Hey,
I have been dreaming about a MINI for a long time. Looking all over the internet for information, finding the best information here. I am just starting my carrier as a diesel mechanic and have just been able to get the funds to purchase my first "good" car. I have been searching for a mini for the past few months. Test drove a few and loved each one. Finally found a 2003 Mini in almost perfect condition with about 55,000m on it for a good price. Now I am finally driving my very own. I have barely had it for a week and am already feeling the mod bug creeping in....

Just wanted to introduce myself as i will be participating in more of the discussions as well as absorbing as much information as i can.

 

Welcome and enjoy your MINI. Yes I too got hooked on modding. I need more money however.

 

Welcome and congats on the new MINI.

55K miles on an 03 is a good find. Low mileage. Since you are just starting out in the field of diesel mechanics, I would maybe wait on the modding until finding out what parts have been replaced so far, unless you have an extended service contract.

Not sure if you have an S or not, so some of these do not apply but were some issues I had with my 03 MCS which had 55K miles at the time.

Control arm bushings.
New Belt.
Upper engine mount.
Mushroomed front strut towers.
Leaky oil pan gasket
Leaky Main Bearing (crank) seal
Leaky Thermostat gasket ( updated version is translucent white )
Faulty OEM Crank Pulley ( updated lighter version in 05/06 )
Replace PVC valve
Replace fuel filter....( not a "lifetime filter" as purported by MINIUSA )

 

Welcome!

 

That's great. I remember wanting one for a long time too and finally getting it. Well worth the wait!!

Go ahead and post a few pictures of your mini before you start your mods!

 

welcome

 

Welcome to the forum, hope you and the '03 are happy together for a long, long time, ENJOY!

 

Congrats and welcome. Glad you found a mini with low miles for being an 03. I had double that when I bought mine a few months ago(well maintained of course and for a really good price)

Like 'ke4sfq' said, post some pics of the mini before you start modding. With how fast the modding bug is creeping, it might not be long before it starts to transform.

Also it won't be long until you start making up reasons to go out and drive around for a bit!

Hope you enjoy your mini as much as the rest of us enjoy ours.

 

Thanks,
Yea I have looked into what has been done to it and what has not. From what I know, it has been well maintained. It is not an S. I figured this was a better deal for the condition compared to all the others I looked at.
The only thing that don't prefer about it is the cop magnet red, but i still love it. It is also incredible easy to find and "excuse" to go for a drive. The weather has been amazing this week, perfect to drive with the mindows down and the sun roof open.

Front


Back

 

Congrats to you and...

 

Congrats & Welcome!!! Here's wishing you many years of happy, fun-filled motoring!

 

Congrats, and Welcome!!

 

Welcome to the club. We're glad to hear the mod bug has bitten you, start with the way/ddm intake it's the biggest bang on a Cooper.

 

Welcome to NAM and congrats.

 

I have looked into many parts and this one was one of them I was think about. How ever, I live in the great state of California. So with that I need CARB legal parts.

Is the DMM intake CARB legal and come with a stickers/badge?

 

I wouldn't worry about the red "cop magnet" color, We have a red Volvo V70 T5, my wife has a lead foot and drives it all the time, no tickets in the five years we've had it. We didn't think twice about getting a red Clubman S

Dave

 

Congrats on the new addition.