My 09 has 118k miles and has been a laundry list of replacements since 100k (Clutch, suspension, turbo, brakes, etc) and it seems the timing chain is on its way out a second time after the 1st warranty replacement back at 45k miles.

It was a daily driver for an ex for a couple years, and unfortunately kept outdoors in Los Angeles smog and sun so the paint is pretty rough. I believe the front wheel bearings and possibly cv need replaced, and it needs new tires.

as much as I have loved the car, it is rattling apart now on the inside and I really don’t think it makes sense to drop another 2k to keep it on the road for who knows how much longer until the next round of repairs.

I’m obviously not expecting much in the way of resale value, as vroom.com gave me an offer for 2500. I doubt I could get more than 4K private party, if that (and it would take quite I while I bet), but has anyone else reached this point?

I know just a handful of the parts could get me about 2k pretty quickly, and with everything else I believe I could net over 5k. The main rub is that I don’t really have a place to store the dismantled parts. Never been in an accident so everything is in fine shape — it’s just the sum of all parts right now isn’t very dependable.

 

hello sir, if you end up decide to part out, I have dip on front rear bumper and side skirt, but that of contingency upon the price 😊. Thanks

 

My 09 clubby s has 146,000+ on her. I say fix it and keep it since you have a jcw version. I get it there is a point where you feel like your throwing away money, but if you don’t have a payment and you love the car, then show her some love and keep her on the road. If you do decide that your going to part, if you have aftermarket performance parts Or 17 in rims, I might be interested.

 

I feel you. That’s what I did around the 100k mark with all of the huge repairs I had to do at that point.

the car really sounds bad inside now — literally 10 panels at least are rattling while driving and even more when you go over slight bumps. Sometimes I feel like you just have to throw in the towel. It’s a great body style (the best of the Minis Imo) but I just don’t think it makes sense any more to keep pouring money into a car I wouldn’t be comfortable driving across a few states.

It would be a perfect specimen for a track car, but I’m out of the loop and don’t know how to find someone interested. I think writing this all out makes more sense now: parting would net considerably more money, but I don’t have the space or time to do such a thing. Very frustrating ☹️

 

That sucks. I drive mine from Cincinnati down to pigeon forge no problem, from there I might run it up and down the Dragon since I’m so close. Just did a 400 mile trip with the wife yesterday no issues other than she sucks as a copilot sometimes 😉

 

You could probably stop most (if not all) of those rattles in an afternoon with a roll of felt tape... I would start there, and see how it feels after that.

Also, that timing chain isn't much of a DIY task, as long as you have the timing tools. Axle and bearings are a pretty simple job, too.

If it's paid off, I would consider driving it for at least another year and take whatever money you would end up paying for a new car and bank it for a down payment.

 

Wish you were closer. I would take it off your hands and solve your problem Realistically many of us tinker with these cars frequently enough that your items are not much more than standard maintenance. The fact it is a JCW is enough to deserve saving. And if you have the mechanical abilities to part it out, you can probably fix it. It then might be worth more than the sum of all the separate parts.

 

Yeah, if you were closer I'd love to take on the project. GL whatever you decide. JCW are special, no doubt.

 

Thanks for the replies all. I guess I’ve just been going through a lot this year (divorce, job lay-off, now everything else going on) and don’t have much extra effort left in me right now, especially to work on a car. It is paid off completely which is nice.

I don’t doubt my mechanical skills, and normally it would sound fun, but I just don’t have a permanent place to live right now nor room to work on my car. It’s really sad to see how little these cars are worth, even in good condition.

 

if you part it out, I would be interested in the JCW grill. do you have black or chrome surrounds? after a chrome surround. hopefully will fit my '07 justa
thanks

 

In Greece you would get above 10k for that car...

 

'09 JCW? I think you are crazy for not fixing it! You will regret it. In 10 years it will be a collector car, and to some extent is one now.. You know the car really well. Any car you buy if used will need work and cost much more to acquire than to repair this one. So, you put $2K into making this one a driver for the next few years...this happens. I had a Mercedes that needed, brakes, rotors, tires, 60K service (trans, plugs etc...) harmonic balancer, and struts all at once. Costed thousands but was great for the next few years and drove like new. Any car will cost you $1K per year to own if you are making payments or not. If you can afford the other items like the paint and interior bits, do it along the way. Remember you own a JCW! If you were not on the other side of the country, I would happily take it off you hands. You may be frustrated, please don't be foolish.

 

Any update? I'm sure many of us would love the parts...

 

Let's see some pictures. I would be interested in it As-Is. I'm in Denver, so it's not too far for a transport.