41 replies to this topic

[red_mini_MMM]

Hi all, im currently considering an offer of a 2000 Rover Mini Cooper, 1.3i.
Can you guys please tell me about any common issues & things too look out for with these as ive only ever had carb mini's before. Im wanting it to be a daily drive but dont want to regret it.

Thanks all! :)

[Joseph-C]

The later mini's have a reputation for rusting more than any other period.

[red_mini_MMM]

Its had a full resto (proves your statement) its been well done so hopefully that issue has been dealt with. Thanks!

[Joseph-C]

that's good then, I don't know much about the injection models so can't help more than that

[miniman retford]

I've had my 2000 mpi for nearly five years now. bought it with 7k miles on the clock and now it's done 42k, has never let me down !
Use it nearly every day to get to work, only 9 miles each way but also long journeys to shows & went to Nurburgring in 2009
Only trouble i've had other than usual wear & tear items was a starting problem with battery going flat overnight winter 2010 which just turned out to be a wire rubbed through behind the ecu.
Had the usual rust on front panel wings & panels but had them replaced last year.

[red_mini_MMM]

Cool thanks, good to hear! How do i know if its a single point or multi point injection? And is one better than the other?
What are they like on fuel?
Cheers

[miniman retford]

They changed from single to multipoint in 1996.
I've had both & much prefer the mpi, seems smoother & more comfortable.

Fuel economy varies on the way you drive & dont check it much, just keep filling it up
On the six day trip to Germany including motorway, country roads & a couple of laps round the ring i got an average of 48mph

[reallybig]

got a 1993 cooper spi had it full resto'd but as i had to put it in garage for a year due to medical rubbish got a lot of elec issues with it now, although it passed it's mot with no advisories on saturday

[red_mini_MMM]

They changed from single to multipoint in 1996.
I've had both & much prefer the mpi, seems smoother & more comfortable.

Fuel economy varies on the way you drive & dont check it much, just keep filling it up
On the six day trip to Germany including motorway, country roads & a couple of laps round the ring i got an average of 48mph

Ideal thats good to know thanks.

got a 1993 cooper spi had it full resto'd but as i had to put it in garage for a year due to medical rubbish got a lot of elec issues with it now, although it passed it's mot with no advisories on saturday

Humm so hopefully newer ones are a bit better, but its a bit of pot luck too i guess. Well done on the MOT. What electric issues do you have?
Cheers

[reallybig]

well....

was in garage and heater matrix went so didn't turn it on for about 4 months
in that time spot lights stopped working and it wouldn't start

removed air filter and got it started.... but then the clutch jammed out, fixed that with a hammer but then front right light went dim and left was fine

somehow fixed that by cleaning up the crank sensor....
rev counter then died when fuse holder behind dash snapped in half, put a new one and replaced a melted inline fuse holder next to the bulk head

took it for mot and they were going to fail it for a gone out side light but it worked later on....
drove it home from mot and all indicators failed incl hazards

drove it to gparents and revs sky rocketed suddenly and then wouldn't start... melted inline fuse holder again, managed to get it going by ramming a fuse into the other holder next to it..

dug around and broke hazard switch while trying to take it apart and fixed spots by finding a broken fuse

so right not no indicators hazards inside light and ignition wires r bit messed up..... fun times

[jamesmpi]

Some people get scared off buying spi or mpi versions because of all the electrical sensors etc. but you could easily buy a clio or corsa and have electrical problems with that too. Generally if it's been well looked after and maintained then you should be fine......as already said rust is your main concern, especially around the headlights, doors and A panels....or anywhere metal

[reallybig]

how much u going to pay for it?

mine was free cus it had so much rust on it b4 resto

[nev_payne]

If it's a Sportspack, check over the ball joints and bearings front and rear, and if the suspension looks low - that's becuase it is - get some new cones in there. Sportspack wheels have a large offset to the body of the Mini and has such put the suspension and hubs under far more strain.

A key area to check on body work (other than the usual stuff) is the scuttle panel, consequently behind the dash. Because MPIs have much thicker window seals, there's a greater chance of water getting trapped and rust setting in much faster. There's also far more loom and management systems behind an MPI dash - stuff like the immobiliser system - that you dont want getting wet.MPIs are not only notorious for bodywork, but the standard MPI gearboxes weren't exactly up to scratch either. If second gear, changing up or down into, is crunching in any way (oil change and clutch bleeding aside), be prepared to face a gearbox overhaul at some point in time. You can survive with gentle gear selection but it's metal on metal - eventually something will give up.

As for the injection systems and sensors, get the ECU cleared off and and any errors flagged up for further inspection. If an MPI is running wierdly it's almost always a sensor, the breather hoses, or the vacuum hose is buggered. Similarly, the Airbag system has it's own controller unit which has a tendancy to forget what it's doing - constant SRS light that won't go off. THe controller is underneath the rear seat, under the carpet - make sure this is kept dry and clean. Also for dry and clean checks are the MPI grounding points - espeically in the engine bay. If these are corroded or not finding a good ground back to the battery, you'll spend a month of sunday trying to find fault with the loom. Take it from me - clean the ground points first.

As for driving experience - if you've not had larger 13x6, or wider wheels before, Sportspacks tend to "tramline". That is, especially on a motorway, if the Mini finds a groove warn into the road from heavy goods lorries, you may find the mIni suddendly veers into the groove and will fight you to stay in it. Don't panic - they do that, and try not to fight it unless changing lanes of getting off the motorway, only ends up wearing components futher.

Thank that's about it.

Edited by nev_payne, 08 May 2012 - 04:45 PM.

[Blatherskite]

Our experience with 1996 Spi is that road salt screws the wiring really fast, and that the ecu is unburstable, failues result from damaged or defective sensors not giving the necessary signals. Haynes manual and the other manual parts pinned to Mini Forum are invalusble. Also, be nice to, and love, your Mini!

[nev_payne]

Hmm yeah further to Blatherskite - get the wiring diagrams and proper MPI workshop manual - both are available on TMF to download.