Most liked posts in thread: New here and in the market for a used MCS

  1. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    #12 Dave.0, Feb 15, 2015
    Look for a supercharged r53 05 -06 because they are very easy to mod and make great power. You can add a 15% Pully and have a nice bump in HP over stock. Next you can add a air intake, nice exhaust and if you want to go nuts big valve head, CAM larger injectors and custom tune.

    Early 2nd gen MINI's and cheaper because the early Turbos have known carbon buildup issues because of the Direct Injection design from the French motor MINI / BMW went with.

    Just like France the French the motor surrenders.
     
  2. Max713

    Max713 New Member

    Feb 13, 2015
    7
    3
    3
    Houston
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    #13 Max713, Feb 24, 2015
    Looks like I will be proud mini owner in a couple days. Found a nice 06 MCS.
     
  3. Eric@Helix

    Eric@Helix New Member
    Motoring Alliance Founding Sponsor

    May 4, 2009
    1,154
    1,257
    0
    Shepherd
    Philadelphia
    Ratings:
    +1,257 / 0 / -0
    #15 Eric@Helix, Feb 24, 2015
    That the year to get. You'll be buying an older car, so budget for a few fixes now and again, but you'll enjoy it a lot more than a second-gen car.

    Eric
     
  4. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

    Jan 5, 2014
    726
    329
    63
    Tool and Die Maker
    NW Ohio
    Ratings:
    +330 / 0 / -0
    #8 M1N1, Feb 14, 2015
    Welcome to the addiction. I don't know what the Houston car market is like, but in my area (NW Ohio) 8 grand will nowadays just about get you a good '05 or '06 MCS Gen 1 Supercharged. Which is about what you want really. :D

    My '06 Gen 1 Justa cost over $11,000 about 2 years ago, but is in excellent condition with only a few stone chips to show its age.
     
  5. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #9 Crashton, Feb 14, 2015
    Welcome to M/A

    Only you can make the choice, but If I was in your situation I'd go for an 05-06 R53 supercharged MINI.
     
  6. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

    May 29, 2009
    4,048
    2,246
    113
    Male
    Retired
    Piqua, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +2,810 / 10 / -0
    #2 wmwny, Feb 13, 2015
    Welcome to M/A! My MINIs are all Generation Ones, so I'd be of little help with regard to anything newer than 2006. I have an '03 Cooper and 2 '06 MCSes...one being bone stock and the other modded pretty much. For me, getting my R53 modded seems to have been a lot easier than modding a Generation 2 might be, but I don't really know as I am not into turbos [my R53s are supercharged].

    Someone more knowledgeable than I will be along to be more helpful, I'm sure, but again, WELCOME to our lil corner of the MINI world!
     
  7. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    #3 Dave.0, Feb 13, 2015
    Welcome to M\A the FUN MINI site. :Thumbsup:
     
  8. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2009
    11,305
    6,277
    113
    Male
    Ratings:
    +8,070 / 10 / -3
    #4 MCS02, Feb 13, 2015
    Welcome to MA. The gen1 cars (2002-2006 2007 for the convertible) are supercharged. Gen2 cars are turbo. That is if it's a S. Coopers are normally aspirated.
    Do you plan on doing mods to the car?
     
  9. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    #5 Nathan, Feb 13, 2015
    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.
     
  10. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

    Feb 24, 2013
    22,976
    2,227
    113
    Retired
    Ratings:
    +3,273 / 7 / -5
    #6 00Mini, Feb 13, 2015
    Welcome to Motoring Alliance the only MINI frum you'll ever need !!
     
  11. Max713

    Max713 New Member

    Feb 13, 2015
    7
    3
    3
    Houston
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    #7 Max713, Feb 14, 2015
    I am sure eventually I would like to do some mods but do not plan on doing any right away.
     
  12. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

    May 29, 2009
    4,048
    2,246
    113
    Male
    Retired
    Piqua, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +2,810 / 10 / -0
    #10 wmwny, Feb 14, 2015
    A Justa [aka R50] probably will not work for you in Houston...or perhaps anywhere in TX, since the speed limits are so high. It is quick and nimble, but is not all that fast. That said, the R53 [aka MCS] has the power to go fast. It is not as nimble, but some tradeoffs have to even things out. As Crashton said above, it becomes a matter of choice. I started out with an R50, but quickly found that the R50 could not keep up with my R53 friends, especially on long grades. If your only driving will be on flatlands, an R50 might work for you, then, but the R53 has the power to take you about anywhere.
     
  13. Max713

    Max713 New Member

    Feb 13, 2015
    7
    3
    3
    Houston
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    #11 Max713, Feb 15, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2015
    I'm finding some 08s in my price range. Are the gen 1s easier to mod? Is the only main difference the turbo vs. supercharger?
     
  14. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Sep 30, 2011
    5,083
    1,762
    113
    Male
    Sales and Marketing manager
    Hilliard, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +1,763 / 0 / -0
    #14 mrntd, Feb 24, 2015
    Welcome Aboard!

    For gen 1s 05-06. For gen 2 no earlier than 09 or 10. For your money you can probably find a lower mileage gen 1. I found mine in Dallas 2 years ago for $11500 with 24k mi 05 JCW. I had it shipped to Ohio for $550.