Over the years, I have often talked about the R53 version (2002-06) of the MINI Cooper S and how they really aren't as bad as they are made out to be. I have based this opinion on being involved with the cars since my ex- bought a new MCS in 2003 and during the time we were together (until 2013), I have gained a lot of experience taking the cars apart and putting them back together again. Both with her car and those of a number of our friends we met through the little car.
However, other than partly owning a 2007 Cooper Convertible with the ex-, I have not actually owned one of these cars.
Until now.
Among my friends in the local MINI community, I have often pondered over buying a "unicorn" version of these cars. A 2006 (final year for the hardtop), Factory JCW (most powerful stock car if you want to autocross), with no sun-roof (the hard part). Every now and then, a car would turn up somewhere in the country and I'd look at the pictures and find some reason not to pursue it.
Then a friend put his own car up for sale on our regional MINI club Facebook page.
- Factory JCW.
Chrono Package (moves speedometer from the dash to above behind the steering wheel and adds gauges in its place)
Cold Weather Package (heated seats and washer jets)
HID headlights
and a few appearance packages (Checkmate exterior, chrome line interior, Piano Black interior trim)
And no sunroof.
In addition. The car already had a few upgrades I would add to the car: Ireland Engineering fixed camber plates, Power Flex LCA bushings, uprated suspension (dealer-installed JCW suspension). 16” Enkei RPF-1 wheels as well as a set of rare factory 16" wheels with run-flat snow tires that will fit over the larger JCW brakes (most don't).
The miles were reasonable (93K - not bad for an 11 year old car) and the price I could live with (a bit over $10K - about on par for similar cars I've seen for sale; pricing guides suck for these cars due to the huge variety of options and the JCW option is rarely one of them).
So I bought it. Sunday was spent driving up to CT from PA, picking it up and driving it home. On Monday, I did the paperwork and got it registered. On Tuesday I drove it to work.
The plan here is fairly simple. Due to the previously done upgrades, there isn't much for me to do yet. But it is a MINI... It'll need something eventually.
Impressions so far: The car is fast. At least compared to the low-powered cars I've always had. Over 200 HP in a roughly 2500 lb car. It scoots and squirts well. Handling is as one would expect from a MINI, aided by the suspension upgrades and reasonably good tires (likely the first thing I'll change).
When I feel more comfortable with the car, I hope to get to a local autocross, where the suspension changes put it in STX.
