My '06 MCS Checkmate has 135k. I also own a '12 R59 Roadster S.

The plan was to give the Checkmate to one of my kids next year (daughter graduates from college, Marine son gets back to the states), but now I am not so sure.

The Checkmate is more versatile and has greater sentimental value, but the Roadster may have more value due to its rarity and nothing beats going topless...

I don't need to decide until next summer, so I think I'll throw some Koni FSDs on the Checkmate and make the decision even harder.

 

My 03' standard has over 270k and going strong. So, I will keep it for another, 50K... longer if I can get a new seat!
JT

 

I had always planed on keeping my 07, now has 121,000 and on my second engine, and not just the short block. I don't want to give it up.

 

After reading daffodildeb's oil sensor problems posted today, that will be reason #206 for keeping this li'l guy for-evah. I Can't imagine trusting an idiot light to take the place of the dipstick.

 

I was alerted by another member, who gets the email updates, that my July 2012 photo contest winning picture was used in the Tigger Drops Some Engine Knowledge issue.

First: that's my second MINI, it's SECOND GENERATION.
Second: I didn't know our pictures were going to be used without asking permission.
Third: Thought it was a typo because my car's nickname is (see below).

Regarding this thread topic: I did drive my '03 into the ground, and had a blast. The problem was, when these cars go out of warrantee, the parts became gold-plated. Sure, you can get rebuilt off eBay (like the A/C compressor). The reason I call my '07 that name, when the dealer told me the radiator support was broken, and it would cost $$$, and the tires were almost bald, and the seat was developing a large hole, and, and, and, and I looked at their used car selection, and saw this, well, it was an easy decision.

If I want to drive a rat rod, I will get something more appropriate. MINIs should look nice.

 

The Garage Queen: My 2002 S with 14,322 miles owned since 2002.
Plan to own for a long time. Drive it about 1,000 miles a year.
I know I know I should drive it more.

 

$3k for a clutch job is way too much..I don't think even the dealer charges that much near me. Keep shopping around

 

If the dual mass flywheel needs to be replaced, I can see the dealer asking about
$2500 for a clutch job on an S. The parts alone are probably about $1000 at the
dealer, more if they mark them up a bit as some do.

 

Hahah! I love this one! Another garage queen out there!
Took a few calls to figure out that State Farm has an ULTRA low mileage insurance rate which we now use for our gem, Declan.
We're at about 2,500 miles per year and during the winter I make sure to take her out on a decent highway run for about 30 minutes if not being used regularly. Love our Battery Tender unit too by the way.

 

Good thread here! One of the posters on here mentions the general unpredictability of part costs into the future.....I suppose that becomes part of the fun, right? Networking with people to find what you need to get our four wheeled companions up and running again!? Though I recognize this comparison MAY be a stretch, I was reading an article in the NYT about the premium placed on properties now which have old trees as centerpieces of the grounds. One couple detailed how they stayed out in the cold during a recent snowstorm to manually brush snow and ice off their prized Oak so that it wouldn't be damaged by the elements. Made me feel not AS crazy for trying to "climate control" the garage with a heater, taking her to a "SPA day" prior to the harsh winter for a good paint sealant detail, and feeling relieved to see the steady green float charge light of our battery tender. She's our "Oak"!
Fun stuff....hey, if it makes you smile...
Hope to keep her for a long time....five years old and 14,000 miles of no issues.

 

I'm the 3rd owner of my 03' MCS which now has @ 140K on the clock. Body barely has a scratch or two and I've replaced all the usual 1st Gen issues. Most recently it got new Koni shocks all around, a new ATI crank pulley and new A/C system. The SC is getting noisy and the clutch is original, so, I'm a bit nervous about those when they decide to give up for good. I found a great tech near me (Charlotte, NC) who is an ex Mini/BMW Tech and does great work for half the cost of dealer and works with me if I want to provide my own parts.

Car will be turned over to my 16 yo son who will start driving it to school daily in Jan. That will be the toughest part as I love driving this thing which has been moded just enough to make it way more fun than my giant Sequoia I'll be back into

Hopefully, it keeps on driving without major failures. My Sequoia is the same age with 180K on it and drives like it was new. Maybe I'll get lucky with the S!!

 

I bought my '02 R50 in January 2007 with 40,016 miles, and I paid $12,000 for it then. I still have it with 122,xxx miles on it now. It has gotten a new tranny(5 speed) & clutch, new cooling fan, new wiper motor/linkage assembly, replacement head, 4 new struts, new clutch fork(after new tranny warranty was over), and the usual brake pad/rotor maintenance as needed. I have about as much in it just keeping it running as I paid for it. I will keep it until 'the wheels fall off', and after all I spent on it, I won't be very surprised when that happens. I love driving this car more than any other car I have ever owned, but would never buy another one unless I win the lottery or receive obscene amounts of money.

 

My '03 R53 is at 187K miles. With how inexpensive used parts are for this thing at the moment (really, a low mileage engine for less than $600?!?), I don't foresee selling this car for at least 10 years, or it suffers some sort of structural issue...

 

I do not daily drive my 05, it has now become more of a toy to play with.I plan on keeping it in my collection forever! I think the r53 will be the most sought after version of the BMW mini's.

 

Me! Me! Scoopie (2006 PH MCS) & I will never part!

 

06 MCSc 6sp with 66k. Love it but don't know if I could keep it forever. I think I'm beginning to feel 'clutch knee' the last few months. Been driving manual for 29 years. If it doesn't go away, I might consider a F56... not as sharp/raw a drive but more comfy on long trips.

 

I had an 02 MCS and traded it in for a clubman S. It ran great, but I knew it was getting older and I didn't want to put a lot of $$ into fixing anything if I knew it was going to be close to a down payment for another mini. I miss that yellow S so much :/

 

My sentiments exactly punisher.

 

My wife will definitely keep her Mini until it falls apart.

 

Same here.

It was my wife's dream car and 1st "nice car"..... Mini has been retired long long time ago to garage queen duties. Wife now drives a SQ5.

Early build 2002 MCS / Lapis blue interior with 55K miles. Gets annual oil changes and whatever is necessary due to time. Never had any major problems with her (knock on wood) and Wife is not selling it ever.

BTW, still on the original battery!

 

10 years since I picked it up....Christmas eve!!
Still a great car!!

 

I've owned my JCW 06 for maybe 3-4 years now, second owner and I've had my doubts. My brother bought a 2nd hand 04 mini and has his transmission blown (not sure if defect or driver) and I've been scared of repair costs. Doubts have flooded my mind of keeping my car (98k) but reading positive posts and the high miles they can achieve are definitely helpful.

Time to looking into a 100k tuneup / checkup and let this baby live forever!

 

I probably will be keeping mine a bit longer after my younger daughters comment about the New Mini Coopet. She spotted a photo of the 2014 MCS and she asked me why they ruined the looks of the Mini and thinks it looks like a scared fish. I told her that our Mini will stay in the family and when it comes time for replacement it will either be another 05-06 MCS or a Cayman.

 

I just bought my first MINI. It is a 2005 R52 S convertible. I will be the second owner. I will take delivery in April. The car has 3,500 original miles. It will NOT remain a garage queen.



I am really bad on posting links. I hope this works.

 

Congrats!

You found an '05 with 3,500 miles? Very impressive!