I Bought A CHEAP High Mileage MINI R53 Supercharged Cooper S!! 

94000 high mileage 🤣🤣

Got mine for $1200 with 260k miles did a head gasket change and runs like a beast

Great looking car, I've owned a few R53 minis, still have one and I look after 4 more of my mates. Absolutely great cars, for tuning I wouldn't take it anywhere other than 1320 mini in st neots. What Scott and tom don't know about these cars isn't worth knowing, they are the only guys in the uk who can tune these properly. Orranje if you want parts oli and team are great used them for years. If you want 2nd parts then Jason at millsys autos in nuneaton be best place to go. Mods wise get the front bushes on the trailing arms swooped to poly bushes make it handle far better, 17% reduction pulley with a air tec or GRS intercooler swop header tank for an alloy one, ditch the run flates and the dual mass flywheel. Also when you have the passenger side wheel off look into where drive shaft goes into the box just above it is a sticker, if it has BKE it's a facelift box if its BKL its factory LSD (25%) thats gearbox to have. Also steer clear of the MSD coilpack bad news with those, just have a Google you'll see. 1320 make over 700bhp on the stock coil pack. Good luck with the R53 I'm sure you'll have fun

High mileage 94k, you drunk, that’s not even run in,,,,, oh and xenons were on all chilli pack cars from 2002

Start with the brakes because the stock ones start fading quickly! I went for R56 S brakes, braided lines, EBC pads + discs. The control arm bushings tend to wear out completely so you want to replace them with polyurethane ones (I chose Whiteline). I also went for a Milltek non res exhaust. Fantastic addition to the whole experience. Now all I need is a reduced pulley, CAI and remap! (And maybe a set of lightweight wheels with semi slicks for track use in the future)

I clicked to see what you mean by high mileage, so basically it is 150 000 km. It is hard do explain how "high mileage" can mean many different things to different people. I often see some Alfa 159 diesels with 500 000 km and more and still going strong so saying that this is a hight mileage car is somewhat funny to me although it is, but not sure what is more true that we people here are poor or people there are a little bit spoiled. :)

Not really high mileage, my minis out here with nearly 150k miles

Had a 2004 cooper s for past 6 years. Will NEVER NEVER sell it. I wouldn’t touch it apart from reduced pulley and may be a supercharger service at 100k. That whine is something else. I very rarely listen to radio or a cd. Enjoy

I’ve always had a soft spot for these, so much car for the money. I just wished they designed better seats and steering wheels on these. The sound is always good though, even exhaust tones. A guy near my work has one and it pops and crackles such a nice note

Loved my R53, since selling it the Abarth has been the closest giggle when driving I've had. A reduced pulley, GP intercooler, M3 mini induction, KW V1 coilovers and a JCW exhaust (that was hard to get hold of) and it was a mad little thing. Once modded flick off the TC for every drive, I found it kicked in when pulling out of junctions if not which can be worrying

If you think 130k is really high mileage on a 20 year old car then you don’t really know a lot about cars.

High mileage at 18 yrs old ???? Not in my book

90k miles on a 17 year old car is not high milage

im buying one with 200000 miles on it hahah "90000 high milege" ur funny

Do you really consider 130k to be high mileage ?

Fantastic to see a RU-vidrs who does not buy a Supercar to gain content,this was my first car I am now 70 and you have rekindled my desire to buy one

Common time for these to hit the market when coming close to the 100k service which includes the supercharger. I used 1320 mini near st.neots who are incredible and got them to do the service and while supercharger was off a new pulley fitted at the same time reduced 17 percent. colder spark plugs needed at the same time and any decent garage will advise you

Opening the video: "oh boy, here we go again..." Stef first words: "So... we've done it again" Close enough :v

Change the dipstick! Lohen Mini are the best tuner. 👍

My honest opinion...your success as a U-Tuber...you have walked away from your roots, that has put you on the map, stay loyal to Fiat Abarth, and your followers will support you and follow you to hell and back. Your information on other makes is however informative, but is us followers...are mostly interested on the Abarth. Your signature is with the Fiat Abarth. Get yourself a personal Fiat Abarth, and we will, the U-Tube community will be there for you. You are well know in your neck of the woods, but here in the good U.S of A love you for when you showed loyalty and inthusim from you your infamous pocket giant killer, your well kept Abarth. Go back to your Abarth roots but continue your journey with other project cars. Remember , loyalty to a product you understand very well has it's rewards. Que Viva Thee Abarth!

I just bought my first R53 last week. It had one female owner from new and a full service history from a local german car specialist. The history came in a plastic bag with about 30+ receipts. It has loads of extras (pan roof, full leather H & K CD changer) and the chilli pack. It only has 67k miles and I paid £2200. Cant believe my luck but it does need a couple of jobs. I just stumbled across your video today and your smile is very similar to min after driving it for the first time ! Great video and I also like the tuning one !

You’re just a head of me .. I’m buying a perfect r53 and just researching. So.. Maintenance .. check water pump, it’s seal, the water pipe behind it ages and leaks. The sump and valve cover seals, the water tank. Performance ... before a pulley fit the better intercooler. These cars run hot. So got the intercooler you’ll get more bang for your existing buck. Then the pulley. Then the little ignition pack .. upgrade that too. Oh and fit a colder plug. Apparently the inlet and exhausts are restrictive. So a new cold air intake with a sports exhaust supposedly makes a feel feelable difference too. Let’s see what you do. Let’s see what I do. Anyway you’ve got my subscription buddy. Let’s have a chat as we go through and good luck.

What I love about the traction controle on these cars is that the light comes on to tell you that the wheels are spinning, it's not going to stop them the car is basically going brace yourself shits about to get real 🤣

After having my Abarth stolen I sulked for nearly 3 years before I decided what to do next. I then bought an r53 and love it. I’ve already bought bigger breaks but I need to get some other bits done beforehand, reduced pulley etc. From what I’ve been reading everyone suggests that the supercharger needs to be serviced around the 100k mark. If your going to be having a pulley I’d suggest that you service the supercharger and get the water pump at the same time. I’m really looking forward to watching your videos, the ups and downs of these little beauties. Mine is a long term project so the mods etc will be over years not months like you. Good luck and have fun :)

The r53 is at its core a drivers car, raw in handling and suspension feel, the whine of the supercharger; I love my car

High mileage at 94k?! Your having a laugh! The last high mileage car I bought was a Vauxhall Insignia tourer (estate) 4 years old 154,000. Immediately remapped to 195bhp. Changed the original clutch and flywheel at 180,000 sold to my eldest at 198,000 after many trips across Italy (was living on the Adriatic). My eldest has since sold it to my youngest with 230,000 on the clock about a year ago. Still going well.

Overall do you prefer this or abarth 124 and why?

I have an r53 S with just 26K and had no intention of ever parting with it. But along comes a 30K mile N18 JCW convertible.... What's a Mini fanatic to do?

Got one for $1,000, non running. Timing slipped, broke a rod, messed up the head. Clean interior and straight body though. 05 S manual, British racing green. Guess I have to race it, it's in the name. 🤷‍♂

I bought a Convertible one with 127000 miles .Gears are stiff gonna try lubrication to the lingage first and will.go from there.Can wait to getting it ready for mot and drive It.All for £450

High millage “ninety four thousand” me who just bought a 185k mile r53 🫠

That’s a low mileage r53….check for supercharger service, cam belt, water pump….try 1320 Mini for tuning advice. That’s not cheap by the way….I’d want a full Aero Kit, heated seats, pan roof, heated front screen at least for that. Good luck with it though ❤

Enjoy, they are a lot of fun!

Looking at getting one of these myself in the very near future, when I seen high mileage I was expecting 130 odd thousand, 93k is pretty good given its age, will keep an eye on this and maybe when I get mine we could do a video comparing the 2?

Paid $3800 for my 2003 darksilver r53 with 90,000 miles- which is low mileage not high for a car that’s 20 years old. You really don’t want a car that’s been sitting most it’s life. l have been installing facelift parts on it and plan to put a 19% supercharger pulley and 50 shot nitrous and possibly tune it on e85 if I move since there’s no e85 nearby.

High mileage???? My dawg, I’m looking at one with 200k+ miles 😂

So guys there is this mini 2004 180k km, cooper s like this, but the guy said it is leaking oil, so every month he has to add a little bit. He make me 2750€ should I buy it? Is the oil leak gonna be a problem?

100K miles isnt high mileage LOL, its just the first major service point im not sure why everyone thinks its the end of the car once it hits 100K. then again its high mileage if its driven like you drive it which they probably all are

Occasionally, all of the wheel speed related indicator lights come on and stay on. I've found 3 out of 5 times, about 15 minutes of "auto-cross" on a dirt woods road will correct that.

Don't forget the polyurethane bushings on the control arms. Colder spark plugs. Are 15" wheels the best for cornering anybody?

Ah the memories! I had 4 of these, last one being a GP1 (my fav car of all time). Please check the power steering pump and cover. Also check the radiator reservoir tank. As for mods / tuning - dial in a bit more snap crackle pop from the exhaust. 16 inch wheels with higher profile non-runflats are the most comfortable, although eighteens always look best. Wish you many happy miles!

Cool car, always wanted one of these! Also really enjoying the cheap car content!

That's almost identical to mine! 😀 Bought it March last year for c.£1400 105k, recent clutch, needed tlc rather than any meaningful work. Put tyres and brakes on it so far. MOT time next!!

Nice car, killer road tax. Liked the gen 1 cars, gen 2 less, gen 3 hate them. Ultimately though just don’t like them enough to hand £340 to the government every year even when the car costs peanuts.

I own an r53 myself, love the car! mine has the IMASAF full exhaust system fitted and i'd definitely do that. more rare than milltek and in my opinion sounds better too!

90k isn't high mileage 😂😂😂 I once got a Mk5 golf on 283,000 miles, that's high

I always like those minis

Looking forward to this, I bought an F56 cooper S last Feb after driving diesel saloons for years due to work commitments and kids, was like being 20 again, I love it every time I get to drive it!

You will need a cam to get past 200bhp mate . Only place to for a tune is 1320 mini..

The Eaton Roots supercharger sound great in these cars. Shame the Chrysler engine was so unreliable.

I had a factory Jcw r53 with the 210hp upgrade, i would check or replace coolant reservoir, ditch the run flats for a decent set of tyres transforms the way the car rides and handles. Decent set of discs pads as stock aren’t great. I would upgrade the stock exhaust for the jcw sounds great 👍.

130k isn’t high mileage lol great video though. I should be getting one next month 🤞🏼

I had one 260 0000 miles was running fine, cooper s 2005 , I had it years

I had a cooper s r53 with 200k miles that drove perfectly still

Fun plus! You should compare notes with George Austers (RU-vid) 🙂👍

I loved my R53. You should take can of oil wth you at all time. It slurps oil..

It’s not high mileage 😂pretty average hasn’t got a clue ffs🤦‍♂️

Love R53 minis before they became 'oversized' with the later models.. Decided on an Abarth though, just too many minis on the road so i wanted something a little less common place :-)

3.5k isn't cheap for one of these. Buy a 2k one to go with the click bait.

I am a HUGE MINI fan, and so happy to see you are too with all your MINI content! Can't wait to see what you get up to with this little pocket rocket. Love your videos!

Going to buy one of these in the coming weeks. Wish me luck

Looks like you’ve got a great car there Stef. Lovely sound as well. My only complaint I’ve got about it is the ironically sounding name. I would have preferred the name to stay with the aptly named original. Otherwise great, thanks again for sharing your experiences. Regards, Bob M. South Wales

High mileage my ass! My r53 has 170000 miles and still going

I love the mini stuff got a gen3 Jcw had a r53 and loved that. Would advise to put a clutch in it most of then have gone or started slipping by that mileage. There loads of stuff you can buy but I would advise you for power to remove the supercharger send it off to gtt tuning to have the fully £900 rebuild they put a new pulley updated bearing and gears and set all the backlash in the rotors in the chargers and makes it stronger then from the factory. All so it the little thing like you can buy the lightened pulleys form lohen that make the car spin the charger sooner and faster. Cams in the r53 are really good for bigger power and when you have a clutch done I advise to buy every ball joint for the front but buy the roll centre adjusts for when you lower it will bring the hub back up so don’t kill your box or shafts and polly bush the anti roll bar and rear arm bushes only if you have it all out on the floor do it all once.

Welcome to the 53 gang!! Take it to Steve Farman at S works in Kent. Good guy!! Or 1320 are good peeps. If ur up in brum, go see Tj monkeez!! 👌💯 enjoy

I’d advise getting the supercharger serviced as it needs to be done by 100k . Mod a mini are worth chatting to for any work and upgrades. They can supply abs fit any parts . Our R52 was brilliant. I fitted the Forge style intake on ours and took the cold air feed from the bulkhead. The supercharge whine was ridiculous 👌🏻😂 I also fitted a full stainless system to it just before we sold it. That was crazy loud but the pops out of it were very angry 🥴🤷🏼‍♂️😂

Highest mileage car and me sitting right here with 150000 mile mini 😂

Best car I have ever owned.

Does anyone know what these little machines do agains a fiesta at?

First performance improvement = Get rid of those wheels! The R85 'S-lites' (aka 'S-heavies') weigh over 25lbs each! They were the heaviest 17" wheel MINI put on the R53s -- by a LOT. If you want to try a fun experiment, find a set of OEM R50 15" R81 7-hole Imola wheels -- they weighed only 12lbs each and will clear the OEM R53 brakes. Put a set of those on and you will feel the very noticeable difference in performance that a 13lb per wheel weigh reduction can yield. By the way, 20 year MINI owner here -- R50, R53, R52 JCW, R56S, R55S, F56JCW... Looking forward to this project!

id get one but my mini one is so unreliable so properly wont get one

Good choice Stef, I do love that generation of supercharged Mini.

I’ve just bought one my self unfortunately a lemon , it costs me £1800 in repairs 3 days after. In terms of mods new top mount , 17% reduced pulley , colder plugs and your be around the 200hp mark in terms of tuning try 1320 mini, however you don’t need a map unless you change the injectors (then you may as well do a cam ) your be at about 230hp

My R53 is on 140k, engine has been refreshed my 1320 and tuned by them to 240bhp, car runs like its brand new imo. Like others have said 1320 are the best r53 specialists

About 5 years I got offered a pre face lift copper S with a works pack 180k on the clock for £800 same colour only difference was it had black wheels. The car had a couple of owners but had FSH. I didn’t have the money but my cousin brought the car to replace her old mini one which had just expired with similar mileage. The car I brought off a trader friend from my time in the motor trade. My cousin had the car for about 2 years and was knocking on the door of 200k and to be honest was a very reliable she even did a couple of track days and replaced it with a yellow Abarth 595

Best company is 1320 mini for these!

Do you know what company makes that phone holder? I've been looking for one for my r50.

Stef, what have you done?! 😅 We see plenty of Minis in at the garage we work, and it doesn't often end well! I hope the car treats you well!

You must be mad. Notoriously unreliable

"i bought a cheap £3600 r53" lol

Loving your content and can't wait to see how you change things up on this Mini 👌🔥

Ive had my R53 2005 for about 5 years now and I’ve loved it since day one. Yes indeed the power steering pump did fail me while I was driving so get that checked and the coolant reservoir tank cracked on me and started leaking. Had some more problems with it before that and I just changed it to a metal tank off of eBay, worked like a charm. Excited to see what cosmetic mods u end up doing, I changed my grill to a jcw black OEM, prefer it loads more than the chrome lines

springs and spacers will ruin the drive!

well at least the earler mercedes crysler engines are better than than the later turbocharged peugeot engines they were using that burned oil i saw so mamy fail.

94000 is not high mileage for a 2004 car

How can you say 94k is high mileage and 3600 is cheap ... I've just bought a 2006 mini cooper s with a pan roof, heated leathers seats and Harmon kardon with 192000 miles and it drives lovely and I paid less than £1000 🤣 please drop me a message and come and see mine

Past everything bit a fuel station.

Are these reliable I love the look of them and I want to buy one and get it running 200 bhp plus

Good engines very tuneable. Just make sure to keep an eye on oil level prone to rod bearings failing. As for the mileage Seen loads with 150/160/170+ I own a cooper s with over 171k on it

I recently bought a 2005 R53 and often I turn off the radio just to hear the super charger while.

I’d call high mileage 150,000

Welcome to a great club. Change the BPV in the supercharger for a GTT or Rooster Racing item....it's an easy boost as they get saggy,weak spring,s and don't close and worth about 1psi over tired stock.An adjustable throttle control box feels like an extra 20 bhp on throttle sharpness( yes really) even though it adds nothing and are cheap to buy and easy to fit Rear anti roll bar swap too and polybushying really tightens up the handling. 200 +bhp is more than enough and quite easily gained but it never seems to stop there for most.....Mintex racing pads will just about make the brakes passable, change the tired fluid for dot4. I can't see me selling mine easily,I drive an RX8 also and it's my car of choice

I'm buying a 2006 mini Cooper s Convertible and just had a pre-purchase inspection done By a BMW Dealership and it scored 100 on everything being mint and in good condition, I'm paying $7.500 US, and it has 102.496 miles , everything that is problematic has been changed including the supercharger pulley (15%) all bushings, belts and the belt tensioner have been changed. The top and frame are brand new. I can't beat it as the car was meticulously maintained with all service records present. I can't wait to drive my little beast , it's a cool car .

94000 miles isn't high mileage...

i bought 2006 r53 in 2012 cost about 8k with 8000+ millages.. by saying in 10 years its down to 3k its cheap because this car is legend.. bought it in London n shipped to Malaysia.. still driving till this day

It might be because I’m from the US but 90k miles isn’t that many to me my 2013 cooper s countryman is nearing 106k and it’s still great lmao

LOVED mine, proper tailhappy in the wet like a RWD car for some reason, it was such a laugh! Lohen were my go-to (Just off the MY in Staffordshire), they know every inch of these things. Excited for this one

Looking good! I’ve owned a 2003 r53 and feel bad that I sold it. I’m thinking about buying one again. What are your thoughts about buying an r53 as a investment? Do you think the r53 will be more of a collectors item in about 15 years? I live in the Netherlands, where a lot of minis (especially imported ones) are for sale. But I’ll go for an original ‘dutch’ one, since the imported cars can be ex-damaged cars.

I bought exact same model and colur last week 160k mileage for 1,300£. It drives absolutely fantastic and at this price ifninjeed a new engine in qnyear or so ill happily spend the money on it

94k is not high milage. Lol. Thats only 151,000 kms. Thats nothing for a car. I recently started liking these cars