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.
I'm looking for an R53 without a sunroof. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more MC40s than the other sunroof deletes put together. Any a few questions about the MC40. Sorry if these are answered elsewhere but my searches didn't find answers.
Is the MC40 part of the facelift 1st gens? It has three spoke steering wheel, what else?
Related to question 1. How is the rustproofing on MC40s? My R53 will be my winter car here in Chicago so this is important. was told by a Mini tech that the '05-'06 and some of the '04s have better rustproofing.
Is the MC40 part of the facelift 1st gens? It has three spoke steering wheel, what else?
What features/packages do the MC40s lack? I get that they were trying to make a stripped down sports version. At the same time, it was also a premium cost. No automated HVAC, what else is missing?
thanks in advance!
2004 was a bit of a pre-facelift adjustment year. It did not get the facelift (new bumpers, grill, demons, tail lights) but did have some improvements that IMHO make it more desirable of a year than 2002-2003. My 2004 MC40 has been a reliability dream but looking back and knowing that I know now, I MAY have purchased a 2005 S. I always tell people they are looking for R53s that 05-06 are the sweet spot and 04 should be a second best. Avoid 02-03 and auto.
When it comes to what the MC40 lacked in equipment?
No roof
no cruise
no heated seats
no steering wheel controls
no upgraded sound system
no automatic transmission
no dark headliner
no auto dim mirrors
no bluetooth
no auto ac
no aux port
thst is all I can think of at the moment. There are not all bad things not to have. And I love my MC.
feel free to email me if you want to discuss more. I'm not very active on here anymore.
email is my username at aol dot com (used for junk then I will respond from real email.
The only thing they lack for your needs is an LSD and heated seats. However the driving lights, front and rear fog lights and xenon headlight said are great for winter driving. I use my car all year round and have had I think for over 10 years. Much of the things missing(cruise control, heated seats ) can be retrofitted, ecs tuning can post related to those items.
The mc40 is not a facelift, however that only mattered 10 years ago. There's no benefit these days of having an 05-06 vs an 02-04. If it's part of your search criteria, 100% of 02 and 03 cooper S models are manual so that gives you more variety. There are some variances to the 05-06 models but at this age the cars will all need the same work unless meticulously cared for.
The rustproofing is is very good imo, although I have seen lots of rusted out minis around the lower doors and rear tail lights, and rear hatch handle.just depends on how well the prior owner or owners cared for them. You would be putting your best foot forward to find one from an owner that's had it a long time and preferably garage kept, there are tons of these still out there.
The mc40 is mainly an appearance package, the leather seats and 2 piece wheels are the largest ticket items. Outside of the seats everything else can be purchased if you wanted to recreate the look of one. Good luck on your search.
Mine is a abnormality, lol. I have cruise and radio controls on the steering wheel. Also I have the JCW full engine and aero kit with 18 inch R95 wheels. As far as I have researched on my car, it was loaded up at a dealer in Kansas when it arrived from the factory. Supposedly it sat in the showroom a long time because the price was much higher than a regular Mini and without a sunroof and all the other options mentioned earlier.
There are some signatures on the intercooler cover, but I can't figure out whose signatures they are.
The only thing they lack for your needs is an LSD and heated seats. However the driving lights, front and rear fog lights and xenon headlight said are great for winter driving. I use my car all year round and have had I think for over 10 years. Much of the things missing(cruise control, heated seats ) can be retrofitted, ecs tuning can post related to those items.
The mc40 is not a facelift, however that only mattered 10 years ago. There's no benefit these days of having an 05-06 vs an 02-04. If it's part of your search criteria, 100% of 02 and 03 cooper S models are manual so that gives you more variety. There are some variances to the 05-06 models but at this age the cars will all need the same work unless meticulously cared for.
The rustproofing is is very good imo, although I have seen lots of rusted out minis around the lower doors and rear tail lights, and rear hatch handle.just depends on how well the prior owner or owners cared for them. You would be putting your best foot forward to find one from an owner that's had it a long time and preferably garage kept, there are tons of these still out there.
The mc40 is mainly an appearance package, the leather seats and 2 piece wheels are the largest ticket items. Outside of the seats everything else can be purchased if you wanted to recreate the look of one. Good luck on your search.
Cruise control posted above and heated seats are here: 61110145996
Welcome, you need to contact someone who has been on the dealership for a long time. Otherwise they might not know anything about it. Some MINI dealership still have the same people from 2002 era.
And the beat goes on! Update on the Mini. Since purchasing this car in November of 2016 I've performed a lot of work, took a few road trips and am really enjoying the ride.
Did the spark plugs the other days and found oil on the plugs coming from bad o ring seals, guess I will do that when I change the valve cover gasket. Also want to do the fuel filter, brake fluid flush too. Otherwise, I've put about 7,000 miles on the car and have been happy with the Mini. Oh, I had a new windshield installed and it's cracked again! Have a great day MC40 Club.
To add a bit to the presentation of Monte at British Car Shows, I mounted a model of the car on a piece of PVC board. It always created interest.
My search to find an exact model lead to Europe, were there were a couple available. They crossed the pond and found their way to Florida. The mounted one was included in the sale of my MC40. Have another one and thought I would offer it to those on this thread before trying ebay.
The box is in very good shape and the model has never been removed from the mounting. I would like to get $55.
Just picked up #22 from Circleville OH. First post, first MC40, first mini. So take it easy on me.
The to-do list:
Spark Plugs - Done
Wires - Done
Oil Change
Fuel Pump
Fuel Filter
Spark plug tube seals
Thermostat
General detailing and waxing
New decals/magnets needed (any link to these would be helpful)
Just picked up #22 from Circleville OH. First post, first MC40, first mini. So take it easy on me.
The to-do list:
Spark Plugs - Done
Wires - Done
Oil Change
Fuel Pump
Fuel Filter
Spark plug tube seals
Thermostat
General detailing and waxing
New decals/magnets needed (any link to these would be helpful)
Will post pics when I get it presentable.
Love that creative name.... Hillbilly Chili, lol. Welcome aboard with #22. Once you get it sorted it's a very good reliable car. Mine now has 170,000. I bought it with a little over 160,000 and did about the same things that you are doing and it's been running very good. Please post up some pics even in it's current state, we all get it.
I still have her. Had the O2 sensors done, new windshield and power steering serviced under recall items. She runs so well with the 70k 2006 motor. I have only added 6k since April of 2015. Still needs the 5 piece dash replaced, bumper clear coated and Passenger airbag sensor replaced.
If someone is interested, let me know I have tried selling on Craigslist, but nobody understands what the car is all about.
I still have her. Had the O2 sensors done, new windshield and power steering serviced under recall items. She runs so well with the 70k 2006 motor. I have only added 6k since April of 2015. Still needs the 5 piece dash replaced, bumper clear coated and Passenger airbag sensor replaced.
If someone is interested, let me know I have tried selling on Craigslist, but nobody understands what the car is all about.
