I can only speak for the early MCS, having never owned an MC. I have an '02 MCS and love it. I just rolled over 56,000 miles yesterday, and I drive it pretty hard.

Does it have squeaks and rattles? Yes. But thanks to this forum, I've been able to fix them myself. Heck, thanks to this forum, I've actually done all of the mods on my car myself (CAI, 15% pulley, and some aesthetic mods). I can't say that about any of my other cars.

Gear ratios different between model years? Yes. But I have to agree with what's been stated earlier in that I prefer my gearing on auto-X days. I prefer it over my wife's GTI and my buddy's SRT4. And as a daily driver, I only get frustrated with 1st gear when I'm caught in rush hour traffic jams, but that was a PITA no matter what manual transmission I was driving at the time.

I was actually lucky and picked my 02 up in the summer of 03 off of a Honda lot with only 13,000 miles on it. And I saved $6000 on it compared to if I'd gotten an 03 new from the MINI dealership with the same options (sunroof, DS/W paint, cold weather, climate control).

There are deals out there on used MINIs. We don't drive an exotic supercar. Yes, they retain the bulk of their value, but you CAN find deals if you look. I was lucky. But if you think about it, just about any price paid under MSRP for an MCS is a good deal, IMHO.

Don't let the naysayers get you down. MINI have made various improvements to the cars over time, but none so groundbreaking that I felt I had to toss my car to the side and run full tilt to the dealership to get the latest and greatest. If you find a used one in your price range, just take it for a good test drive. If you don't know much about cars, take a trusted friend or family member who does along with you to check it out. If all systems are good to go, then congrats, you may have just found your next ride. Just know that as with any used car, maintenence is always a factor, whether or not it's still under warranty, etc. These were the risks I knew going into my purchase of my used MCS and I accepted them. I haven't regretted it since.

Best of luck and happy hunting.

Every make and year of car has great performers and lemons. I can’t think of any immune to this fact, so why would MINI be any different.

You can go back in the forums here over the years and read about problems that have been common among every year MINI made. The windshield, Yo-Yo, stumble, the water bottle, latch rattle or the fan, but all of these thing either have been addressed or are being worked by MINI to produce a better more reliable car.

02’s and 03’s from what I’ve read have been no worse than the 04’s, 05’s or 06’s.

For the other side of the coin, 02’s and early 03’s, as far as the MCS goes has a far stiffer and superior suspension than later models as far as I’m concerned. To many complaints from people saying it was to stiff made them wimp it out. So the only way you will ever get the real setup is to buy a 02 or early 03, but it won’t be mine because I’m never selling it.

I have one of the best if not the best 02 MCS produced. I have never had one problem with my MCS other than self inflected damage. I do not live near a dealer in fact it’s a 600 mile trip to the closest one. I have been to the dealer for the two free services only, that’s it. My MCS is almost 4 years old and I plan to buy another, but I will never sell this one.

My MCS was produced on the secret “Indestructible MINI” production line, while all of yours came off the ho-hum production line. All I can say is I feel for all you that have the mere common MINI, because mine is the best in the world and it’s a 02.

And mine was built on the "fastest MINI" line, sweetie! And it's the best '03 ever! EVER!

Sure there are lemons, with all cars, in all the years. But my 03 (sept 02 build) has been one of the most reliable cars I've had. Currently ust over 105,000 miles with very few problems. As stated earlier, sure I would buy a new MINI, but it will be an addition, because I'm not selling my 03

Nik

02 has a bad rep because it was the first year production and the likelihood of having many bugs in the car to sort out is higher than other years. For instance, my 02 MC in its early years went through a new transmission, new clutch, new seat mechanisms, had circuits split, and engine problems. All is fine now, but it was a pain to keep taking it to the dealer an hours away and to wait or be carless, and I even had to pay for the clutch for no good reason. From what I have heard from others and my own perils I think 02s deserve a bad rep. Not that all are bad, but the likelihood of getting a lemon is much higher in first year production.

Now you just need to find a fast driver.

Yeah, that wouldn't be you....it would be koolmini.

Then why do you keep telling me to slow down?

"My MCS was produced on the secret “Indestructible MINI” production line, while all of yours came off the ho-hum production line."

My July build '03 MCS must have came off the same line. My super charger was replaced at about 5K, but everything else has been nearly flawless! Stumble resolved with firmware. Rattles? None here. Broken windshields? Nope. Loads of fun? Definately. More fun than my previous 328is or Audi S4? YES! Half the price of the S4? Nearly.

What a coup! Cut my car payment in half and double the fun at the same time. I'm ordering my second Mini next week.

What are we talking about again?

I have an August 02 build MCS...(I guess it's an 02) and it's had its share of "known issues". All replaced under warranty with no question..Currently at 47,000 miles. The car has never left me stranded...The fun factor and love for my 02 outweighs the small problems... I just love this freaking car..

July build '02 "S" with 30k miles of relative trouble free bliss. Besides having to pay a lot more for my JCW performance mods, I would change a thing.

I had an 03 MCS. She had 6700 miles when we bought her. The first month I was back and forth to the dealer 3 times: a xenon head light out, driver's side window motor went pfft, and my fly wheel needed replaced. After that she was a dream until a van pulled out in front of me and totalled her. Never have I felt so protected by my car! Went out and bought a new 06 MCS and couldn't be happier with the few extra perks to upgrade the 03.