How bad are the new early mini coopers?

[thedarkwolf]

Never really paid much attention to these things but there is one withen my beater budget $3800 near me and it is a 2003 cooper S to boot. Of coarse to be in my budget there are issues 175k miles, air bag light on, and a/c is out. The little reading I've done says the air bag light could be anything from needing a new airbag, probably wouldn't fix it, to a very common connecter that comes loose and can be fixed with duct tape. A/C could also be a bunch of things and isn't a huge concern of mine, if I could fix it cheap I'd fix it. My last two cars have had 200K+ miles on them so miles don't normally bother me either but I know nothing about these things. Being a supercharged cooper S adds more fun but I'm sure it also adds more problems. Engine bay looks like a PITA to work on for one.

 

[thedarkwolf]

well looks pretty bad after doing my own research

 

[iamwiz82]

I don't think that there was a whole lot that went wrong with them, other than sensors and such. An R53 at that mileage is safer than an R56 at the same mileage.

http://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ate-r53-newbie-diy-and-performance-guide.html

 

[mmntech]

They have transmission problems IIRC.

 

[michal1980]

are there any left? I thought they all caught fire? /s

 

[pauldun170]

From what I recall they turn into money pits fairly quickly. That and the dealers sucked

 

[MiataNC]

Minis are NOT cheap to maintain. Parts are expensive compared to other makes and models.

They are no better than any other car engineered by BMW. They are great when they run right, but maintenance out of warranty is expensive and frequent.

For that price find the newest cleanest MX-5 Miata (@90-99 in your budget range depending on condition). Parts/Mods are ridiculously cheap, they are one of the easiest cars to work on, and the car is about as bulletproof reliable as anything else you will find that old with high miles.

 

[Jimzz]

A Mini is a European car and will have higher repair cost and slightly more repairs on average as well.

If you do all your own work and understand even doing so you still have to buy costly parts then go for it. if not then as said get a Miata or other Asian or American car.

 

[Insomniator]

When I get home I'll add up the maintenence thats been done on my 04 S since I got it with 35k (85k now).

It won't be pretty. I think I'd consider one with 175k miles strictly a parts car, even if it was running well. $3800 also seems high... but there probably aren't many that make it to 175k to compare.

Auto transmission problems
Cooling fan
Water pump
Power steering pump
Electrical gremlins
Mushrooming strut towers
Suspension is stiff and thus wears quick

Its am amazing car when its in shape but that requires constant effort.

 

[eng2d2]

Minis are NOT cheap to maintain. Parts are expensive compared to other makes and models.

They are no better than any other car engineered by BMW. They are great when they run right, but maintenance out of warranty is expensive and frequent.

For that price find the newest cleanest MX-5 Miata (@90-99 in your budget range depending on condition). Parts/Mods are ridiculously cheap, they are one of the easiest cars to work on, and the car is about as bulletproof reliable as anything else you will find that old with high miles.

I like the miata from what you describe but so many people call it a chick car. I used to see this two girls that raced a miata on a 1/8 track. They beat a lot of cars. I don't remember if they have turbo setup but I am pretty sure they don't. The car was fast

 

[MiataNC]

I like the miata from what you describe but so many people call it a chick car. I used to see this two girls that raced a miata on a 1/8 track. They beat a lot of cars. I don't remember if they have turbo setup but I am pretty sure they don't. The car was fast

Only the ignorant and the insecure call it a chick car.

The MX-5 is the most raced car in the world (amatuer and pro). Anyone who knows anything about cars has immense respect for the Miata. It's one of the few cars that will put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.

Whenever someone posts to a car forum asking for a car that is fun, easy to work on, cheap to mod, and reliable for track and daily driver use, the answer most often given is always "Miata".

 

[Drako]

Only the ignorant and the insecure call it a chick car.

The MX-5 is the most raced car in the world (amatuer and pro). Anyone who knows anything about cars has immense respect for the Miata. It's one of the few cars that will put a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.

Whenever someone posts to a car forum asking for a car that is fun, easy to work on, cheap to mod, and reliable for track and daily driver use, the answer most often given is always "Miata".

It's still a chick car.

 

[thedarkwolf]

lol I already have a miata that I have no intention of getting rid of. This would have been a replacement for my 04 jetta wagaon TDI that while a nice car I'm getting bored of, sick of automatics. I also really like the BMW 318ti but they aren't easy to find in decent shape with a manual trans around here. I know they are a bit ugly but I need the hatchback for the dogs. I've never considered a mini before because I've never seen one that cheap around here before. Even the base ones don't show up around here for less than $5k without real problems. I did come across another cooper S for $3k last night but it had a blown engine and 150k miles on it.