Considering buying an R53...Help?

[V12 Virgin]

Morning Chaps,

I'm considering buying an R53- just wanted some general feedback on the cars and any potential issues to look out for.
I'm also interested to see if there are any taller owners who have used them for longer journeys? Is it possible?
MPG wise people have said 32, is that reasonable or a bit hopeful?

Based in Surrey and am keen to get out in one for a decent drive if anyone's local?

Thanks for you help in advance.

[mon the fish]

I'm 6'4 and have no issues in the R53. Before remap etc mine easily managed 32mpg daily. Tax isn't cheap at £305 though.

General things to look for:
- Facelift cars (mid 2004 onwards) are generally better sorted, and are a bit quicker - more power and shorter gear ratios
- The supercharger can die from 100k miles onwards, a grinding/knocking noise is the giveaway
- Power steering pump can die - excessive whine from it
- Check for rust on the sills, lift the door seal

Generally they're pretty sturdy little things, and they really get under your skin - after 12 years, I'm never selling mine

[V12 Virgin]

mon the fish said:

I'm 6'4 and have no issues in the R53. Before remap etc mine easily managed 32mpg daily. Tax isn't cheap at £305 though.

General things to look for:
- Facelift cars (mid 2004 onwards) are generally better sorted, and are a bit quicker - more power and shorter gear ratios
- The supercharger can die from 100k miles onwards, a grinding/knocking noise is the giveaway
- Power steering pump can die - excessive whine from it
- Check for rust on the sills, lift the door seal

Generally they're pretty sturdy little things, and they really get under your skin - after 12 years, I'm never selling mine

Thanks for your feedback- I'm 6'5 so I wondered if I'd fit comfortably!

If you do decide to sell yours give me a shout- sounds lovely.

[CarsOrBikes]

I'm 6'3", had mine four years, bought with 27k now 46k, was also standard but high spec with LSD, now 270hp carefully and respectfully altered and still looking pretty original.

I am 51 years old apparently, so some common themes and lowered looks weren't important, but annoying/leaving much more expensive traffic was haha.

Trouble is when doing things like this it can be expensive if in exchange for reliable performance. Currently just fitted R56 rear suspension and GP2 spec brakes, then swapping the LSD and maybe some other bits. I don't actually use it much now as I have a company car, even that's just changed from 435d to M140 so still unlikely the Mini will be driven haha.

Great cars, my miles have come from driving the roads I ride my motorcycles on in North Wales, or to and from the Isle of Wight non stop, or Wirral - Herts.

Plenty of room, maybe avoid sunroof cars for the most room, avoid those with stupid air intakes and be cautious of meaningless colourful mods, coilovers set too low which often wrecks them, and beware a heavy clutch. Many a car has painted brake calipers, or aftermarket wheels, neither add much imo.

The Chrono pack at least gives you oil pressure and temp which is what I looked for, but also got visibility pack and Chilli and other bits.

I'm almost tempted to buy another to take a little further, but have something else that needs getting on with that's been waiting long enough already.

[mon the fish]

This thread will also make it clear to you that you have no chance of leaving your R53 stock

[V8A*ndy]

V12 Virgin said:

Morning Chaps,

I'm considering buying an R53- just wanted some general feedback on the cars and any potential issues to look out for.
I'm also interested to see if there are any taller owners who have used them for longer journeys? Is it possible?
MPG wise people have said 32, is that reasonable or a bit hopeful?

Based in Surrey and am keen to get out in one for a decent drive if anyone's local?

Thanks for you help in advance.

The Missus gets 34-36mpg displayed on the OBC. She does a 200 mile round trip once or twice a week now due to Brexit (don't ask sore point) all motorway at the legal limit. Being replaced with a company car shortly.

The R53 is great on smooth roads. However, on bumpy B roads...... an absolute hoot it may be but by feck your spine gets a work out.

Hoping to keep the R53. It had only 11k on it when got it, now showing 36k. Only issue is the VED.

All it had done was the thermostat housing and the top mount rubbers where a little cracked, so I had Mini replace them to be sure. So all in all it's been reliable touch wood.

[ftypical]

There are a few mini-specific forums which will have a lot of the information you seek.

Bizarrely, the bits that go wrong with age on an E46, also go wrong on an R53.

Very few cars will be "stock", as owners threw the Option List at their cars (either when they ordered it, or subsequently - everything can be retrofitted). Generally, a car with genuine bits will be worth more than one fitted with aftermarket parts, but it all comes down to what you like as to whether it's worth paying for.

HTH

[CTO]

Rusty Exhausts, back boxes specifically.

Power steering whine, they all do that sir, and they do

Maintenance is key. They can generate big bills if not looked after.

[R53rider]

CarsOrBikes said:

avoid those with stupid air intakes

Quick question, apologies off thread, but interested as to which air intake you have - developing that much brake I presume it's not a standard one? I recently fitted an Orranje Stealth which I'm pleased with. One reason I went with that is that it is 'stealth', Looks just like standard airbox. No badges or stickers on mine.

[R53rider]

V12 Virgin said:

Based in Surrey and am keen to get out in one for a decent drive if anyone's local?

Back on topic. Where are you in Surrey? I'm at the top of E Sussex, very near borders with Kent, W Sussex, Kent. Subject to spots, piercings and tats I don't mind you having a spin in mine (doesn't sound a problem, but you know what I mean!!). So far it's still pretty standard. I'm at the start of 'the journey'.
Maybe we can organise something?

[V12 Virgin]

R53rider said:

V12 Virgin said:

Based in Surrey and am keen to get out in one for a decent drive if anyone's local?

Back on topic. Where are you in Surrey? I'm at the top of E Sussex, very near borders with Kent, W Sussex, Kent. Subject to spots, piercings and tats I don't mind you having a spin in mine (doesn't sound a problem, but you know what I mean!!). So far it's still pretty standard. I'm at the start of 'the journey'.
Maybe we can organise something?

Based in Guildford- I'm free of all the above. Drop me a message and we'll organise something. Thank you!

[CarsOrBikes]

Mine is the JCW210 airbox, working as it should (some people rip out the internals), the Orranje one is loosely based on it in regard to it's appearance, but not the design internally.

I would say yours is a better option than an open version for sure.

[R53rider]

CarsOrBikes said:

Mine is the JCW210 airbox, working as it should (some people rip out the internals), the Orranje one is loosely based on it in regard to it's appearance, but not the design internally.

I would say yours is a better option than an open version for sure.

Yes I didn't like the look of the open ones. And costly with a fair bit of work to fit. The Orranje was a bit of a no-brainer really. From a mate, £65 fitted with the cut plastic bulkhead so still got my standard one to put back unmloested if required.

[mark seeker]

V12 Virgin said:

Morning Chaps,

I'm considering buying an R53- just wanted some general feedback on the cars and any potential issues to look out for.
I'm also interested to see if there are any taller owners who have used them for longer journeys? Is it possible?
MPG wise people have said 32, is that reasonable or a bit hopeful?

Based in Surrey and am keen to get out in one for a decent drive if anyone's local?

Thanks for you help in advance.

I'm 6ft 3, again no issues with the comfort (you can't get anyone behind you though with the seat fully lowered and all the way back).

90% of my driving is off peak A roads or Motorways, the car claims an average of 37.1mpg, spirited driving and this will drop, although still not that bad.

I've had mine now for 14 months with definitely no plans to sell, like others have said ditch the runflats, this makes a significant difference and the B roads are far less crashy. My car has done 55k, try to find a car with a recent exhaust (mine was rotten and has since been replaced), my power steering pump expired on me (£325), aside from that it has been regular (maybe overzealous) servicing.

I still think the R53 is a cracking package and still a very good price, buy a face lifted 2003/4 onwards, I did test drive a 2002 car and not having the speed readout in the rev counter was painful. Buy on condition and history, if the runflat tyres are looking bald use this as a gift horse

[xba55k]

Goes without saying, but drive a few. At the age they are now many are baggy or have been ragged to death.
Recaro seats are desirable.
Open the bonnet and check the strut top mounts for any splits. It's not a massive job to fix, but if they are split the camber on the front wheels will be out and this will scrub the tyres/the car won't handle right.
Smaller supercharger pulley/works airbox is desirable, gives a noticeable power increase.
Final things to look out for are same as buying a classic Mini:
Oil leaks and rust....
Get the car on a ramp, check the rear subframe and body around the fuel tank/rear subframe area for corrosion. Have a look at the underside of the engine while you are at it for oil leaks.
It can be surprising how rusty the R53 can be underneath, when it looks all fine on top. Especially if it has lived somewhere with a lot of salt on the roads.
Check around the tailgate for rust spots too.

[E-bmw]

Have you got a stutter?

Will you search through all of the history for r53 buyers & give the same advice?