only down side of just rebuilding engine is gearbox and drive shafts would be wise to change at same time, maybe find a rear damaged lower mile car and change over all the low miles parts would be cheapest way around it, at least would get all the hubs and wheel bearings and all kinds of lower miles stuff,
270'000km mini r53 is becoming a headache but I don't want to sell it!
Hello mini enthusiasts!
I have a a mini s r53 that I absolutely love, it is my very first car and it was the best thing I bought for myself ever, it is simply my ideal car, fun, quick, nimble, small and handsome.
I have always catered to the car to keep it in top shape and it rewarded me well for it.
The car is actually in a garage being repaired for a failed waterpump (PTO gears) and a broken piece on the supercharger side plate.
Unfortunately for the last 3 years, problems and repairs have become increasingly problematic and costly. Seeing the mileage of the engine, I know things will only get worse and I am pondering my options.
As much as I would like to keep this car at all costs, I hate to say that I can't rely on it for my daily drive anymore, I am left with the sad reality that I need to take a decision.
I struggle to make a choice so I need your recommendation.
Would you:
Keeping the mini as a second car is not an option unfortunately, I don't have the space nor the finances to make this possible.
Your opinion would be greatly appreciated, I have not come to this forum for a long time but it feels good to be back!
I have a a mini s r53 that I absolutely love, it is my very first car and it was the best thing I bought for myself ever, it is simply my ideal car, fun, quick, nimble, small and handsome.
I have always catered to the car to keep it in top shape and it rewarded me well for it.
The car is actually in a garage being repaired for a failed waterpump (PTO gears) and a broken piece on the supercharger side plate.
Unfortunately for the last 3 years, problems and repairs have become increasingly problematic and costly. Seeing the mileage of the engine, I know things will only get worse and I am pondering my options.
As much as I would like to keep this car at all costs, I hate to say that I can't rely on it for my daily drive anymore, I am left with the sad reality that I need to take a decision.
I struggle to make a choice so I need your recommendation.
Would you:
- replace the mini and buy another car with low mileage?
- go with a complete rebuild of the engine and hope something else doesn't fail?
Keeping the mini as a second car is not an option unfortunately, I don't have the space nor the finances to make this possible.
Your opinion would be greatly appreciated, I have not come to this forum for a long time but it feels good to be back!
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
Sold mine and regret it every day…around 240,000 km owned from new.
im guessing it’s the bits around your engine that are failing from your original post, so if you had rebuilt the engine you still could have supercharger and water pump issues ?
unless you pick a really low mileage or enthusiast owned and serviced car it will be a leap of faith that what buy is mechanically better than what you own now as it all going to be at least 15years old …?
im guessing it’s the bits around your engine that are failing from your original post, so if you had rebuilt the engine you still could have supercharger and water pump issues ?
unless you pick a really low mileage or enthusiast owned and serviced car it will be a leap of faith that what buy is mechanically better than what you own now as it all going to be at least 15years old …?
for sure age takes its tool on rubber and plastic the joys of running older cars and where to start and stop with them , maintain some classic cars for a guy or should say vintage cars and we are for ever replacing remaking rubber parts and these things just sit around most of the time collect dust , seems start at one end then go back start at beginning again,, he's got some pre 1920s Bentleys and other stuff age is a battle with all of it, i see some of the invoices and its phone book number per year on a bad year, like anything start with good bones in beginning then work way around it ,, think the key is if like the car and how it makes you feel money is just money , only becomes more when dont have enough money i guessSold mine and regret it every day…around 240,000 km owned from new.
im guessing it’s the bits around your engine that are failing from your original post, so if you had rebuilt the engine you still could have supercharger and water pump issues ?
unless you pick a really low mileage or enthusiast owned and serviced car it will be a leap of faith that what buy is mechanically better than what you own now as it all going to be at least 15years old …?
sounds like it only wants a used replacement supercharger
at that mileage it'll benefit from a refresh I'm sure, certainly the crank bearings won't look great
keep it and repair what's needed imo
at that mileage it'll benefit from a refresh I'm sure, certainly the crank bearings won't look great
keep it and repair what's needed imo
The part that makes me sad is that I wasn't considering buying another mini, just a reliable everyday car that would not break the bank (and also dull as f**k probably)Sold mine and regret it every day…around 240,000 km owned from new.
im guessing it’s the bits around your engine that are failing from your original post, so if you had rebuilt the engine you still could have supercharger and water pump issues ?
unless you pick a really low mileage or enthusiast owned and serviced car it will be a leap of faith that what buy is mechanically better than what you own now as it all going to be at least 15years old …?
So I would not encouter the same issues again.
The supercharger is currently being rebuilt so it should not be an issue again before long (I hope).
That would certainly be the jackpot for me, I already started investigating but did not find anything yet.only down side of just rebuilding engine is gearbox and drive shafts would be wise to change at same time, maybe find a rear damaged lower mile car and change over all the low miles parts would be cheapest way around it, at least would get all the hubs and wheel bearings and all kinds of lower miles stuff,
The engine definitely needs a refresh as it has oil leaks to sort out anyway.
I asked for a few quotes to rebuild the engine and the costs makes me consider a crate engine with mods already done to it but it is difficult to find at a good price and I am unsure about the quality of what I would get too.
i went through a faze of searching copart webpages for them in the uk, and other police and customs auction sites we have in the uk, found a few really cheap cars by doing such a gamble over the years, got a mate of mine 6 years a go a cooper s rcw with 70k for £700 he's still driving it around now spent nothing on it really, sometimes get some right bargains ,, jcw cars in the ul are now starting to increase in price modern classic in the making , wont be long before they go silly money like many fords have and early jcw cars have, , so on that level keeping your car for many years makes a lot of sense as will only ever increase in value at some point ,That would certainly be the jackpot for me, I already started investigating but did not find anything yet.
I was even considering a crate engine with mods already done to it but it is difficult to find.
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
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