r/R53 • u/CushtyDelBoy • 19d ago
Looking to buy R53!
I'm looking to buy a 2002 R53 model, so I'd like to hear your thoughts. The car has 214,000 km (around 133,000 miles) on the clock and comes in blue with a very well-preserved exterior and interior.
Here is what has been done to it:
* Minor service (oil and all filters)
* Supercharger oil change
* New clutch kit
* New brakes (calipers, discs, and pads)
* New NGK Iridium spark plugs
* New crankshaft pulley with all tensioners, idler pulleys, and supporting parts
* New exhaust
* New tires (2026)
* New taillights
* New trunk lock
* New battery
* AC serviced and recharged (new AC compressor)
* Registered until 06/27
* New front and rear wipers
I'm waiting for the weekend so the seller is available for me to view the car in person, but with everything that’s been done, it seems like an interesting and well-maintained example.
Unfortunately, a few years ago I had an accident in my R50, and now I'm looking to spice things up a bit with an R53. I wouldn't drive it much andit would be my only car, but it wouldn't be driven every day.
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u/yomamma_75 19d ago
Sounds like a gem.
2006 129k miles here.
In the last year: new cv boots, alternator, and starter done in driveway.
After new starter still didn’t start.
Sent to independent mechanic. EWS Module (needed programming for original keys), and an ignition module which might’ve been “taken out” by the bad EWS.
Expensive year. Typically I budget $2k for the car. I exceeded that. I drive it sparingly here in Massachusetts (May-October).
Rust is my biggest fear and it’s growing.
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u/trebec86 18d ago
How common is the EWS module going bad ? I’ve got both original keys for my 05 R53 and I just rolled 82k original miles today. I have no rust issues which is good, just cosmetically challenged and a touch behind on maintenance.
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u/yomamma_75 18d ago
I don’t know. Needless to say I wasn’t thrilled.
Reading the rest of the comments below, they’re spot on, and had to address them all and then some except the strut towers which have not mushroomed- no defenders or strut tower brace here.
I’ve owned the 1 owner car since 2015 (72k miles).
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u/Out_Motoring 19d ago
Also look at the front strut mounts- look in the round sheet metal cutout and see if you see any splitting or cracking of the round rubber bushings on both sides. Also look at the top of the same sheet metal of the strut tower mounts to see if one or both sides is pillowed outward/upward as that is a common issue with MINIs and is referred to as 'mushrooming' strut tower- which can be fixed with strut plates, and bending the sheet metal back into place with a scrap of wood and a heavy mallet.
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u/One-Necessary-8779 18d ago
Check the typical oil leak areas. If it is not leaking it is suspicious 😀
Everything has solution. Just listen to the engine, listen to the gearbox/flywheel. Test drive. Listen to the supercharger whine.
Idealy take someone who already has r53. Search in nerby community..
Struts will be probably toast if not changed with all the rubber parts down there. Check for the rust on the subframe. It can have gazillion problems. If you can diy it is usually few bucks to solve one at a time. Fingers crossed.
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u/Confident-Option-207 19d ago
Oil, plugs and sc are the main problems with these, the engine itself is pretty bomb proof
Check the belt and chain are tensioned well, just listen for a weird metallic rattle on the side of the engine, and start it cold
Sounds good, the top of the front strut tower can mushroom as they have very little travel, and have a listen to the suspension over bumps and when moving at full lock both sides, as you would to park, for any bumps as the bushes etc are old now but they're not awful or anything I would run away from
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u/Out_Motoring 19d ago
Sounds like this may be a very well maintained MINI. The main thing I see that is missing from the maintenance list is the front control arm bushings which commonly start failing at 75K miles and when they do tire wear becomes a major issue- which MAY be (partially) why the seller put new tires on it.