2004 MINI MINI

Apologies for long description but it's the sort of information I would want to know about a used car - get the kettle on ...

Made in Jun 2004 and 1st registered Jul 2004, generation 1 Mini Cooper S pre-facelift, (central reverse light, headlamps in bonnet when you lift it etc.) - 2 previous owners when I purchased it in May 2023

c. 44,200 genuine miles currently, still in use so this will rise, but only slightly, I already have another car.

Check the mileage history online - the reason i bought it was it only had 33,000 miles and the MOT pass rate was crazy good and it had only done a few hundred miles a year for about 10 years - I appreciate this can be good/bad but i consider it as a good thing. I have put on about 4,500 miles per annum since I got it, I do not use it as a daily driver as I work from home, use it maybe 2 to 3 times a week but never just to local shop and back, I do a full heat cycle every time.

No crazy mods like smaller supercharger pulley or larger intercooler or lowered ride height - I don't like over-stressing engines and the one in there is solid, no leaks of anything, anywhere. It's a "unicorn" apart from exhaust and a recent K&N air filter (an almost new paper filter is included in sale). I'm not a revver, the engine red-lines at 6,500, if I've had it over 5,000rpm more than a handful of times I'd be surprised. In fact, my preference is the pull you get in 3rd, 4th, 5th from 3,000 to 4,000, if you're in the mood for a spirited blast. I don't do burnouts.

Ride quality is pure BMW Gen 1 Mini, i.e. firm, if you want comfort buy a Lexus. I know every pothole to avoid and change of tarmac in my local area now, but I've had 3 of these and it's just normal.

I think it has a Chili pack, but not 100% sure - it has full leather (in excellent condition), aircon, heated front screen (don't be fooled like I was, it's not as quick as a rear demist, takes a few minutes but this is normal), Xenon self-levelling headlights. 17" alloys in the best style (imo) - which probably could do with a refurb but never got round to it - Kumho Ecsta PS71 tyres - personal choice for best on wet roads. Oh yes, I got rid of the run-flats almost immediately, horrid.

6 speed Getrag gearbox - a beautiful thing, precise, close-ratio, even in 6th it pulls well. Clutch still very good for what could be the original.

Things I've replaced - all precautionary unless stated, and based on reading about R53 common niggles, thanks to ModMini on YouTube too. When I say "I've replaced", I mean I have paid for (Ebay mainly but named/trusted manufacturer) and helped a mechanic friend to fit :) ...

Rocker cover gasket and spark plug tube seals (Elring) - was weeping a little bit on purchase, dry ever since

Coolant, coolant reservoir and cap - after i test drove the car the cap was dribbling coolant, the garage (Beechwood Autos, Sutton-in-Ashfield) agreed to replace cap and coolant. I was certain the coolant was replaced, but got another cap for peace of mind with new reservoir. Zero issues since.

Thermostat and gasket (MAR Motorsport)

Timing chain tensioner (Febi/Bilstein) - there was a slight tapping noise around 3,000 rpm when I bought it, this sorted it and noise has never returned

Serpentine (ancilliary) belt

Crankshaft Position Sensor o-ring

Spark plugs - NGK BKR6EQUP 4-terminal - standard for vehicle

Fuel filter

Front subframe refreshed - inner ball joints, anti-roll bar bushes, control arm bushes - used all new bolts on re-fit

Bilstein B4 struts all round - originals had enough after 21 years - B4's are straight swap, according to Bilstein

New coil springs (Febi/Bilstein) all round - a rear one cracked so I replaced all 4

Rear strut top mounts

New dust covers and bump stops on front shocks (Mayle)

Front top mounts - original spec purchased through BMW - including new pinch bolt for the steering knuckles

Anti-mushrooming reinforcement plates fitted under front towers - NOTE no "mushrooming" was evident - pure precaution for a common weak area

Front lower outer ball joints

Track Rod ends

Front drop links (Febi/Bilstein)

Front wheel bearings

Rear drop links (Febi/Bilstein)

Rear anti-roll bar bushes

Oil and filter change May 2024 - Shell Helix Ultra ECT C3 5W30 fully synthetic, new sump plug and crush washer

Sump gasket (Elring) - this was weeping slightly, when I dropped the sump it was clear of any debris whatsoever - always a pleasant surprise - and the oil pick-up pipe was clean

Power steering reservoir and filler cap with o-ring

Power steering feed and return hoses (Febi)

Manual transmission oil (Granville MTF 94)

Brake discs - Pagid grooved and dotted all round - I don't race, but they're good and they look the part

Brake Pads - Brembo standard road front and rear

Brake fluid replaced July 2025 by KwikFit - dot 4.1

Fuel filler cap o-ring

Throttle body housing gasket (Victor Reinz)

AC Condenser (Mahle) - this sits in front of the coolant radiator and takes all the grime / salt etc., it crumbled in my hand when removed !

The all important supercharger has not been serviced - it's a 100,000 mile job, I appreciate the car is no baby but the supercharger sounds and works as it should, as does the bypass valve - no lack of boost or worrying noises - and the water pump operates efficiently - the engine gets to working temperature and stays there, mid-dial, whatever the time of year, never had a problem.

12mm concentric wheel spacers - single billet manufacture - i like the wider track look

Spotlamps - added for looks only - not wired (I cut the wires off - but the brackets are there if future working lamps required - and easily removed if not)

Stainless steel 2" exhaust system, the original rotted through not long after purchase so whoever did the "fresh MOT" for the sales garage was obviously a good mate of theirs. The new one has a centre silencer and 2 boxes at the rear - it doesn't replace the cat, all emissions systems in place. It's louder than standard but not crazy loud - personal choice

Negatives ... only 2 I can think of, but they're not really negatives for me ...

1. No alarm or immobiliser - discovered this after I took it to local BMW dealer to check over after purchase - however it has been parked on a residential street in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne suburbs and nobody has messed with it

2. Remote key fob does not work - I knew this when I got it - BMW happily quoted me £500 in 2023 to sort this out - I have become used to retro key-in-barrel technology - which also opens the passenger door and boot so central locking works at least

Interior is mint, as new, very few scuffs, headliner is perfect - clean, no sagging from glue failing, never smoked in or carried pets, or babies, smells like new too

Bodywork excellent, no rust on any panels including the infamous rear hatch, around rear lights etc. Chrome-work excellent, spotlights get surface rust now and then but easily cleaned off, and you might bin them anyway ! The roof has a few spots where historic bird-poop has marked the surface, in the right light I notice them, otherwise they're negligent. This car has started first time, every time, since I owned it. The underneath is clean, apart from some surface rust here and there as expected for it's age.

Recently (02/12/2025) had front alignment and air conditioning recharge (KwikFit).

MOT until May 2026. Has advisories for both rear tyres wearing on outside, that is because they were originally on the front and fwd cars wear front outer tyres first.

Included in sale - the special tool to remove the serpentine (ancilliary) belt, oil filter housing gasket (bought it but didn't need it), paint touch-up pen (again bought it but unused!), 1/2 litre of the engine oil it is using - oh yes these cars are sometimes noted for burning oil but this one doesn't, only had to do minor top-up once or twice. Also there is the Mini side jack and absolutely useless Mini tool bundle, although that includes a towing eye - again, unused.

Documentation all there from previous owners, I don't have much personally as maintained by me / mechanic friend. I can take you through my Ebay purchases maybe ?

Reason for sale - good question - it comes down to age, mine not the car. 60 next year and back issues are making it harder and harder to love driving this car, plus the wife hates it - mainly because i spend more time with the Mini than her.

Serious enquiries only please, this not an "I bought the cheapest R53 in the UK" YouTube promotion ... I paid a decent price for it, I believe the sale price is reasonable compared to others out there and given the condition and work put into it. As similar ads say, "low mileage versions are getting hard to find".

Pictures taken after a wash and polish on a cold, low-sun day. If you want something more specific let me know.

Thanks, Neil