Hello to all,

I did it yesterday. After years of wanting and wishing I put my money down on a 2007 MINI Cooper S and I love it.

The car comes with NAVI and I think it has the Sport package (not sure but will find out today) and only has 22,000 miles on the odometer so it is practically new.

I have been following the MINIs for years and know the eccentricities of them and actually knew more about the car that the dealer that was selling to me (not at MINI dealership) but I would appreciate any insight that anyone has to give me on what to look out for.

Thanks for the forum. This is a great resource and has been for me in selecting the MINI that I did.

Mark

 

congrats, and good luck. don't forget to post a picture.

 

I love my '07, but check to see if it has had the updated tensioner installed. It is not fun to wake up one day to the "cold start rattle".

Enjoy!

 

Is the tensioner covered by Mini? I am out of warranty, of course, but bought aftermarket warranty.

 

The timing chain tensioner issue is a problem. My car was fine up to 62K and last Dec. 2011 I had to have it all replaced. No warranty but the dealer submitted $1200 to Mini and charged me $500. Also, I've had the thermostat/housing replaced, $450 (that they did not help cover). Other than those 2 things my 07 MCS is great.

You'll have to read your aftermarket warranty very close to see if they'll cover either of these.

By the way, the cold start issue is actually different than the death rattle (tensioner issue). The cold start issue is from the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump). That, Mini warranty has increased to 100K or 10 years I believe.

Good luck with your new ride and enjoy it and NAM. Lots of good info out here.

Want to add, these are prone to carbon build up so it'd be a good idea if it doesn't already have one. Buy a BSH oil catch can and boost tap. It's not a mod but it'll sure separate the crap from running back through your valves.
Check oil frequently as well as coolant bottle. Mine doesn't use oil but many say theirs do. If the coolant level keeps dropping that's a good indication of a coolant leak.
These are the biggest issues I've found which isn't that bad.