2005 MINI COOPER S (R53) JCW 210

Highlights

• Collector-quality JCW Cooper S
• Genuine JCW kit with almost 210bhp
• Ultra-rare Black-Eye Purple Metallic
• Main dealer and independent history with invoices
• Superb original order throughout

Overview

Remember the Jibber-Jabber? Derided by parents the world over for its irritating ability to not stop making giggling noises, the most irritating children’s toy of all-time was almost certainly based on the experience of driving an R53 Mini Cooper S.

Quite simply, the Cowley-constructed go-kart is one of the silliest, most soulful and most adorable pocket performance cars ever made – and it is one that’s only ever bettered by itself. If the Cooper S makes you squawk with laughter (and if it doesn’t, what iswrongwith you?) then those fitted with a factory-approved John Cooper Works kit will leave you jibbering and jabbering for long after you’re removed the key from the ignition and yourself from the driver’s seat.

Those fitted from 2004 (and available to order complete from Mini dealerships) were equipped with what is known as a 210 kit, which consisted of an upgraded cylinder head with larger exhaust ports, a reduced friction supercharger pulley, uprated spark plugs, larger injectors, a Teflon-coated supercharger core, a remapped ECU, pod-style air filter and a JCW cat-back exhaust system that added a flatulent edge to the R53’s characteristic supercharger shriek. In addition, you got JCW badges and an individually numbered badge on the rocker cover – in this case, number S8401.

But the fun with this car doesn’t stop with the JCW kit. It’s a standard car inside and out, but it’s finished in the cheekily named Black-Eye Purple – something you might end up with if you take a Jibber-Jabber to the pub. It’s a fabulously cheeky colour, which complements the impish nature of this most mischievous of Minis perfectly. Yes, we love it. Can’t you tell? You’d better buy it before we do.

History and documentation

• UK V5C
• MOT May 2025
• Two keys
• Original handbooks and manuals
• Three previous owners
• Service history shows services at PDI (2005 – Ocean Mini of Falmouth), 7,414 miles (2008 – Ocean Mini of Falmouth), 34,428 miles (2014 – Rospeath Garage, Penzance), 35,753 miles (2015 – Rospeath Garage, Penzance), 39,259 miles (2016 – Rospeath Garage, Penzance), 44,145 miles (2017 – Paddock BMW & Mini Specialists, Exeter), 57,738 miles (2024 – Station Garage, Saltash)
• Current mileage of just over 58k
• Invoices for servicing, tyres, full set of brakes and MOT repairs during current and previous ownership

Interior

• Dark grey leather sports seats
• Brushed pewter-effect dash facings
• Original BMW-Mini CD-radio
• Excellent, non-droopy headlining
• Carpets and door trims in great condition
• Fully functional air conditioning
• Superb overall condition with only very minor signs of light wear

Exterior

• Rare and very unusual Black-Eye Purple metallic paint
• Very smart overall condition with no notable dents or damage
• No signs of external corrosion
• No bubbling or deterioration to rear lamp surrounds (a known R50/53 weak point)
• One small crease in rear bumper
• Small mark on roof from untreated bird lime
• Light chips on bottom of tailgate
• Some small scuffs to wheel rims
• All correct JCW badging
• Genuine Mini accessory spot lamps
• The vendor reports that the offside front tyre loses pressure slowly, suspecting a leak from the beading
• Recent new windscreen
• Appears straight and solid underneath with some surface corrosion to suspension components, rear beam and front subframe

Mechanical

• 1.6-litre TRITEC engine with supercharger
• Six-speed manual gearbox
• Genuine John Cooper Works kit
• 209bhp
• MOT until May 2025 – advisories for surface corrosion on subframe, weeping power steering pipe, oil leak and aged rear tyres
• Well-maintained and well cared for in current ownership
• Discs and pads replaced all-round at 46,228 miles
• Vendor reports that the Mini is a lot of fun to drive with no apparent faults

Summary

The vendor is the first to admit that the Mini is a reluctant sale – she’s had it for three years and truly adores it, but her son is about to start learning to drive and a Mini JCW is a bit too heavy on the insurance for a 17-year-old lad, more’s the pity.

He may have to wait a few years before he can experience the giggly joys of R53 JCW ownership, but for you that opportunity is nigh. It’s a great example, low mileage and in lovely condition, in a rare and brilliant colour and immeasurably entertaining to drive. It’s brilliant.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Plymouth, Devon.