R53 pre-facelift Cooper S
Discussion
This kind of happened pretty quickly.
Son asked me to start looking for a decent R53 for him - some searching started to uncover a lot of really rough cars, some very heavily modified ones but really well kept, genuine cars seemed a bit thin on the ground, perhaps not surprising as the youngest is now 19 years old.
As I was searching I decided to look for 2, one for my son at his budget, and another for myself at a higher budget. At the grand old age of 58 and a petrolhead my entire life I am ashamed to admit that I have never driven, let alone owned a Mini of any description.
The SLK 350 went up for sale and sold to 1st viewer at full asking price within 3 days so it was all systems go.
As well as looking for cars I posted "wanted" posts on several Mini FB pages and this unearthed a surprising number of cars that could be available but were not technically for sale.
A few discussions took place with owners and quickly decided on a car that ticked pretty much all boxes.
2002 with a classic colour combo of red body, white roof, white mirror caps, white wheels, white bonnet stripes and the twin spotlights
Only 3 previous owners
Full service history and stacks of paperwork including the original invoice
88k miles
Full leather
No pan roof
Sensible upgrades of exhaust, 17% pulley, induction, intercooler and coilovers, with all original parts (excluding exhaust) coming with the car too.
Looks like R53 prices are on the up, certainly fetching more than R56s currently so I am hoping this is a fairly depreciation proof purchase but more importantly will be a fun car to drive.
Looking forward to a 300 mile journey home across the Scottish Borders and through the Lake District on Thursday.
Son asked me to start looking for a decent R53 for him - some searching started to uncover a lot of really rough cars, some very heavily modified ones but really well kept, genuine cars seemed a bit thin on the ground, perhaps not surprising as the youngest is now 19 years old.
As I was searching I decided to look for 2, one for my son at his budget, and another for myself at a higher budget. At the grand old age of 58 and a petrolhead my entire life I am ashamed to admit that I have never driven, let alone owned a Mini of any description.
The SLK 350 went up for sale and sold to 1st viewer at full asking price within 3 days so it was all systems go.
As well as looking for cars I posted "wanted" posts on several Mini FB pages and this unearthed a surprising number of cars that could be available but were not technically for sale.
A few discussions took place with owners and quickly decided on a car that ticked pretty much all boxes.
2002 with a classic colour combo of red body, white roof, white mirror caps, white wheels, white bonnet stripes and the twin spotlights
Only 3 previous owners
Full service history and stacks of paperwork including the original invoice
88k miles
Full leather
No pan roof
Sensible upgrades of exhaust, 17% pulley, induction, intercooler and coilovers, with all original parts (excluding exhaust) coming with the car too.
Looks like R53 prices are on the up, certainly fetching more than R56s currently so I am hoping this is a fairly depreciation proof purchase but more importantly will be a fun car to drive.
Looking forward to a 300 mile journey home across the Scottish Borders and through the Lake District on Thursday.
Edited by Andy665 on Saturday 18th October 06:59
I've a couple of friends who really rate the R53 and have used them as track day cars for 6 or 7 years - they're pretty robust. The subframes (a bit like the SLK) can fail and the supercharger pulley can also be a problem on some (one dropped its pulley on track once) but they're strong cars. My local garage is reluctant to sell R56s in any form and says it's becoming more difficult to source decent cars to retail.
MrC986 said:
I've a couple of friends who really rate the R53 and have used them as track day cars for 6 or 7 years - they're pretty robust. The subframes (a bit like the SLK) can fail and the supercharger pulley can also be a problem on some (one dropped its pulley on track once) but they're strong cars. My local garage is reluctant to sell R56s in any form and says it's becoming more difficult to source decent cars to retail.
No real weak points with them if they have been looked after, engines can leak oil but usually its the crank sensor, rocker cover gasket or sump gasket so relatively easy fixes. Got plenty of photos of the underside of the one I'm buyng and its very solid, subframe issues are not that common and when they do occur its not a mega expensive job with many taking the opportunity to renew everything on the subframe whilst replacingBORNXenon said:
Good luck with it, lovely colour combination.
Enjoy the drive home!
Apparently Chilli red is hard to find nowadays.Enjoy the drive home!
Seller just messaged me with full details of the history, he was away on holiday whilst we have been discussing it this week.
18 stamps in the service book so as full a history as you are ever likely to find / want / need on a 88k mile / 23 year old car with no more than 6k between very service
Andy665 said:
Apparently Chilli red is hard to find nowadays.
My experience of looking on and off (for several months) is its impossible to find a pre-F56 mini in red without paint issues.Only one I found with good paint had already had a complete respray.
A pampered R53 I saw today with <55K had laquer peel on the bonnet.
Unicorn stuff if you can find a good one.
Took my son to collect his R53 this afternoon, he had a lower budget than me but we have hopefully picked up a decent one, sub 100k miles, decent history, completely standard apart from Milltek exhaust
Fitted with xenons, cruise and Harman Kardon which were not stated on the advert.
Completely rust free, couple of little pin dents and a smattering of stonechips but drives really well
St 18 years of age he is pretty chuffed
Fitted with xenons, cruise and Harman Kardon which were not stated on the advert.
Completely rust free, couple of little pin dents and a smattering of stonechips but drives really well
St 18 years of age he is pretty chuffed
Both cars look great - I had a Chilli Red F56 a while back so I may be biased though 
I also had an F56 JCW and it really is a thing that they get under your skin. I have no real experience with these earlier models, but seeing as they're smaller and lighter (and supercharged!) I'm sure you'll both thoroughly enjoy driving them.
I also had an F56 JCW and it really is a thing that they get under your skin. I have no real experience with these earlier models, but seeing as they're smaller and lighter (and supercharged!) I'm sure you'll both thoroughly enjoy driving them.Drive home and the car was pretty much faultless.
List of things to be done, some because I want to, others because it needs them.
Wants
New stereo with DAB - listen to Radio 5 if I do listen to anything and DAB is pretty much essential for that
Glovebox - mine just has the shelf
Oil and filters change - recently serviced but always do it for own peace of mind
Needs
New rear wiper motor - mine has the earlier Trico one and whilst the motor is fine, not even an hour would unblock the washer, not a straight swap, conversion kit needed for the Valeo assembly but available off the shelf
Passenger window - temperamental and guaranteed that if it fails it will be with window down, in the rain, 200 miles from home, new regualtor / motor ordered
Drivers seat - minor bolster wear, just needs a refurb which I can do myself
As one of the main reasons for purchase was to have good quality father / son time and owning the same cars we took the opportunity for a drive out yesterday, weather forecast was crap but ended up being reasonable and had a great few hours out - for an 18 year old he is a damn good driver, sensible but quick, already got 25k under his belt since passing his test in Feb - no substitute for miles to gain experience and ability
List of things to be done, some because I want to, others because it needs them.
Wants
New stereo with DAB - listen to Radio 5 if I do listen to anything and DAB is pretty much essential for that
Glovebox - mine just has the shelf
Oil and filters change - recently serviced but always do it for own peace of mind
Needs
New rear wiper motor - mine has the earlier Trico one and whilst the motor is fine, not even an hour would unblock the washer, not a straight swap, conversion kit needed for the Valeo assembly but available off the shelf
Passenger window - temperamental and guaranteed that if it fails it will be with window down, in the rain, 200 miles from home, new regualtor / motor ordered
Drivers seat - minor bolster wear, just needs a refurb which I can do myself
As one of the main reasons for purchase was to have good quality father / son time and owning the same cars we took the opportunity for a drive out yesterday, weather forecast was crap but ended up being reasonable and had a great few hours out - for an 18 year old he is a damn good driver, sensible but quick, already got 25k under his belt since passing his test in Feb - no substitute for miles to gain experience and ability
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