I found a SWEEEEET deal on a 2002 dark grey Panorama roof sport package cooper S howered, well, its an 02. Ive been told by many to stay away from the 02 and to REALLY only look at the 03 and up.
What are the associated problems with the 2002? Anything major that warranty wouldnt cover (its from a dealer)

 

I had an '02 dark silver MCS for three and a half years. The only significant problem I had was the dreaded 'stumble' which was eventually corrected. While certainly not the equal of '05 and '06 most of them are absolutely fine.
Ask for maintainance records to set your mind at ease.

 

Yoyo issue i guess?
How is that fixed?

 

Corrected or at least minimzed through a ECU upgrade.

See the Yo-Yo Chronicles thread for all the details. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ighlight=yo-yo

 

Cmon, quit the insults. dark grey? Call it Dark Silver or your not allowed to join the club!


hehe

 

things like adjusting the rear latch, there were two emissions recals, and I think the springs are a little bit stiffer. I have an 02, and didn't have the "stumble" or "yo-yo" so they weren't universal.

The biggest differences are the older cars (up to 04) have different gear ratios than the 05 up in the 6 speed, and you couldn't get a LSD for the tranny.

If it's a great deal, carfax is and have at it!

Call it what you want, if it's yours.... We'll still let you in the klub!

Matt

 

I have an 02 and I like knowing it is the first year..... a couple of rattles here and there at 50K.... got rid of the stumbles that I had brought on with mods....now corrected..... the new tranny is nice and the new cars seem a little more solid (can't really describe) but I have a blast in my 02.

I'm planning on keeping it..... may do some more things to it..... depends on what you want the car for.

 

I'm at over 65k, with some track time as well. Add camber plates and other stuff like that, and you're bound to get a lot more shake, rattle and roll. I did have some dash rattles that I fixed with a piece of felt. The dash cover is held on with only 4 screws....

Anyway, the 02s were first here. I think they came out as 01s in England... But I'm a west coast boy, so don't really know and certainly don't care....

The cars are good, and mines been solid.

Matt

 

My 02 MC had a few problems, but it wasnt an S so I don't know if they apply. The first year it got a whole new transmission and before I bought it they had to do something big to the engine because it was ticking but that was years ago and before I really knew anything about cars so I dont remember what they had to do. Also the power steering fan is on the same circuit as the coolant fan so that can cause a snowball effect and your car ends up overheating until you get the circuit split into 2. I also had to have the clutch done after only 35,000 miles and I am not new to driving stick. All of this was under warranty but the clutch. Oh yeah and the seat back mechanism always broke.

I guess the title says MCS so maybe none of this carry over, but just in case.