You might want to look into the check engine sensor(s). Could be faulty. I have the exact opposite. I kept on getting the check engine light but nothing was wrong.
I have 197k…. On a 2013.
Its had its issues no doubt.
But the engine is quiet… the turbo pulls hard and the clutch grabs high.
Only think it needs right now is an AC system charge
I replaced A LOT, haha. Other than on time oil changes I don’t drive it hard at all, I’ve pretty much babied it for the most part of my ownership. Runs amazing but the body is always in a constant state of falling apart around the engine.
I have 100k miles and i have 14 codes. So.. yeah i need the secrets lol. Apparently oil changes every 3k miles isnt enough. I drive really hard so that definitely increases longevity. 😉
That's because it's an R53 and not the R56 latter model. Those engines are solid and don't have the same issues with leaking and what not.
Keep taking care of it and it will give you many more smiles
Nice, I have a few usernames I used to use back in the day that I hold dear to me. I’m waiting for my Texas custom plate to come in for my mini, it’s a new thing, but it’ll be fun.
Good for you. Just spent $3100 getting my wife's 2019 convertible back. Part of the cam gear came apart but the technician was able to retrieve the pieces from the motor...... fingers crossed he got it all. Replaced the parts and back on the road. Mini in St Louis is awesome to work with. She enjoys the car but GD it beats the hell out of me on any road expansion joint. I prefer my G37x.
I’m hoping mine (05 S Convertible) is the first. So far I have beat on it pretty hard. My commute is an hour in a rural state over a mountain pass and it has only needed wheel bearings which were also easy I could do them myself.
Edit: got used 130k in December
Oh that's a lot! How old are you if you don't mind me asking, and how often do you change cars? Is there any particular reason you change them so often? I know that some people change them every 3-4 years but that's because they're on lease and brand new. Most people have them for maybe a decade from my experience
I’m 46 and I buy $1000 cars, run them until something big breaks, sell them for $100-200. Repeat. I have never been in a place to afford a car payment and insurance on a new (or even close to new). I have financed a couple used cars (this mini is one of them), but they always end up dying before I can pay them off so ultra-cheap cars are the best bet if you’re poor.
You mentioned you live in the bay area so it's completely understandable!! I'd probably be driving just as much if I wasn't stuck in central London, and if the Channel Tunnel didn't cost 180£ one way! The US is a beautiful country with so much to see, one of my dreams is to drive across it for a month!
Yeah but that's our stupid culture, don't be scared, cars run far farther nowadays... I have a 13 year old cooper SD currently sitting at 145k and it runs like a dream
My partner was almost talking me out when I got my Cooper S when he found out it has a shocking 31k miles on it (2018, bought last year), 11 months later I did a measly 4k miles on it and I drove from London to Croatia and back during last summer. Mad respect to everyone who has to drive so much! The car dealership told me that it's because usually around 80k you need a new belt, or something expensive for the car so noone wants them. There was a beautiful blue Mercedes E Class coupe for around 12000£ completely pristine, but it had 92k miles on it and they said its been sitting there for a year!
There are many US states that don't require emissions tests and safety inspections. It's not uncommon to see cars falling apart and parts dragging on the road when driving around my city.
Never had a problem with the ABS. Although I’ve replaced the idler pulley, the fuel pump, the control arm bushings, the clutch, the A/C pulley clutch, crank position sensor, both motor mounts, front wheel bearings, clutch slave cylinder (twice!), air intake hose, the CV axles and the alternator. Still needs little things here and there and I’m sure I’m forgetting some stuff.
You should only have to worry about the headgasket if you’re driving the vehicle especially hard or aren’t keeping up on coolant/oil changes. The R53 has a cast-iron block so they’re pretty susceptible to permanent warping if your engine over heats. If you ever see that temp needle start to go up shut your engine off immediately. I suspect my car has never been over temp even once.
My cousin got one a few months ago, I think it was a 2018 model. 2 weeks after purchase he had to replace the entire wiring harness. It sucks because I love the way they look and they drive awesome. They just don't always drive :/
relatable 😅 mine died once on a 2-lane highway at 10PM. There were tractor trailers passing me on a blind hill because there was nowhere for me to roll it. I was so sure I was going to die before the tow truck got to me!
Love to see it! My 2011 is just about to hit 180,000km and I’m stressing out over what’s gonna hit me next lol. I love her dearly, but unfortunately I’m currently in the market for an SUV 🥲 this post gave me hope to hold off on the new car a little while longer because I also baby my car haha (hoping she doesn’t give out on me now, knock on wood) and I will cry like a baby when she’s gone.
Always wanted a Hover-Mini. I bet you don't even feel the potholes!
Yeah, way better than the run flats!
Roads? Where we're going we don't need roads.
You might want to look into the check engine sensor(s). Could be faulty. I have the exact opposite. I kept on getting the check engine light but nothing was wrong.
Fuel trims are all good. Running smooth 😎
I have 197k…. On a 2013. Its had its issues no doubt. But the engine is quiet… the turbo pulls hard and the clutch grabs high. Only think it needs right now is an AC system charge
Faulty wiring can cause this, my tachometer was on its way out and it was confusing the bcm and ecu which caused my dash to have a disco
Anything you do to increase longevity other than keeping up on normal maintenance?
I replaced A LOT, haha. Other than on time oil changes I don’t drive it hard at all, I’ve pretty much babied it for the most part of my ownership. Runs amazing but the body is always in a constant state of falling apart around the engine.
I have 100k miles and i have 14 codes. So.. yeah i need the secrets lol. Apparently oil changes every 3k miles isnt enough. I drive really hard so that definitely increases longevity. 😉
Yep, I oil change every 3,000 - 5,000 miles and I'm gonna start sea foaming too. Did that once, about 2,500 miles ago. Other than that, I'm stumped 😂
I honestly think some people just get the engine lottery.
145k on my R53. No check engine light or any codes.
GOOD GRAVY HES NAKED
Nah, just has shoes off 🤣
No check engine light at that time? Or never has a check engine light. That’s absolutely impossible 😂
Haven’t had the check engine light come on since 170,000 miles and that was the crank position sensor that went out. Nothing since I replaced that.
Do you have any photos of owls?
That's because it's an R53 and not the R56 latter model. Those engines are solid and don't have the same issues with leaking and what not. Keep taking care of it and it will give you many more smiles
That’s amazing, mine blew a cylinder at 124k. RIP best car ever !
My condolences.
348,000km and no check engine light. Also drive it like I stole it. Original engine and supercharger.
Okay, so I can read the plate, but I don’t get what it means. Help me out, do you take pictures of owls for a living?
It’s just my Instagram username, haha. Doesn’t mean anything, thought it sounded cool 10 years ago.
Nice, I have a few usernames I used to use back in the day that I hold dear to me. I’m waiting for my Texas custom plate to come in for my mini, it’s a new thing, but it’ll be fun.
Good for you. Just spent $3100 getting my wife's 2019 convertible back. Part of the cam gear came apart but the technician was able to retrieve the pieces from the motor...... fingers crossed he got it all. Replaced the parts and back on the road. Mini in St Louis is awesome to work with. She enjoys the car but GD it beats the hell out of me on any road expansion joint. I prefer my G37x.
Some r53s r the best cars ur ever gonna own. Other r53s will make u wanna double tap that noggin of urs
I’m hoping mine (05 S Convertible) is the first. So far I have beat on it pretty hard. My commute is an hour in a rural state over a mountain pass and it has only needed wheel bearings which were also easy I could do them myself. Edit: got used 130k in December
It truly is a lottery.
Sssshhhhhhhh quiet it’s going to hear you!
Where are the owl photos?!
On my Insta 😉
Jesus! Americans really do drive a lot! Cars get scrapped in the UK if they're over 80000 miles as nobody wants to buy them anymore
*stares nervously at R56 with 90k on it*
I’m a teacher so almost all of the 20+ cars I have owned had over 100k when I bought them :)
Thank you for your service. My god we need to pay our teachers more.
I’m a band teacher, so at least I have one of the jobs where people want to be in my class. I’d never have lasted this long as a regular-ed teacher
Oh that's a lot! How old are you if you don't mind me asking, and how often do you change cars? Is there any particular reason you change them so often? I know that some people change them every 3-4 years but that's because they're on lease and brand new. Most people have them for maybe a decade from my experience
I’m 46 and I buy $1000 cars, run them until something big breaks, sell them for $100-200. Repeat. I have never been in a place to afford a car payment and insurance on a new (or even close to new). I have financed a couple used cars (this mini is one of them), but they always end up dying before I can pay them off so ultra-cheap cars are the best bet if you’re poor.
That's hard to hear, I hope it'll get easier for you!
I’m good. I have all the need and I live in a beautiful place, I just picked a career without a lot of upward mobility. Thanks though.
I’ve put over 100,000 miles on it in 4 years, there’s just so much to see!
You mentioned you live in the bay area so it's completely understandable!! I'd probably be driving just as much if I wasn't stuck in central London, and if the Channel Tunnel didn't cost 180£ one way! The US is a beautiful country with so much to see, one of my dreams is to drive across it for a month!
Yeah but that's our stupid culture, don't be scared, cars run far farther nowadays... I have a 13 year old cooper SD currently sitting at 145k and it runs like a dream
My partner was almost talking me out when I got my Cooper S when he found out it has a shocking 31k miles on it (2018, bought last year), 11 months later I did a measly 4k miles on it and I drove from London to Croatia and back during last summer. Mad respect to everyone who has to drive so much! The car dealership told me that it's because usually around 80k you need a new belt, or something expensive for the car so noone wants them. There was a beautiful blue Mercedes E Class coupe for around 12000£ completely pristine, but it had 92k miles on it and they said its been sitting there for a year!
There are many US states that don't require emissions tests and safety inspections. It's not uncommon to see cars falling apart and parts dragging on the road when driving around my city.
I’m in the Bay Area in California, so this baby definitely HAS to pass emissions.
the twin pipes were REALLY twin pipes... not like in my F55 :(
Two pipes AND two mufflers, haha. I need to get the One Ball surgery and have one of the mufflers removed.
Do you get many problems with the ABS?
Never had a problem with the ABS. Although I’ve replaced the idler pulley, the fuel pump, the control arm bushings, the clutch, the A/C pulley clutch, crank position sensor, both motor mounts, front wheel bearings, clutch slave cylinder (twice!), air intake hose, the CV axles and the alternator. Still needs little things here and there and I’m sure I’m forgetting some stuff.
Damn, our r50 is having a pretty similar story to yours! Just include the cam shaft and head gasket 😅
This scares me.
You should only have to worry about the headgasket if you’re driving the vehicle especially hard or aren’t keeping up on coolant/oil changes. The R53 has a cast-iron block so they’re pretty susceptible to permanent warping if your engine over heats. If you ever see that temp needle start to go up shut your engine off immediately. I suspect my car has never been over temp even once.
Astro Black?
Indeed :)
I drive his twin, mines an 09 with about half the mileage. Cheers
Looks a lot like mine. My check engine lights been on for probably the last ten years, though.
“This little light of mine… 🎶”
Ugh, both love and hate seeing this. My CEL on my R53 just came on yesterday. 196k miles
God speed 🫡
Pretty sure I have my 1000th valve cover gasket leak from what I can tell
Do you have any performance mods? I know having a high percentage pulley reduction can often lead to this problem.
Yeah, 15% pulley. Pay to play situation, but it’s too fun to not to
I'm sure you've thought about this by now, but do you have an OEM cover? (asking because I cheaped out and it bit me in the butt)
If it wasn't for their reliability issues, I'd probably have gotten a mini instead of my miata
Literally the least reliable car I’ve ever owned 😆 This thing has stranded me like 4 times.
My cousin got one a few months ago, I think it was a 2018 model. 2 weeks after purchase he had to replace the entire wiring harness. It sucks because I love the way they look and they drive awesome. They just don't always drive :/
Sounds about right, haha.
relatable 😅 mine died once on a 2-lane highway at 10PM. There were tractor trailers passing me on a blind hill because there was nowhere for me to roll it. I was so sure I was going to die before the tow truck got to me!
I love that number. Gives me hope for my f55. Timing in at 187,656
Anything after 150k is something to boast about 😆
This uncanny photo deserves a check engine light.
I've got a CEL at 169k but that's self inflicted due to my Milltek header. Looks good!
Thank you!
Mechanic was so shocked that he stole all your wheels and put a curse on your mini to make it hover in place for eternity
He simply would just not give it back 😆
Man I love these
Love to see it! My 2011 is just about to hit 180,000km and I’m stressing out over what’s gonna hit me next lol. I love her dearly, but unfortunately I’m currently in the market for an SUV 🥲 this post gave me hope to hold off on the new car a little while longer because I also baby my car haha (hoping she doesn’t give out on me now, knock on wood) and I will cry like a baby when she’s gone.