Most liked posts in thread: Looking for a Mini

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

 

: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

 

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

 

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!

 

: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.

Jason

 

If you are around Carson City, you can look up the Sierra Nevada Mini Cooper Club. They are a great group of enthusiasts with a lot of connections around that area on used Minis. Also the MINI of Reno is a wonderful dealership and I have personally bought two MINIs from them with great experiences each time. One deal was struck after 7-8 visits and lengthy negotiations lol but they were more than willing to work with my stubborn self

Good luck and welcome to M/A!

 

Not really, but then you're dealing with a dealership. I only buy from private sellers. Cars that can't be sold on the private market are traded in - that's what dealers then try to peddle at inflated prices to make the rest of their lot look good.

I paid $8k for an 84k mile '05 R53 a year ago, loaded with $$$$ in mostly desirable aftermarket parts (big brake kit, camber plate, rims, Koni FSD shocks and lowering springs, upgraded anti roll bars, 15% pulley, clearbra on paint, etc), not a stone chip or scratch on the car. One owner, Mini club founder of St. Louis.

If that car offered to you is stock, I'd never pay more than $7 for an 03 plain S, even if mint mint mint. The miles are simply too high for that price. It will probably need the usual clutch, super charger service, power steering fan, etc - all that adds up. No sunroof may also mean the car was abused in autocross or other hard use, something that may be confirmed if the car sits on custom springs and has heavy camber. Pre 2005 cars also had some issues like strut tower mushrooming (check those out in detail) and other quirks that were sorted out by 2005 when the car was updated.

Watch and study this very detailed video about what to look for when buying a used R53:

https://youtu.be/QUhzyfb3cxg

 

looks good, gas mileage is not on my list with a top speed in 5th of 95mph....lol

 

I think it is going to a great home. He's got a few other very well kept older cars.

Not planning on another MINI right now. After 40 years of the Army we are getting ready to retire in the next 6-12 months. Part of the preparation is reducing the number of vehicles. What will be left is my 2012 Tacoma and a new 2016 Audi S3, which I ordered last month. We plan on traveling and don't need to have the expense of cars sitting idle.

That's not to say there won't be another MINI. Never say never!

 

Here is mine! 2004 MINI Cooper , $9,445 - Cars.com

 

Good looking ride !!