Bargain basement Cooper S MOT day...
Discussion
Bought my R53 for under £1500 a few months back, loads of history and in great nick for it's age (52 plate). So far I've had two front tyres fitted, given it a new battery and swapped the remote fob over. It's cost me a combined total of £1670. (UPDATE = post MOT another £400 on brake lines, CV gaiters and a couple of other bits)
Today was MOT day and it needs a new set of CV boots (which was no surprise) and an advisory for brake line corrosion which I've decided to get done at same time.
Not too bad and always a relief when there's no massive list of work to be done. What a good car for the money, whilst it isn't as lively as my old Clio 182 I love the flat cornering and the smooth supercharged power delivery.
Am very much looking forward to a year of MINIing around! Not much to add other than really wanted to post that do love a cheap hot hatch and it's always a delight when the car you've bought doesn't turn out to need £1000's of pounds spent on it
Mainly I'm just feeling smug about having a car with no advisories!!!
Today was MOT day and it needs a new set of CV boots (which was no surprise) and an advisory for brake line corrosion which I've decided to get done at same time.
Not too bad and always a relief when there's no massive list of work to be done. What a good car for the money, whilst it isn't as lively as my old Clio 182 I love the flat cornering and the smooth supercharged power delivery.
Am very much looking forward to a year of MINIing around! Not much to add other than really wanted to post that do love a cheap hot hatch and it's always a delight when the car you've bought doesn't turn out to need £1000's of pounds spent on it
Mainly I'm just feeling smug about having a car with no advisories!!!Edited by mikeyr on Friday 10th February 22:52
I'm the opposite of you, in that I've had mini's and went 182 this time. Spent a little less than you, and it came with a fresh ticket, no advisories!
I'm enjoying the 182 alot, and have it for it's first track day on Sat. What I'll come away with I don't know! No prep (apart from the MOT & service).
Enjoy, I do love that SC whine.
I'm enjoying the 182 alot, and have it for it's first track day on Sat. What I'll come away with I don't know! No prep (apart from the MOT & service).
Enjoy, I do love that SC whine.
Great cars those little Clios, mine was £820 off of ebay with a clean(ish) 4 months MOT but the next one threw up a long list of advisories. I enjoyed it immensely for the 15 odd months I kept it but sold it just before the next MOT, just got annoyed by a stream of little niggles. Loads of fun though
I've had 2x Clio 182's and now run a MINI Cooper S 
Both definitely have their positives and negatives against each other! I think the Clio is the better car out the factory, but after a few upgrades the MINI is a right laugh.
When you say it isn't as lively, do you mean power or handling wise? For power, you've just got to add on a reduction pulley... 15-20bhp for £100! You'd be insane not too. Handling wise these cars definitely react well to a set of coilovers, but you'll need to spending £400+ on something worth getting.
Both definitely have their positives and negatives against each other! I think the Clio is the better car out the factory, but after a few upgrades the MINI is a right laugh.
When you say it isn't as lively, do you mean power or handling wise? For power, you've just got to add on a reduction pulley... 15-20bhp for £100! You'd be insane not too. Handling wise these cars definitely react well to a set of coilovers, but you'll need to spending £400+ on something worth getting.
Doesn't seem to be the same accelerative snap as in the MINI but I do find that when I look at the (ridiculously oversized) speedo that I'm going quicker than expected. Part of this might be the rather muted exhaust note. Mine has had most things changed over time, including supercharger, so despite the high miles 150k, it feels strong so could handle the extra oompf. What's the fitting time for one of these pullies?
I find the MINI has incredible body control, it always feels totally flat even through corners but whilst the Clio would lean more it would grip for ever on a roundabout, for example.
Don't think either are necessarily 'better' BTW, like both styles. One thing I would have liked in the MINI was more supportive seats, find I slide across them when taking tight corners. I DON'T miss the black rubber that would come off the Clio's steering wheel on a warm day
I find the MINI has incredible body control, it always feels totally flat even through corners but whilst the Clio would lean more it would grip for ever on a roundabout, for example.
Don't think either are necessarily 'better' BTW, like both styles. One thing I would have liked in the MINI was more supportive seats, find I slide across them when taking tight corners. I DON'T miss the black rubber that would come off the Clio's steering wheel on a warm day
mikeyr said:
Bought my R53 for under £1500 a few months back, loads of history and in great nick for it's age (52 plate). So far I've had two front tyres fitted, given it a new battery and swapped the remote fob over. It's cost me a combined total of £1670.
Today was MOT day and it needs a new set of CV boots (which was no surprise) and an advisory for brake line corrosion which I've decided to get done at same time.
Not too bad and always a relief when there's no massive list of work to be done. What a good car for the money, whilst it isn't as lively as my old Clio 182 I love the flat cornering and the smooth supercharged power delivery.
Am very much looking forward to a year of MINIing around! Not much to add other than really wanted to post that do love a cheap hot hatch and it's always a delight when the car you've bought doesn't turn out to need £1000's of pounds spent on it Mainly I'm just feeling smug about having a car with no advisories!!!
I'm the same as you, gone from a 182 to a 52 plate r53 jcw, loads of history and 87,000 miles. I find the mini is better in all aspects. The clio was lowered when i bought it and i just didn't trust it on the bends but with the standard mini it just feels more planted. Also it pulls a lot better than the clio, but then it is the works so does have about 200ish bhp. Today was MOT day and it needs a new set of CV boots (which was no surprise) and an advisory for brake line corrosion which I've decided to get done at same time.
Not too bad and always a relief when there's no massive list of work to be done. What a good car for the money, whilst it isn't as lively as my old Clio 182 I love the flat cornering and the smooth supercharged power delivery.
Am very much looking forward to a year of MINIing around! Not much to add other than really wanted to post that do love a cheap hot hatch and it's always a delight when the car you've bought doesn't turn out to need £1000's of pounds spent on it
Mainly I'm just feeling smug about having a car with no advisories!!!I just think its a bit quiet but love the pops and crackles on over run where as the clio was stupidly loud. Overall 6 months in i'm glad i made the change and enjoy just going for a blast for no reason as i did today.
Cross posting Mikeyr: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Sorry if it makes you want a 182 again
Sorry if it makes you want a 182 again
mikeyr said:
Doesn't seem to be the same accelerative snap as in the MINI but I do find that when I look at the (ridiculously oversized) speedo that I'm going quicker than expected. Part of this might be the rather muted exhaust note. Mine has had most things changed over time, including supercharger, so despite the high miles 150k, it feels strong so could handle the extra oompf. What's the fitting time for one of these pullies?
I find the MINI has incredible body control, it always feels totally flat even through corners but whilst the Clio would lean more it would grip for ever on a roundabout, for example.
Don't think either are necessarily 'better' BTW, like both styles. One thing I would have liked in the MINI was more supportive seats, find I slide across them when taking tight corners. I DON'T miss the black rubber that would come off the Clio's steering wheel on a warm day
Don't know the fitting time for a pulley individually as I got it done with loads of other work! I reckon an hour for someone that knows their MINIs.I find the MINI has incredible body control, it always feels totally flat even through corners but whilst the Clio would lean more it would grip for ever on a roundabout, for example.
Don't think either are necessarily 'better' BTW, like both styles. One thing I would have liked in the MINI was more supportive seats, find I slide across them when taking tight corners. I DON'T miss the black rubber that would come off the Clio's steering wheel on a warm day
If you're after a better exhaust note, you can't go wrong with a Milltek... mine pops and crackles like no ones business. Love it
Enjoy the car, a K&N is good if you need to change the filter & if you are doing the pulley
I have one of these that I'd let go for 1/2 the new price > http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alta-Performance-MINI-Co...
I have one of these that I'd let go for 1/2 the new price
> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alta-Performance-MINI-Co...mikeyr said:
turbojay555 said:
I just think its a bit quiet but love the pops and crackles on over run where as the clio was stupidly loud.
Hmm, I don't get much in the way of exhaust notes from the MINI but do love the supercharger whine! If you like the supercharger whine, you need to get a proper CAI
I'm not trying to spend your money lol, but Orranje just so happen to sell a kit with the reduction pulley, CAI, and belt and plugs too... it's what I went for in the summer. Awesome upgrade!
https://orranje.co.uk/shop-by-brand/orranje/orranj...
Well having said how much I love this car and lavishing some time and money on it - personal circumstances suddenly dictate that I've got to sell it. 
I am going to miss this thing badly. Am hoping that I'll recoup most of the cost of bits I've done (battery, tyres, etc) since purchasing it. Took it out for a quick hoon this evening just for fun, for the next couple of months I'm going to be rolling round in my partner's excellent, but hardly exciting, Cactus. 82bhp here I come!
I am going to miss this thing badly. Am hoping that I'll recoup most of the cost of bits I've done (battery, tyres, etc) since purchasing it. Took it out for a quick hoon this evening just for fun, for the next couple of months I'm going to be rolling round in my partner's excellent, but hardly exciting, Cactus. 82bhp here I come!
mikeyr said:
Well having said how much I love this car and lavishing some time and money on it - personal circumstances suddenly dictate that I've got to sell it.
I am going to miss this thing badly. Am hoping that I'll recoup most of the cost of bits I've done (battery, tyres, etc) since purchasing it. Took it out for a quick hoon this evening just for fun, for the next couple of months I'm going to be rolling round in my partner's excellent, but hardly exciting, Cactus. 82bhp here I come!
Sad times Mikey, but you'll get something equally as fun in the future. I am going to miss this thing badly. Am hoping that I'll recoup most of the cost of bits I've done (battery, tyres, etc) since purchasing it. Took it out for a quick hoon this evening just for fun, for the next couple of months I'm going to be rolling round in my partner's excellent, but hardly exciting, Cactus. 82bhp here I come!
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