So, after many years of wanting a supercharged MINI, I finally have one.
Hyper Blue, Cooper S, 2006 (R53) 34k.
After getting over the guy lying through his teeth about the car, along with me throwing the HPI check in his face to show it had a Cat D registered, I stole it from him for just shy of 3k.
Now - I know what you are saying - Cat D! OMG I would not touch it. However, it had been in a ditch and dragged out by the lower rear strut, and then repaired by what looks like a hippy on acid with the mechanical knowledge of a whore. It had an MOT and tax, and looks reasonable (I will post a pic later when I have uploaded to a hoster). Long and short of it - it does not look bad and it was straight which was the main thing, however there are works to be done underneath to make this car a good one!.
Up on the ramps, O/S drop link broken, brake lines free and close to rubbing on wheels, front bumper needs securing, new front shocks needed as well as top strut mount broken, ABS inactive (as is
DSC) due to disconnected ABS sensors, and a repaired steering rack repaired by a retarded monkey. Rear lower strut damaged where it was towed out, and radiator slightly loose. In addition, it needed a full service (service book showed it had been serviced every 3000 miles - all written in the same pen! What a muppet the seller was - and when I asked him about the same hand writing on the service book as was on the receipt he wrote me, I just could not help my self from laughing in his face), and full discs and pads. Apart from these small issues, the car is good. Engine is sweet and pulls like a train.
Can any body tell me how long it takes to replace the steering rack? This is the only job I plan on giving to the pros as I don't have the tools for alignment. Everything else I will do myself - all quite straight forward.
Any tips or tricks would be gratefully received.
Happy to be a MINI owner.
New MINI Owner - finally 
