Mini R53 buyer's guide top tips - 2005 Mini Cooper S 

Awesome! Thanks. I’m looking at a couple this weekend.

Nice example. Mine is a 2004 facelift MCS. I have Toyo TR1 tyres on mine, so far impressed. Lower front wishbone bushes will fail. Give the front wheel a good kick backwards, if it moves they are shot. Replace with poly bushes. Front Anti-roll bar bushes can fail leading to an annoying rattle. The boot handle gasket WILL leak at some point. The paint is thin on these. Clearcoat prone to peeling especially on the bonnet Power steering fluid reservoir top can leak - replace O ring Strut top defender plates are nice to have Rocker cover gasket is prone to leaking, it is sometime hard to spot the as the oil runs down the back of the engine and it is often confused as a sump gasket leak. The bolts that hold it on will most likely be severely corroded especially the ones under the intercooler. Hydro engine mount will loose its contents. Supercharger service - has it been done? Crank position sensor O ring leaks. Low speed radiator fan resistor fails Top radiator hose can chafe against engine and wear through.

im buying an R53 mk2 '04 next week I hope, and your video was one of the "buyers guide" I will use !

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge of these cars.

Super video thanks for posting, very informative. I will be buying a 05 - 06 mini next spring so will definitely be revisiting your post in my saved posts 👍 on another level I gave up counting Ermms after 156 🤭

Thank you for this video, I’m hoping to buy a Mini CooperS for my son soon, so really great info 👍🏻

Continue with r53 videos please

Good review thanks, I have had two, I would only add the bonnet release latches: if there is a lot of play in the handle the cables will have stretched, you can get cheaply get slide on grommets to take out the slack and make sure you dont get stuck with a bonnet that wont open!

Good - and here are a few things you missed. The rust spots are at the bottom of the rear lights at the back as they collect water ,. Clearly look at the stamped VIN number is complete and undamaged and not painted, and also matches the V5 ,

Great videos Thomas. Love to hear anything to do with cars. You have a lovely example and I'm sure it is great fun driving. Looking forward to any further updates on running costs, issues etc. Happy motoring :-)

Great video, very useful and clearly explained info in there, thank you. Your car looks in great and well looked after condition.

Two years ago I bought a 2006 Cooper S. The car cost the first owner £16k and they added £13k of factory option. These include heated Recaro racing seats, telephone, climate control, chrono pack an auto box, etc, etc. Stage 2 race tuned she knocks out 190bhp and does 0-60 in 6.4secs. Great fun and you don’t need the radio with the supercharger whine. Bought for £2,800 and now valued at £5,500 by Lancaster insurance.

Nice job Thomas!

Great video!!

Really helpful review. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

Aww was hoping for another video. Nicely done though.

Are umm ,umm are , good video tho nice car

Hey - Noticed your speedo wasn't in the middle! Which model was this the case in? All the ones I see are all in the middle (which i don't want) Thanks!

For North American folks the power steering has an active recall for R50/52/53. It's free, get it done.

Omg you say “errm” 1895 times in the same tone its insane

R53 production July 2005 must be spescial edition with Chrono Gauge + Twin RPM + Speedo + colouring red & yellow at handle sign / wiper ???

Top tip think about what your going to say then say it! This will avoid all the Err Erm etc ..........

Car is in good condition. Mine its in more worst.

Thomas please speak a little more softly..you are hurting my ears..

Ok people if you want a mini !' You want 2nd generation with no turbo! No super charge ! I wouldn't touch with mini cooper s No way .

Seems like it *would* have been a really informative and helpful video. Do I want to put up with another 16 minutes of "ah" and "uh" peppered between every few words like some verbal Chinese water torture?? No. 🤢 No, I do not. Thanks.

Buyers GUIDE look on tyres Buahahahha what and Bullsht.......................................what are you talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!