Thinking of getting a Mini Cooper S
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area, Ca
Thinking of getting a Mini Cooper S
Hey folks,
My wife and I are thinking of getting a used Mini Cooper (Type) S for out 3rd car besides TL-S, and Nissan Armada.
My wife thinks the car is pretty cute and she could use it for her daily driving.
Does anyone own this vehicle before? If yes, what kind of issue are you seeing? How's the maintainence on this car?
I am also searching for a good Mini Cooper forum for my research. If anyone could point me a site, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers !!!
My wife and I are thinking of getting a used Mini Cooper (Type) S for out 3rd car besides TL-S, and Nissan Armada.
My wife thinks the car is pretty cute and she could use it for her daily driving.
Does anyone own this vehicle before? If yes, what kind of issue are you seeing? How's the maintainence on this car?
I am also searching for a good Mini Cooper forum for my research. If anyone could point me a site, I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers !!!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 249
From: Tucson Az
I think roadfly had a minicooper board. The forums there are hit or miss though.
My mom is on her second mini now. Her first was a 03 non s auto. It developed some rattles and the passenger side window kept breaking. The dealer took care of everything and there were no other issues.
Her new S (also auto) model seems to be quite an improvement interior wise. The materials just feel a bit more solid. She hasn't had one problem with this new car with the exception of her first speeding ticket since she was in college.
I've borrowed both cars to drive up to flagstaff and I have to say the non s model is allot easier to live with on a long drive. The S beat me up by making sure my ass knew where every bump in the road was. That was a wonderful thing to have once in the mountains, but on the way to them it got a bit old.
My mom is on her second mini now. Her first was a 03 non s auto. It developed some rattles and the passenger side window kept breaking. The dealer took care of everything and there were no other issues.
Her new S (also auto) model seems to be quite an improvement interior wise. The materials just feel a bit more solid. She hasn't had one problem with this new car with the exception of her first speeding ticket since she was in college.
I've borrowed both cars to drive up to flagstaff and I have to say the non s model is allot easier to live with on a long drive. The S beat me up by making sure my ass knew where every bump in the road was. That was a wonderful thing to have once in the mountains, but on the way to them it got a bit old.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
My sister-in-law recently got a 2003 John Cooper Works S and it is so fun to drive. I know you're not looking into getting a Works S, but the seats on the Works S are so much more bearable than on the non-S. 10 mins. in on a test drive with the S in the backseat and my sides were killing me.
It would be great, my sister-in-law hates driving stickshift but she just couldn't turn down the price on her Mini. It was a 6-speed, it has 25,XXX miles and she got it for $23,500.
Hope this helps.
It would be great, my sister-in-law hates driving stickshift but she just couldn't turn down the price on her Mini. It was a 6-speed, it has 25,XXX miles and she got it for $23,500.
Hope this helps.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,339
Likes: 8
From: 905
Sadly, it appears these new Minis have not enjoyed a consistent reliability record, with many trouble spots having been noted on NorthAmericanMotoring.com, a Mini-related Internet forum. Key among these issues are failed power steering pumps that have been linked to engine-bay fires. Many owners have found rust on their cars' door sills; this may be the result of water getting trapped under the weatherstripping. There's a lengthy discussion on the topic of stalling engines and the combination of the Mini's stiff suspension and hard-riding run flat tires gets the blame for cracked and/or bent front strut mounts. The laundry list of common issues also includes faulty power windows; cracked and leaky engine coolant expansion tanks; cracked windshields (another possible result of the stiff suspension); surging engines (known on forums as the "yo-yo effect"); a noise from the dash that sounds like bubble wrap being popped and hydraulic motor mounts that leak, a problem limited to the 2004 and newer cars that use these particular parts.
Consumer Reports prefers later model Mini Coopers in terms of reliability, pointing out electrical system and transmission troubles in earlier cars. This thread covers these and other troubleshooting issues.
Consumer Reports prefers later model Mini Coopers in terms of reliability, pointing out electrical system and transmission troubles in earlier cars. This thread covers these and other troubleshooting issues.
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 2
From: Bay Area, Ca
Thanks guys for the feedback.
I also noticed the car tends to hold the value. I was doing some searching on the pricing for used Mini Cooper S and they are still around 22k+ for years 2002-2004.
I also noticed the car tends to hold the value. I was doing some searching on the pricing for used Mini Cooper S and they are still around 22k+ for years 2002-2004.
We own an '04 MINI CooperS (6 spd). It's my wife's daily driver. that car is a blast to drive. It is so responsive. Yes, it is highly moddable. We've had the car for almost 3 years now and it hasn't had any major problems yet. The only minor issues were one of the oxygen sensor fail, but that was replaced under the factory warranty.
the MINI message board that I'm also on is:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/
the MINI message board that I'm also on is:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/
I've always liked the Mini and have toyed on and off with getting one as a "weekend car"... but they are just so hit or miss as far as reliability. I've talked to people who never had a problem, then talked to others who have had nothing BUT problems. Combine that with the overall automotive opinion that they are problematic and I have managed to steer clear of them.
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