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Had my 05 for going on 3 years..and love it more everyday
Originally purchased a project car that I was going to clean up and flip, I just can’t part with it.
Having owned and worked on cars of all makes including a 3 Series, C6 & C7 Vette’s, Dodge Challenger, 5.0 Mustangs and some nice classic muscle cars.. it’s the MINI that I’ve enjoyed owning the most.
Its not the fastest, quickest or most exotic.. but it’s a package that is a blast.
Last edited by IslandJCW; Jan 2, 2018 at 10:10 PM.
Reason: Add photo
Had my 05 for going on 3 years..and love it more everyday
Originally purchased a project car that I was going to clean up and flip, I just can’t part with it.
Having owned and worked on cars of all makes including a 3 Series, C6 & C7 Vette’s, Dodge Challenger, 5.0 Mustangs and some nice classic muscle cars.. it’s the MINI that I’ve enjoyed owning the most.
Its not the fastest, quickest or most exotic.. but it’s a package that is a blast.
Had my 05 for going on 3 years..and love it more everyday
Originally purchased a project car that I was going to clean up and flip, I just can’t part with it.
Having owned and worked on cars of all makes including a 3 Series, C6 & C7 Vette’s, Dodge Challenger, 5.0 Mustangs and some nice classic muscle cars.. it’s the MINI that I’ve enjoyed owning the most.
Its not the fastest, quickest or most exotic.. but it’s a package that is a blast.
Nice car and still in good shape.
I probably posted as one of those who will be keeping their R53 Mini forever and I would like everybody to know that car is still in very good shape and in almost showroom condition. I don't get to drive much even during spring to fall having my new Porsche Cayman and BMW taking turns but believe me when I say how much I love my Mini, it is raw and still puts smile on my face every time I drive or even just starting it while on storage.
Well, I'm not sure, to be honest. Haha. My 02 decided to have an unexplained catastrophic engine failure at 112k. Probably something I did wrong, but I was obsessive about maintaining fluids and general maintenance, so that shouldn't have been an issue. I'm in the process of swapping the engine as I am still making payments on it, but I don't know how long I'll keep it after I pay it off. AND hopefully the junker engine I bought doesn't have the same/similar issue as it came from a car with 80k. If it is running and driving well by the time I pay it off, I might keep it but my joy was lost the moment it said "No, I don't work no more and you get to dip your toes into the engine-swap world with almost zero mechanical experience in order to still have a vehicle."
Well, I'm not sure, to be honest. Haha. My 02 decided to have an unexplained catastrophic engine failure at 112k. Probably something I did wrong, but I was obsessive about maintaining fluids and general maintenance, so that shouldn't have been an issue. I'm in the process of swapping the engine as I am still making payments on it, but I don't know how long I'll keep it after I pay it off. AND hopefully the junker engine I bought doesn't have the same/similar issue as it came from a car with 80k. If it is running and driving well by the time I pay it off, I might keep it but my joy was lost the moment it said "No, I don't work no more and you get to dip your toes into the engine-swap world with almost zero mechanical experience in order to still have a vehicle."
Did it grenade, because you did not do a timing chain and tensioners? if so, you missed an important maintenance issue. Understanding what maintenance needs to be done is so important.
Just changing oils is not enough, once you have reached 100K miles. Wheel bearings, axles, bushings, alignments, struts, waterpump, belts, supercharger service and many other areas need inspection and replacement as needed. If you are not qualified, finding a good indie shop, that knows Mini Coopers is important. they will be your next best avenue to keep it going strong for many years to come.
If you are going to put the used engine in yourself, make sure to replace items that wear out. timing chain, timing chain tensioners, water pump, water expansion tank, etc.
I see so many of these cars with over 300K miles, still running strong. I live in a fairly rust free area, but have purchased a few cars from the east, that rust was an issue. I stay away from rust and thankfully where I live, I can.
I hope you get your Mini, back up and running. You may be able to get good help, if you have a mini club near you! best of luck and keep us posted.
Yes, thats low mileage, i would have that checked out and see what really happened. About 280K on my 2005 here in -4 degree weather with -20 wind chill. Started right up!
From the day in spring of 2004 that I flopped down a big deposit for my Mini 2500 miles away sight unseen (as the Mini had not yet been born), I had the intention of keeping it for a long time. I spent countless hours playing with the online configurator, and planning for the additional genuine optional kits, and a outdoors cover. I also planned to order enough consumables while getting a discount on parts from Julie at Classic Mini. Like the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. My intention to keep Mini a very long time is proved with deeds.
Months would go by and eventually in August 2004 my much anticipated baby arrived in this extra long enclosed carrier from Ohio. It might as well be a getaway scene from the new Italian Job.
the enclosed carrier was full of R53 Minis; I wonder who's purple MCS this is with proximity sensors
my Mini's boot was full of loot
Till this day I still have a healthy supplies of consumables like oil filters, air filters and even some optional parts.
a recent photo of mini goes shopping in ethnic neighbourhood
i plan on keeping mine forever!
on occasion it needs some TLC, but lovin' it! I just replaced the front speakers myself and got rid of significant rattling! now....the dash rattles....
I plan to keep my current 2005 mini cooper s for a long time. It was recently on the cover of Modern Classic Cars Magazine which says a lot. It's currently the last generations of visceral Mini's. No need for different driving mods here lol
I to plan on holding on to my 2002 Cooper S forever its my first car and if you look at any of my threads I started knowing nothing about it and have done quite a lot to the car and plan on doing more in the spring of 2018. I bought it real cheap it does have quite a few miles now (145000) which stinks but what you gonna do... I was planning on fixing the rust under that tail lights and getting a full repaint but dont have the money as I am only 19 right now but one day in the future I hope to get it done right and have a "BMW classic Mini" Its got its querks and is not the most reliable thing but its now become fun to work on "sometimes" and cant wait til I finish college, get a good job, and make my mini great again.
Not to mention I believe I have one of the first in America as its a March 2002 but dont ruin my dreams if its not special Id like to keep thinking it is
Well, I’ve only had my 05 for a couple of weeks now, but I’d have to say it’s my favorite car I’ve ever owned. Got it used with 74k miles on it. And I don’t buy things that I don’t plan on holding on to. So yeah, I’m keeping this baby
I May Be Closer to "Forever" Than My 641,000 Mile MINI
Not a worry today about either - I've been blessed with very good health at 92 and my 2002 MINI Cooper is only 15 - but, with 641,000 Miles so far.
(My Dentist says, "You should have all your own teeth till 103 !" So, I never know what's coming next, - but, I should be able to order 'adult food' all the way.)
Life in general has been a joy all the way.
And life with this MINI has been totally satisfying - and a lot of Driving Fun.
wow 640,000 thats awesome it shows that you take care and fix your vehicles to make it that far. Mine has to much rust under the lights and a little under neath from WI that makes me want to get rid of it and get one from the south states.
Though your in WI as well, yours is in much better shape than my 2002 S!
Not a worry today about either - I've been blessed with very good health at 92 and my 2002 MINI Cooper is only 15 - but, with 641,000 Miles so far.
(My Dentist says, "You should have all your own teeth till 103 !" So, I never know what's coming next, - but, I should be able to order 'adult food' all the way.)
Life in general has been a joy all the way.
And life with this MINI has been totally satisfying - and a lot of Driving Fun.
Yep, - I'm keeping her.
Truly remarkable! You obviously are one knows how to keep things in the best of shape.
Not a worry today about either - I've been blessed with very good health at 92 and my 2002 MINI Cooper is only 15 - but, with 641,000 Miles so far.
(My Dentist says, "You should have all your own teeth till 103 !" So, I never know what's coming next, - but, I should be able to order 'adult food' all the way.)
Life in general has been a joy all the way.
And life with this MINI has been totally satisfying - and a lot of Driving Fun.
Yep, - I'm keeping her.
WOW, Congrats t you hstanfield! Two remarkable achievements! I love it when a gen 1 Mini keeps going and going. I see many with 300,000 + miles on them and they are running and driving very well!
I have an 06 Mini Cooper S JCW model, I hope to drive it, the rest of my life! It just brings a smile to my face on every trip with it!
Congrats on your two achievements! Itsme Wayne's 06 MCS JCW
I love my 2003 R53, it is my favorite car of all time. I would dearly love to keep it forever, though at almost 15 years old and 145,000 miles what worries me most is that the motor will grenade at the most inopportune moment.
I have done the basic maintenance including a supercharger service, replacement coolant tank, powersteering pump, water pump/housing and some gaskets. What is it that I should be looking at doing to keep this car going and hopefully avoid that catastrophic failure?
I'm thinking a harmonic balancer, timing chain and guides, power steering hoses (they are leaking), struts and fix the rust in the back right corner (my car didn't get it covered under warranty). Anything else preventive?
110k, 15 years later and the plan is still on course. I blew the RMW head beyond repair last year so Sneed Speed replace it with their equivalent and then re-tuned it on their dyno. TLC goes a long way.
Tough to say forever honestly because our minds can change real quick. However I’d like to think I will keep it forever. I recently just threw a couple grand at it for some repairs and upgrades so that definitely means I will keep it for a long time. I also have plans for other upgrades in the long run, it isn’t going anywhere.
I view the R53 as a classic like others do, even if it doesn’t become one or is one, it is still very special, no denying that. I get lots of compliments on it. And with only 75k for an 04, I don’t see something else I would trade it for. A second car or truck sure, but to replace? No way.
I was planning on keeping my 2003 R50 forever, but someone turned left just in front of me to the tune of $8K+ without even looking under the hood or checking the frame alignment.
Just bought a 2009 JCW Clubman - very very good shape with only 28K on the odometer.
Oh he!! yes! Replaced the clutch last year at 130,000+ miles but now have a master cylinder problem, but the price of a new brake master is far less than the price of a new one, and where the heck am I going to find another R53 with less than 50k miles?
I bought her in January 2011 and has been my daily driver since then. Luckily I have always had a very short commute or worked from home, keeping the miles down. I almost lost her this past January when I was rear ended, but luckily no frame damage and with an awesome local friendly body shop, she is better than ever. I felt like I was losing a family member!
