MINI R50... Talk Me Out Of It

Local dealer has an '03 R50. Non-S. Clean. Very solid. Almost not rattles or squeaks. Maintenance very well documented. Looks very well cared for, pulls strong with no smoke and still handles very "kart" like. Small rust bubble on the bottom rear edge of driver door but none on sill or anywhere else. Stripes are sun cracked. Slider roof. 5 speed and clutch feels fresh but stick feels "sludgy".

Fresh, burbling Borla (say THAT ten times fast!) exhaust and new K&N Typhoon short ram. Thinking since they were only recently added it may not have spent all 14 years abused... although with 5 previous owners...

I've been eyeing it on the lot for a couple months and he's had it parked in the same spot. When I pulled it out I checked the asphalt for oil and there was none. He has a lift and I will request a peek before purchasing. Maintenance doc's do not show crank seal replacement.

120,000 on the odometer but IMHO, good condition for mileage... usual wear. Weird quirk... idle at stop, AC full blast, approximately every 10 seconds (or when steering wheel is slightly turned, booting the power steering) when the RPM's inevitably and briefly drop, the steering column shakes... not violently but seems unusual at least to me.

My DD is a van pool. Thinking something to tinker, rolling resto/refresh and get me back into auto-x?

I have had bad, BAD wants for a MINI since they first announced production. Dislike anything newer than R53. I've already grown attached... he's asking just under $4k. Should I forget I ever met her?

Oh, and etifosi, if you're out there, it was easily pulling between 60-70 mph up Rocky Glen Road.

Here's the puppy I want to bring home to keep.

I'm not going to talk you out of it. I love them! I say go for it (not to mention the price seems right) and enjoy yourself!!! Far less problems then the following generation Minis too (which seem incredibly unreliable for what they are).

I'm even in your backyard! I just noticed you're in Moosic and I'm in Bloomsburg area.

I've not evidence to back this up, but...I'd imagine any R50/53 still running around was reasonably well cared for and that price seems to indicate that it's in good shape. If you like it, go for it. I'd certainly have a hard time saying no were I in your shoes.

NA-blers! HA!! I punned!

You know I just had to run my 1.0 fiesta through there at a scoot, now invoking my first amendment rights.

If you'd like I can begin leaving random British car parts under the mini (garage full of Brit bits) if you buy it so you feel like a real Brit car owner, but I don't have any German curse words to teach you.

In reply to etifosi:

Was just googling to see how to covert it to positive ground and lever shocks... got any SU's?

SWiMBO is 100% Polish. Those curse words should be close enough.

I'm scared of it, but from what I know, the na cooper, with a manual, is the most reliable of the breed. Be careful of the roof seals, they like to leak on glass top cars and ruin the body harness

Seems like a decent little car.

5 speed and clutch feels fresh but stick feels "sludgy".

I agree that if the gearbox hasn't failed by now, then it's one of the "good" ones. I'd still consider doing a fluid change with some redline fluid to keep it nice. Might already have been done and the fluid just wasn't warmed up enough to feel less sludgy.

Do they have an options list (or a VIN decode) on it? Just looking at the pictures, I see sport seats which may mean it had the sport suspension on it, too. The vinyl seats were my favorite because they had good grip and easy to clean.

I think the wheels are off a later year car.

The only thing that would make me pause is the 5 owners.

If you're prepared for any work a 120K mile car will have, then I'd jump on it and enjoy it.

-Rob