Looking at buying a Cooper S R53

[Isysman]

Hi Folks,

I'm in the market for a Cooper S R53 in the next couple of weeks. My budget is about 3-4 grand and so far I'm thinking that will get me a 2003 53 reg car. What should I be concerned with when looking? I've been trying to find a buying guide but not coming up with much, if you have a link to a good one that would be great also.

It's going to be used as my daily drive as I have another sports car for the weekends etc.

Thanks in advance

[Isysman]

What year is the facelift? I heard the later car with the French engine is unreliable.

[Isysman]

Thanks for all the feedback so far chaps. I have found a fantastic 2007 car with JCW kit and great looks although it's going to obliterate my budget!. It's an R53 (Nov 2006 model). I'm looking into it and trying to make a deal. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Isysman]

Hi folks, so the car I was hoping to buy sold before I got to see it. Dag-nam-it!

I saw a nice 54 plate Cooper S soft-top on ebay and I've just been to look at it. It looked nice at first look, a little tired but i suppose it's to be expected. 60k miles but missing the service book. So my questions, is it easy to clock a Mini? He says BMW verified the mileage but I'd rather have the handbook. Also it looked like to me tat it had done more miles judging by the look of the interior. Can't be sure though, maybe it's done many short trips?

Also the power steering was really quite noisy. I'm assuming this is the pump. High pitched whirring sound, assuming it's the bearings in the pump. I made a video (for the audio only) and you can hear it change pitch as I turn the steering wheel.

Slight damage to the inner wheel arch on the passenger side, he said because the tyre blew out and punctured it. You can see it when you open the bonnet.

Please excuse the video I was only wanting to record the sound.

http://youtu.be/E7R5kddhs94

[Isysman]

Yeah I decided to give this car a miss. I'm going to look at another car tomorrow in Blackpool. A coupe

[Isysman]

Hi chaps. Thanks to those who have so far helped me. I went to see another car today. A 04 plate with 65k miles. Looked good, JCW front and rear bumpers, deep blue and very tidy. However there seemed to be a strange noise on tick over. I heard it right away. As previously I recorded the sound on my iphone. Please ignore the video. Sounds like hydraulic tappets to me. It's more profound towards the last few seconds of the video.

http://youtu.be/HDdebMLxktg

Anyone any ideas?

[Isysman]

Yeah I agree, was worrying. I walked away, said I'd get a second opinion.

[Isysman]

Yes it did it on startup. I didn't even rev it or stop and restart, just thought it sounded a bit rough. I'm learning they make some odd noises. The steering pump was making the same noise as the other car I looked at.

[Isysman]

martyn850 said:

Can't really hear it very well, but did it go when the clutch was depressed? If so, clutch release bearing. Ran my R53 with that gone for a few years and over 25,000 miles and never had a problem. The bearing fails way before the clutch does.

The last 4-5 seconds are the most pronounced.

[Isysman]

What do you chaps think of these two cars? I really like the first one, great looking, looks well looked after although he tells me he does his own servicing (which means no stamps in book). Also I'm a bit miffed he's not willing to move on price at all, not even to talk about it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251640175902?ssPageName=...

This car is very similar to the previous but it's had all the mods done to the engine I'd probably want done to the first car. Although I'm not sure about it being lowered so much, don't want too firm a ride as I already have that in my other car. He's willing to accept offers though so I'm more inclined to go with this car. Am I missing out if I don't get the first car?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111463271451?ssPageName=...

[Isysman]

Wow nobody. Shame.

[Isysman]

Challo said:

Out of the 2 i would go for the first one. Yes it doesn't have the upgrades to the engine, but these are not that expensive and you might prefer to choose your own. Also the first car has a better standard kit listing with Nav, Climate control.

For the me the second car has a few issues I wouldn't be happy about. Plus it mentions 'Air Con needs gassing' for the sake of £50 why has he not done it?

What are the other issues you don't like with the second car? Yeah aircon issue is a worry. I bought a Focus ST a few years ago that said that but when I tried to do it it was actually a fault and would have cost a bit to repair.

[Isysman]

Clivey said:

Just had a quick look on AutoTrader and circa £4,500 would buy you a facelift car (e.g this one). - I would definitely buy a facelift car if you can - we've had 2 in the family (one '54' and one '05' reg, both 'One D' models) and build quality etc. wise, they're better than pre-facelift cars. Haggle hard if you must. Good hunting.

Thanks for the info. That's a nice motor but a little more than I want to spend. I have another car and this mini would just be my daily car. So I'm looking around the £3000-3500 mark.

[Isysman]

Clivey said:

Clicky.

And here.

Didn't realise they were now so cheap!

Wow good finds. Are the facelift models really that much better that I souls avoid them?

[Isysman]

Sir_Dave said:

I agree re: spec etc, but the gloss black parts on the first one are

Yeah I wasn't sure about them either. I was thinking I'd most likely have to get them painted which wouldn't be cheap.

[Isysman]

Clivey said:

TBH I'm not a fan either...or of grey paint but realise that's personal preference. What I would say though is please, please, please make sure you thoroughly read and understand the buyers' guides from the specialist forums before you part with your hard-earned.

I just spent three months at sea and whilst I was there I was reading up and these cars, and following the market.

[Isysman]

OK fellow Pistonheaders. I've seen another car I really like. The price however seems excessive but it has a lot of mods. Anyway it seems he's a fellow PHer himself as it's advertised on here. So can you give me feedback on what you think it's worth and of course if there are any issues you can see that I may have missed.


PHadvert

Edited by Isysman on Tuesday 23 September 14:00

Edited by Isysman on Tuesday 23 September 14:01

[Isysman]

Thanks for the feedback, I thought the same about the intercooler. I'd probably put one on and have it remapped. Not too worried about the insurance, with my age and NCB it should be fine. I have a modified 911 Turbo as well and it's under £700 so it should not be an issue. This would be my daily runner (want something fun and pretty fast as you can imagine.)

Edited by Isysman on Tuesday 23 September 14:35

[Isysman]

SteveS Cup said:

No idea what's going on with prices, I've not really looked but I was considering trading mine in a month or so ago until the most I was offered was £2500!!!!

Mine is a facelifted 54 plate, in Silver Grey, half black leather, chilli pack, sport chrono, HK, panoramic sunroof... Pretty much everything.

I've added a few bits, suspension, pulley etc.

I thought for £2500 I'll keep it a strip it out. Use it as a toy!

I'm now expecting a company car in the next few weeks so the weekend toy idea sounds even better.

Maybe I'll look at selling it privately, I couldn't have before as I can't be without a car for my work.

What are you saying, the prices are very low? Trade in is always below market price IMO

[Isysman]

Ok so I made a few offers on the White car and we came to an agreement. I probably paid a little more than I might have wanted but I think it is a good example judging by its MOT history, service records and other history on the car. The sale is based on satisfactory inspection when I go to collect the car.

Now I have to travel from Cheshire to Colchester! Should be an interesting drive back though. Let's hope the car is as good as it looks and was described.

Thanks for the help on here from everyone who gave advice. I'll post some photos once I've collected the car.