[mmilgrom]

Three weeks ago, our love affair with our gorgeous little Hyper Blue 2004 MCS Chili ended: an idiot coming around a blind corner smashed into the front of us and rammed our little Coops into two stationary cars.

So, ALLEGEDLY it was my fault because technically, I was 'merging' (front of my car was out in traffic - simply so I could see around a parked car, I might add). Enough said, I think.

A big thumbs up to the MINI for sustaining terrible injuries and protecting us all: all three of us in the car escaped with cuts, bruises and a little whiplash. Our little baby wasn't so fortunate: $15,000 of labour and $17,500 parts = written off. Annoying: I'd just spent over $900 on brand new run-flats on the front. I'm glad it was, really, as the rear wheel was at 45 degrees to the car. It would never have been the same.

Now, good old AAMI have paid up and we're trundling around in a lovely white No Birds Corolla (urgh) and this looks set to continue because there are simply HARDLY ANY R53s available in Sydney! I'm checking the big car classified websites frequently, but no dice. Widening the net (but keeping our prices the same) has thrown up some interesting alternatives, which I'd like to get some opinions on:

- 2002 JCW with low mileage (I much prefer the facelifted model not least because of the gearing) any thoughts?
- 2004 Cooper S Cabrio models are selling at suspiciously low prices. Would we regret making the move from our old tin top?
- What are the Checkmate variants like? Resale okay?

Of course, if you have a 2004/2005 MCS Chili for sale, let me know!

Thanks in advance!

Matt

[Mike Clarke]

Sorry to hear about the accident Matt but glad everyone is OK

Good luck with your search for a replacement

[Babes]

If your going to keep the next one forever grab the 02 JCW or an 03, my personal opinion these will be the most valuable in years to come as there were less of them, just like the original cooper s.

[swamos]

There is a spectacular 03 full house JCW available in QLD from a mini2/clubmini member at the moment

[-blacky-]

I am slightly biased, but there's nothing wrong with the gearing of an early JCW. I have a 2003 and love it to bits.
The convertibles *have* had trouble with the rear window (being glass and all).

Good luck with the search.

K xx

[brett]

I 2nd Swamos thoughts, head up north. Its a beauty. If I was after a 2nd hand one, that would be my pick Drop dead sexy, and over serviced

[mmilgrom]

Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys.

My wife and I went to the new MINI garage in Sydney (Chatswood) and sat in the convertible with the roof up and down. Our observations:

- Incredibly restrictive rear view with the hood in place (nothing on my old Elise so I didn't care, but this is my wife's daily driver)
- Incredibly cute with the hood down, ugly ugly ugly with the hood up
- The rear seats are VERY upright
- Shoulder room in the rear is very restricted thanks to the hood mechanism on the sides. I'm a shorty and felt claustrophobic.

In short, I left feeling that if you were only driving yourself and the kids about, it would be perfect - especially with the roof down most of the time. As a daily commute through a damp Sydney winter / summer occasionally giving other adults lifts it starts becoming a little silly.

So we're back to tin-tops.

Any opinions on this? MINI COOPER S 2002 details - CarPoint Australia

Thanks

[Quickbrick]

Hi mmilgrom,

Sorry to hear about your accident - glad to hear you all walked away OK.

This is the car you should consider -

Private Used Cars - carsales.com.au

It belongs to a ClubMINI member up her in Qld and I personally know that this has to be one of the best maintained and most fastidiously detailed MINIs you would find. I'm pretty sure this is the one that Swamos and Brett are referring to! I am a bit biased since it belongs to someone we all know, but that's the reason I can assure you it is a great MINI with all the JCW options (suspension, engine kit, brakes etc) and owned by someone who really knows his MINIs. I thought I was anal about my MINI, but the owner of this one took it to a new level. Oil changed every 5000km ... he even polished the inside of his exhaust tips on a regular basis You should definately chack this car out!

Gregg

[brett]

It says it sold You may want to check the web addresss

[Quickbrick]

Quote: Originally Posted by brett (original)

It says it sold You may want to check the web addresss

hmm, it worked yesterday

I have edited the link above so it should work now

[swamos]

That's the one! JCW Brakes suspension, full kit etc etc. He's also one of two people (other than myself) that have been known to jack the car up, and take the wheels off to clean inside. While he's there he also gives the inner guards a quick shine up too.

I believe he's now keen on an Audi. Pah... where did he get that idea from

[2bob]

I have been tempted by the 135 and will be selling my 2002 MCS. whilst not a JCW its as quick and is immaculate.HasHi Tek exhaust,15% pulley,braided brake lines,ferodo pads,alta rear 20 mm sway bar carbon fibre front engine strut brace,alta cool intake,2 sets of wheels and tyres full leather interior, colour indi blue white.PM me

Regards ,

Bob

[MrsChilliRedS]

Oh Nooooooo,

oh well what ever works for you.

Quote: Originally Posted by 2bob (original)

I have been tempted by the 135 and will be selling my 2002 MCS. whilst not a JCW its as quick and is immaculate.HasHi Tek exhaust,15% pulley,braided brake lines,ferodo pads,alta rear 20 mm sway bar carbon fibre front engine strut brace,alta cool intake,2 sets of wheels and tyres full leather interior, colour indi blue white.PM me

Regards ,

Bob

[2bob]

Quote: Originally Posted by MrsChilliRedS (original)

Oh Nooooooo,

oh well what ever works for you.

i am not fully into the 1 series ----it will be a tossup with the new works JCW factory mini.. Compare what come with each car with mini needing to be value for money?

[GOGADGET]

Quote: Originally Posted by 2bob (original)

i am not fully into the 1 series ----it will be a tossup with the new works JCW factory mini.. Compare what come with each car with mini needing to be value for money?

Go the JCW Bob, I'm sure I speak for many when I say we would hate to see you leave the land of MINIdom.

[2bob]

Quote: Originally Posted by GOGADGET (original)

Go the JCW Bob, I'm sure I speak for many when I say we would hate to see you leave the land of MINIdom.

Thanks captian---i agree it would be hard to leave the great friends i have made in Mini circles over the last few years,Just hope the new JCW is as good as the write ups!!!! Are you up for a drive soon??
Regards
Bob

[GOGADGET]

Quote: Originally Posted by 2bob (original)

Thanks captian---i agree it would be hard to leave the great friends i have made in Mini circles over the last few years,Just hope the new JCW is as good as the write ups!!!! Are you up for a drive soon??
Regards
Bob

I will look at the New JCW myself next year if I am still based out of Sydney.
Unfortunately I cannot do a drive until late July do to being OS with work. I have just broken my own travel record, I have worked in three different Countries in 3 consecutive days.

[2bob]

Quote: Originally Posted by GOGADGET (original)

I will look at the New JCW myself next year if I am still based out of Sydney.
Unfortunately I cannot do a drive until late July do to being OS with work. I have just broken my own travel record, I have worked in three different Countries in 3 consecutive days.

Will look foward to it.

You must be a expert in handling jet lag by now.

[Snapper>///">]

Quote: Originally Posted by GOGADGET (original)

I will look at the New JCW myself next year if I am still based out of Sydney.
Unfortunately I cannot do a drive until late July do to being OS with work. I have just broken my own travel record, I have worked in three different Countries in 3 consecutive days.

Quote: Originally Posted by 2bob (original)

Will look foward to it.

You must be a expert in handling jet lag by now.

Bob, three letters J C W

Capt'n, hurry home. We need a Mini sail

[mmilgrom]

The JCW is certainly a tempting option. Two questions about it:

i) What is the story insurance-wise? Are the upgrades viewed as an after-market upgrade and hence not insurable? I can't specify JCW when I attempt to get quotes.

ii) How much was the JCW upgrade to fit? I'm trying to work out what sort of a %age premium we should be paying over the regular MCS.

Thanks for all the comments thusfar.