Simon Cowells R53 MCS JCW

[Mike Scott]

Hi Guys,

Newbie to this site but was hoping for your help.....

I am in the market for a MCS JCW R53 and have been offered one believed to once have been owned by Simon Cowell.

Does anyone know anything about this history of this car? Accidents or any Major Faults.

Have looked over the car today and all looks in good order other than a few light scratches an a small dent all which I can get repaired.

Any help & thoughts on if I should buy are appricated.

Regards

Mike

[ryanshelton]

Run a HPI check on it? I dont think Simon Cowell was/is a member on MINI2 :-)

[I love MINI, Laura]

One Black MCS was given away as a prize during a series of X factor a few years ago.
Think it was a publicity stunt that it was actually owned by Simon Cowell.
Simon has owned a number of MINIs. Thats all I know.

[Mike Scott]

Quote: Originally Posted by I love MINI, Laura (original)

One Black MCS was given away as a prize during a series of X factor a few years ago.
Think it was a publicity stunt that it was actually owned by Simon Cowell.
Simon has owned a number of MINIs. Thats all I know.

I have asked the same question on Pistonheads and it would seem that the one given away on the show didnt have Sat Nav of which this one does.....

Seems to be of a very high spec with about every possible extra. even a revearsing camera which I didnt even know that they did.

I have done some more research and all seems to be fine with the car. It would seem that this one was owned and used by Simon Cowell for about 6 months......

[Lawrothegreat]

Could it have had the sat nav + reversing camera retrofitted?

[Mike Scott]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lawrothegreat (original)

Could it have had the sat nav + reversing camera retrofitted?

I have checked the paper work and its a genuine part. Bother items were fitted by the Mini Dealer when brand new before delivery.

[BoyScout]

So you're telling me, if Simon Cowell had owned this car, that he required a reversing camera cause he couldn't twist his neck in order to park a car...? That's funny, .

[SteveP]

If you do buy it I'd love to see pics of it please

[Mike Scott]

Quote: Originally Posted by SteveP (original)

If you do buy it I'd love to see pics of it please

Will do

[bakerstreet]

Its a used car, so I wouldn't give a monkies who owned it before.

Its a MINI, so could still have inherrant expensive problems such as steering columm, over heating, power steerig etc etc.

Full HPI check is al;ways advisable. DO it on the VIN number

[sunday-night-rider]

Quote: Originally Posted by bakerstreet (original)

Its a used car, so I wouldn't give a monkies who owned it before.

Its a MINI, so could still have inherrant expensive problems such as steering columm, over heating, power steerig etc etc.

Full HPI check is al;ways advisable. DO it on the VIN number

Why because it is a MINI does it have inherrant exspensive problems? Since when is there an over heating problem on a MINI? News to me!

The only real problem with a MINI is possible power steering pump/fan, or the well know Midland Gearbox fault. So I disagree with your commments.

I have an early MCS and owned her for five years without any problems at all, and i have friends that owned/own MINI`s and have no problems at all.
There are a small number of fautly models YES. But no different than TOYOTA who are recently recalling over 450,000 models!

By all means do a HPI. And if it is Cowell`s then all the better for you, for future re-sale for a start.

[bakerstreet]

Quote: Originally Posted by sunday-night-rider (original)

Why because it is a MINI does it have inherrant exspensive problems? Since when is there an over heating problem on a MINI? News to me!

The only real problem with a MINI is possible power steering pump/fan, or the well know Midland Gearbox fault. So I disagree with your commments.

Well, you have answered your own question there. Last time, I checked, a recon/used gearbox was £350 and upwards. I consider that fairly expensive.

The clunky steering colum. The column is £260 plus fitting. Once again, not cheap.

You can end up replacing parts or the entire wiring loom purley because of the power steering pump. Once again not very cheap.

12kg plus S-Spokes. Look great, but apparently wear out the all ready weak power steering pump on early cars. Saying that, they are the best looking wheel of the early cars IMO.

Blown head gaskets. If you are unlucky, then that will mark the block and thats an engine out job and you may be able to reface it, if you can't then thats a new block. If memory serves a blown head gasket can cause over heating, by letting water into the bores, but I may be wrong with that one.

Someone on here came up with a knackered clutch at 24K!! If you think thats good, then I'm sorry, its not. A friend of mine is having to have hers replaced at 23k and she drives like a saint.

rattly dashboard?? If you don't have the confidence to follow a tutorial on here, then off to a garage/dealer. Can't imagine its cheap to take apart the entire dashboard.

I'm sorry, but there its lots written about the reliability of early cars and you don't have to look hard to find it.

I knew about all these risks when I bought my high miler and I was chuffed tio discover that mine was gernally ok, but I've only had it a couple of months and the dash is rattling lots and the steering is clunking and the gearbox really doesn't feel great. I'll let the clutch slide as it has done 115k, but the rest, I'm really notv happy about and I don't have much confidence in the dealer wanting to stump up £260 for a new steering column.

Hiowever, I still beleive that the MINI Cooper S is one of the best fwd drive cars I have driven and it is fanatastic looking bit of kit and that is probably why I will keep it for years to come. Also, an original Mini was my first car, so I have a fondness for the brand

I'm not saying to anyone don't buy it, but don't be under the impression that it will be 100% trouble free motoring.

[BoyScout]

I'd have to agree with Bakerstreet here, cause my tumbler has definitely driven me insane ever since it came into my life 2.5 years ago. Changed the clutch and flywheel, new dashboard, new clutch pedal, new seat cover, new seat back cover... the list goes on if I can remember..

However, I still love it to bits.

[Haggi]

my car rattles squeaks groans and vibrates like hell, do i care nope, cos the moment you put your foot down all you hear is supercharger and exhuast its a mini its not a rolls royce you wont get a silent and squeek free ride in a supercharged plastic tin can, man up and enjoy it

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by bakerstreet (original)

Well, you have answered your own question there. Last time, I checked, a recon/used gearbox was £350 and upwards. I consider that fairly expensive.

The clunky steering colum. The column is £260 plus fitting. Once again, not cheap.

You can end up replacing parts or the entire wiring loom purley because of the power steering pump. Once again not very cheap.

12kg plus S-Spokes. Look great, but apparently wear out the all ready weak power steering pump on early cars. Saying that, they are the best looking wheel of the early cars IMO.

Blown head gaskets. If you are unlucky, then that will mark the block and thats an engine out job and you may be able to reface it, if you can't then thats a new block. If memory serves a blown head gasket can cause over heating, by letting water into the bores, but I may be wrong with that one.

Someone on here came up with a knackered clutch at 24K!! If you think thats good, then I'm sorry, its not. A friend of mine is having to have hers replaced at 23k and she drives like a saint.

rattly dashboard?? If you don't have the confidence to follow a tutorial on here, then off to a garage/dealer. Can't imagine its cheap to take apart the entire dashboard.

I'm sorry, but there its lots written about the reliability of early cars and you don't have to look hard to find it.

I knew about all these risks when I bought my high miler and I was chuffed tio discover that mine was gernally ok, but I've only had it a couple of months and the dash is rattling lots and the steering is clunking and the gearbox really doesn't feel great. I'll let the clutch slide as it has done 115k, but the rest, I'm really notv happy about and I don't have much confidence in the dealer wanting to stump up £260 for a new steering column.

Hiowever, I still beleive that the MINI Cooper S is one of the best fwd drive cars I have driven and it is fanatastic looking bit of kit and that is probably why I will keep it for years to come. Also, an original Mini was my first car, so I have a fondness for the brand

I'm not saying to anyone don't buy it, but don't be under the impression that it will be 100% trouble free motoring.

Mine went on a standardish one at 21k! And I certainly don't thrash it!

Quote: Originally Posted by Haggi (original)

my car rattles squeaks groans and vibrates like hell, do i care nope, cos the moment you put your foot down all you hear is supercharger and exhuast its a mini its not a rolls royce you wont get a silent and squeek free ride in a supercharged plastic tin can, man up and enjoy it

Indeed the way to look at it - one approves