Most liked posts in thread: WTB- My first MINI! S or JCW

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  1. rudeboyevan

    rudeboyevan New Member

    Jan 22, 2013
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    #17 rudeboyevan, Jan 22, 2013
    a Broment? I think so.

    So I have 3 private sale test drives coming up this week. Below are the individual ads.

    VWVortex.com - FS: 2006 Mini Cooper S


    2006 Mini Cooper S - $10250 (Middletown)


    mini cooper s 53k - $9200 (bristol ri)

    Let me just add- If you haven't guessed, coming from a VW background, "stance" is very important to me- coilovers would be the first thing i do, following wheel spacers (depending on wheels), exhaust, intake, etc.
    ^ Which is why the first link is so appealing to me.

    I'd also like to add- the 3 ads are in my REALISTIC price range. I really can't be spending more then 15k, as college loans are up my a$$.

    Thoughts? :beer
     
  2. eMINIparts

    eMINIparts Well-Known Member
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    #19 eMINIparts, Jan 23, 2013


    They all look really nice First Gen R53 are awesome (EVERYONE LOVES A SUPERCHARGER WHINE..GETS THE BLOOD PUMPING)
    Look them over ,they are all going to need something...the Black R53 has been on CL for awhile you might be able to get his price down a little bit...being in New England I have seen that car on CL for awhile...
    Good Luck .....and I will still help you out with accessories or replacement parts...:cool:
     
  3. rudeboyevan

    rudeboyevan New Member

    Jan 22, 2013
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    #21 rudeboyevan, Jan 23, 2013
    Anything in particular I should be looking for, asking about? Ie certain mileage maintenance, rust spots, sounds of things going, etc.
     
  4. itsmewutup

    itsmewutup New Member

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    #22 itsmewutup, Jan 23, 2013
    Personally I would go for the 2011 or newer if you go turbo. My MINI mechanic said the N18 engine is easy better than the N14, starting with a carbon buildup problem in the 14. I have an 08 S and love it though.
     
  5. rudeboyevan

    rudeboyevan New Member

    Jan 22, 2013
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    #23 rudeboyevan, Jan 23, 2013
    My buddy is a tech at mini and has said the same thing. No way I can afford something that new.
     
  6. itsmewutup

    itsmewutup New Member

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    #24 itsmewutup, Jan 23, 2013
    R53 it is then! Lol. Heard a ton of good about them too.
     
  7. rudeboyevan

    rudeboyevan New Member

    Jan 22, 2013
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    #26 rudeboyevan, Jan 23, 2013
    Dixon,

    I'm glad I'm not the only one, I figured there would be a few scootin' around. And grownup is the key word. I teach now, and well...when my 5th grade boys Are comparing my loud, low jazz blue Gti to their dad's civic hatch and all his street racing...I knew it was time. I need something a bit more reliable than a mk3, and the scene is rather lame. Plus, this forum is a hell of a lot nicer than vortex :beer:
     
  8. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #27 MCS02, Jan 23, 2013
    Welcome to MA. I'm a R53 guy (supercharged) its a 02 I have owned for 8 years. I have had a blast with it and have handed off it to my son. When time comes I plane on getting another R53 for myself.
    Heres a link to the Supercharger vs Turbo thread. If you would like to read differing perspectives.

    http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/cooper-s/11202-supercharged-vs-turbo.html

    I believe both are great cars so pick the one you like and have fun.
    Your not buying a car your buying a pet that eats petrol :cornut:
    Good luck
     
  9. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    #28 mrntd, Jan 23, 2013
    I choose '05-'06 R53 over the old than 2011 for the reliability reasons.

    I too had VWs
    99 Passat
    86 Cab
    Air cooled sand rail
     
  10. jtbrown

    jtbrown New Member

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    #29 jtbrown, Jan 23, 2013
    If you do go R53, one of the main items to check is the front strut towers. Apparently the steel is a hair on the thin side, and a number of the R53s ended up with the tops of the strut towers deforming/mushrooming. There are several after-market products that can reinforce the towers so as to prevent the deformation.
     
  11. rudeboyevan

    rudeboyevan New Member

    Jan 22, 2013
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    #30 rudeboyevan, Jan 23, 2013
    Thanks so much for all the support guys, it's appreciated more than you know. Woke up to 5 degrees out and my Gti was completely out of oil. I was due for a change anyways, so I figured the oil just thinned out. Got a full synthetic ($$$$), started my car and it pissed out 4 out of the 6.8qts of oil. Time for a mini I think.
     
  12. rudeboyevan

    rudeboyevan New Member

    Jan 22, 2013
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    #31 rudeboyevan, Jan 26, 2013
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1359224159.790767.jpg

    Just got back test driving this.

    I'm in love.

    I definitely like the charged more than the boosted for sure. It's an 06' and and interior is awesome (compared to the tacky 09')

    Would anyone mind giving me a ballpark of what insurance prices are like?
     
  13. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #32 Crashton, Jan 26, 2013
    Very nice MINI! :drool How many miles?

    Call your agent. I'm sure your rates & mine are going to be different.
     
  14. rudeboyevan

    rudeboyevan New Member

    Jan 22, 2013
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    #33 rudeboyevan, Jan 26, 2013
    110k. Asking $10800 with coils and spacers, I'll try for $10500
     
  15. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #34 Crashton, Jan 26, 2013
    Good luck! :Thumbsup:
     
  16. DixonL2

    DixonL2 New Member

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    #35 DixonL2, Jan 28, 2013
    Keep us informed! I know for the 'dub guys "stance" is important, and the more poke the better - the average seems to be a 1"+ drop and some "stretch" on VWV. Know that you'll find a more diverse set of opinions here! The "average" performance setup for the R53 is somewhere around "a little lower and a little stiffer", with Koni Yellows, a moderate drop, and an adjustable rear sway on "medium" being an acknowledged "great setup"... but you'll go anywhere from "stock with a stiffer rear bar" to "complete coilovers and bars" (or "bags") at the extremes. The "best" track setup may actually be lightweight 16's (some run 15's!), and there are some fairly serious AutoX and track junkies around... successfully running all sorts of combinations, to be fair.

    And it's all good, lots of acceptance for different styles and I've heard very little sniping except if things go too far off the charts! (though I tend to avoid that nonsense...)

    For the R56, it's a little different, as those come from the factory with what appears to be a 4x4-ish lift kit on, and (relaying general opinion here) need some drop just to look sane! Again, however, there's a fairly wide spread.

    Let us know how it goes! Your blue bomb pictured above looks rather good. (oh - those wheels are called "S-heavies" on NAM for a reason...)
     
  17. rudeboyevan

    rudeboyevan New Member

    Jan 22, 2013
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    #36 rudeboyevan, Jan 28, 2013
    I will absolutely keep everyone informed. At this point it's a matter of a loan going though, and I'm 99% the above mcs is the one. As far as the r53, what's recommended for initial performance? Does anyone know of any shops in NE that will install software, chip, etc? Would you recommend intake, pullies, etc?
     
  18. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #37 Crashton, Jan 28, 2013
    My road to happiness, intake, 15% pulley & exhaust. You can do more, but what I've done pleases me & has been 100% trouble free.

    If you get that sweet blue one buying lighter wheels will help a lot.

    Good luck! :Thumbsup:
     
  19. rudeboyevan

    rudeboyevan New Member

    Jan 22, 2013
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    #39 rudeboyevan, Mar 5, 2013
    Back up from the dead! So I finally sold the GTI and shopped around. Went to a fiat dealer to check out a pepper white hard top advertised for 14.5k, and found out it was really $17k...(finance 14 and trade in 3). 3 hours later I got them down to $15k even!!! Drive her home last night. I've never been a happier man.

    08' mcs
    39,xxx miles
    Pepper white
    Black panther leather Interior

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362491216.188102.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362491242.939520.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362491258.913721.jpg

    Think the next step is a tune. Any suggestions? I'm in RI.
     
  20. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #40 Nathan, Mar 5, 2013
    Congrats on your new to you MINI.
     
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