I recently got my 2003 Mini S. I love it. It is Indy blue. I fell in love with Minis years ago in Europe. I researched my Mini before I bought it. It was maunufactured in the plant in Germany and was a European delivery. All the stickers in car are in german and it has all its maintence records. I was told my Mini is different because of where it was manufactured?? I don't know it that is true.

I have read allot of posting and found answers to many problems and questions. Thanks!!! I am having intermittion power steering failure. The fluid is full. It has 78k and has lived its life in fair weather. No signs of corrosion. Any suggestions.

 

Probably a failing PS pump, fairly common. Also, all MINIs are born at the plant in Oxford, there are none made in Germany, even the German models. You have an R53 and it is pretty much the same as every other R53.

 

Just to clear up any confusion about the relation to Germany. In the Mk1, The parts of the MINI were manufactured in Germany. The Tritech engine was a project between Chrysler and BMW mfg'd at a plant in Brazil.

The MINI was "assembled" in Oxford...

Since the heart of the MINI is essentially the engine, they were not manufacturing MINI engines in the UK until 2007 models using a Puegeot engine.

Currently, the only MINI not manufactured in the UK ( Austria Hungary ) would be the Countryman.

 

Sounds like what daflake suggested, a power steering pump failure. Pretty common on the cars from '02 to '06.

 

Kind of splitting hairs there. I don't think that an entire car has been soley made in one country for a really long time. Parts are always made elsewhere but it is where they come together that is what makes it what it is. You can have the heart of a car but it won't do you a bit of good without the legs, arms and body.

My point was that his car was assembled or as I put it "born" in the UK, not anyplace else.

 

Thanks so much for the real information!! Can a failing power steering pump drain the battery? My husband drove it yesterday, he said he heard something continue to run when he turn off the car. He doesn't drive my car often. The battery is so dead the door locks won't work. If you are mechanically inclined can you change the pump yourself or do you have to find a mini dealership or shop?

 

Yes, the PS pump is electric and what it sounds like is the cooling fan is failing. If the PS pump overheats, it can shutdown or it could start a fire. PS pump is not for the faint hearted mech. I would find a good local mech to swap it for you, a dealer will charge way too much. Where are you located, we might be able to direct you to a good MINI mech.

 

Bit touchy today Wil ? Wasn't even referring to your post just the confusion I read often about the MINI's being made in Germany.....

 

If your replacing the electric PS pump, being what it is I would also suggest changing the three rubber mounts for it where it bolts up. They dampen NVH to and from the pump and can become less effective in that area as they age.

 

My husband used to race motocross professionally and build auto race engines from the block up. We have a pit here at the house so he has access to work on my mini. He said it has been a number of years since he has done this but he still remebers how. Do you think it would still not be advisable to tackle the PS pump and possible cooling fan. He still has all the tools. Will this require special tools. Any advise would be appreciate!!

 

He should be able to do it....

 

LOL, I read it and thought it was a little rough so I stuck the tongue icon on there. I meant it to come across as sarcasm, guess I missed the mark on that one. Sorry...

 

I am dealing with a failing PS pump. I didn't know something was still running after I turned it off and dained my battery completely. Couldn't even jump start it. We recharged the battery and had no problem, but something is still running after I turn off the car. I read that it was the PS pump and to pull out the F41 5a fuse but that didn't do it. Is there something else I can do other than disconnect the battery every time I get out of the car? I'm trying to find another pump and fan but we both just got laid off so. . . I will have to hunt down a very good deal. Any help would be appreciate. THANKS!!!