I did not see my side of the headliner sagging. But it is. Probably from heat. Thanks for finding it guys

I owned an ‘06 Mini Cooper S about five years ago in the same hyper blue metallic this one is in. Similar mods too, 15% reduction pulley, cold air intake, invidia cat back exhaust, blacked out grill swap. Man I miss that car, seeing one this immaculate makes me really want it back. That supercharger whine never gets old.

R53 model minis are by far the best Mini BMW has made.

Car Wizard’s voice is so relaxing to hear. He could describe horrific crime scenes in morbid detail and I would still be calm and relaxed listening to him. Lol

Wizard your candidness is so refreshing. In a world where I feel so utterly lost it brings me sanity to hear someone bring truth plainly.

Thanks Mr.and Mrs. Wizard. You guys make a great audio/ visual team. Wizard for your play by play diagnosis and inspection critiques and Mrs Wizard, you're video camera work and posing follow up questions of the Wiz is top notch interaction between him and the audience. Thanks again for the information and entertainment.👍🏻

I'm a Mini fanatic. Currently on my 5th, a 2020 Clubman JCW. The first gen R series models undoubtedly had their fair share of issues but the newer gen F series models are proving that Mini definitely upped their reliability game. There's a guy on a forum I follow that's currently sitting at 525k miles on an 2014 F series Cooper and still kicking strong.

Finally a mini! Thank you Wizard for this video. I do all of my maintenance on mine. Always trying to learn more so I can take on bigger projects as it ages. Your content is both helpful and amazing!

I bought my daughter a 2008 R56 Mini for her first car at 16 a year ago. $5000 all in, taxes, etc. What a gem of a car. Very peppy even without the super charger. I'd heard bad things about reliability so I opted for the base model. It's been flawless.

My wife has a Mini Cooper that is a 2002 model and it only has 41000 miles on it! It has never broken down and it is also an automatic! Very good little car.

“There’s something wrong with this car, even with such low mileage”. It’s a Beemer. Nuff said 😎

I'm gonna be getting a 2006 Cooper with a manual soon. Glad to see the Wizard gives his approval of this car. 👍🏻

It’s missing the factory under shroud. Missing a couple of screws that hold the shroud. This is a John Cooper Works. It already has a smaller SC pulley already. The 15% reduction was a common mod on these year cars. I have a 2002 MCS with 42k on it. It has the 15% SC pulley and stainless exhaust manifold and all all the way back. The Borla is not stock. Exhaust mods were very common. The driving lights are an option from the factory. This is a great example of almost pristine MINI R53.

Fitted with the chrono dash pack! Really rare here in the UK. It basically moves the Speedo to the steering column

This is a pretty rare spec of MINI Cooper S. The stripes were part of the sport package and were factory installed. The driving lights were a dealer option for $500. Those optional upgraded seats were a $1700 option. Personally, I have driven 2006 MINIs over 230k and averaged $1300 a year on maintenance/repairs/tires.

The ‘06 MINIs are probably the most reliable ones that they made. Most of the original problems were fixed and the timing chain problems didn’t really exist yet.

I had an 04 Cooper S. This video has me longing for it. The cool thing about this one is the optional gauge cluster in the factory speedo location. It was pretty rare to see that setup.

I’m so happy to see & hear a good mechanic that doesn’t give horrible review about minis I worry about mine bc of mechanic reviews I love the car it’s definitely a fun car I have not had many troubles with it yet 🤞! 2013 mini

Fantastic detailed vlog. You are clearly a natural with a calming manner. Thanks again for sharing buddy!

Thanks for these vids Wiz. Look forward to them. Lots of work to do these and your subscribers get it. No matter what car. It’s the knowledge that is exchanged. Thumbs up to the Mrs. W as well. Takes a village.

I own a 2009 Mini Cooper S JCW with 69k on the odometer. Never had an issue with this car. Absolutely love mine.

I understand that low mileage being like new . Bought my Miata from an older gentleman. It has 24,000 miles and it’s a 2008. Pre purchase inspections on the lift the undercarriage has never been exposed to rain. All the paint and parts are still shiny. And the headliner is in great shape because it’s a convertible.

awesome content again wizard . i think a brief test drive would be a nice addition to the repaired mini !

I had a Cooper S as a courtesy car for 2 weeks last year. Drove like a go-cart. Loads of fun!

That was a very good point, to make about how much it takes to write them off.

When the Wizard's shirt matches the car he's working on

I've owned my 2002 R53 S model for 16 years. Pretty reliable and the upkeep and mods are very affordable. Did the 15% pulley, my favorite mod.

Watching your videos remind me of my childhood. Two of my Uncle's were mechanics at a shop owned by one and on a strip of family land so both lived on the property. Always had fun going to the garage and watching them work and learning everything I could. Also there was a parts/scrap yard to play in. We also played the guess what this is? This is why I subscribed. Thanks for the trips down memory lane.

I thought you didn’t work on BMW’s car wizard? ;)

Gotta love those 1st gen JCW R50/R53s, especially with JCW touches.. the last remnants of Real John Cooper Mini’s

Mrs Wizard does a very good job photographing your videos good job Mrs. wizard!! 👍

That is a really nice example of an r53 mini. It has the rare r90 wheels, the optional heated seats, the optional navigation system, the optional harmon kardon speaker package. And some JCW parts hidden in there. All that plus it only being a 26k mile car. That is a phenomenal example of what is probably the best generation of the new style minis.

love the rally lights reminiscent of 1967 mini cooper at le mans

I heard there are some shops in your area that when you drive up with a BMW and describe the problem they say aww, hell no! I’m not working on a BMW.

spot on Wizard and Mrs Wizard love the content of your videos

Excellent wor, as always and thanks.

Such a cool car and a nice lot of extras I’ve had two Cooper S on 06 such a fun car

Wizard, it would have been awesome if your had showed us the pulley replacement process as well. Felt the video was incomplete without that

Love the car wizard I'm a at home mechanic built a few engines and re did a old hot rod but still picked up tricks from the wizard you can tell he knows his stuff

Hopefully these videos will inspire a whole new generation of Auto Mechanics!

I’ve had my R53 Cooper S for 4 years now and that’s the first example of a stock supercharger pulley going bad, they’re a shrink/friction fit and are a huge pain to remove. I wouldn’t be surprised if this has an Alta or Cravenspeed pulley fitted as they’re in 2 parts and can come loose, hopefully it hasn’t attacked the input shaft and written off the whole supercharger

Got to take it easy over the railroad tracks in Newton with a Mini Cooper. Friend of mines family took out the radiator driving over too fast.

Love Mini Coopers. Good to see The Wizard is no car snob!

My Nana had an 08 Mini Cooper S that she got from my uncle about 2 years old with about 14k miles; when we sold it for her 2 years ago as she could no longer drive, it only had 21k miles on it. It was the car I learned to drive manual on, and that I really like the pull of a turbo, especially from BMW. Hated the ride of it, it was on 18s chrome wheel with runflats.

Wizard it's the "Black Ice" air freshener under the seat...

Bit of trivia: the Focus SVT in the background and the R53 Cooper S featured use the same Getrag 6 speed manual gearbox.

The best generation of the BMW minis ! If it’s overheating related it’s probably the expansion tank or the oil cooler o rings on the oil filter housing. Also on another note , this car has the Cooper Works Airbox , which inputs some of the supercharger noise into the cabin. I would strongly advise changing the Coolant Expansion tank before it cracks 🤷🏼‍♂️

267,000 miles on my 2005 Cooper S. It's the same here in Virginia with shops not wanting to work on it or getting work done and it ends up being done wrong. I have spent A LOT of money keeping it going but I just can't get rid of it! I get it to the Wichita area a couple times a year. May be I should make an appointment next visit. Needs more work (always).

I briefly owned a 2010 cooper s. Unless you have hoovie money I dont recommend them. $1300 fuel pump.

you said the answer of the quiz question before asking... you said before, that the car came for supercharger service))

Wizard, you referred to the front driving lights. They were a factory option from new. Look reall good. My daughter has them on her Mini Cooper.

I have a 07 cooper S and I’m very lucky to have a really amazing local garage that work on it. They saved me when my coolant started vanishing on 5 minute drives.

I am also an interior snob if you will. It is literally what you interact with when you drive.

Actually once you remove the bumper cover and aluminum bumper, everything is accessible. I had the entire subframe off my 03 Cooper in less than an hour, power steering pump had to be swapped.

I have a 2004 R53 Mini Cooper S with 26016. It does have one very, very small dent that requires effort to notice and some curb rash on two wheels but otherwise beautiful. The interior is perfect. Two-tone leather seats blue and gray. It's absolutely brilliant to drive. As for service, I would recommend taking a Mini to a Mini dealership shop. They should know your car better than anyone else. Guys like the Wizard are few and far between.

Those clear bras are a must..my minis front end is sand blasted pretty much after 200k miles and im on the 3rd windshield too from how it sits,no slope to it really so it takes the blunt force from every rock that hits it

I’ve never heard of a supercharger pulley going bad on these, of course everyone puts smaller ones on. Typically it’s just the tensioner pulleys that go bad.

Looks like headliner need fix?

I just did the supercharger replacement on my 04 Cooper s. It took about 13 hours, but was well worth it! The clutch and rear main seal are next, almost to 100k miles.

I was waiting for the R53 video! Have been eyeing it for the last few episodes.. :)

I love driving Minis, but the little experience I've had working on them was not great. Comparatively, I prefer working on Fiat 500s (still a pain in the ass compared to your average car), but somehow it feels like there's way more space to do basic services and maintenance. Plus I think the Fiat 500s fit the original ethos of the old-school minis better. They're still small, fun and affordable. Minis can easily nudge 40K if you spec one how you want it.

Hey Wizard you know that you can just nonchalantly kick nonchalantly those pads under the car and lift er up...you're being way too careful :)

I love the multiple choice segment of these videos.

Pop some colder plugs (1 stage cooler) in for a 15% pulley, also in a hot environment you want a better intercooler, the standard ones are prone to a lot of heat soak and take an age to cool off. 👍🏻👌🏻

That’s true Wizard! Over here in the Uk it’s the same! No garage will touch a clutch! They’ll refer you to a Mini specialist! They’re bad cars for gearbox and clutch failure!

Let's do a walk-around of the riding lawn mower sitting in the background. Thanks for the Mini viewing.

Wizard gets a thumbs up 80% of the time. Mrs Wizard cameo gets a thumbs up 100% of time

Very fun way to present the video!

I always liked the Mini Clubman, before they started making it a 4-door hatch.

Over here in the UK they go for next to nothing second hand ,nothing but trouble and the cost of replacing the clutch etc is expensive for what they are .Pretty much nothing but a throw away car once they start going wrong .

You make great videos! in Greece there are not many mechanics like you!!

when you do the supercharger service, also replace dip stick o-ring and crank position sensor o-ring, as both are usually toast after 30k miles and you got your standard Mini Cooper oil leaks. going into front end service mode makes both parts easily accessible, especially when you do a full SC oil service (take off the SC). Replace the belt tensioner (cheap insurance) while you're in there and to round off a 14-year old Mini service, replace the engine top left mount, as it leaks black goo out by about 30-40k miles. Oh, and check the crank pulley rubber parts for cracks - another weak spot that can cause expensive problems down the road. I wonder of the fan resistor on that car still works, given the low miles.

I had one of these, tons of mods. They make good power but have many failure points. Give it time that car will leak oil at every seam.

I have 180,000 miles on my cooper. Only thing I have ever had done to it was an alternator. I guess I am lucky.

And I'll have to take note of the fact you work on these, lol. Will need a new clutch in a year and installation process is a bugger on these. 🤣

I own three Mini Coopers a 2012 Cooper S, 2013 Paceman S ALL4 and a 2015 Cooper Convertible. Just a blast to drive not boring like almost every other CUV/SUV out there. Never had anything go wrong with any of them yet. I put snow tires on two of them and plow thru Alberta winters with little drama, but you have to be careful or you will be stuck for sure. The All4 Paceman is a beast in the snow with its winter tires....

1st generation minis are the best models ever, I should think of the JCW models, they scream louder than the Cooper S

I want to see what's going on with the SVT Focus in the background!!!

I bought a 2006 Cooper S new and really enjoyed driving it. We owned it for 3 years and would have kept it longer, but my wife grew tired of driving a car with a manual transmission.

Hey Wizard! Your uniform perfectly matches this car!

The cool mini coopers are the ones they built back in the 60s- Most modern minis are low mileage, because they spend most the time on the back of a tow truck

Chrysler engine in this car, oddly more reliable than something fromBMW

A slick top, very nice. Lots of expensive options leather seats, auto climate, JCW intake, driving lights, exhaust, strut bar, HK audio, chrome everywhere, chrono pkg, and hyper blue just like my 06 cabrio.

Thank you mr and mrs wizard

Is the sound of the wizards wallet getting fatter

My Sister In Law had one. It was so expensive to fix every time something went wrong, and things went wrong a lot, that she had to get rid of it. I would never own one, or a BMW for that matter. No thanks!

Eric The Car Guy will have a PTSD flashback with this one Wizard!!!

Those lights are usually a dealer installed accessory sometimes they’re factory or port installed . The center instrument gauges are also a rare option on an r53 they usually have the giant speedometer instead and somewhere along the way the car lost is front splash shield that goes under the front of the oil pan

BMW = Bust My Wallet. Even Ohio State University got rid of their John Cooper years ago.

My 2010 Yaris has almost 160k miles and have done nothing to the drive train, even the iridium plugs are original.

Low miles like the 2007 Honda fit sport I bought 2 yrs ago. 32,000 miles and absolutely clean and unbelievable on how good it was being so low mileage. My last Honda was bought with 100,000 + miles and I had I for 8 yrs.

If you like the Cooper and you cherish luxury.... may I suggest checking out the Mini Cooper S “Inspired by Goodwood”. It was a Mini designed by Rolls Royce, in order to comply to the 2012 E.U. Fuel act (?). It had plush carpets, RR leatherwork and Black Diamond paint! It was an expensive Mini. Aston Martin did the same thing, by rebadging a Toyota iQ (Scion?). It was called the “Cygnet”. Two real neat luxury variants. Thanks for the video.

The R53 is the best Mini. I have this same car in an automatic...same color too.

I know the reason. Too many freaking BMW emblems on it. My wife absolutely HATES her Mini Cooper S Countryman All 4. She has never before "lost a clutch". Clutch $3000. Now the AC has gone out with no reason to believe it will be fixed , though $1200 compressor to start? Nope. She would love to throw a match on it, but will trade it in the winter.

Watching this with a broken-down Mini in my driveway from a front end collision, hearing "It doesn't take much to total these cars in a front end collision" just killed me lmao

I had one for a bit. Briefly lived somewhere with crap parking so borrowed one for a few months. Great fun. It had a full stainless exhaust on it and had every option ticked. It was for sale, If I hadn't have found a Jag distract myself with, I'd have bought it. The biggest problem was the heater matrix. They have small passages and it had blocked up. Replacing the matrix requires attaching stupidly designed pipe connectors and its basically impossible to do when you are upside down in the footwell. I blame BMW since Rover aren't here to defend themselves, and they never did that on their other cars that I know of. Oh, and the clutch is too heavy. Its not nice to drive in traffic. The car ended up being sold to a friend though, so I still see it. The heater still hasn't been fixed yet, just bypassed with a hose for now.

Man, i hate to work on these

I like the Mini Coopers and was tempted on getting one but the reliablity and maintenance on it is ugh..

And the car matches your shirt, that's something

That’s a beautiful Mini!