When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello Everybody!
I'm Jon, and this Friday I am picking up my new 06 Cooper S. 67k original miles and it looks fantastic. I am super excited. I have always wanted a mini and after lots of research I decided on an late R53. Its got a little bit of wear on the seat, and it looks like the emblems need to be replaced, but other than that its super clean! I wanted to find a clean example with low miles and I think I did a pretty good job. its going to be my daily driver, and I am hoping to take it out to do some autocross here and there. I had a original RHD Rover mini for a little while a bout 9 years ago. More recently Ive had a super clean 90 miata, a really nice little 74 MGB GT, and some cool old VWs. a R53 has been on my car bucket list for a long time. I cant wait to pick it up! I am sure I will have a ton of questions for you guys and i look forward to learning from you all. I'm fortunate that the dealer took some fantastic pictures of the car. Enjoy
Wow! That looks super clean. great find, you will love it.
Ease into the mods, and have fun. My only suggestion right now is: change the oil; put mobile1 in it and change it every 5000, your motor will thank you, and last a looonng time. This is important because if the previous owners only followed the factory maint. recommendation, the car may have only had 2 or 3 oil changes. ever.
Last edited by RogueMini; Apr 20, 2017 at 07:08 AM.
From: Portland, OR *currently in a temporary email address
Hey John! That R53 looks great, one of the facelift models, low miles, great paint, clean engine bay, etc!
I've never bought from a dealer before, but maybe you can get a few bucks knocked off if you point the slight wear on the driver seat, missing right-side dummy fog light cover and tow hook mount cover on the front bumper out!
This forum is a wonderful resource for common problems! Take a look and maybe you'll be able to find something else and you can avoid a headache or two!
Especially important to check are leaky oil pan gasket, control arm bushings (tracking weird under power), strut mounts (pop the hood and check for cracks), and the belt tensioner (bouncy acceleration).
Wow thank you guys! I am super happy to join the family! Its isnt perfect, but the last perfect one i saw in my area the guy was asking 15,000. i laughed and said no thank you. this one is pretty darn close to perfect and it was less than half of that, so I am happy with where I am at on it good advice on the oil changes. The car actually has a maintenance history, and I think you are right that there were only 2 or 3 documented oil changes, so I will get that mobile 1 going every 5000. i will also be checking for the common leak areas. Ill let you guys know when i bring it home on friday!
Hi and welcome to the nam family. 06 is my favorite year! With the dependable W11 engine and the strong 6 speed, you have the right combination.
To find out a bit more about your car, go to the vin decoder on our site and it will tell you what was installed one it from new.
There are several other vin decoders out there. The BMW vin decoder is also a good choice.
Wow! Small world! Beautiful car!
I too had a NA Miata (1993).
Now I have a 06 R53 Cooper S too! I only wished my car had low mileage as yours (mine is 151K). It also has worn seats.
These R53s are awesome. So comfortable and fast.
