10 replies to this topic

[Bradleymaguire]

Hi there,
I’m new to this forum and my knowledge on minis isn’t great, so I’m looking for some advice and help please.
I’m viewing a Mini Cooper s on a 03 plate tomorrow.
It has no service history due to misplacement of book, part service recently been carried out with evidence of receipts etc.
12 months not no advisories.
109k on clock
1. What common faults should I look out for?

2. I understand that power steering pumps can be a problem, how can I check if the power steering is on its way out?

3. How reliable are the cooper s?

4.Are They expensive to repair?

Anymore advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Bradley

[sonikk4]

Hi Bradley and welcome to TMF.

 

We are first and foremost a classic mini forum although some of our members do own both. You will get a better answer from this forum https://www.mini2.com/forums/

 

However a friend of mine had a JCW Cooper S on a 54 plate. So going on from there things to look at, Supercharger, has it been serviced, oiled etc. Wheel bearings, the front ones especially get noisy. Not the easiest to change but doable.

 

Rust, they are normally quite good but a common place for them to rust is under the door rubbers on the door step. Pauls was just starting to go there.

 

The front spot lights are not the most robustly mounted and tend to flicker / vibrate when selected on and driving.

 

So this is as much as i can comment on so you will get more info off the mini2.com forum.

[retired]

03 plate makes it seventeen years old.

 

Seventeen years old and no service history.....

 

I'll bet (if you buy it) you will spend much more in your first year of ownership than you pay for it.

 

Wifey had one as a company car a few years ago - horrible.

 

If you want a Mini, just the classic one (which is what this forum is mainly about) and if you want a modern car there are a lot better than the Bini...

[cal844]

No service history so walk away. These cars need care and lots of it.

With no service history you'll spend alot on it, so walk away.

Plus as has been said you'll get alot better cars out there.....

Edited by cal844, 11 July 2020 - 05:45 PM.

[humph]

My first concern would be service history, and whether the 100k service was done, most aren’t, as it’s bloody pricey at nearly £1000. This service means taking the front end off to put it in service mode so you can remove the supercharger and change the oil and seals in it. I’d want service history if I’m honest. My 03 Cooper was saved from the scrappy with 132k on it but had a full dealer history, and i’ve spent a lot of hours sorting issues that have cropped up away from service items. Having owned 11 of these between the wife and I we have learned that MINIs don’t like being neglected. If it looks uncared for walk away unless you want a project.

Areas of concern
Power steering pump. They all whine, or moo, thats normal. The failure is electrical which leads to them not being able to switch off, even with the ignition off, becoming a fire risk. So you've no way of knowing if it’s on it’s way out, just that if you can hear what sounds like a fan running constantly then it’s failed.

Intercooler boots. These are the rubber boots either side of the intercooler. These should be changed at set intervals, but usually aren’t. Leaks lead to poor running and flat spots.

Thermostat housing leaks.

Oil leaks, there are a number of locations for these caused by dried out seals. I changed one on mine, 99p for the O ring, a dealer wanted £400 for labour. Again front end off as its behind the radiator. Did it myself in 2 hours.

There is no drive belt to change as the Chrysler engine is chain driven, but there are other belts that need swapping at service time.

Window regulators fail, as do the motors.

Generally my advice would be the same as if you were buying a classic Mini; if you’re not handy with a spanner a MINI could end up costing you a fortune.

I probably should point out that the Chrysler engines in the first gen cars are pretty strong, the second gen peugeot sourced engine is a different matter.

Edited by humph, 11 July 2020 - 10:03 PM.

[Bradleymaguire]

Hi all, thank you all for your replies. I may give it miss as does sound like a risk with no service history. I’ll wait for another one to pop up.
Bradley

[humph]

There are plenty of them out there Bradley. Just be careful of pricing as dealers are putting massive premiums on what they consider rare examples with big specs, many of them living in dream land.

[sonikk4]

And a lot of them are not what they purport to be. JCW's for example. Very easy to badge something and ask for more money when in fact its a stock S.

 

If in doubt take someone who knows the car, much like we say about a classic mini. Buyer beware,!!!!

[Shep76S]

Ours is over £300 for tax and averages 25mpg. They are not cheap to run. Check for rust on the tailgate and rear wing bottoms. 

[The Principal]

wife had an 04 convertible, fun to drive but had its issues, Death rattle timing chain tensioner, suspension rubbers front and back, oil leaks, clutch. eats run flat tyres

[humph]

wife had an 04 convertible, fun to drive but had its issues, Death rattle timing chain tensioner, suspension rubbers front and back, oil leaks, clutch. eats run flat tyres

That’s odd, the tensioner death rattle is an issue of the 2nd gen Peugeot engined cars, not the Chrysler sourced tritec which an 04 plate conv would have.

I forgot to mention suspension bushes, you have a point, these are repair number one on a first gen car.