2003 MINI Cooper S Hartge Conversion

[Maracus]

Has anyone owned or driven one of these?

I like the idea of a rare version of the R53 MINI, with an extra 47BHP it sounds very tempting

How do these compare to a JCW, and are there any issues with reliability over and above a standard MCS/JCW MCS?

Any info on them would be good

[eatcustard]

Same performance as a Works mini at 210 BHP
Not sure if they had the works brakes on them, as it came out before BMW released the works mini.

If its cheaper than a works go for it, if not get a works.

[Furry Exocet]

Only seen them in YouTube videos

[Maracus]

eatcustard said:

Same performance as a Works mini at 210 BHP
Not sure if they had the works brakes on them, as it came out before BMW released the works mini.

If its cheaper than a works go for it, if not get a works.

Thanks for the info. I'm gong to look at one at the weekend.

From what I've read, the brakes are standard and could do with being upgraded for more spirited driving!

It has the twin double exhaust (a la M3), but looks subtle enough

[JABB]

You going to see the one in Chipping Norton by chance?

[Maracus]

Yes. Do you know anything about it?!

[JABB]

It's a mile away. I looked over it very briefly Monday and was going to have another look. It is over my budget so don't worry, I wanted to see why the screen price was so high on a 2003 mini

[Maracus]

What did you think of the condition? The wheels look like they need refurbing.

Did you get a look at the service history? It say full

I'm about 10 miles away.

[JABB]

I didn't look hard as I was there to look at another car which had sold that morning. I don't mind having another look, but if you are only 10 miles away, best you look.
Are you trading in?

[Maracus]

I'll be looking tomorrow. I think it's a bit optimistic on the asking price, but someone may pay it.

I'm not sure whether or not to trade in my SEAT Toledo snotter, or get rid on ebay. It's pretty immaculate, 12 months MOT, 6 tax, but I need something really short (and interesting) to park at the end of my drive - long story

[JABB]

I think on the whole they are optimistic. Father & Son company. Father is ok, son a bit dis-interested sometimes.

[Maracus]

Thanks for the info. I'll post up tomorrow what I thought

[Maracus]

Well, I was allowed an unaccompanied test drive

To be honest, I was underwhelmed . Maybe it's because I'm used to turbo charged cars, but even so it didn't live upto my expectations.

It has done 32000 miles, it's pretty immaculate. The MOT history stacks up, although the service history is NOT full. There's 3 stamps in the book, with a gap of 4 years at one point. The front wheels badly need balancing.

The search goes on!

[eatcustard]

In what way was it uninteresting, you should get instant power with a supercharger than wait 10 minutes for a turbo to kick in.

[Maracus]

eatcustard said:

In what way was it uninteresting, you should get instant power with a supercharger than wait 10 minutes for a turbo to kick in.

I didn't say uninteresting, I thought it was underwhelming. I expected it to be a lot quicker.

I've never had to wait 10 minutes for a turbo to start spooling

[Furry Exocet]

Maracus said:

I didn't say uninteresting, I thought it was underwhelming. I expected it to be a lot quicker.

I've never had to wait 10 minutes for a turbo to start spooling

Try and test an r53 John Cooper Works and see how it compares? They aren't rocket ships, but what they lack in power, they make up for when you have a spirited drive around a nice twisty road.
My r56 is a lot slower than my old mk2 Leon Cupra, but its much more fun to drive.

[Maracus]

Furry Exocet said:

Try and test an r53 John Cooper Works and see how it compares? They aren't rocket ships, but what they lack in power, they make up for when you have a spirited drive around a nice twisty road.
My r56 is a lot slower than my old mk2 Leon Cupra, but its much more fun to drive.

My next plan

I agree on the fun/drive factor.

[JABB]

Thanks for the update!

[mike9009]

The servicing is probably full at that mileage. It is not done at set intervals, but the on board computer tells you when to complete it. If the mileage is so low it would not surprise me if it has only had a handful of services.

My R56 is counting down from 18000 miles at the moment which will probably take me three years before it needs a service again...... According to BMW...

Mike