RE: Mini Cooper S (R53): PH Buying Guide

[AA88]

I will unfortunately be putting mine up for sale soon as we will need something a little more practical soon.

I've had it a little over a year and it's been one of the most fun cars I've owned (only competition was my Evo 6).

Mine is a 2006 so face-lift with the Chilli Pack, LSD, Sports Suspension and is on 72k miles. In Astro Black which is personally one of my favorite colours and cleans up really well.

As mentioned by others, really difficult to price but it's a completely standard car so hopefully that will appeal in a marketplace full of higher mileage or modified ones.

MOT booked for November so wasn't planning on putting it up for sale until that was done.

[howardhughes]

Leins said:

I’ve been tempted to swap the seats in mine, as even though the GP Recaros are lovely, they’re a bit heavy for what is supposed to be a lightened car. I was never sure why they didn’t come with the Sparcos as standard instead, especially as they are heated too. I do fancy a set of carbon Recaro Poles for it, but they’re really not cheap

I’m on the search for a hand brake lever too, so if I find a couple I’ll give you a shout!

I put the carbon gear lever in mine too, much nicer than the standard one, and also fitted the carbon front scoop insert. At first I thought it might be too much, but now I thjnk it matches the standard rear carbon wing on the GP quite well

One thing I am glad I have is the additional JCW oil temp gauge and voltmeter, although it’s never seemed to run hot. Got this unit from Italy a few years ago, as they seemed to be pretty rare

Edited by Leins on Thursday 15th October 20:32

Loving the gauges and thanks for the heads up on the handbrake lever!

[jonwm]

AA88 said:

I will unfortunately be putting mine up for sale soon as we will need something a little more practical soon.

I've had it a little over a year and it's been one of the most fun cars I've owned (only competition was my Evo 6).

Mine is a 2006 so face-lift with the Chilli Pack, LSD, Sports Suspension and is on 72k miles. In Astro Black which is personally one of my favorite colours and cleans up really well.

As mentioned by others, really difficult to price but it's a completely standard car so hopefully that will appeal in a marketplace full of higher mileage or modified ones.

MOT booked for November so wasn't planning on putting it up for sale until that was done.

Let me know when you do as i may be interested (I've got a few shortlisted at the moment but none look that nice!)

[Stevenery]

I purchased one of these just over a year ago as a fun, yet cheap car. They are very well supported for modifications with new products continually being developed - a larger and smoother 3D printed boost pipe is the most recent product I've seen.

With regards to run flat tyres - just buy a space saver and strap it to the boot anchor points. Having been stranded on a Saturday afternoon with a torn sidewall and charged £140 to fit a budget replacement, I'm happy to sacrifice some boot space. Many recent Honda's use the same centre bore and bolt spacing, so you'll have a tyre which isn't too old.

[fiju]

I test drove a cooper s JCW a while ago after hearing all the hype on here. From a 15 min drive it was apparent that it wasn't particularly quick, and the constant popping from the exhaust was irritating. It was also starting to rot on the boot floor. Cheap it was, but even if it wasn't a dog, there was nothing that stood out and made me want it.

Edited by fiju on Friday 16th October 18:49

[Leins]

fiju said:

I test drove a cooper s JCW a while ago after hearing all the hype on here. From a 15 min drive it was apparent that it wasn't particularly quick, and the constant popping from the exhaust was irritating. It was also starting to rot on the boot floor. Cheap it was, but even if it wasn't a dog, there was nothing that stood out and made me want it.

Edited by fiju on Friday 16th October 18:49

Can I ask what that’s in comparison to? I have faster cars in a straight line, but show a well sorted JCW a B-road and it should be a different matter. However, one with shot suspension, engine mounts, tyres and the like obviously won’t perform that well

Also, I don’t find the JCW exhaust all that loud re pops, and I generally don’t notice mine Too much over the sound of the supercharger. Was there an aftermarket one fitted?

Edited by Leins on Friday 16th October 19:22

[nunpuncher]

A bit rough around the edges but scrubs up alright for 18 years old

[jonwm]

One thing I've noticed from looking into them is the convertible S is much cheaper than the hatch S, usually the other way round, anyone know why??

[nunpuncher]

Because it looks like a pram.

[jonwm]

nunpuncher said:

Because it looks like a pram.

Good point

[nunpuncher]

I think looks/image is the main reason. It must be a bit floppier as BMW felt it needed extra bracing in the front which some will say doesn't actually add any rigidity. It also turns a car with limited practicality into what is more or less a 2 seater as the boot becomes a glove compartment and the rear seat space is slightly reduced.

Plus it does look like it was styled by Silvercross.

[fiju]

Leins said:

Can I ask what that’s in comparison to? I have faster cars in a straight line, but show a well sorted JCW a B-road and it should be a different matter. However, one with shot suspension, engine mounts, tyres and the like obviously won’t perform that well

Also, I don’t find the JCW exhaust all that loud re pops, and I generally don’t notice mine Too much over the sound of the supercharger. Was there an aftermarket one fitted?

Edited by Leins on Friday 16th October 19:22

It's not in comparison to anything, just expected the halo model to be quicker, that's all. a 1.6 supercharged unit should be nippy. This didn't have 'it'. Whatever that may be. Completely bog standard from what I remember. The suspension didn't feel shot. No clunks or anything to say otherwise. Can't remember what tyres it had on it, but I doubt they were anything special. It was a dog and it was cheap. As I said, nothing stood out. A completely forgettable drive if it wasn't for that incessant popping from the exhaust. Not loud, just constant. Whatever happened to making a car work hard to hear that?

[okenemem]

i miss that supercharge whine

[Leins]

fiju said:

It's not in comparison to anything, just expected the halo model to be quicker, that's all. a 1.6 supercharged unit should be nippy. This didn't have 'it'. Whatever that may be. Completely bog standard from what I remember. The suspension didn't feel shot. No clunks or anything to say otherwise. Can't remember what tyres it had on it, but I doubt they were anything special. It was a dog and it was cheap. As I said, nothing stood out. A completely forgettable drive if it wasn't for that incessant popping from the exhaust. Not loud, just constant. Whatever happened to making a car work hard to hear that?

Out of interest, what did you buy instead?

[fiju]

Clk55

[LordGrover]

Hmmm. It takes all sorts, I suppose.

[millen]

nunpuncher said:

Jamescrs said:

Rear seats do fold forwards, the boot is pretty hopeless with the seats up to be honest but it makes a decent space with them down.

I have never tried putting a bike in but I would guess my road bike would fit if I tried it.

I can get my large road bike in mine with the wheel off and the seats down. The problems start only when there's 2 of you and 2 bikes. But tbf that's asking a bit much. The clue's in the name.

Thanks both! I'm seriously tempted.

[KGP04]

Leins said:

Do you mean the luggage brace behind the front seats, or something under the bonnet?

under the bonnet

[Leins]

fiju said:

Clk55

Nice car, great engine. Very different prospect to an R53 of course

KGP04 said:

Leins said:

Do you mean the luggage brace behind the front seats, or something under the bonnet?

under the bonnet

Ah yes, I see the line in the OP you refer to now. With regards the luggage brace, I been asked a few times if it makes the car stiffer. Bit of a waste of time really and could do without it. Call me a heathen, but I’d have preferred a set of xenons and some rear speakers instead

Edited by Leins on Saturday 17th October 16:31

[nunpuncher]

They aren't particularly fast but they can be quick when driven properly. You certainly aren't thrashing anyone at the traffic lights or having an adrenaline pumping charge down a slip road in one but a well sorted one is the very definition of a momentum car for UK roads.

Regarding the size. I took my son out earlier. With the seats down I had his BMX in the back along with 2 sheets of 4ft x 2ft ply and some planks to build him a jump.