To all you R50/53 owners out there... how are your cars holding up, rust wise?
I found a really clean R53 that I was considering trading my JCW in for, until I popped the hood. There is a very small line of rust on the underside of the hood below the driver's side headlight. Is this something I need to watch out for in a first gen MINI or is this just bad luck?
Also, I know my R56's have had a 10 or 12 year paint/rust warranty. Did the first gens have the same type of warranty??
I really want an '06 MCS but I would like to know if rust is going to become an issue.
From a quick googling around they have a 12 year rust warranty from 2004 and on (otherwise 6 year) unlimited mileage. So for an R53 you'd be best to remember that specific difference. I was planning on looking up the specifics on the MINI website, but apparently now is a good time for maintenance heh. You might want to check there and read the actual warranty. I don't know if there are mandatory "checks" or not to maintain the warranty and how that would work on a used car (if a check was missed), however I should probably find out!
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The first rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs. The second rule of MINI ownership is always wave at the other MINIs.
I haven't noticed any rust on my '06, but I know that Mark (SPD...) noticed a little on the boot of his '06 recently.
I love both my MINIs like crazy, but since they are nearly 5 and 6 years old I'm just preparing myself for these things to come up. I had to replace the power steering motor on the '06 recently, that wasn't fun... but it is better than car payments too!
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nicole
Bruto: 07 S PS/W, Alta 19mm Rear Sway, Einkei Wheels, Driving Lights (VIP Custom Parts bracket & Hella 500's), Alta Short Shifter, Stratmosphere coilovers, VIP Custom Parts CAI & Strut Bar
if it is from NY and been driven in salt it is goind to rust no matter the vehicle. That being said I do not believe Mini's have as much of a rust issue as some other manufacturers do. If you drive your Mini in the winter just wash it routinely. As for the rust on the hood I am not sure what Mini will do for it unless it is rusted through, usually though if there is hood rust there are probably lots of rock chips because the paint is hard on the Mini's so an entire respray of the hood may be in order, about $500. Could be used in negotiation of price. Care to disclose car info and price? I look at these cars alot and want to see what they are offering you.
There are lots of rock chips on the front end, but other than that and the small spot of rust it is a very very very clean car. I have yet to look underneath for more rust, I only had a chance to check it out last night while it was raining and the dealer was closed. The rust may be a deal breaker for me though. I don't want anything that's going to cause lots of future issues. I haven't actually talked to anyone about it yet, I'm probably going to look at it again tomorrow.
Besides the power and gas mileage, everything about this R53 seems way nicer than my R56. Build quality, interior design, etc. It would be nice to save some serious money on the car payment too.
the price is ok on that, one thing I wish my had that this one doesnt is a LSD. It looks like it may have a JCW airbox on it but I cannot tell what that sticker says. looks pretty stock and that is good. The only spot for rust other than the hood is on the boot around the chrome lip. Look for paint bubbling.
The rust is a little bit worse than I thought, and I didn't even look underneath. You were right though, there were lots of spots forming on the boot. No paint bubbling yet but lots of chips with brown rust starting to show through.
The car drives fine for the most part. A little wobble in the steering wheel at highway speeds & the rear rotors seem warped.
Too bad the paint sucks, felt like a decent car for its' age.
areas of rust on my 03 r53 bottom of doors below tail lights most nuts and bolts in the engine bay and wheel arches hood near headlights are rusted
my original exhaust mufflers rusted thru i see some rust on the fuel lines.. i might have to sand and paint them before they rust thru? my parking brake line seized from corrosion. the o2 sensor looks like a nub of rust as do all the bolts underneath the car
I agree somewhat with dirty, the lower driver door had some pitting, and below the passenger rear tail light had some bulging/bubbling of paint. I jumped in with both feet this week and did some repair. Good for all of you that claim "not a lick of rust" as you're very lucky, I guess...a little fyi, tho...my brother works for a specialty metal testing lab and they salt-test everything from missles for the govt to fenders for Harley-Davidson. All items are built to fail...it just depends on how long before they do. 3 yrs, 6 yrs, 12 yrs...it all depends on how often a producer would like to see you back at the dealer. Unfortunately if a part holds up too well in testing, it goes back to the drawing board until the manafacturer is happy with the time-frame until rust eats your beloved...
-- Edited by Mister Holl on Saturday 21st of April 2012 07:07:06 AM
-- Edited by Mister Holl on Tuesday 24th of April 2012 11:32:23 AM
-- Edited by Mister Holl on Tuesday 24th of April 2012 11:32:47 AM
-- Edited by Mister Holl on Tuesday 24th of April 2012 11:33:07 AM
