Advise: Swap my E46 330i for a R53 Cooper S

[msm]

Yes, I'm feeling a bit crazy at the moment, but I'm contemplating putting up a swap offer on my 330i for a R53 Mini Cooper S. I owned a Cooper S for a brief while before my 330i so I'm kinda familiar with the car already - which is why I'm contemplating the swap. While the 330i is awesome, I miss the fun and crazy Cooper S ...

In terms of value, I reckon a straight swap between my car and the last of the R53's (2005ish) should be reasonable as retail values are quite close with the Mini being marginally more (but 330i Individuals are more in demand than the Cooper S and I have a few decent extras on my car). Also, I'm sure there lots of guys that have run in space issues with their Mini and need a bigger car now.

So am I crazy in going this route. Talk some sense into me. Talk me out of this. Or maybe tell me it's a good idea ...

Lets here some opinions before Coisman gets here to shoot me

 

[moranor@axis]

lol i dont know if you serious...

 

[zaleonardz]

Mo,

While under normal circumstances, this may be a logical decision, but your individual is out of this world in terms of condition and extra's...

If it was a normal 330 I would also perhaps consider it, but you are going to battle to find your E46 again, wheras Mini Cooper S's are in abundance.

Just my 2 cents...

And if the 330 is for sale.... i want it...

 

[msm]

lol i dont know if you serious...

Quite serious

While under normal circumstances, this may be a logical decision, but your individual is out of this world in terms of condition and extra's...

If it was a normal 330 I would also perhaps consider it, but you are going to battle to find your E46 again, wheras Mini Cooper S's are in abundance.

That's part of my dilemma. I guess this is one of those head vs heart decisions for me. Logic tells me I should not even consider this, but I had my (ex) Mini Cooper S for a few months before my "little accident" which forced me to get rid of it. However, in that short while I had it, it was the only car put a smile on my face every time I sat in it - hence my decision to consider one again.

And if the 330 is for sale.... i want it...

My other option is to possibly sell the 330i outright and then shop for a car. If I do so, will give you first option (if you're interested, of course).

But for now, will give this a few days - maybe the itch will blow over .... or maybe not ....

 

[TheMo]

I'm Getting a Mini too :rollsmile:
But not selling 330i :=):

 

[zaleonardz]

Pay off the E46 if you have not already, and buy the Mini additionally...

 

[Bayn46]

What else would you replace it with?

I searched high and low for my car, these sort of setups (in good condition) are rare indeed. My only gripe is sport suspension on SA roads, but then again, the rest of the car makes up for it. The mini is so different so the decision is difficult for some.

I couldn't see myself doing the swap, the Mini doesn't work for me but everyone's different.

 

[msm]

Pay off the E46 if you have not already, and buy the Mini additionally...

E46 is paid for. If I keep it and buy another car, I'm afraid my wife may make me sleep in it, judging by how much I fuss over my vehicles. As an example, I don't let her drive the Landy into the garage if the BM is already parked there .... imagine the arguments with a 3rd car in the picture :fencelook:

I couldn't see myself doing the swap, the Mini doesn't work for me but everyone's different.

As an only car and IMHO, the 330i is perfect balance of sports/family/daily driver/long distance cruiser vehicle. However, I have my Landy as the "family/long distance" vehicle, so no need for my 2nd daily driver to be practical in any way. Yep, but I hear you on the limited appeal of the Minis .

---

I'm Getting a Mini too :rollsmile:
But not selling 330i :=):

:thumbs: Which one are you getting - keen to hear your opinion on the Mini. Most people I came across either love it or hate it - very little middle ground.

 

[zaleonardz]

Settle this for yourself.

Wake up tomorrow morning and say, your going to get into your car, and go and buy a minit condition E46 330i individual in Saph black in top shelf condition... and see what you come home with...

 

[Henry330i]

So the e46 is paid for. Get the Mini extra if $$$ allow. And let the wife drive it now and again. Let the Landy sleep out side.
Your wife will be allowed to park the Mini as its a smaller car.

I don't see the problem here.:rollsmile:

 

[TheMo]

Getting the R53 :rollsmile:
I've always Loved the Mini, Cant wait to get it and Mod It raise:

 

[Bayn46]

As an only car and IMHO, the 330i is perfect balance of sports/family/daily driver/long distance cruiser vehicle. However, I have my Landy as the "family/long distance" vehicle, so no need for my 2nd daily driver to be practical in any way. Yep, but I hear you on the limited appeal of the Minis .

Yea, different situations here, I only have the one car so my perspective is different.

Very true that the 330 has a perfect balance, 4 doors, big boot, big engine, great in those spirited moments but at the same time great when cruising. Mini will be a fun car, but you will have to live with the fact that you might not find another 330i in such good condition (if you wanted to go back).

 

[Legacy]

Don't do it please... :nonono:

Your 330i is one of the best looking I have ever seen, maybe stash it somewhere, tell your wife its sold and buy the Mini :fencelook:

 

[Henry330i]

Is there a thread with pics of your car and what extras do you have.

 

[zaleonardz]

Actually, this is a brilliant idea..

You are more then welcome to come hide it at my shop, I will even drive it on a regular basis for you to keep the battery charged... arnt I a nice guy
:rollsmile:

Don't do it please... :nonono:

Your 330i is one of the best looking I have ever seen, maybe stash it somewhere, tell your wife its sold and buy the Mini :fencelook:

 

[msm]

Is there a thread with pics of your car and what extras do you have.

Actually need to take some nice pics and do that one of these fine days ... might just be enough to convince myself that I need to keep the car :flyfun:

At the top of my head, I've got an Individual with a relatively rare colour combo (interior/exterior), oem dvd sat nav, xenons, DLS SQ install, 18" E90 wheels and few other small bits.

 

[Mike1]

If you do go ahead ... At least get yourself into a R56....

 

[Henry330i]

Of what I can see it looks good. If you sell can we swap wheels.:rollsmile:

 

[Seether]

Get rid of the landy, buy your wife the Mini, and you can play when you want. Mini is a bit of a hairdressers' car, so when some1 asks you if its your car, you can so no, its my wife's, and you won't have to lie :roflol:

This way you can enjoy both cars :thumbs:

 

[Cole]

nooit don't do it!
mini is not that impressive to drive... friend has a JCW and I would sooner have a hot 330i than a cooper... :fencelook: