R50/53 So... who is planning to keep their 1st gen MINI literally forever?
#76
#77
Up to this point I have only kept my cars, other than my old Jeep, for about three to four years. After my MINI was a couple of years old, I went out & bought a used Honda Civic with the idea that the MINI would be in my driveway for at least the next 10 years. I view the first gen as an instant classic, it's a timeless car & very special car, and I just cannot bring myself to part with it. When the Honda dies, I'll buy another used car, the MINI will continue to get modded and evolve. In fact I just got some more parts in today via UPS, and I can't wait to get out of work and go work on the car tonight.
#84
#85
#86
Given the current economic climate, I have pretty much decided to literally keep my rock solid '05 MCS running until "The wheels fall off". I simply love this car and given the precarious state of our national economy, I think more people will hold on to their rides for a longer period of time.
My R53 is fully paid off. With only 48K miles on the clock, this car has plenty of service life ahead of it.
Anyone else holding onto their 1st gen MINI for years and decades to come?
My R53 is fully paid off. With only 48K miles on the clock, this car has plenty of service life ahead of it.
Anyone else holding onto their 1st gen MINI for years and decades to come?
#87
what Fracky said ...exactly
I bought the last '06 hard-top that my local dealer had. (I wasn't that fond of the changed style, the turbo, or the softer suspention)
I'm planning on keeping it until the engine just gives up and turns into a liquid, or maybe just hops out of the engine bay, then I'll put a new one in and drive it 'till the doors fall off, then weld them back on and keep driving,
currently 18k mi. I'm trying to buy an old toyota pick up to drive every day and use the MINI as a weekend track car/fun drive-er
sometimes I get to a curvey road and in my peripheral vision I'll notice my girlfriend looking at me, and I realize I have a goofy smile on my face, and she laughs and says something along the lines of "wanna go to the track?" -how can you get sell of a car that does that?
I bought the last '06 hard-top that my local dealer had. (I wasn't that fond of the changed style, the turbo, or the softer suspention)
I'm planning on keeping it until the engine just gives up and turns into a liquid, or maybe just hops out of the engine bay, then I'll put a new one in and drive it 'till the doors fall off, then weld them back on and keep driving,
currently 18k mi. I'm trying to buy an old toyota pick up to drive every day and use the MINI as a weekend track car/fun drive-er
sometimes I get to a curvey road and in my peripheral vision I'll notice my girlfriend looking at me, and I realize I have a goofy smile on my face, and she laughs and says something along the lines of "wanna go to the track?" -how can you get sell of a car that does that?
Last edited by MINI_chili; 10-19-2008 at 10:04 PM.
#90
140K+ miles and counting. Having a new supercharger, water pump, thermostat, belt tensioner, idler pulley (all but the SC proactive maintenance) put on at the ~140K mile mark. An Alta v2 DFIC and DT SC bypass butterfly valve are also being put on at the same time. I should be good to go by Monday (17 Nov '08).
A few months ago a new OEM clutch, H&R front sway bar, and Quaife LSD were installed (at about 130K miles). Koni yellow sport shocks springs (kit) installed just before that.
Before all that, the typical mods were done in early '04 at less than 25K miles: -15% SC pulley, Dinan CAI, screamin' demon coil, H-Sport rear sway bar, and eventually a Milltek exhaust and MTH (standard) software [when it was only $75]. Later replaced the short shifter, then the linkage cables (due to my overzealous attempt at shifting at a driving event).
The only major warranty item was the AC compressor that was changed under warranty at ~49K miles. The dryer wasn't changed at the same time, and it went bust a little later, but only the compressor was replaced again under warranty.
There have also been several sets of tires, from the original runflats to the Yokohama ES100s, Goodyear F1 GS-D3 (from Germany, not China - multiple sets), Hankook Ventus RS2 (darn sticky, but quick wearing), Kumho Ecsta ASX (cheap street tires), and now Pirelli P-Zero Nero (purchased cheap on clearance, but working well relegated to only street use - so far).
All in all, I spent most of my money on mods, but I imagine I would have spent a little more money on suspension components regardless, due to pot-holes and such. I'm very happy with my '04 MCS (build date 10/26/03). BTW, that built date means some components are '03 spec, and some are '04. Learned a LOT about what changed between those years!
A few months ago a new OEM clutch, H&R front sway bar, and Quaife LSD were installed (at about 130K miles). Koni yellow sport shocks springs (kit) installed just before that.
Before all that, the typical mods were done in early '04 at less than 25K miles: -15% SC pulley, Dinan CAI, screamin' demon coil, H-Sport rear sway bar, and eventually a Milltek exhaust and MTH (standard) software [when it was only $75]. Later replaced the short shifter, then the linkage cables (due to my overzealous attempt at shifting at a driving event).
The only major warranty item was the AC compressor that was changed under warranty at ~49K miles. The dryer wasn't changed at the same time, and it went bust a little later, but only the compressor was replaced again under warranty.
There have also been several sets of tires, from the original runflats to the Yokohama ES100s, Goodyear F1 GS-D3 (from Germany, not China - multiple sets), Hankook Ventus RS2 (darn sticky, but quick wearing), Kumho Ecsta ASX (cheap street tires), and now Pirelli P-Zero Nero (purchased cheap on clearance, but working well relegated to only street use - so far).
All in all, I spent most of my money on mods, but I imagine I would have spent a little more money on suspension components regardless, due to pot-holes and such. I'm very happy with my '04 MCS (build date 10/26/03). BTW, that built date means some components are '03 spec, and some are '04. Learned a LOT about what changed between those years!
#91
I've owned a lot of cars in my time and none continued to put a smile on my face like the first 2 and especially, the JCW which I can now fully appreciate. I just added Koni FSD's and man(!) what a dream ride.
Oh, did I say I retire in 2 months? (I just like hearing that word, retire!
#95
#96
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When this baby came for sale, and not being a big fan of the R56 ( only like the full JCW edition). We sold our 02 MCS, as with only 10K on a full 06 JCW it was as close to new as possible. Being a rare edition of only 64 in Canada our plan is to keep it as long possible which is saying a lot as I've owned over 40 cars in 30 years....... but this one is truely special and both my wife and I love it ( kids too!)
#97
Plan on keeping my '06 MCS for as long as I possibly can. That boils down to nothing bad happening to it that would make it impossible to put back on the road.
I have a 12 year old pickup that I am going to start driving more to keep miles down a little bit but not completely replace the MCS.
I keep doing some mods to the suspension interior and exterior. My ultimate goal will be the JCW kit mainly due to it being OEM instead of aftermarket. After that keep it running and enjoy!
I have a 12 year old pickup that I am going to start driving more to keep miles down a little bit but not completely replace the MCS.
I keep doing some mods to the suspension interior and exterior. My ultimate goal will be the JCW kit mainly due to it being OEM instead of aftermarket. After that keep it running and enjoy!
#98
I have a 2005 R50. It is the first car I even financed and I love her.
I hope to keep her forever. I bought her used and still have some years left on payments. I just hope she is going to be reliable and not cost me too much.
1st car 1987 Jetta- sold it with 220,00 miles on her and still running
2nd car 1996 Ford mustang-sold it with 110,000 miles on her and still running
3rd car 1997 Geo Prizm- bought it for 2k and sold it for 3k years later with 170,000 miles on it. Nothing ever went wrong with that car.
4th car 2005 R50 MINI automatic- bought with 30k and now has 44k on her. Lets hope she makes it well over 100k with little problem
I hope to keep her forever. I bought her used and still have some years left on payments. I just hope she is going to be reliable and not cost me too much.
1st car 1987 Jetta- sold it with 220,00 miles on her and still running
2nd car 1996 Ford mustang-sold it with 110,000 miles on her and still running
3rd car 1997 Geo Prizm- bought it for 2k and sold it for 3k years later with 170,000 miles on it. Nothing ever went wrong with that car.
4th car 2005 R50 MINI automatic- bought with 30k and now has 44k on her. Lets hope she makes it well over 100k with little problem