A Twenty Year MINI Adventure…R53
A Twenty Year MINI Adventure…R53
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wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Thursday 20th July 2023
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Ok, I’ve not done a Reader’s Car before, so before I start on my current car, I thought a bit of history would be in order to explain how I have ended up where I am.

Back in the early noughties, around the time BMW were launching their new MINI, I was one of those deeply sceptical people who thought the new model was “all mouth and no trousers”. A trinket and nothing more.

Working at JCB at the time, I was familiar with Sir Anthony being a bit of a car enthusiast and periodically these cars were pushed out to the engineers to try.

Cue, early 2002, a new MINI Cooper was presented to our team to have a drive around the roads local to our facility in NE Wales.

It was purchased to use as a styling base for the new P21 Back-Hoe Loader we were designing the transmission & axles for.

For those in the know, there was a lot of interior styling similarities, mainly focussing on the dials and other human interfaces, levers, controls etc.



At the end of its time in N Wales, I was given the task of returning said MINI back the 60 or so miles back to the JCB factory in Rocester, Staffordshire.

So I had the chance of a decent test drive on familiar roads.

On arriving at the JCB garage I was grinning from ear-to-ear, as all my unfounded negativity had been washed away in the drive over.

At the time I was driving a diesel Citroen Xantia and since we’d recently upgraded the wife’s car to family duties, now lay the chance for me to own something more sporty.

My initial thought was to go for a Cooper, but since the recently released Cooper S was now available, I thought I’d order one of those instead, in for a penny and all that.

Using man-maths and a lightly touched options list, I could make the thing work financially.

So, in August 2002 I placed an order for an all black MCS with aircon and mfsw (no Chilli pack as the budget wouldn’t stretch that far).

I then sat back and spent the next 9 months waiting for my car to be delivered, with only the new MINI2.com forum for company and as an outlet to all things MINI.

Edited by wobert on Thursday 20th July 12:57


Edited by wobert on Thursday 20th July 17:04

pb8g09

2,833 posts

85 months

Thursday 20th July 2023
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I'm so confused.

Is it a JCB or a JCW?!

wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Thursday 20th July 2023
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JCB wink

Next instalment to come later…

wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Thursday 20th July 2023
quotequote all
9 months later, this appeared.

A boggo basic non Chilli-pack MCS. No xenon lights, no half leather.



Back in the early days, owners used to wave at each when passing and car always drew looks when parked up.

At the time, I was using it primarily to get to work and running around in at the weekends, with the odd MINI run out via MINI2.

I got quite used to organising runs around N Wales, and I organised a couple of trips down to Plant Oxford for a factory tour.

The highlight was a trip to the Nurburgring in October 2003, along with 120 other MINIs from all over Europe.






It was a fast paced weekend, out on the Friday, 6 hour endurance race with a 2-full lap MINI parade beforehand (we didn’t hold back either, over 100 mph in places) and then a Touristfarten on the Sunday, before heading home Monday.

The Sunday laps weren’t without incident, one of the UK cars crashed heavily and caused a temporary track closure.

After being picked up by track recovery, the car was relocated to the access road outside the car park and BMW Assist were called to repatriate the car.

The owner ended up with a large €€€€ bill for Armco, recovery and other items! yikes

It’s passengers were ferried amongst the other group cars back to Calais, where they then jumped in with me, for the journey back up north.

BikeBikeBIke

11,943 posts

131 months

Thursday 20th July 2023
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I've never "watched" a thread before...

Something tells me this is a good thread to start "watching".

MBVitoria

2,533 posts

239 months

Friday 21st July 2023
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Lots of interest here please continue!

Former R56 owner and current classic mini owner. Always thought the R53 was a fine looking motor.

mooseracer

2,415 posts

186 months

Friday 21st July 2023
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In for this one for sure

wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Friday 21st July 2023
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In early 2004, I was offered a job by one of my suppliers at JCB.

This meant my office was now based in Birmingham instead of 10 miles away from home. I’d managed to negotiate working from home, with one or two days in the office.

So, the Cooper S was pressed into doing a once or twice weekly trip to Brum, which fortunately for me was 80 miles of motorway or fast A roads.

Whilst not having a luxurious ride, (the early pre-face lift Cooper S’s were notorious for a firm ride, mainly due to the run-flat tyres) the car excelled on the A41 between Chester and the M54.

Perfect through the twisty bits and great for passing slower traffic and trucks on the straights.

Given how bad this model can be on fuel (I used to average 25mpg going to JCB) I was getting 35+ mpg on a run and on one occasion also managed to average 60mph door to door.

The MINI was a reliable companion, only needing routine servicing (thank-you MINI TLC (service pack)), fuel and tyres.

I also managed to make some minor changes to the car, namely graphics, silver bonnet stripes, two-tone UJ roof and chrome mirror covers. (Not my car below, it has different wheels, but you get the idea) wink



Over the next 18 months I pushed the mileage upto 36,000 miles and at that point decided I needed to take advantage of the good px prices and trade it for another MINI…

Edited by wobert on Friday 21st July 15:48

wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Saturday 22nd July 2023
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Initially I thought I’d replace it with another MCS hatch, I was happy with the driving experience and my swap co-incided with the LCI facelift model coming out.

Some minor improvements to trim and an extra 7hp and the option of an LSD seemed good to have.

I’d also managed to free some budget up to add the Chilli pack LSD and some other bits and bobs.

One of the new colours appealed, Black-Eyed Purple and my initial thought was to go high-contrast with a white roof, stripes and wheels, but I decided against as it looked “too Cadburys”, so I chose again, settling on Pure Silver with a black roof and stripes.

At the time you didn’t see many R53s in PS so that was what I ordered, with quoted delivery in time for the 55 plate due on 1st September 2005.

Deposit paid, wait number 2 commenced.

Then the doubts set in…

I added a few more trinkets, MFSW and the Harman Kardon hifi upgrade.

More doubts….

The convertible MINI had just been released and would provide a difference that was worthwhile, based on three test drives.

My budget was close to convertible money and doing some more man-maths I freed enough up to change the order, so the roof was removed. This meant losing some options.

More doubts…

Pure Silver on a convertible I thought looked weak, so changed the order yet again, Dark Silver looked great, so that was added.

More doubts…

I wanted the upgraded hifi and the bits I’d removed back, so these were re-added.

Order Locked!

1st September came and this is what I picked up.

Happy Days!







Edited by wobert on Saturday 22 July 10:22

Court_S

14,343 posts

193 months

Saturday 22nd July 2023
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Glad I’m not the only serial MINI buyer; I was / am a huge fan of the early ones.

I started with a well spec’d, pre face lift Cooper in Chiili Red (chilli pack, 6 disc changer, xenon’s, privacy glass, white roof, bonnet stripes and white wheels). It was a great little car but one Christmas break I was bored and the local dealer has an S that caught my eye, test drive it and I loved it. The trade is / deal offered was awful so I parked it.

A month later they still had it and were offering a much better deal and belie I knew it, I was the proud owner I’d an Indi Blue Metallic S with full leather, heated windscreen, chilli pack, white roof and wood trim. I loved that car, a lot. Unfortunately it wasn’t always very reliable so thank good for the very good AUC warranty. As much as I loved it, it had a drink problem so when I changed career and took a pay cut it had to go.

I swapped it for a facelift One that I ended up despising. That was the last original MINI I owned despite coming close to buying my old S back and a Checkmate S.

My wife has since had an F56 Cooper; better in every measurable way but neither of us really liked it in the same way as the old ones.

wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Saturday 22nd July 2023
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Thanks for reply, nice to know my words are being read.

I know it’s a bit of a microcosm, but I found a number of serial MINI owners on MINI2, not just one model generation but like you across multiple model generations.

You’ll see from my next update, where I went after the convertible.

Mr Tidy

27,166 posts

143 months

Saturday 22nd July 2023
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This has been a great read so far OP. thumbup

Mrs Tidy ordered a new R50 Mini One as a present to herself for a significant birthday in 2003 in metallic black with Chilli Pack, A/C, alloys, non-runflats, CD-Changer and half leather.

Less than 6 months later someone down our road pulled out into the front corner of it and she said it never felt the same after that.

So when she got invited to the R56 launch I wasn't surprised that we only left after she had placed an order for a red Cooper with 50% added to the list price by options! Full leather, Bi-Xenons, A/C, black roof and bonnet stripes, red trim accents, HK stereo, interior lights that changed colour are a few that spring to mind.

She collected it just in time for Xmas and was thrilled.

I thought she had gone a bit over the top with the spec, but as she still has it perhaps not!

Although I have always preferred RWD I always enjoyed driving her Minis, especially when she wasn't with me. laugh

Anyway I'm looking forward to your next instalment.

ETA I suppose she's also had a 20 year Mini adventure!

Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 22 July 22:34

wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Monday 24th July 2023
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The convertible landed about 10 months after my youngest daughter was born.

We’d managed to find a pushchair that would work with the boot arrangements with minimal fuss and since the LCI cars had front passenger airbag deactivation, it was easy putting a rear facing car seat into the front.

The wife had a Vauxhall Meriva for family duties, so whilst the Cooper S was still being used for commuting duties and running around locally, it wasn’t too much of an incumbrance to get the children in.

I was still participating in MINI runs and was able to take my eldest, my son, with me as he was old enough to tolerate the trips out.





By mid-2006, fuel prices were starting to rise and although the MCSC was doing mid-30s on the commute, my costs were starting to rise and the paraphernalia assorted with a small child were starting to increase. Getting a toddler into the rear was starting to grate, so an alternative was sought…

Taking advantage of an exceptional trade in value, the MCS was traded for a BMW 120d.

Bigger inside, better mpg and no major loss of performance were key benefits, so the MINI went.



So, for the first time in more than 3 years, we were MINI-less.

wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Monday 24th July 2023
quotequote all
Mr Tidy said:
This has been a great read so far OP. thumbup

Mrs Tidy ordered a new R50 Mini One as a present to herself for a significant birthday in 2003 in metallic black with Chilli Pack, A/C, alloys, non-runflats, CD-Changer and half leather.

Less than 6 months later someone down our road pulled out into the front corner of it and she said it never felt the same after that.

So when she got invited to the R56 launch I wasn't surprised that we only left after she had placed an order for a red Cooper with 50% added to the list price by options! Full leather, Bi-Xenons, A/C, black roof and bonnet stripes, red trim accents, HK stereo, interior lights that changed colour are a few that spring to mind.

She collected it just in time for Xmas and was thrilled.

I thought she had gone a bit over the top with the spec, but as she still has it perhaps not!

Although I have always preferred RWD I always enjoyed driving her Minis, especially when she wasn't with me. laugh

Anyway I'm looking forward to your next instalment.

ETA I suppose she's also had a 20 year Mini adventure!

Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 22 July 22:34
Next instalment posted, thanks for your encouragement and it’s like MrsT is a serial MINIAC smile

Mr Tidy

27,166 posts

143 months

Monday 24th July 2023
quotequote all
wobert said:
Next instalment posted, thanks for your encouragement and it’s like MrsT is a serial MINIAC smile
Yes, I suppose she is! She still loves her Cooper which has only done 66K miles.

Your next instalment struck a chord because her experiences with Mini dealers is partly what let me to being a serial BMW owner since 2005, and coincidentally my 2nd one was a 123d!

wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Monday 24th July 2023
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Interesting comments regarding dealers.

My first R53 was bought from my local BMW / MINI dealer in Chester. I had an issue and they were awful resolving it. I determined I wouldn’t buy there again.

We ended up buying wifey’s i3 from there in 2021, primarily as they had the right car at the right price.

Going elsewhere was going to add £k’s without much benefit. On this occasion they were ok to deal with.

The R52 was bought from the dealership in Shrewsbury, they were great.

The E87 was bought from the dealer in central Birmingham. They were great too.


wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Wednesday 2nd August 2023
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So for the remainder of 2006 through until mid-2008, we were using the 120d and wifey’s Vauxhall Meriva.

I’d managed to re-negotiate my contract which forewent a pay increase, in exchange for a reduction in the days I was expected to be in the office.

This meant only two trips to Birmingham instead of three.

The 120d was great on the commute, regularly turning 50+ mpg, as well as being a great drive. In return it asked for nothing more than tyres and servicing.

As part of my purchase, I’d managed to get a 5yr/60k service pack included. Doing 30k a year, meant I was covered for at least the next two years and when the AUC warranty expired, I added an official BMW warranty to ensure we weren’t hit with any surprises.

The Meriva by now was starting to have issues as it was 5 years old and accumulating the miles, so with a bit of arm twisting I’d managed to convince the missus to return to a MINI of some sorts, but what?

The R56 had been out 18 or so months and with the introduction of the Cooper D, this seemed a good choice, balancing mpg vs performance.

I’d managed to get a 48hr test drive from Rydale in Birmingham and brought the car home to try.

It seemed ok, but lacked the spark that made the R53 Cooper S special.

Ok, time to try an R56 Cooper S….that hit the spots that the Cooper D was missing…. time to search for something specific that was lightly used and within budget.

After a long search on the MINI AUC site a suitable car was found in Bowkers in Preston.

It ticked all the boxes, R56 MCS, Chilli Red with a black roof, Chilli Pack, full leather, piano black interior and some other bits & bobs.

A trip up for a test drive was successful and finances worked out too, so a purchase was made…. The Meriva was swapped for this…


ECG1000

393 posts

158 months

Wednesday 2nd August 2023
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More please!

MBVitoria

2,533 posts

239 months

Wednesday 2nd August 2023
quotequote all
wobert said:
So for the remainder of 2006 through until mid-2008, we were using the 120d and wifey’s Vauxhall Meriva.

I’d managed to re-negotiate my contract which forewent a pay increase, in exchange for a reduction in the days I was expected to be in the office.

This meant only two trips to Birmingham instead of three.

The 120d was great on the commute, regularly turning 50+ mpg, as well as being a great drive. In return it asked for nothing more than tyres and servicing.

As part of my purchase, I’d managed to get a 5yr/60k service pack included. Doing 30k a year, meant I was covered for at least the next two years and when the AUC warranty expired, I added an official BMW warranty to ensure we weren’t hit with any surprises.

The Meriva by now was starting to have issues as it was 5 years old and accumulating the miles, so with a bit of arm twisting I’d managed to convince the missus to return to a MINI of some sorts, but what?

The R56 had been out 18 or so months and with the introduction of the Cooper D, this seemed a good choice, balancing mpg vs performance.

I’d managed to get a 48hr test drive from Rydale in Birmingham and brought the car home to try.

It seemed ok, but lacked the spark that made the R53 Cooper S special.

Ok, time to try an R56 Cooper S….that hit the spots that the Cooper D was missing…. time to search for something specific that was lightly used and within budget.

After a long search on the MINI AUC site a suitable car was found in Bowkers in Preston.

It ticked all the boxes, R56 MCS, Chilli Red with a black roof, Chilli Pack, full leather, piano black interior and some other bits & bobs.

A trip up for a test drive was successful and finances worked out too, so a purchase was made…. The Meriva was swapped for this…

Stunning, wished I'd gone for xenons on my R56, the halogens were just a touch more effective than a couple of Victorian bull's eye lanterns...

wobert

Original Poster:

5,384 posts

238 months

Tuesday 22nd August 2023
quotequote all
Apologies for the hiatus updating….my wife recently passed away after a short battle with cancer… frown


The R56 was bought as my wife’s car, so she was the main driver, using it to get to / from work, pottering around with the kids.

I had the chance to use it to commute to Birmingham, but the 120d was still the main car to use for that.

Over time, the missus found using a 2-door car more and more difficult, especially getting the kids in and out of the back, so we agreed a swap.

This was just as the Global Financial Crash hit in mid-2009 and my twice weekly trip to Birmingham was cut to a single trip, together with a 10% pay cut!

In 2010 I applied for a sales role and got given Eastern Europe to manage. Developing sales in the region meant travelling 2/3 weeks out of 4.

So I swapped my seat in the MINI for a seat on Lufthansa’s finest and a rental car at the other end.

By 2011 I was given the UK as an additional region and with it a company car….one of the car’s days was numbered…





Edited by wobert on Tuesday 22 August 11:07