So hopefully it isn't taboo to openly admit that BMW runs this British icon...

Anyhow, I've been looking for a commuter car for what seems like forever and have (hopefully) settled on a 2004 R53 MINI Cooper S. The gas mileage (even with it needing 91+ octane) and timing chain instead of a belt have helped solidify settling on a MINI...that and the two sets of Hella 500s I have sitting in the basement would look pretty sweet on one. I initially wanted an N/A non-S model, but then this little gem came up...

My wife and I went to see it last night and drove it around, kicked the tires, and marveled at the issues I'll need to fix...I'll get to those later. We're hoping to have a PPI done this coming Saturday (still have to nail down a place in/around Bethesda/Rockville, MD) and then she'll be ours!

Now we're getting (what I think is) a pretty good deal, but hopefully you folks can chime in on that. Here are the specs (I haven't been able to find a comprehensive list of options/packages/etc. yet so I don't know what was standard and what wasn't), followed by the issues:

So for $4,000 we'll get...

Specs:
- 2004 Cooper S
- Just under 117k miles
- Clean Title per InstaVIN/NMVTIS
- Traction Control, or ASC, or whatever the 3-letter acronym is they've used on the button to disable it
- Navigation
- Harman Kardon Stereo
- Heated Seats
- "Leather" Seats
- HID Headlights
- Fog Lights
- White Bonnet Stripes (I used to live in London and couldn't stand the Americans that overly used British words just 'cause, but this seems appropriate)
- Panoramic Moon Roof
- Rubber "Trunk" Mat
- These wheels look like they may have been an option too...?

Now for the drawbacks/future projects:
- Cracked Windshield (I'd be shocked if it passed any inspection)
- Cracked Radiator Support
- Leaky power steering reservoir (dealt with this on my BMW before, much easier access on the MINI)
- "Service Engine Soon" light is on
- "Check Gas Cap" light is on
- On these last two, apparently the codes it's throwing are for an O2 sensor and an EVAP Large Leak. In doing some quick internet research, I'm thinking the EVAP and gas cap issues are one in the same, maybe a disconnected hose from the vapor canister, or a bum canister? Experience/advice here is more than welcomed!

Again, any advice/warnings/you're crazy for paying that much for a car with those issues are appreciated.


Requisite pictures:

 

Nice MINI. Seen one with similar issues sell privately for $5K, and was in worse shape I think.

On the CEL, aftermarket 02 sensors don't work very well in a MINI, codes still come up usually....the MINI Bosch ones are about $250.00 ea. IF it's the Cat, and it could be, well your looking at about $1,600 + two gaskets and install...Unfortunately the cheaper exhaust manifold/cats in ebay ect are a waste of money from what I have seen so far.

OEM MINI glass, top strip and urethane will run about $350.00 plus install.

The cracked front panel/radiator support with tax runs about $325.00 -

Then there's clutch operation ? If you have nothing to compare it to ( another MINI with proper working clutch ) you may not know what to look/feel for.

Any maintenance slips to show what work has been done so far ? If over your head possibly consider having a MINI shop give it a look over, visually inspect fluids for potential issues and present findings to the seller for price adjustment if needed. Most inde shops unfamiliar with what parts to inspect on a MINI will not do you justice in this case.

 

Thanks for the info!

Also, I forgot to mention that there is also some rusting above the chrome trim for the tailgate latch.

Managed to find O2 sensors (Bosch 13878, right?) on Advance Auto Parts' page for about $160 (or $125 on BavAuto) and they always have crazy coupons floating around, so that's a plus. Here's to hoping it isn't the cat! Hopefully they'll be able to offer some resolution at the inspection...thanks for the heads up on the eBay items!

I found a windshield place that says they use OEM glass, but I'll have to double check on the top strip and urethane. Do you know part numbers for them? I've found some diagrams on RealOEM (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...id=48021&hg=51) and it looks like the trim strip is 51317155304 and the windshield is 51312753978, but I can't find the urethane (unless it's this part: 51311925433).

That radiator support had me a little scared with the price, but I found it somewhere (p/n 51647200800, ECS maybe?) for about $160...looks like it's a pain to replace though...taking apart the entire front end?

As far as the clutch...my stepmom had a Cooper S a couple of years back (maybe MY2011?), but I don't remember enough to compare things...the clutch seemed to be easier to manipulate than my MZ3, and it feels like it has some sort of "start assist" as the initial friction point is almost impossible to find, it just wants you to get on the gas and off the clutch and it will do the rest...pretty smoothly. I'd prefer a more connected feel, but I guess it is what it is...

The seller has only had the car for about a year and I haven't seen any maintenance receipts...far from ideal, I know.

I was planning on taking it to a shop that knows MINIs next Saturday. I like the idea of these guys (http://www.scandinavianimports.com/mini_service_request), but will have to make some calls tomorrow to iron things out.

So at the end of the I'll be hoping the cat's alright (assuming there's just one?) and not looking forward to tearing apart the front end for the radiator support...

Also, what sort of issues are folks seeing with supercharger reliability? Are folks really getting less than 150k miles out of their blowers? I've seen a DIY writeup on changing the SC oil (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ge-how-to.html) and figured that may be something to do while I already have everything apart.

 

Double post...

 

For that price never count on the check engine light being a quick or cheap fix, if it was the current owner would have fixed it to max their sale price.

As for Carfax or whatever you used to check the VIN, DO NOT TRUST those sites. I've seen plenty of cars with a clean car fax, only to find it had been wrecked or worse. Get the car inspected by someone that knows MINIs.

Also plan on a car the cheap needing control arm bushings among various leaks.

 

162 views and only 2 responses? C'mon guys...there has to be someone else willing to talk me out of this car.

-=gRay rAvEn=-, I replied to your post, but it hasn't shown up yet...I'll try to throw together the reader's digest version if it doesn't come through...

WayMotorWorks - Thanks for the reply! I'm in the same boat about the CEL fix(es)...murphy's law and all. I've never been a big fan of the VIN checking services...it's almost a craps shoot as to what gets reported, etc... I'm hoping to have a local place with good reviews and MINI experience go through it for me (http://www.scandinavianimports.com/mini_service_request).

I figure leaks will be an issue regardless. Not sure if the valve covers are a weak piont, but it wouldn't surprise me. So far, just the power steering that I could see from above with an LED work light...and no big stains visible on the driveway...not that that rules anything out.

As far as the control arm bushings, it looks like it may be pretty straight forward...famous last words...but I only have a decent sized vise, no shop press for this one. I've done the bushings on an e36 BMW, but had use of a shop press. I think with some patience and a properly sized ring spacer that I should be able to do it with the vise...then all i have to do is choose a bushing...I see powerflex makes one, of course they do.

 

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