2003 Mini Cooper S with lots of power

[J.C...]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Just read the full thread Nick and thats absolutely brilliant. Weirdly seem to be following a similar'ish path to you - had various MX5s, have a daily R55, had an R50 in the past and now looking at an R53 for the post-lowdown commute (no way I'm going back to the train 5 days a week!).

What would you reccommend I look out for if looking for an R53 S? A friend has mentioned that they had a slightl facelift around 2004/2005 which meant a bit more power and a better/stronger engine? Any good places to start looking? Would rather an enthusiast owned one rather than take a punt on something from Autotrader.

Might be worth giving -01sq- on here a shout. He’s thinking of selling his and I’m pretty sure that’s an R53

Edit - it is https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=16...

[Shappers24]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Just read the full thread Nick and thats absolutely brilliant. Weirdly seem to be following a similar'ish path to you - had various MX5s, have a daily R55, had an R50 in the past and now looking at an R53 for the post-lowdown commute (no way I'm going back to the train 5 days a week!).

What would you reccommend I look out for if looking for an R53 S? A friend has mentioned that they had a slightl facelift around 2004/2005 which meant a bit more power and a better/stronger engine? Any good places to start looking? Would rather an enthusiast owned one rather than take a punt on something from Autotrader.

Without wanting to hijack Nicks thread... my 2006 late model R53 is just about to go on the market. Thousands spent at Mini specialist maintaining it in the past 2.5 years... PM me if you want to know more!

[C70R]

Shappers24 said:

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Just read the full thread Nick and thats absolutely brilliant. Weirdly seem to be following a similar'ish path to you - had various MX5s, have a daily R55, had an R50 in the past and now looking at an R53 for the post-lowdown commute (no way I'm going back to the train 5 days a week!).

What would you reccommend I look out for if looking for an R53 S? A friend has mentioned that they had a slightl facelift around 2004/2005 which meant a bit more power and a better/stronger engine? Any good places to start looking? Would rather an enthusiast owned one rather than take a punt on something from Autotrader.

Without wanting to hijack Nicks thread... my 2006 late model R53 is just about to go on the market. Thousands spent at Mini specialist maintaining it in the past 2.5 years... PM me if you want to know more!

Will be interested to see what yours is valued at, as I'm probably going to make a similar decision once travel restrictions are eased a little.

Yours sounds very similar in spec/history to my track/weekend car. For the previous poster's benefit, it's definitely worth seeking out a facelifted car (some 54-plates and onwards), as they have a number of mechanical advantages and a few aesthetic improvements on the inside.

The R53 is a corking little car, and feels to me like a modern/refined interpretation of the quintessential 90s hot hatch. Not sure I could live with one as a daily/commuter, but the small dimensions are definitely an advantage in traffic.

I had originally planned to go down a similar route to the OP (your car was actually a little inspiration for me!), but have had a change of heart.

[Shappers24]

C70R said:

Shappers24 said:

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Just read the full thread Nick and thats absolutely brilliant. Weirdly seem to be following a similar'ish path to you - had various MX5s, have a daily R55, had an R50 in the past and now looking at an R53 for the post-lowdown commute (no way I'm going back to the train 5 days a week!).

What would you reccommend I look out for if looking for an R53 S? A friend has mentioned that they had a slightl facelift around 2004/2005 which meant a bit more power and a better/stronger engine? Any good places to start looking? Would rather an enthusiast owned one rather than take a punt on something from Autotrader.

Without wanting to hijack Nicks thread... my 2006 late model R53 is just about to go on the market. Thousands spent at Mini specialist maintaining it in the past 2.5 years... PM me if you want to know more!

Will be interested to see what yours is valued at, as I'm probably going to make a similar decision once travel restrictions are eased a little.

Yours sounds very similar in spec/history to my track/weekend car. For the previous poster's benefit, it's definitely worth seeking out a facelifted car (some 54-plates and onwards), as they have a number of mechanical advantages and a few aesthetic improvements on the inside.

The R53 is a corking little car, and feels to me like a modern/refined interpretation of the quintessential 90s hot hatch. Not sure I could live with one as a daily/commuter, but the small dimensions are definitely an advantage in traffic.

I had originally planned to go down a similar route to the OP (your car was actually a little inspiration for me!), but have had a change of heart.

Yeah prices are all over the place for them at the moment. I guess with everything at this age, price varies considerably based on condition and history. It’s been a hard decision to decide to sell it, I’ve kept the car about a year longer than anything else I’ve owned which just goes to show how good they are! But deposit on new car (another mini!!) means it has to go.

[chrismc1977]

Nice project.....

Think the old ultra-gauge is a wee bit quote-me-happy mind you

Sub 5 secs to 60 & 11-odd to 100 with only 30odd hp more....

[HorneyMX5]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Just read the full thread Nick and thats absolutely brilliant. Weirdly seem to be following a similar'ish path to you - had various MX5s, have a daily R55, had an R50 in the past and now looking at an R53 for the post-lowdown commute (no way I'm going back to the train 5 days a week!).

What would you reccommend I look out for if looking for an R53 S? A friend has mentioned that they had a slightl facelift around 2004/2005 which meant a bit more power and a better/stronger engine? Any good places to start looking? Would rather an enthusiast owned one rather than take a punt on something from Autotrader.

Cheers!

The others have covered off most of your questions. The R53 Owners Club Facebook page is a good resource with a nice bunch of dedicated admins, unusual for a Facebook group I know! A few cherished cars come up for sale on there. Facelift cars command a premium as they're newer, have better build quality and generally better optioned. If you can, find one with an LSD as they were a free option on the facelift cars. Engines are pretty robust in standard trim but weak areas are front suspension bushes, noise cam chains due to worn tensioner, overheating as first stage rad fan resistor fails.

If you're handy with spanner most jobs are quite straight forward and there's a million how to guides.

hope that helps!

[C70R]

Well, I just recommissioned mine after 9 weeks of slumber. Reconnected the battery, and it fired up immediately.

I took it for a run around the block and remembered why I loved it all over again. Have decided to book it in for a spot of frippery, in the form of a Coolerworx shifter, some decent coilovers and some more power.

They really do get under your skin...

[HorneyMX5]

Gave it a clean and took it for a b-road blast.

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

Untitled by Nicholas Horne, on Flickr

[HorneyMX5]

I did a vlog
https://youtu.be/fT86ppoM7Lg

[MDifficult]

HorneyMX5 said:

I did a vlog
https://youtu.be/fT86ppoM7Lg

Dropped you an email the other day - was wondering where you'd disappeared to! Now I've got an R53 of my own I'm re-reading your thread intently

[HorneyMX5]

Ah yes, sorry I penned draft reply and never finished it! I'll pop it over tonight.