Hello, I'm looking to get back into an R56 and am interested the 2012 British Racing Green Mini Cooper S at PA Auto Select: http://www.paautoselect.com/used-inv...SV3C55CTY28094

Does anyone know the previous owner of this car and can share their username? Has anyone looked at this car and is willing to provide feedback on why they passed on it?

Thanks,
Joe

 

Joe, I don't know the answers to your questions. If I may, I would like to offer some thoughts. Otto's looks to have serviced it regularly over the years. Although, records of oil changes are slim. The owners likely just had it done somewhere else as they were taking good care of it in servicing it at Ottos. From the pics the car looks nice.

As you may already be aware, as this evidently this will not be your first R56, there are several common mechanical gremlins at this age and mileage that appear to inflict great frustration on unsuspecting owners. First, the cooling system. ECS now packages everything in one unit - water pump, coolant pipe, thermostat housing, associated seals and O-rings. As all of these fail seemingly with in days of one another - do it all at once. Secondly, the oil seals. Primary offenders are the crank case oil seal, the oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket and the oil filter housing gasket. Finally, the dreaded timing chain, chain guides, tensioner and seals.

Of course all the above does not include common wear and tear items: Shocks and struts, also due at this time, brakes, rotors, tie rods, and various bushings.

I would recommend that without clear documentation of many of these items being addressed, you either look for another car or use the above as justification for a significant price reduction.

 

Thank you for the input! You reminded me of some of the problems I had dealt with on my last 2008 MCS and brought up some additional things that I hadn't considered.

 

Aa few more thoughts if you do not mind:
Front bumper to hood gap is way off on both sides.
Poor fitment or cheap after market piece made to fit.
Rear bumper to body panel gaps are very large as well. Black trim looks coated in high silicone slime - common, I know but you may find dingy grey plastic after a few washes.
The front headlights look to be cheap aftermarket. I would closely check the wiring
I think Laufenn tires are the Walmart economy brand - This plays in well with the other less expensive "upgrades"
Exhaust is hanging low- need new bracket
Interior is nice
Emergency brake is on the 4th or 5th click and needs adjustment.

If you post some pics from the engine bay and underneath, I could likely find finer fodder for fault finding...

 

Thanks for the input / observations! There cheap tires are certainly a turnoff - the dealer had replaced the tires, brake pads, and rotors. Good observation with the exhaust - when I had looked under the car, the muffler hanger looked like it was hanging by a thread (rust had eaten away a lot of it). The tires and exhaust were on my list of things that would need replacement. I was also factoring in that the struts/shocks and springs would likely need to be replaced as well (the springs and shocks appeared to be OEM, but the front of the car looks lowered to me). Aside from the bad bumper alignment and poor fitting grill, the body and interior of the car showed well (I'm ok with what the exterior plastic trim might look like underneath the grease - I still have a few trim restore products from my R56s). I didn't realize the headlights were aftermarket - good call! Unfortunately, I didn't take any pics underneath the car. I was hoping to connect with the previous owner to get some history on the car and to find out when the HPFP was last replaced, assuming that it had been.

 

I don't think those lights are aftermarket. They look to be the OEM Bi-Xenon headlights, same as I have on my R56.
My car has stock suspension and has the same "rake" in the front as the car in the link.

 

Front bumper and hood look like they fit ok to me... front bumper was obviously removed to install a bigger front intercooler. Front lower grill is missing. Rear of the car has an RPM sticker, so it might have a stage tune on it. Can't tell if it has an aftermarket down pipe or not. Exhaust does not look stock. In general, looks like it was well taken care of.

I would get in touch with MarioKart with the VIN and see if he has any records of tuning it:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mariokart.html

 

I'm selling my 2011 JCW with similar mileage for 3K less!!! I wish i have a dealership lol

 

Good to know - Thanks for the info!

 

I just checked out your for sale post - your car is priced well! Personally, I'm only in the market for R56s with the N18 engine (2012 - 2013). Good luck with your sale!

 

Thanks for the feedback! Good point on contacting MarioKart. The car has a an aftermarket downpipe and is essentially straight piped to the muffler (I didn't see a resonator) - it is loud!