New Stablemate: Who likes Mini?

[da Vinci Dan]

My son is turning 16 this summer and it just so happens my Father in Law is finished with this old Mini. He was the original owner, so all documents etc... He is one of those guys that even keeps record of every fill-up and tire pressure checks. Says it is old habits from beginning to drive cars built in the late 30’s and 40’s.

Anyway, it is a 2008 with 126K. It has been trouble free except for a clutch servo early on. Literally nothing else other than maintenance and ware items have been replaced. Even has the original clutch.

Would you all please share with me your experiences with Mini. Recommeations etc... I have owned BMWs before but not one of these.

TIA

[Scott Douglas]

I think you'll do fine with it.
My brother bought a '10 model from a co-worker after he hit a deer. He put a fender, hood, rad support piece on it along with a windshield and a few other bits. He has yet to get it going fully but it has a hot rodded suspension and wheel upgrades on it so should be quite the fun car to drive.
I just hope your 16 yr old is a responsible type as I think a 'kid' could get into a lot of trouble with a car like that if they really wanted to.

[Porchdog]

I bought my 2013 JCW from Jwasbury's wife last fall. I have since put a bunch of miles on it (currently at 85K). It's a generation newer than yours so I don't know how similar they might be.

The JCW is fast and stiff. The ride actually smooths out at highway speeds but I don't use it on the highway much.

A buddy who is about 350# and I took it to Washington DC for a funeral - he was fine for the whole trip. While the front seats are plenty roomy there isn't much room in the back and there's no spare tire in mine.

It's a bit of a pain to work on - everything is really packed in there.

So far I really enjoy it. My sons like it as well.

It's more luxurious than I'm used to. The car has held up very well (I was actually asked to put it in a show a few weeks ago).

[Rtrorkt]

had a first gen Cooper S and then a second get Cooper Clubman S. Loved them both. First gen had a manual with a very weak clutch and had issues with carbon build up on the intake valves. Had two rounds of walnut shell blast to make it work. Second gen for some reason had the same intake valve issue and a high pressure fuel pump failure. Having said, that, both were great fun. Living at the time in Mill Valley and making run from the wine country along Skaggs Spring road to the Sea Ranch was a blast. Between the two, the first gen was more genuine..

[cantdrv55]

I had a 2004 Cooper, not S. It was a blast to drive as long as I kept it in the power band. Not exactly lightweight but still small and tossable. I sold it when we got pregnant. The doors open very wide but not enough for a woman carrying a 9 lb baby in her belly. I had no problems with the Mini at all and still miss it when I see one on the road.

[Porchdog]

Apparently the newer turbo motor in my 2013 is a completely different design than the earlier cars and avoids some of the problems. It has lots of power and torque. Gearing is very low, 50 MPH at 2000 RPM in 6th.
It has all kinds of grip even in the wet - like a cat on carpet. It works fine in the snow with 3 season Pilot Sports - but if there is more than about 3" the air dam kicks the snow right over the hood.
The suspension is to stiff if anything - it does get upset by relatively minor bumps in corners.
My high pressure fuel pump is noisy but I have been told that is common for my car.

Project Binky probably had to much influence on me - I named her "Binky" (I never named a car before) and I say "Make the noise!" when I press the start button.

[GothingNC]

Nice !

Make sure the oil level does not drop too low as it can cause the chain tensioner to collapse.


https://hausofminis.com/2015/05/is-it-time-to-replace-the-timing-chain-on-your-2nd-generation-mini-cooper/

Often referred to as the “Death Rattle Noise”, this audible sound coming from the engine bay is the timing chain in your R55, R56, or R57. When you first start your car you may experience a noise coming from the engine bay on a cold morning, once the engine warms up the noise may go away. If you lift your hood up that noise is coming from the front of the timing cover. One of the possible causes for this noise occurs when the timing chain support rail loses tension. This support rail is made of a durable plastic, but with heat and time, the plastic can become brittle and break

Some more info.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/2nd-gen-faqs/325329-n18-engine-important-maintenance-items-and-common-issues.html

I have a 2006 MCS with 140,000 miles on it that is my DD.
Only towed twice- Harmonic Balancer failure and a Super-Charger failure.

Other issues outside of routine maintenance was the alternator being replaced at 104,000 miles, lower control arm bushing replacement, brake pad sensor connection disintegrated, speedometer/tachometer cluster sometimes stop working on a random basis and the airbag module failed.

Getting ready to replace the struts and lower motor mount this weekend.

Have fun :-)

[VincentVega]

I"m ready for struts in mine too, 2003 S. Really like it as a DD, at least the driving part. Not so happy with the squeaks and a few nigly issues but good fun to drive.

good luck with it

[Scott Douglas]

Sorry, was getting tired of it being sideways.

[GothingNC]

Hyper Blue?

[Scott Douglas]

Found a pic of my brother's car mid-resurrection. He's thinking he'll just wrap the none matching parts to keep it cheap.

[scottmandue]

I have always liked the look of these, what kind of gas mileage do they get?

[GothingNC]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I have always liked the look of these, what kind of gas mileage do they get?

I average about 28 Hwy and 20 local.

Supercharger sucks up the fuel like it is using a McDonalds straw at full throttle:-)



1st Generation
S 22/29
Non-S 24/33


2nd Generation
S 25/32
Non-S 27/36

3rd Generation
S 24/34
Non-S 29/39

[wayner]

Coolant pump is a plastic finned unit. When the fins fail, they will clog the heater core (no more heat) and could clog the cooling galleries in the engine.

IF the thermostat fails, it is an expensive job to get at (or a frustrating one to do yourself)
if that does fail, be sure to do the water pump, which was likely the cause.

In fact, just replace the water pump as preventative maintenance and save yourself all sorts of grief with thermostat, heater core, engine etc.

[lgb240]

I'm new to the world of Mini's.
I fortunately stumbled across this about 2 weeks ago. Got it for a song.
2004 Cooper S, supercharged, 27,000 km (about 17,000 original miles)
I bought it off the original owner, who used it as a summer, cottage run around. Still has original run flats from 2004 - they will be changed out. All meticulous dealer service records came with the car. The original purchase price in 2004 was $44,500 CAN$!
It has leather, sunroof, rain sensing wipers, computer, Harmon Kardon sound, sport package, premium package heated seats. There isn't a mark on it. The underside looks showroom clean. Looking forward to just driving it around and having fun.

[WPOZZZ]

Make sure the sunroof drains are clear. Mom's 2010 S got swamped from clogged drains and the car ended up getting totaled. Replaced it with a 2014 Countryman.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Ive had two, both first gen cars, one S and one standard. Great fun to drive and surprisingly practical inside. I did find both to feel cheap in terms of rattles and squeaks, and just like a BMW everything was plastic and snapped together. I hated working on them because I always broke stuff getting to the items I wished to fix.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by lgb240

I'm new to the world of Mini's.
I fortunately stumbled across this about 2 weeks ago. Got it for a song.
2004 Cooper S, supercharged, 27,000 km (about 17,000 original miles)
I bought it off the original owner, who used it as a summer, cottage run around. Still has original run flats from 2004 - they will be changed out. All meticulous dealer service records came with the car. The original purchase price in 2004 was $44,500 CAN$!
It has leather, sunroof, rain sensing wipers, computer, Harmon Kardon sound, sport package, premium package heated seats. There isn't a mark on it. The underside looks showroom clean. Looking forward to just driving it around and having fun.

Great find!

I have a 2006 MCS since new (now 188K miles) and love it. You cannot beat the responsiveness of the car.

Items to keep an eye on are the thermostat and housing and water pump (driven off the SC), the passenger side motor mount, and the belt tensioner (DIY replacement). The power steering pump is the subject of a recall notice.

Enjoy!

[GothingNC]

Originally Posted by lgb240

I'm new to the world of Mini's.
I fortunately stumbled across this about 2 weeks ago. Got it for a song.
2004 Cooper S, supercharged, 27,000 km (about 17,000 original miles)
I bought it off the original owner, who used it as a summer, cottage run around. Still has original run flats from 2004 - they will be changed out. All meticulous dealer service records came with the car. The original purchase price in 2004 was $44,500 CAN$!
It has leather, sunroof, rain sensing wipers, computer, Harmon Kardon sound, sport package, premium package heated seats. There isn't a mark on it. The underside looks showroom clean. Looking forward to just driving it around and having fun.

Wow !
Great find !

It is hard to find a low mileage R53 with under 100,000 miles in my area.

This 2003 S just sold for $15K on BAT

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-mini-cooper-s-10/

[VincentVega]

I have 80k, want it?

Thought of this thread this am. One gripe I have is the remote. Lean on it or put it in a bag just the right way and the sunroof and windows open. I need to figure out how to disable this. Glad it wasnt raining last night.