Looking for late R53 MCS - conforming it's a facelift

[AC43]

Hi All,

It's that time of year again when I have £5-6k to spend on a late R53 MCS. Yes I was here this time last year bit for long boring reasons the budget got hosed elsewhere.

Anyway, its mainly be going to be a city car (Zone 2 London) where it will get used for lots of short urban trips so I'm looking at autos.

In terms of spec I'm looking for met grey, leather, pano, privacy glass, HK.

Bonus points for nav, Zenons, auto wipers, auto mirrors, Parrot/bluetooth, iPod connectivity, climate.

I've seen one that was registered in May 06. I can see it's got the black grill - but how can I tell if it's deffo a facelift?

[illmonkey]

Facelift is 04 plate onwards, there was a transition though, so get 54 or later.

The black grill is part of the aero kit, but they can be retro fitted on their own.

[AC43]

illmonkey said:

Facelift is 04 plate onwards, there was a transition though, so get 54 or later.

The black grill is part of the aero kit, but they can be retro fitted on their own.

Thanks IM. Yes I've seen black grills on earlier cars - wanted to avoid accidentally buying one of them.

[illmonkey]

AC43 said:

Thanks IM. Yes I've seen black grills on earlier cars - wanted to avoid accidentally buying one of them.

This will help ID an 2004 pre/post facelift: http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f29/r53-cooper-s-p...

[AC43]

illmonkey said:

AC43 said:

Thanks IM. Yes I've seen black grills on earlier cars - wanted to avoid accidentally buying one of them.

This will help ID an 2004 pre/post facelift: http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f29/r53-cooper-s-p...

Thanks very useful

[mon the fish]

Build date is on the O/S/F shock tower - approx Aug/Sep 04 was the facelift. Mine is Dec 04. Anything built in 2005 onwards is defo facelift, and also likely to have LSD

[AC43]

mon the fish said:

Build date is on the O/S/F shock tower - approx Aug/Sep 04 was the facelift. Mine is Dec 04. Anything built in 2005 onwards is defo facelift, and also likely to have LSD

Ta

[AC43]

One of the ones I'm looking at has (factory) Recaro's.

Anyone have any experience - they look great but do they eat into space behind/block passengers' view.

[kayzee]

What ones are they? There's a couple of different types I think, and Sparcos! Always lots of (expensive) options with MINI.

[mon the fish]

TBH unless you're a midget you can pretty much give up on having rear passengers, unless they have no legs

[AC43]

kayzee said:

What ones are they? There's a couple of different types I think, and Sparcos! Always lots of (expensive) options with MINI.

Dunno - the ad just says they are Recaros - the seat backs look a bit higher than normal.

[AC43]

mon the fish said:

TBH unless you're a midget you can pretty much give up on having rear passengers, unless they have no legs

It'll be kids in the back (currently 9 and 11) for short runs only - usually a mile or two at most.

Yes I know a 4 door Polo GTI or equivalent would be a much better idea but the OH wants a MINI.

[MrTickle]

I have sparco buckets in my hatch.

My wife has recaro in her cab.

Neither take up any more rear leg space than normal and I can squeeze my kids in the back (both over 5ft).

[AC43]

MrTickle said:

I have sparco buckets in my hatch.

My wife has recaro in her cab.

Neither take up any more rear leg space than normal and I can squeeze my kids in the back (both over 5ft).

Excellent, Mr Tickle.

The two door/four door argument doesn't wash it with the Mrs. The answer is MINI.

Meanwhile, I've always loved the look of the R53 MCS and the idea of 170bhp of supercharged fun.

The kids will love passengering up front.

And I've got an E Class when space is needed.

[MrTickle]

For reference:

Recaro Seats:


Sparco Seats

[MrTickle]

AC43 said:

Excellent, Mr Tickle.

The two door/four door argument doesn't wash it with the Mrs. The answer is MINI.

Meanwhile, I've always loved the look of the R53 MCS and the idea of 170bhp of supercharged fun.

The kids will love passengering up front.

And I've got an E Class when space is needed.

The only comment I would make about the Sparco, is they don't fold forward as far - so they have to squeeze a little more on entry/exit. The Recaro's are excellent seats and quite a rare and valuable option.

[AC43]

MrTickle said:

For reference:

Recaro Seats:

Them's the ones. I have a totally irrational to buy that car NOW on the basis that I fricking love those seats.

FWIW the other interior I like has the fluted black leather with white piping.

These MINI's have some great details.

[mon the fish]

From memory the Sparcos aren't height adjustable - if you're 6ft and over that can be an issue.

The Recaros were standard on the GP, but a rare option on a normal S. I think they were only available as an option for the last year or so of production, certainly weren't an option when I specced mine in autumn 2004 (and I was too tall for the Sparcos)

[AC43]

mon the fish said:

From memory the Sparcos aren't height adjustable - if you're 6ft and over that can be an issue.

Under 6 foot and anyway these are height adjustable Recaros

mon the fish said:

The Recaros were standard on the GP, but a rare option on a normal S. I think they were only available as an option for the last year or so of production, certainly weren't an option when I specced mine in autumn 2004 (and I was too tall for the Sparcos)

This is only one I've seen them on after a sustained period of grazing last year and again this

[MrTickle]

mon the fish said:

From memory the Sparcos aren't height adjustable - if you're 6ft and over that can be an issue.

The Recaros were standard on the GP, but a rare option on a normal S. I think they were only available as an option for the last year or so of production, certainly weren't an option when I specced mine in autumn 2004 (and I was too tall for the Sparcos)

Interesting - Mine has Sparco, the wifes Recaro. I am 6'3" and find I sit slightly lower in the Sparco. You are right, they are not height adjustable, but from my experience this may be more of a problem if you are sub 5'7"