R53 Mini Cooper Buyers Guide

[@honestreviewer3283]

Great video. Agree on the oil change intervals. I also change my plugs every second oil change (I use Brisk silvers). My engine is completely dry, no leaks, just gotta stay on top of the preventative maintenance. I think the 05-06 reliability refers to the R50s, which had a weaker transmission before then.

[@chris-piascik]

Super helpful video thanks so much. I’m going to look at an 05 today with only 50 K miles.

[@JulietteHallie]

@@chris-piascik oooh best of luck!

[@zacaryrobertson3995]

This so such a great and helpful guide with honest advice and recommendations. Can’t wait to see more Mini content

[@JulietteHallie]

@@zacaryrobertson3995 should I make a longer, more in depth version??

[@anthonysmall8087]

Great analysis

[@JulietteHallie]

@@anthonysmall8087 thank you!

[@michaelp0819]

Totally love my two 2006 R53s - mostly daily drivers. 😊

[@JulietteHallie]

Love the R53

[@TeamHorneyRacing]

Some old skool footage!

[@JulietteHallie]

@@TeamHorneyRacing yeah! I don’t currently have a fleet of R53s like I used too😂😂

[@TeamHorneyRacing]

@@JulietteHallie I think when I first subbed you were mostly doing trackdays at willow in your f56. Seems ages ago, but probably wasn’t.

[@JulietteHallie]

@@TeamHorneyRacing it feels like yesterday was ages ago😭😭

[@JulietteHallie]

@@TeamHorneyRacing still own and ADORE my f56 though

[@romaan843]

Very detailed and Informant video on the mini R53.I own a mini 2005 R53 and can conclude to the maintenance on these mini's. Just a question I have a random rough idle but with a blip of the throttle it goes away. I changed out my petrol filter and the problem went away. Just to resurface after 3000 miles.

[@JulietteHallie]

@@romaan843 interesting. Potentially a small vacuum leak? Could be related to fuel such as charcoal canister, tank purge valve. I’d check the little vacuum line that goes under the intercooler. I talk about that line in my grey R53 project video I posted last year (wish I could easily tag you in that) any codes?

[@romaan843]

@@JulietteHallie Thanks wil check the vacuum pipe as mentioned. I did do a diagnostic check on mini no fault codes it is a proper diagnostic tool that goes deep into the ECU(Launch) is the brand.

[@gray25xt]

Thanks for this helpful video. Question, I've owned 2 R53s my current 2006 has 115k miles and supercharger service has not been done. It's expensive and the car runs great, no rock tumbler sound, etc. A good shop (Way Motor Works) near me recommended doing it but waiting to combine it with "other services" since it's so labor intensive. That said are there signs the supercharger is failing that I should look for and what's you're general thought on this?

[@JulietteHallie]

@@gray25xt i also would recommend doing that service asap. In my experience I’ve not seen signs of failure incoming. My assumption is they dry out and fail. Hence needing the service to make sure they still have oil. I actually have a video of one with a blown up SC on my channel. I would 100% agree while you’re in there do as much as possible. Coolant flush, coolant pump, plastic coolant pipes, thermostat, oil pan gasket, motor mounts, Orings on the sensors, etc. I don’t think your mini will die if you don’t do this tomorrow. But I definitely wouldn’t ignore it long term. If you go back and watch my r53 project videos I think I did a super charger service on all of them. It’s not the most difficult task to do yourself if you have tools, time and mechanic abilities but it’s definitely a little frustrating especially if you’re not a small person like myself.

[@gray25xt]

@@JulietteHallie I appreciate the reply. I have noticed many "beat to death" R53s on the market for cheap, these are neglected cars with high mileage, well over 150k miles....i highly doubt the SC service was ever done on many of them probably because it's expensive in relation to the value of the car...however the engines are robust and keep on going even if mistreated. I say that to say that yes the SC probably will be fine for a while but yes as you say would benefit from the recommended service. I just got this second R53 and shot a few videos of it for my channel, currently sorting a few minor things out and will pursue the SC service after I get to know the car a bit more. Thanks again.

[@JulietteHallie]

@@gray25xt ive personally worked on over 2 dozen r53s and i buy them all not running or broken in some way. Of those 2 dozen ive only seen one have a SC failure. The R53 is extremely reliable and is truly a wonderful are. I sold one with 250k to a guy that drove it from me in CA to his home in SC with no issues. While I believe there are some that might be more bullet proof than others, I dont think ive had an R53 that i didnt trust.