*Sorry if this is in the wrong forum area*

I just found a 2005 R53 for sale for $600 USD semi locally. It has 150k miles on it and has the following upgrades: Headers, Stage 2 Clutch, coilovers, Stage 1 Flash Tune.

The problem is, seller’s quote:
“Cons-Exhaust leak due to hole near headers idk what caused this

Bad oil leak either head gasket and/or oil pan gasket also could be cracked block

Due to this ^ I think, it chugs coolant“

At that price, do you guys think it’s worth the risk? I think worst case, it’s worth more than that in parts. It’s really clean looking too

 

hard to lose at that price

 

How is your DIY skill level, how small are your hands? If you have good mechanical skills - a fun challenge. If you pay someone, it will be an endless black hole. Do you have Furrin car experience?

body looks straight and rust free. What state are you and the car in?

 

noodlesandsam makes a good point. I assume you will do the work yourself. if you plan on sending it to the shop, not a good match

 

I’m pretty handy and have done and will do all repairs myself. I think it’s a steal for that price either way. I’m in California, should be rust free

 

We can help. It’s a simple car in many ways. Really wonderful handling.

 

Much appreciated. I think my tax return just came in. I just sent the seller a message. Hopefully he’ll reply in a timely manner and it’s still available

 

As stated before, its hard to loose at that price. The supercharger alone is worth 1/3 of the $600. Not to mention the transmissions usually go for the same price (in Canada). Instantly recoup 2/3 your cost.

Question really is what is this exhaust leak, hopefully its a hole in the header and not the head or block. Oil pan gaskets are easy to change, i believe the AC compressor is really the only thing in the way. All engine gaskets really aren't hard to change just went through my entire engine doing so. Best of luck if you do acquire it!

 

I bought it! $600! Getting it towed 88 miles home now.

 

I would get it ... but I'm willing to go deep ... looks like it can be fun.

Before working on the current engine, inspect it, might be cheaper to get a used engine and starting there..

Oil Leak: Oil Filter Housing, Oil Pan Gasket, Power Steering Hoses, Main Seal/Rear Main Seal

Coolant: most likely the Overflow Tank, but check all coolant hoses

General Service: Super Charger Oil Service, All new Suspension Bushings, Engine/Transmission Mounts, new Wheel Bearing Carriers, Brakes- Pads and Rotors, stainless braided brake lines, Cabin Filter, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Tires

Motor On!

 

Great find! Dive in, fix the things needed, upgrade for performance and replace maintanence items while you're there, and you've only spent 20 grand (ask me how, haha). Seriously though, hell of a bargain and enjoy the new toy,

 

Absolutely worth it if you do your own work.
Many people have these problems or more, with considerably more invested.
Really good starting point.

 

Good luck with the project! Keep us updated, please.

 

Thanks for the kind and helpful words everyone! The wife and I are gonna start working on it tomorrow and see what we’re working with. She wants this to be her car, so I’m gonna teach her how to work on it and she’s gonna do all of the repairs with me (not just hold the flashlight lol). We both fell in love with Mini’s once we got our R50 in December, so it’ll be exciting and rewarding to get this R53 fixed and on the road!

 

Nice! I upgraded after 4 years from a 06 R50 Parklane to a R53 Parklane and I will probably never sell it. Love it so much!

Even the Z3 I had years ago wasn't as much fun as the R53.

 

Excellent deal. All of the "issues" are pretty common and due to be fixed anyway with those miles... There's tons of good info here and several threads covering all the things you need to address. Enjoy!

 

Depends on your goals for the car. I bought a cheap car used for racing and trackdays and when I got it home and torn down I kept finding more and more bad stuff. At this point, virtually every component on the car has been replaced and it is far from a "cheap car". However, I now have peace of mind when I'm on track.

I do all my own work and the majority of cost comes from suspension/driveline components that all needed to be replaced. Granted, I upgraded a lot of it while I was in there. At 150k, a lot of the suspension, bushings, driveline items may need replacing. Food for thought... For $600 as a fun toy to drive around, I don't think you can go wrong but also don't expect it will be good to go at that price point. It may need some work.


on a cheap car, the “while you’re in there” slope is steep and slippery.

 

I love to see this. If I had the space, I'd collect cars like some folks collect cats and dogs.

I hate to see cool cars get parted out due to one issue. Swap in a jy motor and sell it for $$$ or keep it for a cheap ride

 

Oh yeah, I totally get that!

Yeah it’s crazy, people won’t have the expertise to fix something, even simple issues sometimes, and they part out and destroy the whole car :(

 

Hell yes!

To your point, a few years ago I picked up a 96 bronco as a non running project for $1000 due to losing oil pressure I took it home, and as I got into it decided it was pretty solid, despite a few spots off body rust. But the body was otherwise straight. Paint was good. I replaced the front bench seat with bucket seats from a comparable year f150.

I replaced the oil pump, refreshed the suspension and ended up selling it. I saw it eventually lol up in a Facebook group I'm in. He's the 2nd owner after me. Someone did an engine swap. He gave it a lift kit and some mud tires. It's cool to see a truck I saved still kicking.

I actually made zero dollars in the end. Took a loss, really, if you add up time spent. But, like I said, I want to hoard and rehab old cars. Lol

I hope this car works out in your favor. For the price of admission, you look to be in a great starting point!