Highlights

Very clean and original example with excellent service history
Comprehensive factory-fitted specifications including Leather interior, 17” Sports wheels and Panoramic roof
£1500 spent over the last 2 years, including new exhaust, brakes and tyres

The Appeal

The 2001 launch of the BMW Mini was considered a vital milestone for British manufacturing, and it needed to live up to the legacy of the original. Fortunately, BMW did their homework and offered a new generation of buyers a car that retained its cheeky style, great handling and personality. BMW then applied their sensible traits in the form of state-of-the-art electronic driver aids with their reputation for robust construction.

To capitalise on the Mini's talented chassis, the headline-grabbing R53 Cooper S, with its bonnet scoop, twin exhausts, supercharger and six-speed gearbox set the gauntlet and introduced the public with the first of a range of high-performance Minis.

This early facelift 2004 Cooper S is a refreshingly original example, presented with a comprehensive factory specification when purchased by its first owner from Mini London Park Lane. The cabin is finished with a Gravity black leather interior which complements a Sat Nav, Climate Control, a Multi-function steering wheel and Cruise control.

On the outside, the car boasts an electric panoramic sunroof, xenon headlamps, and sport suspension mounted to a set of spotless 17” Cooper S alloys. Sold with a long MOT, and extensive service history since new, along with recent tyres, brakes and exhaust, this eye-catching example of an unspoilt Mini Cooper S is a perfect example of an appreciating classic.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in September 2004
Early Facelift version of the R53 Cooper S
V5C present
MOT to November 2023
Comprehensive servicing since new with 11 stamps
£1500 of recent invoices covering new exhaust, tyres, front/rear brakes and discs
Past invoices for tyres, bushes, sensor, clutch, radiator and battery
Recent brake fluid, coolant and oil service
Complete owners wallet pack
Two keys
Bought from a reputable Classic MG Specialist in 2020
Used as a leisure car
Change of circumstances forces the sale

The Interior

Generously specified cabin includes visibility, interior lighting and chilli packs
Dashboard finish in good condition, with no significant marks
Mild age-related surface marks on the centre console screen and on the steering wheel controls
The multi-function steering wheel itself is in good condition
Mild wear was noted on the gear knob
All other dials are fully legible
All controls are said to function, including climate control, electric sunroof roof and windows lifts
Switches and controls are in good shape, with some minor age-related marks
Boost Radio with 6-disc CD changer mounted in the boot
The plastic cabin trim is generally in good condition with the odd scuff in places, but free of cracks or cuts
The sports gravity black leather seats are tidy, other than the driver's seat bolster showing typical age-related wear
Carpets and mats are very clean with no signs of dampness
Boot plastics have lasted well, with only superficial marks
Door cards in good shape
Roof trim is tidy with no damage

The Exterior

Engine and boot bays appears to be intact
Floor, inner wings and jacking points solid
We couldn’t detect any form of corrosion on the bodywork
All panels are free of dents and damage, with equal panel gaps
Doors open and close without issues, with good boot and bonnet struts
The nearside section of the front bumper shows minor marks
Minor scuffs were observed on the rear bumper
A crack noted on the lowest section of plastic front skirt - not noticeable at normal height
A small number of minor stone chips on the bonnet
Liquid yellow paint finish has a decent even lustre
Minor signs of paint fade were noted on the front bumper but otherwise a matching hue throughout
A handful of light scratches were seen on the black roof
All of the tinted glass is in good shape, with decent rubbers
Headlamps lenses, front fog lights and rear lamps are all free from damage
Light scuff on the black plastic nearside wheel arch trim, but overall trim is in good shape
17” Cooper S alloys in excellent condition, with two recent tyres and the other pair dated from 2018
The nearside wing mirror cap has a scuff but comes with a new pair of black union jack covers

The Mechanics

The 1.6-litre supercharged 161bhp power-plant is a cracking engine
The 6-speed Getrag G285 manual gearbox performs with no recorded issues
The engine starts up with no hesitation, idling smoothly with no untoward noises or vibrations
No dashboard warning lights evident upon start up
Said to drive well, with no issues in terms of the ride balance
The owner assures us that the car brakes in a straight line, with no problems with the steering or power steering
The owner has not experienced any issues with engine temperature or oil pressure
No fluid leaks were noted on the day
Recent exhaust
Superficial surface corrosion noted on lower suspension components and brake lines
Full set of new brake pads and discs fitted over the last three years
The radiator, clutch and dual-mass flywheel were replaced in 2015

Summary

With the oldest Coopers S versions now over 20 years old, clean and original cars with intact service history and evidence of careful ownership are getting harder to find. With this in mind, it could be the right time to grab one before the inevitable collectors market starts cottoning on to the Mini's irresistible charm and talent. Easy to keep on top of its maintenance, its tremendous parts availability and advice can only strengthen the car's already considerable appeal as a perfectly usable modern classic.

Notice to bidders

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