R53 Mini Cooper S Works.... Anyone owned one?

[mboon]

Hi All,

looking at the above car on a 2002 plate. The car does not have the Works certificate but has the plaque under the bonnet and the receipt for the conversion so happy its a genuine works.

The car does have a few little issues with it

Air bag light is on
Rear drivers side shock is rattling?
Windscreen has a good sized chip in it.

I have checked prices for these and if I can get the car at the right price not an issue.

My big question, I have driven a Cooper S and it was so flat on the power. I cannot confirm but after speaking with some mini owners think the charger was going. I have called about a few and two of these both had failed Superchargers (Didnt advertise it as this)

Is this common?

And is there any tell tale signs of the supercharger failing or on its way out?

I have looked and cannot find a buyers guide for one of these cars? I have tried signing upto the mini forums but only been accepted on one.

I know the basics to look for on any car but not sure of the certain areas on the mini.

Any help would be good please? Even if its just a ex owners view on the car and what you thought of it etc?

Thanks guys and girls

Mark

[Challo]

I currently drive a Cooper S 2002 and mine does feel a little flat on power, but I haven't driven any others to confirm whether its right or not. Mine is due a service, and belt change so I hope it might just be that.

Have you tried this forum? One of the best out there for mini's. Lots of usual info on there.

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/

[rallycross]

JCW should feel much quicker than a Cooper S.

Supercharger is not known as a problem area on these but 10+ yrs old so buy on condition and history, any gaps in history = lack of oil changes = possible trouble.

Look out for rusting rear brackets on the exhaust, this is becoming a common failing on Cooper S and a new rear silencer is £800 for a Cooper S (the last one I had we could not weld a replacement bracket so it needed a new silencer, was lucky to find a 2nd hand one rather than pay the crazy price for a new one).

Airbag light most likely the connection under the seat needing looked at and light re-set.

[mboon]

Cheers guys.


Do you think the rattle on the rear end could be the exhaust? It has the JCW exhaust so can.imagine that is silly money.

Is there a reason why the exhaust is so expensive? Would an aftermarket one be a better option?I will get him to take.se.photos.. is the bracket easy to.see when the car is on the ground?

Thanks for the info. Will check that forum

[Krikkit]

If in doubt get it down to a proper exhaust fabricator and ask them to repair it. Chances are they'll manage something, otherwise it's really goosed!

[rallycross]

mboon said:

Cheers guys.


Do you think the rattle on the rear end could be the exhaust? It has the JCW exhaust so can.imagine that is silly money.

Is there a reason why the exhaust is so expensive? Would an aftermarket one be a better option?I will get him to take.se.photos.. is the bracket easy to.see when the car is on the ground?

Thanks for the info. Will check that forum

yes just look under the car, there are brackets at each corner tucked up under the rear of the car, one left and one right, easy to see just stick your head under the bumper.
No idea why so expensive other than standard BMW tax, maybe after market available now there was none a couple of years ago when I was looking.

[aarondbs]

We had a R53 Cooper S and I can't say I felt it flat at all. If it hadnt been for circumstances at the time we would have kept it (and the e39 530i we had at the same time...)

I thought it was a great car and would really like to try a JCW version.

Like all things 10years plus it pays to be diligent though and I would have thought paying for an inspection or asking the owner/garage to make good would be the answer. Having said that my heart has ruled head on occasions and I have bought cars before and since I really shouldn't have.

I'm guessing the one you are looking at is being sold by Curtis? There appear to be others for not dissimilar money for sale on PH without (admittedly stated) issues

Edited by aarondbs on Monday 30th September 16:25

[mboon]

Thanks for the info above to all..

OK so I have asked the guy selling to send me some photos.

Can anyone see a problem with the exhaust?

Three photos


IMG_9143 by mboon, on Flickr


IMG_7420 by mboon, on Flickr


IMG_1124 by mboon, on Flickr

Also, the current owner thinks it is sat on the JCW Suspension. Is this expensive to replace?

He is saying it has a squeak sometimes on the rear drivers side and thinks it is the suspension shock. Does this sound right? anyone had this before?

The rest of the car is in nice condition

Thanks for your help

Mark

[mboon]

Well I have done a deal and subject to it being as described. I am having it

[aarondbs]

mboon said:

Well I have done a deal and subject to it being as described. I am having it

I hope you are happy with it. Great cars and as I said before a JCW would be a tempter for me.

Keep us updated

[coogy]

I loved mine, mine had a couple of mods on it too. No slouch at all. Not sure how local you are, but there is a great specialist in West Sussex called Minicraft. Google it.

[JamesK]

Echo that - Trevor at minicraft is a real gem for the mini. I have a 55 plate JCW and live well over an hour away from there and still use him. Cracking cars!!

[mboon]

Ok this is the photos of the exhaust section...






Be honest please guys... would sanding it down and putting rust proof on prevent it getting worse

[Krikkit]

Looks alright, if you can be arsed I think I'd get the exhaust off (down to the cats at the front of the car), give it a sand and a good paint up with high-temp. Only on the non-visible bits, but it might save it from going at the joints etc in the next few years.

[mpm1987]

Any more details on the car.? I used to own a blue JCW was awesome go kart.

[mboon]

Cheers guys.

I will start a journal in the readers rides section when I get her :-)