heres the story : i got an offer yesterday from my cousins fiance to buy his 2006 mini S convertable. it has 82,XXX,all leather. its pretty clean with one small problem.... he says the timing "belt" went... soo he doesnt actually know whats wrong. he told me 1000$ and its mine. i just need to help in deciding. i guess the serpentine belt went it was late when i went and looked at it. i have heard that it has an electrical problem from them. i forgot to ask. so heres the questions is it worth it? i would really like to have a newer car. i currently have a 1976 datsun 280z 2+2 and a 1995 jeep cherokee. so i could use something nice for school. and i wouldnt say im a mechanic but i definetly know my way around an engine bay.
Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community. Thats not a lot to go on, but the 1st Generation MINI's, which this is, are clearance engines. Meaning that the valve train is not likely to get all bend and ding pistons if the timing chain has really broken. That does not happen often in these cars either. If it just the belt that has broken the fix is rather easy. Since that belt also turns the alternator it is possible that is why they think there is an electrical problem as well. I'd go back over there and take a good long look at the car again. Take some pictures too. Possibly we can help diagnose the issue and get you running. This could be one heck of an opportunity for you.
What nate said-if it is the SERPENTINE belt, the cause copuild be a bad crank pulley (harmonic balancer) or tensioner or idler pulley-all relatively inexpensive, easy fixes. OTOH if you dont want it for 1k I'll take it!
If it is just the SERPENTINE belt that broke, that's a fairly easy fix... here is a How-to article: Replacing the Serpentine Belt on an R53 MCS - Library It is possible that the belt got old/worn/cracked with age and just died, but it is more likely that something else caused the belt to break... probably the crank pulley failing (harmonic balancer). There is a how-to on that as well: Replacing the Crank Pulley - Library I'm pretty sure that the R53 has a timing chain. If that went, then you are going to have several thousand in repairs, but even $3k of repairs + $1k for the purchase = $4k which is a STEAL for a 2006 MCS 'vert. Buy that car and run! It would sell for $8-14k if it were running and in good shape. Hell... if you don't want to buy it, send me his phone number. I'll take it as a project! I sold my R53 about a year ago and miss it dearly.
well all that being said. i will jump on it! im going to get it tonight and start tearing it apart. dont worry about the pictures ill take a ton. ill show off when its in my drive way later haha.
Welcome to MA. I think this is an invitation to get a MINI, what an opportunity. I'd would jump on this, quick.
Op's, I was a bit late, by the way the R53 has a chain drive Cam, they are very reliable and have not proved to be problematic as in later models, i.e., R56.:biggrin5:
im going in an hour or so to get it. im gonna get it and take lots of pictures. and start cleaning it out
GOT IT! 1000$ for the car and 125 for a tow truck. i got the battery out right now chargeing over night . it turns out it only has 70,XXX miles.... so hopefully there really is nothing wrong with it.ill do more investigateing tommorow when its light out
so when you go to crank it , it just sounds like the starter is clicking like its bad. i dont think there is any motor problem to be honest. i think there is an electrical problem. but im not sure yet. when we plug the OBD scanner in it doesnt turn on like it supposed to. so i cant actually test the trouble codes. pictures to come later.