My mini journey, how I ended here.
About 3 months ago my I came across a r58 mini coupe jcw. I’ve always loved the way they looked and low key always wanted one. Theyre kinda rare and I don’t see them pop up on marketplace very often, so it’s one of those cars that were out of sight out of mind. When I saw one at Audi Victoria for $16k, I couldn’t believe one could be had for just a little more than wheels and tires for the x5. Quickly my priorities shifted, plans to wrap the e46 and wheels for the x5 have to wait.
I went and checked up the r58 and it was absolute garbage. The disappointment in my face said it all, lol wasn’t even offered a test drive. But it sold within a couple weeks.
Literally a few days after checking out the the coupe another one popped up on FBM. This one was a nice and the seller was a super cool dude and truly loved the car, much respect. A few things did bother me about this one but wasn’t a dealbreaker if the price was right. East coast car with some signs of surface rust here and there. Didn’t get a chance to look under the car but I’m sure it wasn’t pretty. Paint job was nice but incomplete, the door/hatch jams were unpainted and so was the engine bay (understandable). He was very honest with what upcoming service was needed (oil, brakes, tires). With all my concerns I threw a respectable lowball offer and said “no rush/pressure when the time comes (may31) and you need it gone, I’ll take it. Again super cool dude, just a few weeks ago he msged to let me know it sold and don’t hold out.
At this point I am deep in the rabbit hole. I have fallen in love with the R chassis mini. Coupe, roadster, hatch and even clubman (the wagon). I needed one, jcw of course! But unfortunately the all the jcw uses the n14 engine and from my research it’s the most problematic engine of them all. Do not touch was the overall consensus.
That being said another rare mini popped up. A jcw clubman, this was an oddball. Rounded bubbly front end with a rectangular rear reminding me of the ford flex. I loved the quirky look and those barn doors really sold it. So I made a trip over to check it out, along with a few others. Alright, another disappointing car. It seems like all these R chassis cars are prone to rust. Ah pass!
On to the F chassis cars.
I had a F66 non jcw as a loaner, yawn!
Test drove a F57 jcw, what a riot. Out of budget and for a $58k msrp convertible in 2025 the wind noise is unacceptable.
Against better judgement I made an offer on a F56 lci2 sight unseen. The owner accepted but wanted a non refundable deposit but I didn’t want to and it sold before I was able to come over.
Also against better judgement I showed interest in another black F56 but this one sold 1 day before I could come over.
WTF is going on?!?! Who the hell are buying up all these mini’s???:suspicious:
Alright!! Now I have no mini’s lined up and a ferry/hotel booked. Maybe it just wasnt meant to be. May as well look at some jcw countryman and maybe upgrade the gf’s universally hated kicks. I made my way down to Auto West and test drove their sage green one. What a beautiful color. Went for a test drive and wasn’t wowed by the 300hp pocket rocket as described. But this thing was like brand new mint with full PPF. I like it, let’s see if they’ll play ball but apparently they have a best price up front no negotiation policy. So off I go! To Richmond Audi, this place was bumping. What kinda dealership has trendy music blasting in the lot and showroom. Sales guy was a tool! He wasn’t super attentive and just let me poke around, sure wasn’t trying too hard to sell the car. Which is fine I didn’t need the whole salesman pitch anyways. Ok ok question time, local car? He replies with no, it’s from the east coast. I said “hmmm that’s not ideal. His response was “ya if that’s gonna bother you then it’s not the right car for you”. So I fucked off. Drop by Hyundai to say hi to Dark but didnt see him there. Probably off hustling someone into a ioniq5 haha like a proper salesman.
All hope wasn’t lost! I refreshed FBM and bam! This just posted, I msged the owner “what’s ur address, coming now!!” He said the car is kinda dirty and not really ready to be showed. I explained I’m from the island so if he is available I’d love to take a look asap. He told me he’s at work but I’m welcome to come take a look but no test drive. So I spent an hour poking around this guys car in parking lot. I bet I was sketching this guy out, he kept coming out and checking on me understandably haha.
Ok this is the one. I made him an offer pending on the test drive. He countered with $500 more. I can live with that. I asked him to have it cleaned up and washed so I can better gauge the paint condition and if it drives as you claim I’m ready to take it off your hands.
And here I am a proud mini owner.
