[MINI-Bob]

Hi

I'm new to the forums and am looking to buy an MCS. Got a suitable victim in mind and just wondered what thoughts (if any) you might have?

Jun 2004 (pre-facelift) Cooper S

25k miles

Dark Silver w. Black Roof
Clth/Lea Black Interior
CHILI Pack
Sat Nav
H/K
6 Disc CD Changer
Chrome Mirror Caps
Chromeline Interior
Darkened Glass
Heated Mirrors/Washjets
Alloy Patina Dash
3 Spoke S/Wheel
Front Spot Lights
S-Spokes

Cheers
Bob.

[Buz999]

Welcome to mini2.
Excellent choice of car, good spec and in what i reckon is the best colour combo, go for it!

[MINI-Bob]

Thanks Buz.

Hopefully going to see it on Weds, so i shall make my mind up then ...

[ALD0]

What price if you don't mind me asking and private or trader sale?

[MINI-Bob]

Aldo

It's from a main dealer. Price is £11.5k.

From what i've seen it's reasonably priced considering it's from a main dealer. And having seen the car tonight, it's only got 20k miles not the 25k i said earlier.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Are you going to go for it?

Tigger.

[MINI-Bob]

In a word ... YES.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

FANTASTIC!

Welcome to the club Let the modding begin!

Tigger.

[MINI-Bob]

I might wait until i get the car and become aquainted.

Not going to jump straight in with mods until i know the car a bit and have an idea what i want to change/improve.

Like to do a bit of research about other peoples experiences. What have you done to your S? Any pitfalls to avoid?

Bob

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Bob,

Blimey, that could be a long list

Colour keyed wheel arches and sills
Dash painted to match body colour (Hyper Blue)
Loads of interior chrome and alloy
Stainless mesh front and rear vents (where the black plastic fake vents live)
Web Spoke Alloys
GT Tuning strut braces
Silver / blue indicator bulbs (removed the "fried egg" look)
etc

Here's a recent picture (but before the stainless mesh went on).

Look around the site, there are loads of ideas to be had. Pitfalls? Avoid cheap plastic interior chrome and don't go over 17" wheel size if a half comfy ride is a high priority Most people get rid of the standard fit runflats as soon as possible as well! (normal tyres are better in virtually every respect and cheaper too!)

The single mod I've been happiest with? It has to be a toss up between colour keying and the GT Tuning strut braces

[tyrerc]

nice spec mate, and milage is superb.

all i can say is when i was looking i went for the face lift had to pay maybe 1k more but i really like the small touches MINI made.

Keep us posted on your progress and decisions

Chris

[MINI-Bob]

Thanks Tigger. The car looks superb, love the JC stripes and the colour keyed arches. Amazing how they look much fatter when they're body coloured.

Plenty of other ideas for the future too ...

[MINI-Bob]

Quote: Originally Posted by tyrerc (original)

nice spec mate, and milage is superb.

all i can say is when i was looking i went for the face lift had to pay maybe 1k more but i really like the small touches MINI made.

Keep us posted on your progress and decisions

Chris

Chris, i was considering a facelift car, but the obvious differences aren't that obvious to the unenlightened, if you know what i mean. So in the end i was more tempted by the toys on this one. Who knows, in a couple of years i might move up the ladder. GP maybe!?

[MINI-Bob]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

Most people get rid of the standard fit runflats as soon as possible as well! (normal tyres are better in virtually every respect and cheaper too!)

Do you normally just risk getting a puncture and hope you don't need a spare? I'm a bit old school, being used to having a full sized spare on hand.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Unfortunately, there just isn't room to fit a spare on either of our MINIs

Most people simply run with a can of tyre sealant and a compressor. In 50,000 miles of MINI driving I've not actually had a puncture. Yet!

Tigger.

[MINI-Bob]

Suppose it's not much worse than one of those spacesaver spares.

Something else to think about when i wear out the current boots!

[tyrerc]

it is a good spec, very good....... not tempted by the extra 7bhp?

you drove it yet?

Chris

[MINI-Bob]

Yes Chris, had a drive on Weds nite. Went as i expected, so very please, just got to wait til the 10th when i get my mitts on it for real and have a proper play.

Have driven another pre-facelift S over a decent test route and have driven an R56 Cooper. Never tried a facelift R53, can't believe the extra 7bhp will make me regret my choice too badly.

I'm likely to be in for a surprise anyway coming from an E30 BMW. As fun as it is, it's very basic rear drive handling. Will miss the sideways opportunities, but hey-ho.

Bob.

[tyrerc]

yeah not a major difference as you said with the 7bhp,

am i right in saying your buying it on the 10th?

good luck with the buy mate looking forward to the pics!

Chris

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

MINI-Bob

I was reading another thread and I was just reminded of something that catches a lot of drivers, new to MINI, out.

The MINI has rear discs and, as they cool after a journey, they contract. This means that a lot of new owners are taken by surprise as the hand brake slowly disengages itself!

When you park your new MINI on a hill, please remember to leave it in gear

Tigger.

PS: I'm looking forward to seeing those photos too!