2004 Mini Cooper S - 1.6 Supercharged I4/6 speed manual - 203k miles
I picked this up earlier this year to serve as a backup parts car for my other R53 Mini, but never removed even one part from the car after realizing that it wasn't actually bad enough to part out (and not needing anything from it because the other one held together awesomely).
- This car will start with a battery, but doesn't like to idle or rev without supplemental fuel. Fuel pressure is perfectly in spec. I've driven it around my properly (slowly) with someone spraying it with starting fluid, or with a drip of fuel into the thottle body. It has a fairly large vacuum leak under the supercharger or behind the bypass valve. I don't have time to tackle to repair and don't need another car on the road right now.
- Interior smells like the previous owner was a smoker, but it all appears to be in decent shape.
- The car has a rebuilt title from years ago. I don't have any details about the damage, but I haven't seen any glaring evidence of repairs.
- There are rust bubbles starting under the ugly aftermarket tail lights.
- This car had extensive repairs over the past few years. Here are the previous owner's notes:
- Nice looking aftermarket header and exhaust
- It is currently sitting on a set of ugly aftermarket wheels, but I can include a set of factory S wheels (seen in some of the photos) with decent rubber if desired for an additional $250.
The car has a ton of potential for someone with a bit of time to tinker with it. Bring a trailer, leave with a Mini. Easy peasy.
Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:
why do you tease me so?
Illinois isn't far from KY. 
Makes me wish I had a trailer, it would be mine
Hey, I have a trailer. And I want a MINI.
EvanB (Forum Supporter) said:
Hey, I have a trailer. And I want a MINI.
I have two you can choose from, OR I'll make you a deal on a pair!
In reply to Powar (Forum Supporter) :
I would like the other one but this one is more in my current price range.
I'm interested.
I need to talk to my daughter first, and she's at work. I will talk to her this evening and confirm.
Have you been under it? Hows the undercarriage rust?
8 1/2 hours away from me :(
In reply to EvanB (Forum Supporter) :
Huh. So did I. 
Such a pretty color for a MINI.
SVreX (Forum Supporter) said:
Have you been under it? Hows the undercarriage rust?
The furthest I've been under it was when I had the wheels off when I brought it home. I didn't see any rot at all at that time. The car has been in KY for at least the past 5 years. The only rust I've seen is what I mentioned under the tails.
In reply to EvanB (Forum Supporter) :
I also PMed you.
I think I've responded to all of the messages I've received on both cars. Let me know if any of you need any more info. Thanks for all of the interest so far!
Sounds like Evan is gonna jump quicker than me... let me know if he backs out.
Thanks!
SVreX (Forum Supporter) said:
Sounds like Evan is gonna jump quicker than me... let me know if he backs out.
Thanks!
I certainly will. It was nice chatting with you today. If you decide that you're interested in the other one, drop me another line.
In reply to Powar (Forum Supporter) :
No problem!
Its a little bit too far for an impulse purchase, but I will keep it in mind!
Re the vacuum leak - our '05 R53 developed a spontaneous hole in the plastic intake tube between the throttle body and the supercharger. It was on the back side near the block. Looked like it was a bad mold - a thin spot in the plastic that ruptured. Might be something to check.
ultraclyde (Forum Supporter) said:
Re the vacuum leak - our '05 R53 developed a spontaneous hole in the plastic intake tube between the throttle body and the supercharger. It was on the back side near the block. Looked like it was a bad mold - a thin spot in the plastic that ruptured. Might be something to check.
I think you're spot on with that diagnosis. This one has a leak exactly where you're talking about.
Evan did buy it.
Thanks for the interest, everyone! Buy my other one.
