Looking for a Mini

Discussion in 'Starting Line - New Member Introductions' started by coffman300, Apr 25, 2015.

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  1. coffman300

    coffman300 New Member

    Apr 25, 2015
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    Hi to everyone here .im new to this site and im looking to buy a mini cooper s 03-10 .trying to find one under the 11k dollar mark. I've always been a fan of the mini and had a room mate when i was 17 that had a red 66 mini that when i fell in love with them. So now im 50 i want to buy one .so that being said can anyone here help me on what to buy and what not to.im someone that keeps my cars forever and this will become my daily driver for a 50 mile round trip commute. All i know right now is i want a red s with a black roof and no sripes. I thank anyone that will give me any help.

    Here is a list of my collection maybe we'll have more than the mini cooper in common

    88 camaro iroc. Lowered and suspension upgrades - bought new
    06 chrysler 300. Lowered with 22s - bought new
    93 f-150 pu. stock
    95 full size bronco lifted with 35s
    71 datsun pu
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.
     
  3. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to M/A!

    I have 3 MINIs and all are Generation 1 ['02-'06]. If you are seeking an MCS, they say that the '05 and '06 years of MCS were the best of Generation 1. I believe that, as I have 2 '06 MCSes [one bought used and the other bought new]. In my opinion, I will own a Generation 1 until I am no longer driving.
     
  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Hi welcome to MA!

    I have a 02 gen one MCS. I prefer the Gen one cars 02-06. They are supercharged and are the best for modding. The later models are turbo cars and can be moded but not as much. The Gen two cars are a little more refined then the gen one cars. But thats the draw to the gen 1 cars they are more mechanical feeling.

    I am partial to the 02-06 cars but they are both good cars. Soon a gen two guy will be along to give you there opinion.

    Let me worn you we are love our cars and the gen 1 vs 2 debate can get fun but don't let it put you off we are all friends here.

    It will be a little slow here till next week. A lot of us will be at the Dragon with a 1000 other MINIs. Its the yearly pilgrimage to pay homage to mini and curvy roads. I don't get to go till Thursday.
     
  5. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Oh yea most of us are old farts too:D
     
  6. coffman300

    coffman300 New Member

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    What is the dragon? And are you calling me an old fart..
    Thats ok evey time i pass my reflection my 20 year old mind says who's that old fart.
     
  7. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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  8. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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  9. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Um well.................................YES:lol::lol:

    The Dragon is where you will have to bring your Mini when you get one.
     
  10. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to Motoring Alliance the onlyest MINI Forum yoI'll ever need !!
     
  11. coffman300

    coffman300 New Member

    Apr 25, 2015
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    What is the difference between r50, r52, and r53.
     
  12. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    :cornut: Welcome to MA, we're glad that you're here. Gen 1 MINIs('02-06 inclusive) have supercharged(if MCS, if only MC they are normal induction) Brazilian Chrysler Tritec/Pentagon engines with a cast iron block. They are easily modded to higher levels of performance from their original power base.
    Gen 2 MINIs are '07-2013 or 2014. They have the turbo charged(again only the MCSs were turbo charged) French Peugeot Prince aluminum engines which as Delivered were better performers than the Gen 1s. Gen 2s are mod able also. A caveat here, the Gen 2 MCSs in yrs '07-09 had N14 engines which had many teething problems which were fixed with factory or dealer recall. If you buy one of those ensure that all of the fixes are already done and put an Oil Catch Can on it to limit intake valve carboning. The newer N18 engines have a reworked PCV system and don't appear to have that problem. There are now Gen 3 Minis which I don't know much about. Good luck finding your MINI. With your budget Gen 1 or 2 are the way to go. Do check MINI and other used car lots that's where I got a great deal on my used 2010 Clubman.

    Jason
     
  13. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #13 Jason Montague, May 6, 2015
    Last edited: May 6, 2015
    MINI Models: SC=supercharged TC=turbo charged
    Gen 1
    R50- normal induction engine hard top
    R52- convertible SC or normal induction
    R53- SC hard top
    Gen 2
    R55- a MINI station wagon normal induct or TC
    R56- Hard top " " "
    R57- convertible " " "
    R60- a MINI SUV " " "
    There are other 'R' models but other MAers will have to tell you about them and they are over your budget.


    Jason
     
  14. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    For the money, you might just get lucky and find yourself a nice '05/'06 model R53. Good luck and please let us all know what you finally get!
     
  15. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    Coffman, I see you're in Nevada and I just thought of something that would be of great help to you during your search. The Sin City MINI Club (Las Vegas) is holding their AMVIV sometime soon (in the next few weeks sometime). I know this event is typically pretty large and folks come with all makes and models of both the Classic and BMW MINIs. AMVIV is very well attended and is well supported by vendors from all walks of the MINI family. Any question you might have will almost certainly be able to be answered via car owners, repair specialists and/or the dealer folks in attendance. It's just my opinion, but I would certainly hold off on making a purchase until after I've attended this event.

    Best of luck on your journey towards ownership and future expenditures you've yet to envision.
     
  16. Zillon

    Zillon Well-Known Member

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    Ignore the 07-10 R56 models, too problem prone for me to recommend.

    Stick with an 05-06 R53 or 11-13 R56.
     
  17. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    I prefer the series two "S" cars, 2007 to 2014, 'cause I have one.

    Despite what the naysayers have to say, they are reliable, mine has been completely trouble free.

    They are lighter and faster and get better mileage than the earlier series one cars. The turbocharged engine allows greater horsepower increases by simply reprogramming the Engine Control Unit. Also, Exhaust turbochargers are just a more efficient way to compress air into the cylinders than a mechanical supercharger, which consumes a lot of horsepower to do the same job as a turbocharger.
     
  18. Zillon

    Zillon Well-Known Member

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    There's nothing quite like the intoxicating whine of a supercharger, though.

    I'd love a late-production R53.
     
  19. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    :cornut:Oh I don't know, an R56 flashing past an R53 is fairly intoxicating also. So now he knows that we all love our particular flavor of MINI and he can choose what ever is best for him be it super charged or turbo charged. We're all in the same family here. :Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  20. coffman300

    coffman300 New Member

    Apr 25, 2015
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    Thanks for all the info guys.there is a red o3 s in carson city ill go look at soon.
     

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