I'm not going to bury the lead here. After nearly nine years of enthusiastic ownership, the time has come to sell my 2006 MINI Cooper S. The journey that brought me here, and what it means going forward is something I wanted to share with MotoringFile readers, as I'm sure other MINI enthusiasts have wrestled with this difficult decision as well.
I’m not going to bury the lead here. After nearly nine years of enthusiastic ownership, the time has come to sell my 2006 MINI Cooper S. The journey that brought me here, and what it means going forward is something I wanted to share with MotoringFile readers, as I’m sure other MINI enthusiasts have wrestled with this difficult decision as well.
As a motoring enthusiast, it’s in my nature to form a relationship with the machines in my care. Going all the way back to my first car, a 1987 Honda Prelude 2.0 SI, the bond was deep. I knew every inch of that car — every nut an bolt — and not just because I did all my own maintenance and repair. I knew the car because I cared to. I decided to. That enthusiasm also took me online, where I found a community of fellow Prelude enthusiasts on a message board on this relatively new thing called the Internet.
Fast-forward to 2004. My affection for british motors had been well-cultivated since childhood, so I was following the new MINI Cooper with great interest. That interest took me online again, where naturally I found MotoringFile. Reading the news and participating in discussions here only fueled my enthusiasm for the car. In 2006, I was finally able to pull the trigger on a brand new MINI Cooper S of my own. It was just before the R53/R56 generational shift and time was running out. I had been one of those vocal R56 doubters in the MF comment section lamenting everything from the interior changes to the on-demand oil and water pump in the Prince engine. I was so hell bent on having my R53 my way that I pulled the trigger on the car before I was truly quite able to pay for it. Such is love, no?
My 2006 MCS was the first new car I’d ever bought, and I’d ordered it from the factory. The car had lived up to all the things I’d hoped a new MINI could be. It was fast, formidable in the turns and I was absolutely in love with the Dark Silver on Pure Silver paint scheme. At the time, I even had an hour-each-way freeway commute between Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Having a great excuse to drive the wheels off the car everyday was pretty heavenly. Here’s the spec:
By 2010, I was part of the MotoringFile staff — a detail that is no less surreal in retrospect, even after years of writing for the site. I’m still just happy to be here. Getting involved here at MF only further deepened my enthusiasm for MINI and the community that had grown up around the car. Guest hosting on White Roof Radio was equally fun, especially after listening to the show since about episode five. Attending events like MINIs on the Dragon and AMVIV was just icing on the cake. Connecting with people in the MINI community in person and attending MINI press events gave me a point of view on the brand that only deepened my affection for it.
So what changed? Well I can definitely say that the nature of my enthusiasm for the MINI brand, and even my love for my R53, hasn’t shifted much. My relationship to the car (and with it, the brand) has changed only in as much as all the other things in my life have evolved in such significant ways. When I bought my R53, I was fresh out of school, just starting my design career. Since that Autumn when I took delivery of my car, I got married. I’ve lived in two other states. I’ve even done design work in a handful of different industries.
It’s really two things that have brought me here to this point of selling my MINI: moving to Chicago, and motorcycles. The first, that move to the Windy City, is the biggest contributing factor. Chicago is not a good driving city. It’s a terrible driving city, truth be told. Not just from a traffic standpoint, but a significant lack of fun roads. Sure, there are a few decent roads, but for any real motoring fun, you’re looking at several hours of driving to any decent stretch of twisty highway or back road. Besides routes, it’s expensive to own a vehicle here. From fees to parking, there are definite economic incentives to own as few vehicles as possible. Add to that the easy access to a usable mass transit system, one need not even own a car living here if they didn’t want to. The result is that since moving to the Chicago area in 2012, my MINI was getting driven monthly at best.
Part of that interval had to do with other interests. While the nature of my MINI enthusiasm hasn’t changed, perhaps the intensity and urgency has. In 2007 I got hooked on a motoring drug that perhaps only fellow addicts can understand: motorcycles. Starting with scooters, two-wheeled vehicles all but took over my life. This led to side projects like ScooterFile, and eventually to custom builds and moto blogging via Salzmoto. At a more practical level though, a garage full of motorcycles meant that if I had a gorgeous Sunday afternoon to spend on the road, I’d rather do it on my vintage Honda CB450 or my Triumph Bonneville (above) than my MINI. For those of you who ride, you know it’s not a fair fight.
After a couple years of this inequity, it’s just time, even though I’d really rather just keep my MINI forever. Owning a car like a MINI is never a fully practical endeavor, but there comes a point where the lack of usage has to finally factor in. Truth be told, it isn’t the ongoing expense or hassle of an unused car that’s really the problem. I feel like I owe the car better. I owe this car better. I enjoy it enough to want to see it go to a good home — somewhere where someone will actually drive it and make good use of all the life this MINI has left in it. I’d rather it wear out in someone else’s hand than rot.
So with that, my MCS has been listed for sale. As of my writing this, it looks like there’s a buyer lined up. Here’s hoping he and his wife enjoy it as much as I have.
Now this probably leads to one question in particular. Will I still be involved here at MotoringFile? Of course! You’ll even still hear me occasionally over on White Roof Radio. I’m not done with MINI, I’m simply letting this one go for now. I’m just as excited as Gabe is for our F56 long-term evaluation car to arrive. When will my next personal MINI come along? Well that depends entirely on whether or not MINI puts the CitySurfer on sale. If that falls through, it’ll all depend on when I actually need a second vehicle again. Things going as they are, I imagine that’ll be a while. Yet next time I go car shopping, I’ll be running through the MINI Configurator first. That I can guarantee you. I really like what we’re hearing about the next Clubman, for example.
How about you? Who else has struggled to let go of their MINI? With the R53 in particular on its way as a modern classic, who’s still planning to keep theirs forever. Tell us about it in the comments.
<p>R53 owner since 2005… Struggling with the same issues… But I still can’t decide,… Afraid about comparing every car with the cooper… Driving will never be the same I guess. But I do need another car… But which one ? Suggestions ? Affordable that is .. :)</p>
<p>So sad to see this one go but totally understand. Being MINI-less for me has a tough pill to swallow. It’s been 9 months since the MotoringFile JCW Roadster went away and our new F56 cannot come soon enough.</p>
<p>And fun is where you find it. I love driving in Chocago :)</p>
<p>Chicago can be very fun by scooter!</p>
<p>I almost think a prereq of owning/writing for this site is that you need to own a MINI.</p>
<p>As motoringfile.com fans I think we all need to push you to buy the F56 JCW!!</p>
<p>Hated, HATED to let go of my 2004 MCS JCW. But after 116,000 miles and over 10 years it just felt like time to move on. Traffic on Michigan’s destroyed roads had sapped the fun out of driving a manual car, and repair bills seemed to be around every corner. A car is a necessity here in metro Detroit (unlike Chicago) so I moved on to a 2014 328i Sport Wagon. It’s a great car, solid, plenty quick (quicker than the MINI even if it doesn’t feel like it), AWD should be a boon in the winter. But its not MINI fun, its too competent in some ways. I’ll always want a MINI and someday I hope to come back to them….hopefully the one I come back to won’t be as big as the Wagon I have today (kidding).</p>
<p>I sold my ’07 R56 a few years back due to the cam chain tensioner failure, being fixed, but ultimately a piece being broken off in the motor which caused the chain to jump off the sprocket inside. Well long story short, the pistons smacked valves, the dealer only half fixed it (didn’t do a rebuild which I felt I deserved) so I sold the car to the dealer for cash. I couldn’t picture trying to justify the car’s condition to a used car buyer so I decided to take the financial hit and sell.</p>
<p>After that I owned a TTRS, and E90 M3. While both very fun awesome/fast cars none of them were as fun in my mind as my MINI and I’ve missed it since I sold it.</p>
<p>Just recently to get that MINI fix I ordered a 2015 JCW R58. (Yeah they still make them. Go get one!) I’m currently having the JCW suspension installed, and can’t wait to get it back.</p>
<p>So I get it man.. with that said I think you’ll be back. MINIs are special, great cars. Honestly though they could do some things better, and if I worked for MINI I definitely could help make it a better brand :-)</p>
<p>Also hey — When do I get to write columns for MF? I actually own a MINI! I also live by some twisty roads!</p>
<p>I have 2011 R56 with JCW kit. It is the 1st car I bought new, and slowly made it my own by adding/changing bits over time. I love the car. But I do have a Bonneville and Monster 796 as well, and I get you Nathaniel that it’s not a fair fight for MINI to take “fun weekend road vehicle” spot.</p>
<p>My MINI takes the commute great and I do cold water scuba divings (250 mile trip, 2 people full gear) regularly, and MINI kills it. I love that MINI sits in the parking lot for divers and other cars are all trucks and SUVs. People really can’t believe how much stuff comes out of that car when we prep.</p>
<p>I have no plan of replacing her anytime soon, but I don’t know what the future holds. I just got married. Warranty is out. The new generation of F series is just not clicking with me, and I remain to be a motorcycle gut at heart (riding since 12 or 13).</p>
<p>I hope to remain as a MINI owner for many years, and want to come back to it later if I part with it for a while at some point. But yeah, I get what you are doing right now, Nathaniel.</p>
<p>Love the overlap between MINI owners and motorcycle/scooter people. [gives two finger solute]</p>
<p>During my single years during the 1960’s living in Florida, I had several ‘sport cars’, all of them previously owned except for one. They included 2 1952 Jags XK120’s ( a coupe & a roaster), a 1965 Austin Healey Sprite (the only new one), & a 1958 Porsche 356A Coupe. So 3 were from the UK & the other from Germany. The Porsche, by far, was the most dependable of the bunch & also at or near the top fun to drive. I put 100K miles on that car with minimal problems.</p>
<p>Fast track to 2007 into my late 60’s, after 3 children & 2 marriages & many family cars such as Toyotas & Honda, I was looking to experience the sport car feel that I had way back in the 1960’s.</p>
<p>I had seem the new MINI’s around & I recalled the classic Mini here in the US during the 1960’s-early 70’s. I even had a similar size 1972 Honda Z600 Sport Coupe as my commuter car. Had a whopping 36HP from its 2 cyl 600CC air cooled mortocycle engine & it weighed 1310 lbs. Even had those 10″ wheels!!</p>
<p>So the new MINI caught my attention. In the fall of 2007 I ordered a new 2008 MCS in all Pepper White. I was hooked!! Took delivery in Jan 2008 & had for 4 years of great driving with few problems.</p>
<p>Then then the new Coupe was revealed, & I had to have one. I ordered one & 2 months later in Oct 2011 I took delivery of my spicy orange JCW Coupe. Again, it was a great drive with minimal problems. Between the 2 MINIS I hit 4 MOTD events.</p>
<p>Now at 74, I’ve becoming more ‘practical’ & have ordered an F55 MCS 4 door hatch in Thunder Gray. My former MINIS (& all those 1960’s sport cars) were manuals, but this one will be an auto with paddles, along with many other options. Since i wasn’t at the Dragon last year & don’t have a place in Fontana Village, I’ve just rented a cabin 12 miles away for the 2015 MOTD!! Let’s Motor!!!!</p>
<p>Awesome story!</p>
<p>Since joining the MINI community in 2009 I will never drive anything other than a MINI. Growing up I had my fun with typical muscle cars but drifted through the years into a stream of soulless family cars. It wasn’t until we bought our daughter a used MINI in 2006 that I knew I would eventually drive one myself. In 2009 I bought a used 2006 Cooper S, eerily similar to yours, and I can honestly say I’ve had more fun driving this car than all the others that came before. Oh, and how about the wonderful community that accompanies our wonderful machines?</p>
<p>The possibilities of the F56, especially the upcoming JCW, are intriguing. With that said, I have a strong emotional connection with my car, MINIHERO. Feelings for a car? Add in a heavy dose of mods, loving care by Way Motor Works, the MINI perfect roads close to Atlanta, and this is one to drive the wheels off of ;-)</p>
<p>It is an odd thing to say about a car but it is my pal, something I enjoy spending time with, even a simple drive for groceries puts a smile on my face. Forever is a long time but I can’t imagine a world where I will not be in a MINI.</p>
<p>I too am a huge car person to the point where my cars actually become a part of me. Since my teenage years I have kept whatever I was driving spotless. I have a1992 honda prelude in frescoes blue that to this day with 205,000 mi. Looks near showroom New. Love the way it handles too…for a 1992 I’ve always said it was ahead of its time. I’ve also got a 2009 audi tt….but when mini caught my eye about 2 yrs ago it really grabbed me. I test drove the f56 cooper s and couldn’t stop smiling. When I got in my tt and left the dealership it felt so boring. Needless to say I test drove the f56 a few more times throughout the year and now am waiting anxiously for my custom order to arrive in beginning of Jan.</p>
<p>P.S. I too was a scooter owner, had a piaggio bv500 with 32,000 mi. When I sold it.</p>
<p>Nearly bought one of those myself.</p>
<p>My R53 will be 10 years old next month, and it’s never getting sold. Since buying my Ferrari I only use the R53 once a month at best, but I just couldn’t bear to sell it. It’s stilla brilliant little thing</p>
<p>My 11 year old R53 is still going strong, and so much fun to drive I don’t really want to replace it. Unfortunately I took a 5 door Cooper S out yesterday for a test drive…
11 years of Sports Suspension Plus made the ride on the 5 door so much more appealing and the extra power gave a very persuasive argument for me to change. Damn. That’s £28K lighter I’ll be before Christmas!</p>
<p>I think that’s one of the reasons why I refuse to test drive a F56 ;-)</p>
<p>My 2003 MINI, now sitting out front, will soon be gone. My BMW 228i is currently on a ship headed for CA, and will be sitting out front in less than a month. I was determined to go electric this year, but I really dislike what’s out there, except for the Tesla S, which is way too large for me. Still, I’ll be keeping an eye on future MINI models. If they’re not electrified by 2017, my next car will most likely be a Tesla E.</p>
<p>The i3 is pretty tempting, as far as current electrics go; I just wish it were a bit sportier of a drive.</p>
<p>I think it’s a blast personally. Ultimately the tires petit down but even that is sorta fun.</p>
<p>I’d hate to say this but you will regret selling your MINI forever. But do what you have to do.</p>
<p>You know, I don’t think I will. If I had to get rid of it suddenly, like because of a financial hardship or because someone had wrecked into me, then yeah I’d be really sad about that. But truth is, I would go weeks at a time and forget I had it. I don’t have a car commute anymore, and haven’t for three years, and when I am driving I’m usually in my truck because I have stuff to haul. If I’m going to drive for fun, the MINI isn’t my top-of-mind choice. Sure, I’m sad to see it go, but in a lot of ways it’s the idea of the car that I’m attached to at this point. Not the car itself. Better that someone else actually drive and enjoy the thing. My appreciation of my experience with the car is already detached from the actual object. It’s just gratitude at this point, and that’s not something I actually need the car in order to feel.</p>
<p>I took delivery of my R53 on July 2, 2002 after being on East Bay MINI’s waiting list since May of 2001. I had been driving a BMW 2002 tii which I bought NEW in February 1973. Having only one garage space I (unfortunately) had to part ways with the BMW in September 2002. The only other car I’ve owned was a 1967 Austin Cooper S which I bought used in January 1968 and was stolen in August 1972.</p>
<p>Not liking the direction MINI is taking, I won’t be parting with my R53 (with only 60K on the clock) anytime soon unless something unforeseen happens …</p>
<p>like doing something stupid and getting a (totally unpractical) Alfa Romeo 4C.</p>
<p>I knew I’d always love my ’09 R56 MCS + JCW Tuning Kit since the day I picked it up on order from MINI Habberstad. And from that point on I knew, whatever the circumstance, I’d always own a MINI. Even the large service bills over the years were no deterrent for me. A few local meetups with fellow MINI fans and 3 MTTS events only solidified our love of the car and brand as a whole.</p>
<p>After a baby came into the picture, 1.5 yrs ago, we tried to make an infant carrier in the back seat work. And it did for a while. But once she started to grow out of it, and we were forced to start looking for the next carseat size up I knew the kid had spoiled our fun.</p>
<p>So we decided to take the next natural step and get into a larger MINI. We welcomed our ’14 R60 All4 to the family in Feb 2014 with the ‘intention’ of putting the hardtop up for sale to help payoff the new car.</p>
<p>I listed the car for sale. After dodging a few scams in the beginning and 3 months with only a few failed attempts to sell it off I convinced myself to keep the car. Sure it was probably listed at $4k over market value. But it took listing it for sale and dealing with the anxiety of someone calling that actually wanted to take my MINI from me that made me realize that this car isn’t going anywhere.</p>
<p>Our daily commute in NYC from Queens to Manhattan consists of driving to the train and back (5miles / day). We barely get much mileage on the Countryman. I might put a few miles a week on the hardtop just to run quick solo errands. But I look forward to that time each week and even find myself volunteering to run to the store for items that can easily be purchased another time with the family car…</p>
<p>I realize the Countryman is a MINI and I believe purchasing it in the first place was my attempt to stay in the MINI family as I was about to sell the hardtop. But it can never replace my R56. And I’ll make sure no car will…</p>
<p>I will never sell my 2004 MINI Cooper. It’s the first car I bought on my own after having a free ’89 Tercel from my friend’s parents (the sardine can as we called it…) and then a ’93 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE which my parents got for me after the Tercel’s entire braking system went. From the time it debuted in Paris, I tracked the new MINI’s progress and worked away until I could get one.</p>
<p>Right now, we have just over 112k miles on him. I’ve spent a bunch of money to keep him in top shape and aside from a few parking lot dings, he looks essentially as I bought him. Most people don’t believe me when I say he’s 10.5 years old. There is still no car that brings such instant pleasure. It’s immediate and begs to be driven quickly with minimal braking before turns. I still get compliments on him, even though MINIs in the Boston and New England area have significantly multiplied.</p>
<p>Our E91 wagon is a wonderful car- RWD, sports package, hugs turns and handles beautifully. My wife’s new F30 335i xDrive 6MT is one competent, well rounded car- with a crazy amount of get-up-and-go. But each one is just not as honest and immediate of a joy to drive as the R50.</p>
<p>I’ve been tempted by a couple used 2004-2006 R53s over the years, but have never actually done it. I’ll be enjoying my R50 for years to come. The F54 will be an interesting proposition, but the current F56 is no match for my MINI’s MINIness. That instant joy- even my wife said the same thing, unsolicited, after we had an F56 loaner- is just not there. Kind of like the steering feel of the E9x vs F3x cars.</p>
<p>I am sure your MINI’s new owners will enjoy for many years, miles, and smiles.</p>
<p>Maybe I’m still a newbie in the MINI community, but I’ve only been a MINI driver since 2007 and can’t seem to picture myself in any other vehicle. I mean there are plenty of other cars in the market that I’d consider owning, but as of now, MINI is my first priority. Even if I have money to buy an M3/4, I’d still get a MINI as my primary. If I had all the money in the world, I’d get 3 different types of cars – MINI JCW, BMW M3/4 and a Range Rover Sport. But I don’t make that much money, so that’s in the cloud lol. But all I am saying is that I’d be hard pressed to let go of my MINI because of how versatile it is. It may be subjective to some out of the MINI enthusiast community but I could definitely see where you are coming from.</p>
<p>Always been able to let go, and yet I went backwards! R53 > R56 > R61 and back to R52. I’m really hoping that the next model is nicer to look at because I’m giving F56 a miss this time.</p>
<p>Just counted it up, and my little R53 and I have been in 12 countries together… there’s no way I can let it go with that history between us!</p>
<p>Scoopie (2006 MCS, as well) has been w/me 4 the past 8 yrs and she’ll die w/me, if I have my way.</p>