I just love how he smiles about everything. Staring the car is funny , shutting the door is funny, everything he does he does it with a smile/ laugh and It goes a very long way.
I just bought a 2006 Mini Cooper S with JCW. I've never owned a Mini so I'm excited to own and drive it. I did have a few issues I have to work through. Good video!
I had a 2003 Cooper S with the optional 17” wheels. Red with black roof. It was the most expensive car I’d purchased at the time. An absolute blast to drive and it looked awesome. I sold it just before the warranty was up ;)
such a great car. underrated. solid feel, quick and handles fantastic! get over the cuteness and you have a fun quick sports car that cant be laughed at.
Matt, your happiness driving this car is genuine and if you go back and look at your C8 review you don't have the same reaction, this speaks volumes about both vehicles, its undeniable when watching THIS video👍
Its really awesome to see such a knowledgeable and honest view on the r53s. I've owned 3 of them and about to get my 4th one a silver 2005 r53 jcw with aero kit. Good gas mileage, fun to drive and just all around pretty good car
@@b.henriques9871 actually yes usually either v8 bmws or fords lol but also I'm used to v6s and inline 4s and just about anything else I work on in my shop. But for how sporty of a car your buying for the price range back then they was good on gas compared to a cobalt ss or a modified Honda civic
I miss my '06 R53 and the glorious supercharger whine. Hearing it again made me miss it even more. I just sold my '15 F56 and upgraded to a new 2020 Mazda 3 Hatch with a stick. Great to see Matt do a review of the best of the R53 generation! Good Work!
I have a 2004 R53 I love the car!! He owns twisty curvy roads. The car will put a smile on anyones face that drives him. May not have crazy HP but I promise you will have a fun time driving one.
Minis are great fun. I bought an R56 for its, in my opinion, better looks and more refined driving experience, though the supercharger whine of the R53 is something I wish mine had. Thankfully my N18 engine has been pretty reliable. Great video, as always.
Another similar car of that era was the Cobalt SS it was Supercharged also before it went turbocharged. I preferred the SC over the turbo for city driving.
Excellent review! I have owned two R55s and currently own an R56. But, if MINI brought back a modern version of this size and packaging, that would be ideal. The modern F generation cars are of little interest to me (moving too much in the Golf direction).
Crysler had a concept car called the Hornet that was very similar to the MINI in size and execution, too bad it never made it to production. The engine though was, impart, developed with Chrysler in the R53.
lol i've always liked these models. They were really nice and I had the pleasure of driving one at one point. Someone i knew had the works edition and it was really nicely painted looked great and was really fun to drive. I had my built Evo 8 at the time though so I appreciated the car for what it was but I wasn't too impressed haha, couldn't help it.
While the gp is more track focused I prefer Jcw ,,is more full packed with sunroof and more extras,,plus I think the bodykit in jcw is more beautiful than the gp.
If anyone knows the best place for me to find one of these bad boys, please let me know. They rarely come up on FB Marketplace or Craigslist near me and Autotrader only has a few listed at a given time. Thanks!
I've been waiting for you to make this video for a while now Matt. Now I'm afraid to watch it. I own an r56 s and it's almost paid off. Always wanted an r53. I know once I hear that supercharger whine it's game over. And wife said it's time for a four door next....
Very good review. I own one of these cars, and it needs a manual transmission, Can put a rebuilt in one, and do a few other repairs of plastic stuff. Enjoy driving the car at times. I own it because a guy owed me some money, that I was never going to see again, so I have this car. However the values are way low, thinking twice about it. Also I own a BMW 535i sport, and know how expensive repairs are. Wondering if the JCW is similar to being prone to problems mechanically. Anyone have some information concerning this? Thanks.
I had a 2007 R56 and it was the biggest POS...but I loved it! Yes, it got bigger but the interior looked much, much better than the R53's but the exterior styling of the R53 was much, much better, inparticular the side glass wrapping around and real, metal fuel door for instance. The new MINI should be called the MAXI now, waaaaay too bloated 😔
@@Jhart44 its expensive if done by autoshops if you can do stuff yourself preety cheap only parts and just your time Normally parts aren’t so expensive,,,the charges by dealership though 😬😬😬😬
I bought an acura rsx-s instead of this car. I thought the Acura was a little more grown up and that engine and shifter were phenomenal. And I did not trust BMW quality.
If you can work on these cars and you enjoy working on cars by all means buy one used. If you don’t work on cars stay far away from this endless money pit.
Lovely car but this one has been ruined with childish graphics, tacky add ons and the red seats from a red car and red graphics... Red and green don't work on a car.
Yes MATT... we are back to the more affordable vehicle reviews 😁. I love the R53 Cooper S. That Supercharger Noise Is Impeccable
Haider Sohail the only thing affordable about this car is the price. Parts and labor 💀
@@kevs2good133 So true. When these go BOOM... yeah. Not as bad as the R56 motor. Straight for the Peugeot 207 GTI. Always had head gasket issues
I just love how he smiles about everything. Staring the car is funny , shutting the door is funny, everything he does he does it with a smile/ laugh and It goes a very long way.
Great video, can't deny the petrol head grins with the whine of the supercharger. Just bought one and I love it.
I don't call it the R53, I call it the Italian Job gen lol
I just bought a 2006 Mini Cooper S with JCW. I've never owned a Mini so I'm excited to own and drive it. I did have a few issues I have to work through. Good video!
The first year or two of the Cobalt SS was a supercharged 2.0L. Had that unique 4cyl whine too!
The Chevrolet Cobalt SS and the Saturn Ion Red line had an early production run of a supercharged 2.0L 4 cylinder.
I had a 2003 Cooper S with the optional 17” wheels. Red with black roof. It was the most expensive car I’d purchased at the time. An absolute blast to drive and it looked awesome. I sold it just before the warranty was up ;)
The speed these cars can carry in and out of a corner means you can keep up with much more powerful cars on a twisty road.
such a great car. underrated. solid feel, quick and handles fantastic! get over the cuteness and you have a fun quick sports car that cant be laughed at.
Matt, your happiness driving this car is genuine and if you go back and look at your C8 review you don't have the same reaction, this speaks volumes about both vehicles, its undeniable when watching THIS video👍
Its really awesome to see such a knowledgeable and honest view on the r53s. I've owned 3 of them and about to get my 4th one a silver 2005 r53 jcw with aero kit. Good gas mileage, fun to drive and just all around pretty good car
Ahaha good gas mileage? My guy what are cars are you used to? V8s?
@@b.henriques9871 actually yes usually either v8 bmws or fords lol but also I'm used to v6s and inline 4s and just about anything else I work on in my shop. But for how sporty of a car your buying for the price range back then they was good on gas compared to a cobalt ss or a modified Honda civic
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video!
@@wnr_allan7222 ah in that case true, I on the other hand was used to small 4cyl diesels before i got mine hence shocking about the mileage.
@@b.henriques9871 ahh I fully understand that. Diesels are a whole other world
I miss my '06 R53 and the glorious supercharger whine. Hearing it again made me miss it even more. I just sold my '15 F56 and upgraded to a new 2020 Mazda 3 Hatch with a stick. Great to see Matt do a review of the best of the R53 generation! Good Work!
Thanks Ethan!
I have a 2004 R53 I love the car!! He owns twisty curvy roads. The car will put a smile on anyones face that drives him. May not have crazy HP but I promise you will have a fun time driving one.
7:04 of course this car will give you tons of smiles
Like how it performed on screen in the Italian Job
The coolest thing about the Cooper S R53?
It’s supercharged🔥
I enjoyed this video. This brother knows his Mini Coopers. Thanks for the review. Stay safe and bcool. Detroit
Minis are great fun. I bought an R56 for its, in my opinion, better looks and more refined driving experience, though the supercharger whine of the R53 is something I wish mine had. Thankfully my N18 engine has been pretty reliable. Great video, as always.
Another similar car of that era was the Cobalt SS it was Supercharged also before it went turbocharged. I preferred the SC over the turbo for city driving.
Beat me too it lmao. Good cars. Sucker for supercharger whine
Ah true, I forgot about those, thanks!
@@MattMaranMotoring it's awesome to get a reply back from you! Thanks Matt, and hello from Seattle WA.
I love that supercharger whine with a 4cl sound. So unique
it's like having a hellcat.
I just bought an '04 R53 with 15K miles. Interior still smells like a new car. Even without the JCW upgrades the car is a hoot to drive.
Excellent review! I have owned two R55s and currently own an R56. But, if MINI brought back a modern version of this size and packaging, that would be ideal. The modern F generation cars are of little interest to me (moving too much in the Golf direction).
Matt ,great review ,you need to do a throwback video,sporting a Peacoat and fedora
It always slip my mind that you use to have a Mini and when you bring it up i quickly remember the Mini update vids.
Thank you for the support all these years!
Who couldn’t like a Mini of that generation, especially the John Cooper Works GT version.
I miss my 2003 with full Alta upgrades. Thing was a screamer.
R53 FTW!
The early versions of the JCW had the tuning kit sent to the dealership and installed there, that's very cool in a weird way, kinda like a skunkworks😎
More classic reviews! Please keep them coming!
COOL 2006 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works Review
Crysler had a concept car called the Hornet that was very similar to the MINI in size and execution, too bad it never made it to production. The engine though was, impart, developed with Chrysler in the R53.
7:04 👏🏻😄😎
I have an r53 cooper s and I’m really enjoying the car!
Minis are awesome. I have then a 2003 Mini Cooper S. Awesome handling. Quick. And pretty cheap on gas!
need one of those sound videos on this car
Minis are fun cars. Thanks for an informative review.
Thanks for watching it Lynda!
What’s the boost gage go up to?
I was expecting a 5 speed manual transmission, but a 6 speed manua really helps Meath acceleration
lol i've always liked these models. They were really nice and I had the pleasure of driving one at one point. Someone i knew had the works edition and it was really nicely painted looked great and was really fun to drive. I had my built Evo 8 at the time though so I appreciated the car for what it was but I wasn't too impressed haha, couldn't help it.
I fell in love with this car
Why?
Because the Italian Job!
What is that little yellow piece on the end of the wiper stalk....anyone🤔
My r53 is an 2003 and doesn’t have it but I think it’s to switch the little screen in the speedometer
I believe its low wiper fluid one side and the other side is the alarm led
Its the rear screen water jets and lights up when your screen wash bottle is low, the bottles are really small and empty fast.
the goat mini imo
While the gp is more track focused I prefer Jcw ,,is more full packed with sunroof and more extras,,plus I think the bodykit in jcw is more beautiful than the gp.
If anyone knows the best place for me to find one of these bad boys, please let me know. They rarely come up on FB Marketplace or Craigslist near me and Autotrader only has a few listed at a given time. Thanks!
Awsome review Matt!!!!! Thanks agein so much for stoping by!!!!!
Thanks again for letting me drive your car Connor!
I've been waiting for you to make this video for a while now Matt. Now I'm afraid to watch it. I own an r56 s and it's almost paid off. Always wanted an r53. I know once I hear that supercharger whine it's game over. And wife said it's time for a four door next....
Very good review. I own one of these cars, and it needs a manual transmission, Can put a rebuilt in one, and do a few other repairs of plastic stuff. Enjoy driving the car at times. I own it because a guy owed me some money, that I was never going to see again, so I have this car. However the values are way low, thinking twice about it. Also I own a BMW 535i sport, and know how expensive repairs are. Wondering if the JCW is similar to being prone to problems mechanically. Anyone have some information concerning this? Thanks.
I can’t believe these things are 15 years old
Budget Hellcat! Heck yeah!
Best fun for the money. I love my MINI, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
(and I own the 2007-2010 N14 engine, the most "unreliable")
I had a 2007 R56 and it was the biggest POS...but I loved it! Yes, it got bigger but the interior looked much, much better than the R53's but the exterior styling of the R53 was much, much better, inparticular the side glass wrapping around and real, metal fuel door for instance.
The new MINI should be called the MAXI now, waaaaay too bloated 😔
Thats funny, i was watching the videos of your old mini, what a coincidence
Still have an late 05 s with 100k want change it for nothing I love this car 😀😀😀😀😀
I’m still driving my ‘06 Jcw :)
Doesn’t Mini Cooper have terrible maintenance
@@Jhart44 its expensive if done by autoshops if you can do stuff yourself preety cheap only parts and just your time
Normally parts aren’t so expensive,,,the charges by dealership though 😬😬😬😬
Can you review a 07 or 08 acura tl
I'd love to if someone offered one to me.
@@MattMaranMotoring Someone get this man a TL!!!
in germany i could not find a single automatic one to buy these days...ok one, but that is blue inside...
Put some Megan racing coil overs and the thing will corner a turn like no other car
Love my R53 🚗😊
Cool little car!
Why does bumper is not JCW?
Because there's no such thing. You're thinking of the Aero body kit, which was available for any R53 S, not just JCW optioned cars.
Id rather have a 2006 wrx sti
Mikey Bisk ok
I bought an acura rsx-s instead of this car. I thought the Acura was a little more grown up and that engine and shifter were phenomenal. And I did not trust BMW quality.
I like Minis, I just don't like the reliability and cost of repairs
Back before they got huge and started looking goofy.
I wonder what Ja Rule thinks about this car.
Joe Cervantes I don’t understand the reference
Dave Chapelle reference?
sweeet
Kstar
If you can work on these cars and you enjoy working on cars by all means buy one used. If you don’t work on cars stay far away from this endless money pit.
Lovely car but this one has been ruined with childish graphics, tacky add ons and the red seats from a red car and red graphics... Red and green don't work on a car.
First
Slow little turd mobile. 🐛🐛
i own one of these and they are slow and unreliable but i dont think ive had more fun in any other car on a backroad