(That's Long Time...oops) Hi Everyone! We are close to purchasing a used Mini Cooper S to replace a 1998 BMW 740i. Kids are out of the house so we wanna play now! Any thoughts on pitfalls of Gen 2's or what to watch out for?
Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community. That is quite a change. The MINI sure will drive differently. Fixed title for you too.
Welcome. There's lots to look out for especially with the earlier gen 2s. And I'm pretty sure that pic is a gen 1
Welcome aboard. And 05 & 06 R53s are the way to go. Provided you don't mind taking care of some maintenance needs.
This is about hands down the best buyers guide for the First gen MINI MotoringFile » MINI R50/R53 Buyers Guide
First generation R53's are rock solid and welcome to Motoring Alliance the only MINI forum you'll ever need !!
Welcome to M/A! The Generation I series ended with the 2006 supercharged MCS engines. Generation 2 began with the 2007 and the turbo engines with the MCS. The 2005 and the 2006 MCSes are said to be the best MINIs ever made.
Welcome to the only MINI forum that still allows FUN! Minus the torn seat, the pic of the car looks good. If you where only 4 years earlier, I had seats exactly like those for sale! Unfortunately they now live in a minivan in Tennessee. The R53's are aging, and things like that are becoming common. You can have them reupholstered or change the seats out completely to newer MINI seats or something else if you like. Just remember to leave the key out when you have the seats unplugged, your airbag light will come on and need reset if you dont. Poke around the board, there is information about R53's EVERYWHERE!
Welcome to M\A the FUN MINI site! Like others have said the 05-06 1st Gen R53 Supercharged is the way to go.
Hey, great go see another new member join in here! I'm a longtime BMW owner and have acquired a couple different Minis in the last few years. I love my '05 R53 as well as my Classic. After having had seven or eight different Beemers over the past 40 years, my favorite still remains the old '71 2002 I drove for 14 of those years. I'd love to see some pictures of your restoration project! Welcome and enjoy M/A.
You can follow what I'm doing with my '71 "Roundie" here... http://www.bmw2002faq.com/blog/142-roundeies-golf-yellow-blog/