2005 R53 John Cooper Works Mini Cooper S Long Term Review - One Take Vlog

[@DoubleOSevan]

Hey everyone! This is my first attempt at a car review/one take style video, so please let me know what you guys and gals think in the comments below! I know I missed a few things during the one take, so I'll work harder on this skill for future videos (it's pretty difficult pushing a car and talking at the same time haha!). I'd love to do more of these videos in the future and am always willing to improve and grow as both a driver and KZbinr. Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe if you want to see more content like this!

[@Believer21777]

I picked up a MINI cooper s 2004 203,000 MLs New clutch new fuel pump Everything works so far love it. Just fun to drive. Fact yes you will have a smile on your face if drive one of these.

[@DoubleOSevan]

They're super fun when they work! Maintenance is definitely key and with 204k miles it looks like yours is keeping up well! Happy motoring ✌

[@BillSands2112]

Great video Sir, got a mini 3 weeks ago 2005 convertible with lucky me 30,404 miles

[@DoubleOSevan]

Thanks! Great find on the Mini as well. Hope it serves you well!

[@johnruef3492]

I have a 05! Pushing 21-22 psi. I built the motor. And now doing chassis parts

[@currentsitguy]

I've got a 2005 S that I'm about to put back on the road after being parked for a good 2 years. It needs some rust repair under the driver's side tail ligut and on the hatch, as well as an O2 sensor and a straight pipe. I realized I missed driving it too much. I've owned a lot of cars in my life, but the Mini was always one of my favorites. For me, it was just about the right size and yet has a ton of both legroom and space. My wife and I essentially lived in it for a month during our driving tour honeymoon of all of the Western National Parks. Have you tried reprogramming at all? I have the cable and was planning on a few things, like turing on auto up power windows and putting back the digital speedo which is turned off because I have Nav with the relocated speedometer on the column. I'd still like the digital one.

[@DoubleOSevan]

Ah, good luck with your restoration! Anytime I hear about rust I shudder haha. Jokes aside, Minis are good fun when they run. Super practical for the size too! I didn't know they could be reprogrammed, sounds cool!

[@currentsitguy]

@@DoubleOSevan The software is free, the cables are cheap, less than $30. The only problem is the software the runs the Mini is completely in German! So you need a guide, which is easy to find online. I figure the hatch is no big deal, I'll swap it for one from a junkyard 1 for 1. The tail light will be the only challenge, but I'll deal with it. I just like this car too dam much to let it go. I'm 56 now and I'm starting to think about cars I'm going to keep for the rest of my life. I've already got the 93 JDM Suzuki Cappuccino. I'm thinking the Mini will be #2. Still considering #3. Part of me wants a classic Jeep CJ, part wants an early 60's Chevy convertible.

[@3556Heisenberg]

Great review mate, I have a 2002 JCW - Love driving it!

[@DoubleOSevan]

Thanks! Happy motoring!🍻

[@julzbooxD]

99% going to be the owner of one of these in a couple of days and it has the exact same issues with regards to glove compartment, mirror cover and roof being held by kid's glue. Also, had to change out the trunks struts same as your previous video. Regardless, suuuper excited to be driving this around soon 😁😁😁 thanks for the video, it was a real help !!

[@DoubleOSevan]

Congrats! Hope you get many problem-free miles and smiles out of your Mini! 😎✌️

[@julzbooxD]

@@DoubleOSevan thanks mate, really hope so too! 😁😁

[@carlos-yx9pq]

Obrigado Man. O meu R53 S 2005 queima oleo a frio.Já não estou preocupado.Tanks. Bom Ano de 2021.

[@markyb3575]

To clarify, you were able to get an '03 JCW as a dealer retrofit, same as '04 and '05, but as you mentioned, it wasn't offered until '04. I own an '03 with the full 210 hp kit (air box and 380 injectors plus all other goodies), the first owner had it fitted a year after purchase. Now that you have the suspension and brakes sorted (which is the right move), you really want the 17% reduction pulley. I ran my car with stock jcw pulley for 3 years, ended up blowing my motor and getting a factory replacement from BMW and at the same time adding a 17% pulley and the RMW header. The car really comes alive and I have absolutely zero issues with heat soak even on track days. Have an RMW tune awaiting which should bring it all together.

[@Valkyriie]

Awesome video! Would you recommend this as a first car for someone who doesnt know how to work on cars, but would like to learn?

[@DoubleOSevan]

Thanks! It wouldn’t be the worst first car to learn on, but I’m not sure it would be at the top of my list to recommend to a total beginner. I started off with older Japanese cars, which tend to be a bit more “practical” and accessible with their layouts and parts. German cars, and the Mini in particular (being built by BMW), generally have a bit more complexity and annoyance when it comes to wrenching on them. They’re not as user friendly, but you would certainly still learn a lot… especially since things tend to break more often than with other cars 😂. All that being said, the R53 is still relatively simple compared to more modern cars. After owning and wrenching on a few different makes and models, I have a bias towards Japanese cars, but you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons yourself and see what makes sense for you. Just make sure you take your time, research, and use the proper tools for the job and you’ll do fine regardless of the platform.✌️

[@Valkyriie]

@@DoubleOSevan Thank you so much!

[@shankarbalan3813]

Nice work. Your R53 has a nice growl indeed.

[@michaelp0819]

Watching this video again - really well done. Picking up a second 2006 R53 next week. The car is superb!

[@DoubleOSevan]

Thank you! I really appreciate the viewership and feedback. Congrats on the soon-to-be 2nd R53!

[@oscarc7993]

Luv the mods u've done and kept the engine as it came, nice video bruh, question never thought of reinforcing the struts towers, heard a lot about getting mushroomed (collapsing) due to potholes, cheers mate. PD:By the way just got a R52 (convertible) JCW manual with 45k on the clock, our first mini quite happy with it

[@DoubleOSevan]

Thank you! The JCW feels peppy out of the box, so I felt adding a bit of stability (suspension + brakes + wheels/tires) and spice (exhaust) was all it really needed. Reinforcing the strut towers isn't a bad idea. I've since sold my Mini, but if I had kept it I'd have installed some sort of bracing there as a preventative measure. Congrats on the new JCW! They're great fun as long you care for them. Cheers!

[@aaronbritt2025]

I too just bought an '05 R52 convertible S JCW manual. Mine has 92k on it so i just bought everything needed for a supercharger service. I have a shop, so I'll be doing it myself. I'll be fitting a CSF radiator, HPS hoses and a 16% pulley while I'm there.

[@oscarc7993]

@@aaronbritt2025 nice one mate!, mine still in the garage, been waiting for some parts 2 b delivered, doing a full deep service to it, the roof doesn't want 2 fully open, so I'm struggling at the moment with that, but so far so good, can wait 2 get it out on the road. Good luck with yours.

[@anthonysmall8087]

Good analysis

[@DoubleOSevan]

@@anthonysmall8087 thanks! 🙏

[@chrisparrish5395]

Nice review I own a 05 s and just have a blast with it, Koni's and springs is the way to go,

[@DoubleOSevan]

chris parrish thanks! The setup is also really cost effective when compared to coilovers. Set and forget - no need for 100 different ways of adjustment.

[@mcbullman5444]

Good job on the video! Hope to see more of the JCW R53

[@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife]

Thanks for the video. I have a C6 Z06 and it’s an absolutely beast. I do miss the handling of the mini I used to own which was a second generation that I had lots of work done too. I’m now shopping for an R53 and possibly a newer convertible f56 both manuals. I hadn’t really driven an R53 so I’m curious how they handle. They sound like a lot of fun!!

[@DoubleOSevan]

I rode in my friend’s C6 Z06 and that thing was an absolute monster! The R53 is much more of a nimble, zoomy experience in comparison. Lots of fun if you’re ok dealing with all the quirks that come along with Mini ownership! Thanks for watching! ✌️

[@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife]

@@DoubleOSevan thanks bro!! I just bought a clean 2004 red MCS. I can’t wait to get it shipped here to NC. I checked the service history and it looks really good. I hope it works out good!

[@DoubleOSevan]

@@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife congrats! Service history is definitely a good sign. Hope it serves you well! ✌️

[@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife]

@@DoubleOSevan thanks. I’m also trying to find a F56 convertible in manual. Very difficult to find!! I have a Jeep and I like the open top feel but the Jeep is just so sluggish and getting old. I bought it already lifted so it’s a real slug. I think a mini convertible would replace that pretty nicely. Have you driven the third generation Cooper base? I’m trying to find an S but I wonder if a manual base model can still be fun to drive as a convertible? Thanks.

[@DoubleOSevan]

@@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife I’ve only driven the r53 and r56 gen Minis. The base models just lack a bit of oomph compared to the S and JCW… otherwise the go-kart handling is still fun even around town.

[@JoshKemponcars]

Cool car dude, looking to buy one! Keep the content coming

[@DoubleOSevan]

Thanks! If you can find a well-maintained lower mile example it'll make your life a lot easier! ✌️

[@zokusharuuku1091]

Hey I’ve been looking to increase the throttle response on my r53 mini. Ive got a 17% supercharger pulley which helped a little but there’s a definite hesitation when you hit the gas and the throttle sluggishly opens and it almost feels like it’s never completely open until high rpm. You mentioned your throttle feels instant so Im curious what you might’ve done to fix this issue all of these cars have.

[@DoubleOSevan]

I actually didn't do anything (though it's possible the owner before me did). Engine-wise the car was just a stock JCW R53 as far as I'm aware. I sold the car a while back, but I always remember the throttle to be pretty snappy when in the revs (off idle had a bit of delay if I remember correctly). It may be just a culmination of an older-tech drive-by-wire system, parasitic draw from the supercharger, and just overall engine design. We may be experiencing the same behavior and perceiving it differently, but I never felt my JCW's throttle response to be sluggish. I'd first make sure everything was good on the maintenance side of things. If throttle response is still a pain point, a quick search online shows a lot of folks swearing by a sprintbooster. I don't have any experience with it though. Hope you get it sorted! ✌

[@zokusharuuku1091]

@@DoubleOSevan after doing some more research the pre facelift 2001-2003 cars had much more laggy throttle response than the facelift models and even some owners complain about the facelift models. I suspect the jcw facelifts have an even more responsive pedal than the facelift s’ hence why yours felt so good.

[@alejandrosamaniego5179]

Im curious, what sway bar did you get?

[@DoubleOSevan]

It's the Hotchkis Sport 19mm rear adjustable bar. I have the full mod list in the description box to make things easier :)

[@VWRICH23]

Very nice vid.. Love the mini

[@jdub_vdub]

Still have this mini?

[@DoubleOSevan]

Unfortunately, no. Had too many cars in the stable and had to make room to try new cars.

[@johnhibbs6508]

Thanks

[@user-ii6lq1hx4q]

love the video.

[@joshgarcia6718]

I’m intrested buying a 2005 fiat cooper Has 180k miles , For $3,000 cash Do you think it’s worth it as a daily ? How long do these last

[@DoubleOSevan]

Although maintenance history is key, I’d personally avoid a high mile example. Even at $3k, I’d budget for an engine rebuild and chasing miscellaneous things breaking at that mileage. That $3k car can quickly turn into a $10k+ one.

[@silvertooth123]

You mentioned that you modified the Exhaust. What did you add?

[@DoubleOSevan]

It’s an Invidia N1 cat back exhaust. I have a video on it as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGSZoWilbqhgr68

[@michaelp0819]

Nicely done!

[@DoubleOSevan]

Michael Pesare thank you!

[@athousandtinycobras4349]

Good video, but I hope you turn your attention next to your headliner!

[@ArinDavoodian]

Bla bla mini.... lol. 😁

[@DoubleOSevan]

I should review your Miata if you can keep it on the road long enough... or if I can get myself to even fit in the thing 😂

[@ArinDavoodian]

@@DoubleOSevan You should

[@garrietaylor9519]

R50>R53 i's not a Quality build from BMW - your're fooling yourself dude , I Own R53 so I know - as far as your channel content - focus the camera on the car & not you , consider voice over while adding value editing content

[@DoubleOSevan]

Garrie Taylor I’m not sure what you’re getting at regarding me “fooling myself” with the build quality from BMW. I state in the video that the parts “feel heavy and of quality,” but it’s not well put together (a matter of subjectivity, I guess). I appreciate the feedback though and will take that into consideration for future videos. Thanks for watching.