Mini CS R53 or R56 or neither?
Discussion
Afternoon all.
All these articles and threads on sub £5k future classics has tempted me into the ads and looking to pick up a Mini Cooper S. I've had an R56 in diesel form in the past which was amusing albeit slow so now I'm keen to see how much more fun the S is. I need a run-around car and I work from home so fun and cheap are the names of the game!
I've seen a R53 (2005) and also an R56 (2007) locally, both with what appears to be the key jobs done (supercharger service, chain and clutches) at similar mileage but the latter (and newer) car is some £800 cheaper (quite a large % at this end of the market).
Any owners of both or either can give their opinion on which they'd go for? (very subjective I know).
Failing that anything else around the sub £3k mark would be greatly received - just no barry'd Fiesta's or BMW 320ds, I can't face seeing any more of those adverts anymore!
All these articles and threads on sub £5k future classics has tempted me into the ads and looking to pick up a Mini Cooper S. I've had an R56 in diesel form in the past which was amusing albeit slow so now I'm keen to see how much more fun the S is. I need a run-around car and I work from home so fun and cheap are the names of the game!
I've seen a R53 (2005) and also an R56 (2007) locally, both with what appears to be the key jobs done (supercharger service, chain and clutches) at similar mileage but the latter (and newer) car is some £800 cheaper (quite a large % at this end of the market).
Any owners of both or either can give their opinion on which they'd go for? (very subjective I know).
Failing that anything else around the sub £3k mark would be greatly received - just no barry'd Fiesta's or BMW 320ds, I can't face seeing any more of those adverts anymore!
R56 is a turbo not a supercharger not sure if you are aware or not?
Personally all things being equal i'd go for the R53 because for one it has the supercharger but more importantly the early R56 cars have a bad reputation for the engine reliability, if I was looking at an R56 i'd be looking for a post facelift model which will increase your budget somewhat.
Personally all things being equal i'd go for the R53 because for one it has the supercharger but more importantly the early R56 cars have a bad reputation for the engine reliability, if I was looking at an R56 i'd be looking for a post facelift model which will increase your budget somewhat.
pb8g09 said:
sorry yes I was aware but was trying to keep the word count down!
I’ve read that because of the turbo they’re actually more reliable than the supercharged (happy to be told wrong).
Today’s updated buying guide on PH somewhat scared me off the R53 with all the potential issues!
No the early turbo ones are well known for issues, that's probably why you are finding them cheaper than the R53. I’ve read that because of the turbo they’re actually more reliable than the supercharged (happy to be told wrong).
Today’s updated buying guide on PH somewhat scared me off the R53 with all the potential issues!
The R53 is a pretty solid lump as long as it's looked after, most owners will have the supercharger serviced at around 100k miles if not before which is not difficult for a specialist and it's worth while considering other upgrades at the same time such as reduced pully
Without wanting to knock the buyers guide on here i'd recommend reading some owners forums if you decide a Mini is for you, the buyers guide on here isn't the best.
We have owned a 2004 R53 and a 2007 R55 ( Clubman S) so feel qualified to comment.
R53 is more fun than the R55/6. It is more darty, better balanced and doesn't torque steer. The R53 is not quite as quick. Mpg wise the R55 was far more fuel efficient. I preferred the interior quality of the R53 despite many people complaining about rattles and squeaks. The R55 felt like it had cheaper plastics. The stereo in the R55 is strangled by design and is a PITA if you want better quality from it.
Both cars have foibles. Our R53 needed a new power steering pump. The R55 loved a drink of oil, check the level of you look at one. Timing chains and tensioner issues are well documented on the R55. Only issue we had was with a cracked thermostat housing though (owned for about six years)
I preferred the handling with run flat tyres on both. Changing to standard tyres improved the ride and grip, but I felt it lost the MINI handling characteristics, feedback and dartiness.
I have probably missed loads, so if you have any specifics just ask. We bought a new MINI One in 2002 too and have owned early MINIs for over 13 years in total......
R53 is more fun than the R55/6. It is more darty, better balanced and doesn't torque steer. The R53 is not quite as quick. Mpg wise the R55 was far more fuel efficient. I preferred the interior quality of the R53 despite many people complaining about rattles and squeaks. The R55 felt like it had cheaper plastics. The stereo in the R55 is strangled by design and is a PITA if you want better quality from it.
Both cars have foibles. Our R53 needed a new power steering pump. The R55 loved a drink of oil, check the level of you look at one. Timing chains and tensioner issues are well documented on the R55. Only issue we had was with a cracked thermostat housing though (owned for about six years)
I preferred the handling with run flat tyres on both. Changing to standard tyres improved the ride and grip, but I felt it lost the MINI handling characteristics, feedback and dartiness.
I have probably missed loads, so if you have any specifics just ask. We bought a new MINI One in 2002 too and have owned early MINIs for over 13 years in total......
I have a 2007 r56.
Its direct injection so factor in a hpfp change. Its an hour DIY and 350 for the part. They seem to fail at around 6 years old.
The Cam chain guide will also need maintaining access is ok and changing the chain even can be done without removing the engine.
Being direct injection the inlet ports will need monitoring for coke build up.
Lots have been driven hard and abused so these issues show up more often but really the prince engine is not that bad and has similar issues to most turbo direct injection cam chain engines.
Mine has the dealer fit JCW performance kit (a year before the factory JCW) . And its a lot of fun.
Dont know much about the R53 other than it being an ancient american engine with port injection.
Its direct injection so factor in a hpfp change. Its an hour DIY and 350 for the part. They seem to fail at around 6 years old.
The Cam chain guide will also need maintaining access is ok and changing the chain even can be done without removing the engine.
Being direct injection the inlet ports will need monitoring for coke build up.
Lots have been driven hard and abused so these issues show up more often but really the prince engine is not that bad and has similar issues to most turbo direct injection cam chain engines.
Mine has the dealer fit JCW performance kit (a year before the factory JCW) . And its a lot of fun.
Dont know much about the R53 other than it being an ancient american engine with port injection.
Edited by 6cylGolf on Friday 16th October 10:04
Have just drafted the ad up for my r53 if you want a good one. 2002 90k £1500. Used daily for 2 years, been utterly reliable. Taken VERY good care of it doing the following in that time...
supercharger service at 87k miles with new oil and seals,
both crankshaft oil seals
rocker gasket
crank position sensor seal
oil filter housing seal
sump gasket
Cooler spark plugs
auxiliary belt
rear calipers
discs and pads
water pump
thermostat
thermostat housing
alloy expansion tank
clutch and release bearing
single mass flywheel
track rod ends
inner and outer front ball joints on both sides
Poly bushed refurbished front subframe
Facelift shift assembly (less slop)
stainless direnza cat back
15% pulley
Modified airbox (housed k&n)
Bluetooth stereo (music streaming)
MG straights + OE wheels with falken euro winters.
Bad points.
Bit of rust under the rear light
Passenger door doesn't unlock off the fob (does lock)
Unlike most it doesn't leak or burn any oil
supercharger service at 87k miles with new oil and seals,
both crankshaft oil seals
rocker gasket
crank position sensor seal
oil filter housing seal
sump gasket
Cooler spark plugs
auxiliary belt
rear calipers
discs and pads
water pump
thermostat
thermostat housing
alloy expansion tank
clutch and release bearing
single mass flywheel
track rod ends
inner and outer front ball joints on both sides
Poly bushed refurbished front subframe
Facelift shift assembly (less slop)
stainless direnza cat back
15% pulley
Modified airbox (housed k&n)
Bluetooth stereo (music streaming)
MG straights + OE wheels with falken euro winters.
Bad points.
Bit of rust under the rear light
Passenger door doesn't unlock off the fob (does lock)
Unlike most it doesn't leak or burn any oil
R53 all day for me. I was looking at R53s and R56s for months before I made the decision, and it boiled down to a few factors, namely, the R53 was supercharged - hence a better noise, the R56 N14 engine was notoriously fragile, and I preferred the look, inside and out, of the R53. I have no regrets. Super little cars that I’m sure are going to start appreciating in the not too distant future.
Post facelift R53 is the sweet spot, so late 2004 to 2006 (or up to 2008 for a convertible). Facelift identifying features are the projector Xenons (part of chilli pack), smooth grill surround not ribbed, reversing lights in the tail lights and separate fog light in the bumper, three piece dash Fascia instead of 5 piece. Post early 2005 also likely to have LSD fitted as it was added to the chilli pack spec.
Avoid early R56 due to the N14 engine, N18 fitted from sometime in 2010 is a better bet - likely to coincide with mild facelift including black dashboard controls and standard DAB Radio.
Avoid early R56 due to the N14 engine, N18 fitted from sometime in 2010 is a better bet - likely to coincide with mild facelift including black dashboard controls and standard DAB Radio.
nunpuncher said:
Have just drafted the ad up for my r53 if you want a good one. 2002 90k £1500. Used daily for 2 years, been utterly reliable. Taken VERY good care of it doing the following in that time...
supercharger service at 87k miles with new oil and seals,
both crankshaft oil seals
rocker gasket
crank position sensor seal
oil filter housing seal
sump gasket
Cooler spark plugs
auxiliary belt
rear calipers
discs and pads
water pump
thermostat
thermostat housing
alloy expansion tank
clutch and release bearing
single mass flywheel
track rod ends
inner and outer front ball joints on both sides
Poly bushed refurbished front subframe
Facelift shift assembly (less slop)
stainless direnza cat back
15% pulley
Modified airbox (housed k&n)
Bluetooth stereo (music streaming)
MG straights + OE wheels with falken euro winters.
Bad points.
Bit of rust under the rear light
Passenger door doesn't unlock off the fob (does lock)
Unlike most it doesn't leak or burn any oil
Thanks Nun, have you got a link? Where are you based? supercharger service at 87k miles with new oil and seals,
both crankshaft oil seals
rocker gasket
crank position sensor seal
oil filter housing seal
sump gasket
Cooler spark plugs
auxiliary belt
rear calipers
discs and pads
water pump
thermostat
thermostat housing
alloy expansion tank
clutch and release bearing
single mass flywheel
track rod ends
inner and outer front ball joints on both sides
Poly bushed refurbished front subframe
Facelift shift assembly (less slop)
stainless direnza cat back
15% pulley
Modified airbox (housed k&n)
Bluetooth stereo (music streaming)
MG straights + OE wheels with falken euro winters.
Bad points.
Bit of rust under the rear light
Passenger door doesn't unlock off the fob (does lock)
Unlike most it doesn't leak or burn any oil
chrisch77 said:
Post facelift R53 is the sweet spot, so late 2004 to 2006 (or up to 2008 for a convertible). Facelift identifying features are the projector Xenons (part of chilli pack), smooth grill surround not ribbed, reversing lights in the tail lights and separate fog light in the bumper, three piece dash Fascia instead of 5 piece. Post early 2005 also likely to have LSD fitted as it was added to the chilli pack spec.
Avoid early R56 due to the N14 engine, N18 fitted from sometime in 2010 is a better bet - likely to coincide with mild facelift including black dashboard controls and standard DAB Radio.
Thanks a lot, certainly seeing the price jump between the N14 and N18. Interesting how varied so many R53's MoT history looks, lots of oil leaks seems to be the common theme!Avoid early R56 due to the N14 engine, N18 fitted from sometime in 2010 is a better bet - likely to coincide with mild facelift including black dashboard controls and standard DAB Radio.
nunpuncher said:
Have just drafted the ad up for my r53 if you want a good one. 2002 90k £1500. Used daily for 2 years, been utterly reliable. Taken VERY good care of it doing the following in that time...
supercharger service at 87k miles with new oil and seals,
both crankshaft oil seals
rocker gasket
crank position sensor seal
oil filter housing seal
sump gasket
Cooler spark plugs
auxiliary belt
rear calipers
discs and pads
water pump
thermostat
thermostat housing
alloy expansion tank
clutch and release bearing
single mass flywheel
track rod ends
inner and outer front ball joints on both sides
Poly bushed refurbished front subframe
Facelift shift assembly (less slop)
stainless direnza cat back
15% pulley
Modified airbox (housed k&n)
Bluetooth stereo (music streaming)
MG straights + OE wheels with falken euro winters.
Bad points.
Bit of rust under the rear light
Passenger door doesn't unlock off the fob (does lock)
Unlike most it doesn't leak or burn any oil
For £1500 that sounds like a bargain supercharger service at 87k miles with new oil and seals,
both crankshaft oil seals
rocker gasket
crank position sensor seal
oil filter housing seal
sump gasket
Cooler spark plugs
auxiliary belt
rear calipers
discs and pads
water pump
thermostat
thermostat housing
alloy expansion tank
clutch and release bearing
single mass flywheel
track rod ends
inner and outer front ball joints on both sides
Poly bushed refurbished front subframe
Facelift shift assembly (less slop)
stainless direnza cat back
15% pulley
Modified airbox (housed k&n)
Bluetooth stereo (music streaming)
MG straights + OE wheels with falken euro winters.
Bad points.
Bit of rust under the rear light
Passenger door doesn't unlock off the fob (does lock)
Unlike most it doesn't leak or burn any oil
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff