Modded Mini Purchase

[jtack]

I have the opportunity to purchase a 2004 MCS with 40k for $17K. The car has the following mods:

Pulley (%?)
Nology Wires
Mini Madness CAI
Borla Exhuast
HSport shocks, springs, Camber/Caster, Sway bars, adjust end links rear
Short Throw Shifter
Enkei Wheels 17"

Is there any way of detecting a flash or racing clutch install? The car is pretty strong, very loud sc whine and handles very well. If I was to buy a stock MCS I would put these items on so it is saving me $$.

Should I be worried to buy a car with mods like this? The only thing I am worried about is the clutch. From reading posts it looks like this is the weak link and can need to be replaced around the mile mark that this car is at. The clutch does not slip and releases no higher than the middle of the throw.

Any advice would be great!

thanks!

[minisaz]

Sounds like a nice car and price. I have an '04 mini with almost 50K on it. Up to now no clutch problems. I thought they changed the clutch on the 05 and later models, that was where the problems arised, but someone (Dan, Todd, Nate??) might be able to shed a bit more lite on it.

I have got most of those mods except for the suspension parts and shifter, mine is still stock. Even have the same brand of wheels.

Can i have the short shifter and suspension parts???

[th3118]

Sounds like Kelly's Mini. What colors is it?
You can tell if it's got ecu programming by taking it up past redline. I think stock take up to 68k or so, and with a flash will go to 72k.
Most racing clutches are kind of abrupt, either off or on. Would have to compare to a stock one to tell.

[jtack]

Dark Blue with Greyish silver stripes, it has the blue enterior with black wheels, anybody know who had this car...the dealership that has it told me they purhcased it from Peoria Acura.

[th3118]

That must be Kelly's car, the second Mini in the picture. It's got all the stuff you listed, and a 15% pulley, stock clutch. He's moved on to BMW E36's. He sold the Mini over a year ago.

[jtack]

looks like the car without the windshield banner...anything I should know about the car????If you were looking for a mcs would you pass on the car knowing the history? Thanks!

[jtack]

the car I am looking at also has a black hood scoop insert

[th3118]

As I mention in a PM, it's a niclely set up car. Kelly took good care of it.
It's had some track time, but not more then a few weekends. Not sure how its been treated in the past year.

[Adis Daddy]

That is/was a kicka** car. I can vouch for everything Todd said. No clutch problems at all as of 8/06.

I have heard that it was in an accident but don't know anything about the damage. I would inquire deeper and let them know that you KNOW it was in a wreck and you want to see the paperwork.

Again I have heard that it may still be registered to the Auto Group where I traded it.. If so it has been sitting around for a year. Not sure why.

If you do buy it let me know because I have some of the original parts that you can have.

G/L

Kelly

BTW; if you have no intentions of ever racing don't buy it! That little car got me hooked on going to the track. It has now turned into a very expensive obsession It is a very capable car matched up against much bigger and more expensive performance cars.

[Adis Daddy]

And yes, it was flashed. EVOTech. All the engine mods (flash, pulley, CAI and exhaust) were done by DynoComp in the Scottsdale airpark. Suspension was done by Todd with a little help from me.

Let me know if you need/want more.

Kelly

[jtack]

thank you all for the info! I had been dealing for about 2 weeks on the car. The sticker was 24k I wanted to trade in my Tacoma but they didnt want to give me what I wanted for my truck so I left. The next day they sold the car. The car then came back, I asked why and they said that the owners could not get financed and had to return the car. I told them that I would still take it if they gave me what I wanted for my truck. They agreed to give me what I wanted for my truck and I would purchase the car for 17k + Tax, etc. I took off work yesterday early to go and complete the transaction. I wanted to drive the car again. Upon start up I noticed that the throw out bearing was squeeling...when I put the clutch in it stopped. I immediately thought if they want to sell this car to me today then they will have to drop the price 2k so I can put a new clutch in it. So we take off and the car drives perfect. I lugged the engine and accelerated hard to see if the clutch would slip...nothing. I brought the car back to the dealership. When I pulled in I popped the hood and was looking around. All of a sudden water started shooting out of the reservoir directly behind the engine right in the middle of the firewall. It was leaking all over the exhuast manifold which was hot therefore causing steam to bellow out of the engine bay. It was 93 degrees outside and I really didnt drive it all that hard...obviously not as hard as it had been driven in the past. The screw top to the reservoir was tight so I dont know what caused it to do that. The car was very very quick and handled very well. I knew something else was done to the car (flash) becuase the other mini's that I have drivin with 15% pulley, CAI, exhuast did not pull like that!

What could have caused the water leakage. I think that these at the dealership are freaking out because now they have a mini cooper that needs a clutch and water is coming out of the engine. If the water problem is not all that big of a deal I was thinking about going in there and offering a low low number because I know they are just wanting to get the thing out of there.

Kelly, what kind of hp to the front wheels was the car making?

Thanks Again!

[Adis Daddy]

Never had the car dyno'd. I would guess in the 190 range. Just a guess. Todd, any idea?

The clutch sound you are hearing is the harmonic balancer not the throw-out bearing, if it's the same noise that I became very familiar with. Mini replaced it about 17,000miles because I screamed like crazy. Do a search on NAM for it. You'll find pages upon pages. Pretty well documented issue that doesn't appear to affect the drive train.

Water leaking . I'm going to guess that the accident it was in hasn't been completely fixed. Have you inquired about the damage yet? Personally, I wouldn't do a thing until you find out about the damage that you KNOW it has incurred. If they deny it then walk, fast.

Let me know if I can help further.

Kelly

[th3118]

180-190 at wheels sounds about right.

Water puking could be radiator fan fuse or relay.

[azminiman]

The clutch sound you are hearing is the harmonic balancer not the throw-out bearing, if it's the same noise that I became very familiar with. Mini replaced it about 17,000miles because I screamed like crazy. Do a search on NAM for it. You'll find pages upon pages. Pretty well documented issue that doesn't appear to affect the drive train.




Kelly

I too know that clutch sound.. The duel mass clutch in the car vibrates.. mostly when cold, or going like up a curb slowly.. there is a sevice note out on it, and most are replaced under warreny.. My new 06 has even done it a few times like my 04 did quite often

[azminiman]

The clutch sound you are hearing is the harmonic balancer not the throw-out bearing, if it's the same noise that I became very familiar with. Mini replaced it about 17,000miles because I screamed like crazy. Do a search on NAM for it. You'll find pages upon pages. Pretty well documented issue that doesn't appear to affect the drive train.




Kelly

I too know that clutch sound.. The duel mass clutch in the car vibrates.. mostly when cold, or going like up a curb slowly.. there is a sevice note out on it, and most are replaced under warranty.. My new 06 has even done it a few times like my 04 did quite often