[PhatAndy]

Hey all! Newbie alert! I had a 2004 Cooper about 10 hrs ago but sadly had to sell it when we started to have children. Well now we are all settled & have a huge family motor it’s time to get a mini again - just for me ?

I am going to see and probably buy tomorrow a 2003 R53 Cooper S, standard, 97k, MOT till Aug 18 with a SUSPECTED HEAD GASKET FAILURE!

Two questions:

1) it’s been 10 years since I’ve had a mini and not had an S before. What are the basics I should look for, also baring in mind the suspected head gasket issue?

2) this maybe a huge question but what are my main options (without spending many thousands) for power increase & styling upgrades? It’s been 10yrs since I have modified any car so what’s the ‘done thing’ now?

Thanks for any input everyone.

Andy - Derby

 

[k3fus]

Unless the car in question is cheap or very special I’d find one that hasn’t got a suspected head gasket as that could be a convenient way to cover other known failures.

 

[PhatAndy]

Unless the car in question is cheap or very special I’d find one that hasn’t got a suspected head gasket as that could be a convenient way to cover other known failures.

Yes it is very cheap indeed. And the main reason for wanting this is to get something that needs work as looking for a project for me & my sons to get into. I plan to take it to a local garage I use once purchased & they will give it a good going over & report any issues for us to get fixing.