R53 Cooper S
R53 Cooper S
Author
Discussion

Chr1sch

Original Poster:

2,592 posts

219 months

Wednesday 13th January 2010
quotequote all
Hi All,

We are downgrading from our R56 to an R53 Cooper S

Can anyone give me advise on what to look for? We are spending around 9-9.5k and as lower milage as physically possible......

Finally, do you have any thoughts on Stolen Recovered? There are some very tempting bargains out there but logic and principals in my head tell me no way due to value and resale issues more than anything.

P.S anyone want an 08 R56 with all extras except Heated Seats and Nav?

Thanks

Chris

RKDE

569 posts

236 months

Wednesday 13th January 2010
quotequote all
Its not a down grade its a different car and IMHO a much better car!

As for what to look out for, there isn't much just check for a full service history, the engines are strong and keep going, though they do say the blower should be changed around 100K. There are no cam belts so a good service history will sort you out. The bushes may need replacing as they don't last long but most people don't even know they are worn.

Main issues, the clutch and flywheel can need changing at low miles, a squeel/squeek will let you know. The steering can knock this is a worn bearing on the column. Power steering can fail but is normally noisy so don't worry about that if its loud. The top engine mount can fail but that's a consumable

As for stolen and recovered, I have a JCW mini cooper S which was not stolen or damage but I have a car which was a cat C and that works out quite good for money vs spec and age. The cars are expensive to fix if you don't have contacts of people who can sort you out.

If you plan to drive and not mod the car then consider a JCW, there are many good cars around which have been looked after. Some good basic spec cars too.

M3crab

1,750 posts

211 months

Wednesday 13th January 2010
quotequote all
riwiho said:
Chr1sch said:
We are downgrading from our R56 to an R53 Cooper S
Downgrading?

I think the word you're looking for is upgrading. R53 wins hands down IMHO.
I'm with you on that.thumbup

jcwuk

1,127 posts

222 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
M3crab said:
riwiho said:
Chr1sch said:
We are downgrading from our R56 to an R53 Cooper S
Downgrading?

I think the word you're looking for is upgrading. R53 wins hands down IMHO.
I'm with you on that.thumbup
Totally
Brilliant Cars.

Chr1sch

Original Poster:

2,592 posts

219 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
Haha sorry I didnt mean to create a debate ;-)

I love our R56 so this is sounding promising - thanks for all of the advise.

We had a ONE covertible before this so I am aware of the issues around the top engine mount, however the clutch is the one that worries me.

We have found a lovely JCW and I am certainly game for this, now just a case of convinving the good lady :-)

Thanks again

Chris

Chr1sch

Original Poster:

2,592 posts

219 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
HAHA amazing, its like you know her ;-) Mulberry though, thats more than a nice set of coilovers......love vs. cars, tough one eh

Eviltad

1,320 posts

205 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
  • googles Mulberry outlet*

Chr1sch

Original Poster:

2,592 posts

219 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
Right then, i'm there!

RKDE

569 posts

236 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
The clutch if required will only be £400 all in. Most cooper S clutches last for 60k or more just worth considering

I will have my lovely JCW up for sale in the next weeks with new brakes all round, service history, new clutch been fitted now. loved and in excellent condition

Edited by RKDE on Thursday 14th January 20:49

bananapieface

403 posts

200 months

Thursday 14th January 2010
quotequote all
I have a very good facelifted R53 in a subtle silver / black paint, it would be at the top end of your budget though, let me know if you want any details.

RKDE

569 posts

236 months

Friday 15th January 2010
quotequote all
I will send you an email of the details to you. Reason for selling is I already have 3 cars and two cooper S cars. I will contact you today

997c2scab

422 posts

207 months

Friday 15th January 2010
quotequote all
Chr1sch said:
Haha sorry I didnt mean to create a debate ;-)

I love our R56 so this is sounding promising - thanks for all of the advise.

We had a ONE covertible before this so I am aware of the issues around the top engine mount, however the clutch is the one that worries me.

We have found a lovely JCW and I am certainly game for this, now just a case of convinving the good lady :-)

Thanks again

Chris
I might have just the car that you and the good lady are after. Its not on the market at present but if interested then message me and I will send you some more info

nottyash

4,671 posts

221 months

Friday 15th January 2010
quotequote all
Actually I am selling my Wifes Black eye purple 54 plate John Cooper Works next week when I get home.
Only about 46k on it,Just Mini serviced and absoloutly mint condition.

bananapieface

403 posts

200 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
quotequote all
Just a thing to note, they say that JCWs are about 210bhp? I've never seen one dyno over 190.


hyperblue

2,871 posts

206 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
quotequote all
bananapieface said:
Just a thing to note, they say that JCWs are about 210bhp? I've never seen one dyno over 190.
Yeah it's pretty well established that the JCW's don't make their claimed power, for whatever reason.

997c2scab

422 posts

207 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
quotequote all
Chr1sch said:
Hi All,

We are downgrading from our R56 to an R53 Cooper S

Can anyone give me advise on what to look for? We are spending around 9-9.5k and as lower milage as physically possible......


P.S anyone want an 08 R56 with all extras except Heated Seats and Nav?

Thanks

Chris
If anyone is in the market for a very high spec R53 Mini Cooper S JCW with just 12K miles the please see the below link.

Feel free to give me a call with any questions.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1442019.htm

Steve UK

290 posts

212 months

Saturday 16th January 2010
quotequote all
997c2scab said:
Chr1sch said:
Hi All,

We are downgrading from our R56 to an R53 Cooper S

Can anyone give me advise on what to look for? We are spending around 9-9.5k and as lower milage as physically possible......


P.S anyone want an 08 R56 with all extras except Heated Seats and Nav?

Thanks

Chris
If anyone is in the market for a very high spec R53 Mini Cooper S JCW with just 12K miles the please see the below link.

Feel free to give me a call with any questions.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1442019.htm
so if simon cowell hadn't owned this car it would be worth at least 20k rofl

Chr1sch

Original Poster:

2,592 posts

219 months

Sunday 17th January 2010
quotequote all
Hi All,

Could you please email me with details of your potential JCW's, we are very serious in terms of buying one, however this is on the proviso that we can sell ours fairly quickly.

if you could email chrischesterman@hotmail.co..uk that would be great.

Look forward to seeing them!

Chris