A Genuine MINI #37 Hat. $29

Okay 2019 and all of the work planned has taken longer than expected. However here is what is completed:

1. New clutch
2. Painted several panels including the hood scoop
3. Interior update and repair
4. New hydrophilic houses
5. New stickers
6. Updated seats put in place
7. Some overall engine work
8. Some suspension and control work also completed

I have a few questions:
1. I have purchased a second seat of seats, but they were in better condition but not great. I want to recover the red/black seats but has anybody done this and are there any pointers?
2. Carbon fiber dash cracked from a nick that the original owner had on it. I am trying to either find an replacement or go with an aftermarket version I found online. Any thoughts?

Next Steps:
1. JCW fixes go in place on the engine (i have the NOS supercharger for the engine to go on and it will include some updates to the exhaust with other NOS parts to take it back). The overall engine will be in very good shape once complete.
2. Water pump replacment
3. Mushroomed front struts fix
The three above are planned for January and go into the mini dealership once i confirm a few items.

More updates and photos to come...

If the seats have no tears, you can have them refinished/dyed back to the original colors. It will be much less expensive than replacing the leather.

My elderly father in law is considering selling his 2004 Mini Cooper S Monte Carlo 40th Anniv Edition that he bought new and driven only 5K miles. It has been properly stored in his So Cal garage since new. Since the Kelly Blue book only reflects like $4-6K, I’m reaching out to this knowledgeable crowd to try and get a grasp on the real world value. Please give me your thoughts. It is 100% original and other than needing a good detailing due to a lack of use, its in excellent condition with all the stickers, paperwork, window sticker etc....

A few questions:
1. Does this have the JCW package? Look under the hood and see if it says John Cooper works and is numbered or just has a black MINI on the back left.
2. It has been sitting for a while, I assume the interior is in great shape along with paint, stickers and what not, correct?

The number is a premium because it is an MC40 and it has very low miles. I would say 10K at this moment is a good starting point, but you will need to find a mini MC40 person. The price could be higher by a couple of grand as well.

I would be interested in seeing it as well.

Post some pics and include the numbered plate by the shifter (??? of 1,000). There were only 100 of the 1,000 MC40s sold in the U.S. that were JCWs so that would make a resale difference because the only other variances between a regular S and an MC40 were cosmetic. I paid $4,000 for mine with 125k miles and have put approximately another $3,000 in it. Depending on the build number (??? of 1,000), I would think you're looking at $10K-$15K even though the original sticker was closer to $28K. And that only if you can find an MC40 lover with the cash. Good luck.

Thanks for the feedback guys. While I was with my FIL over the holiday and viewed the car, I’m now back home in Iowa so can’t do additional pics right now. My FIL is 84 and IT/technically challenged as well so no pics until I can get back out there. Regardless, its not a JCW car.

As far as its condition, other than being dirty from extended storage in his So Cal garage, with a good detail I’m confident its pretty close to like new. Its never been out overnight or in the sun for any extended period. He’s got all the original purchase docs, stickers are still on etc...He bought it new. All the miles were put on in the first few yrs while he was still working (retired at 74). He brings it out for its bi annual smog ck but not much else so he’s ready to part ways with it. He’s also got a 91 Miata Ltd Ed BRG w/3k miles.

Find out the # on he plaque. Thats super low miles. Pics would be awesome.

Can’t remember the # but its got to be between 001 & 1000, right ? LOL. Kidding aside, does the # influence the value....other than 1 or 1000?

The # can them be traced to this site that has the numbers and some people want the lower or single digit numbers. I met the guy whom did the very first ones for the MINI USA meet back in early 2004, before the car was launched. Great stories.

Get your FIL to tell you the number and update your post. Who knows? You might get lucky and have #1. Bottom line, though, is you have a 2004 Chili Red Mini Cooper S with some MC40 cosmetic changes sold in the U.S. market only (MC40 options were dealer-installed). It has some value for low mileage but it's still a 16 year old Mini that would normally sell for approx. $3K - 4K. Get a kid who lives near your FIL to text you some pics (inside and out from all angles) and post them here for all the Miniacs who might be interested.

For some reason I thought MC40 #1 was on display in Oxford plant with the first GP and a couple other limited production specials. I personally would pay a lot more than the 3-4k for this one if I was in the market and had garage space. Of course I am a super fan of the MC40 since #807 took my MINI cherry. Sure it will need some refreshing of bushings and such just from age but I guarantee all those nuts and bolts will come off like it just rolled of the assembly line, making it super easy to work on. That is if it was truly kept as Motiv8ted has said (I don't doubt it at all but covering my boot here). My main concern would be the wheels. R90s are not the best when it comes to sitting still for long periods of time (ask me how I know :p) and they may not be as round as they were originally, especially since it probably has the factory Goodyear RS-A runflats on it.

I'd love to see this unicorn posted up but at the same time if I were in your position I'd keep it, refresh what is needed and drive it for a fun run with your local MINIacs every few weeks to keep the oil flowing and stretch its legs!

FYI a 5k mile one-owner MC40 just popped up.

Link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...les-value.html

31k MC40 just listed on Bring a Trailer. Looks clean and complete: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/20...oper-s-mc40-8/

I''m pretty sure the car you're talking about is the 2002 Chilli Red R53 they used for Italian Job/or it was a prop/hero car for Italian Job. It has a sunroof and the black leather interior, two steering wheels for the movie, etc.

I have thought of selling mine. It has 145k on the clock but its been loved. 77.5 RMW Mahle pistons designed by Chrysler engineer RMW rods RMW BVH, RMW header, Miltek catback, Tvs 900, quafie LSD,550cc injectors.Vipec, Aquamist, Airtech intercooler, M7 strut bar, New motor mounts, all powerflex all the time everywhere lol. No rust and just minor dings from driving it. Also has Wilwood 6 pot kit with 113" rotors.
It has never been dynoed but I suspect its in the 270 ish whp range.
What do you think its worth? I thought of putting it on BAT

Finally got some pics of the car. #732

...so from the photo, it appears you are planning on adding a .... Electric Water Pump ... OK, keep us updated, I'm interested in finding out how it goes.

Motor On!

Look at the blower mate Tvs 900

I saw the Eaton SC, it has what 2.4/2.5 BAR max output (36.25 PSI)? How much of that are you planning on pumping into your engine?

I was trying to do the math in my head ... standard air/fuel is 14.7:1 (for every 14.7 grams of air you have 1 gram of fuel) and if I remember 1 gram of air is 0.014 PSI ... but that doesn't take density or temperature in effect.

I don't think the JCW 380cc injectors can keep up with the SC output. Are you also looking at larger Injectors, Fuel Rail, and Fuel Pump?

But regardless, You are adding the electric water pump right? (the MINI SC drives the stock water pump) I think your MOD is super cool, just wanted to see how you plumbed it in around the Eaton SC.

Motor On!

I have been running it with 19psi and the 55mm pulley. I run a vipec mate. 550's the works. You can download the instructions from harrop to see how the pump installs its all covered up now. 1000cc injectors this spring and e85 should get me my desired 300whp

Checked out the site, loads of information, I was able to see the whole kit. Looks great... Keep us updated as you continue your build.

Motor On!

Good source for the decals. Stinky fingers ones as sen from wheel dealer have started to lift after two years.

Firestorm Graphix has the MC40 decals as well as the magnetic door number plates. I sourced all my decals from them and the quality is really good.