Mini r53 written off, what next?

Mini r53 written off, what next?

Author
Discussion

Neal500griff

Original Poster:

42 posts

55 months

Thursday 7th March
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Unfortunately my beloved 2003 R53 Mini Cooper S has been written off, not by me I should add, was parked at the time when sum kn*b wrecked it!

I’d owned it for 5 years as a daily run around and it’s been great fun, every drive alway put a smile on my face.

So guys, what should I replace it with, I’m hoping I’ll get 4 or 5 grand from the insurance company but can add a good few grand to that if needed.

Thoughts please?

(Oh, and I have a nice tvr Griffith too but that only comes out on rare sunny dry summer days)

sherman

13,366 posts

216 months

Thursday 7th March
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GT86
or
Fiat 595

Jamescrs

4,489 posts

66 months

Thursday 7th March
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I'd say buy another R53 as I do miss having mine, it was mainly a track car but it was road legal and great fun.

As a similar alternative i'd look at a Mk7 Fiesta ST

and31

3,065 posts

128 months

Thursday 7th March
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Definitely another R53!!

Roboticarm

1,452 posts

62 months

Thursday 7th March
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I'm currently driving and R56 so I'd say that would be a natural progression
However I also previously owned 2 Abarths a 2014 135bhp and then a 2019 165bhp, would have another in a heartbeat, the 165 is the sweet spot in the range
Another one I'd consider is the Clio 197/200

a340driver

239 posts

156 months

Thursday 7th March
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I had a 595C Turismo from new that I only expected to have for a year or so. Ended up running it for 7 years before I part ex'd for an F82 M4.

I still miss it. The only thing I don't miss is the comically big turning circle.

Mr Tidy

22,440 posts

128 months

Thursday 7th March
quotequote all
If you had it for 5 years you must have liked it, so another R53 or an R56 look like obvious candidates.

Although a 500 Abarth might provide similar fun while being slightly different.

NiceCupOfTea

25,294 posts

252 months

Thursday 7th March
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Unless it was a JCW I think it’s unlikely you’ll get that amount I’m afraid frown

Neal500griff

Original Poster:

42 posts

55 months

Thursday 7th March
quotequote all
Thanks everyone so far; yea, I was already considering another r53! Such fun yet surprisingly versatile, seats down had our 3 dogs in, or headrest off even a full size door!

It’s finding a good one though, and mine had had new clutch, problematic steering pump done etc and body was it really good condition, no rush, even in the usual placed.

Good shout on R/S Clio too, that was on my list, but don’t know that much about them apart from there good fun, need to do some research.

Not sure about the Fiat though, not something I’d thought of?

Was thinking may put quite a bit more cash in though and go for something a bit different, always fancied a Impreza wrx sti, nice prodrive one on sale on here at mo?

As for the gt86, again, good shout but would a gr86 not be even better if I put more cash in… have even considered a GR Yaris, prices should loosen a bit now they’re making more new ones, could even put my name down for a new one?
.

Edited by Neal500griff on Thursday 7th March 21:56

Neal500griff

Original Poster:

42 posts

55 months

Thursday 7th March
quotequote all
NiceCupOfTea said:
Unless it was a JCW I think it’s unlikely you’ll get that amount I’m afraid frown
Sure the insurance company will low ball me but I was just basing it on prices for good ones advertised on here.

lord trumpton

7,413 posts

127 months

Thursday 7th March
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Neal500griff said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Unless it was a JCW I think it’s unlikely you’ll get that amount I’m afraid frown
Sure the insurance company will low ball me but I was just basing it on prices for good ones advertised on here.
You'll need proof that yours was as good if not better to get the right price.

Id try something different next; maybe a Fiesta ST if you've got a bit to add?

ChrisH72

2,211 posts

53 months

Thursday 7th March
quotequote all
Neal500griff said:
Thanks everyone so far; yea, I was already considering another r53! Such fun yet surprisingly versatile, seats down had our 3 dogs in, or headrest off even a full size door!

It’s finding a good one though, and mine had had new clutch, problematic steering pump done etc and body was it really good condition, no rush, even in the usual placed.

Good shout on R/S Clio too, that was on my list, but don’t know that much about them apart from there good fun, need to do some research.

Not sure about the fair though, not something I’d thought of?

Was thinking may put quite a bit more cash in though and go for something a bit different, always fancied a Impreza wrx sti, nice prodrive one on sale on here at mo?

As for the gt86, again, good shout but would a gr86 not be even better if I put more cash in… have even considered a GR Yaris, prices should loosen a bit now they’re making more new ones, could even put my name down for a new one?
.
Sounds like budget is up to around £30k then?

Plenty of great cars available at that price.

Neal500griff

Original Poster:

42 posts

55 months

Thursday 7th March
quotequote all
Could be that high yea, but ideally keep it below £10k, it’s about smiles per £ I guess, which is where the r53 scores highly

ChrisH72

2,211 posts

53 months

Thursday 7th March
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DaveyBoyWonder

2,524 posts

175 months

Friday 8th March
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I'd echo the above - another R53. I've had two and keep looking at cheap'ish fun cars and R53 seems to come top of most of my searches - theres just something massively addictive about them and for the prices they can't be beat. Finding decent ones is easy - loads of R53 specialists around.

MightyBadger

2,061 posts

51 months

Friday 8th March
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Neal500griff said:
I’m hoping I’ll get 4 or 5 grand from the insurance company
You wont get that for a bog standard cooper s unless it has ultra low miles and garuanteed evaluation.

Belle427

9,001 posts

234 months

Friday 8th March
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Fiesta ST maybe if budget allows.

President Merkin

3,063 posts

20 months

Friday 8th March
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I've had two, running one now. They are tough little things but by now, they're pretty much all leggy & loads of them have been messed with by the boy racers. If you like them, do it but you're going to be into brakes, suspension stuff, pas pumps, clutches all the usual on old cars.

I bought mine as a project & I've done a clutch, flywheel, all the suspension, brakes, exhaust, piston rings, valve stem oil seals, rod bearings, the list is endless. It wouls actually be a very good buy, being like Trigger's broom. Top & bottom of it is they're still a hoot but the trade off is you're going to be shelling out on keeping it going.

Neal500griff

Original Poster:

42 posts

55 months

Friday 26th April
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NiceCupOfTea said:
Unless it was a JCW I think it’s unlikely you’ll get that amount I’m afraid frown
Update - insurance company now settled at £3,400 after me challenging their original offer of £3,000.