Description
Here we have a fully sorted late model R53 Mini Cooper S. It has the Chilli pack with half cloth/ leather, the interior is smart without the usual stained seats. The car has the optional Xenon headlights with washers, and additional auxiliary main beams which really light up the road at night. The car has two keys and unusually for an R53 mini, everything (yes everything) works, there are no squeaks and rattles - and there are no oil leaks - R53s like to leak oil from everywhere!
I bought the car last year, it has just two previous owners (the last one since 2007) and as such is very unmolested example. It even has the original overmats and CD player. It did however need some TLC. You can see from my instagram handle (meccanisti) I am a bit of a car nut and have previously owned a classic car workshop, so I knew what needed to be done to make this into a top example.
As it was coming up to the major 100k service and the car had the usual oil leaks and a few other issues, the following has been done during the last year under my watch:
* Supercharger oil service, this is often never done as most of the front of the car needs to be disassembled
* -15% supercharger pully fitted with new belt
* Intake system, intercooler, throttle body removed and cleaned. Reassembled with new gaskets
* Sump removed and resealed with new gasket
* Oil filler housing removed and resealed with new gasket
* Rocker cover removed, rusted bolts replaced with stainless set, resealed with new gasket
* New cooler spark plugs (NGK BKR7EQUP)
* New oil filter and oil change using correct Millers 5W-30 Trident Professional
* Cooling system removed and checked for leaks, radiator resistor pack replaced (common fault fan was not cutting in) reassembled with new coolant
* Exhaust system was partially blocked and rusty so whole system replaced with a Malin stainless steel cat back system (large silencer version)
* Central locking moduled replaced passenger side
* Boot latch inoperative, new rear microswitch required
* Boot lid replaced as original had rust in usual place (water leaks in through high level brake light)
* Two new front tyres (NOT runflat)
* Air con pressure checked (pass) and regassed
* New Bosch cabin filter
* Replace battery to key fobs
* New wipers front and rear
The car now drives brilliantly with the characteristic supercharger noise and is an excellent example of this future classic!
The previous owner had the clutch and dual mass flywheel replaced in 2021, along with the rear main oil seal and a few other bits (new coolant bottle, top mounts) and there are the following stamps in the service book (all BMW agent except for last two):
5/ 11/ 2004 PDI
24/ 1/ 2006 8875 miles Oil service
3/ 4/ 2006 9944 miles Oil service
13/ 10/ 2009 22743 miles Inspection I
14/ 11/ 11 34196 miles Oil service
14/ 2/ 14 50290 miles Inspection II
24/ 8/ 15 60290 miles Oil service
01/ 09/ 17 60312 miles Inspection 1
05/ 12/ 19 85707 miles Oil service
There is a full manual pack and receipts for various other work over the years, tyres, MOTs etc.
Being picky there are a couple of scratches on the bonnet and one on the tailgate (which has been touched in) the leather on the driver's outer bolster could do with recolouring soon (not ripped or holed). Wheels have some kerb damage and usual corrosion around the centres.
However given its 20 years it really is in remarkable condition otherwise and you will struggle to find another with no mechanical or electrical issues, and everything done. Don't mistake this for a £1500 snotter with a million owners, that needs at least the same spending again - for it to still be a £1500 snotter!
