originals here on Northamerican motoring back then.

I have to dig out the window sticker which I kept, if I remember correctly I paid around 24k for it. So minimum 15k right now seems reasonable to me.

Since posting here, I have done some research and there is none out there with my milage and conditon.

I'll post some better pics when I get back

Thanks guys