Hi folks,

I'm new here and thinking of purchasing a 2005 Mini Cooper S Auto here in rainy old England. Please can current owners post there experiences of the cars?

Any views would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

Welcome to NAM!

I would recommend browsing around NAM to learn more about the cars. You will find more information here than anywhere else, including from MINI themselves

If I were you, I would start reading here in 1st Generation Coupe Talk!

 

minicoopas,

I'm new to the MINI world but it's been a dream to own one for some time. I've had mine almost three months now.
Mine is a 2005 automatic. I love it, it's had a couple of leaks, been fixed and my extended warranty came in real handy. It would probably be a good idea to have whatever you're thinking of buying put on a lift so you can see things for yourself.
Everyone here is very helpful.
Good luck to you. (I'm from England too,,long ago)

 

Welcome. I just bought a 2006 Cooper, 5 speed manual. It is a fantastic car. I know it may not be as reliable as a Honda or Mazda, but I sure love to drive it. I'm hoping if I take real good care of it I won't be in hock to fix it all the time. Get it checked out real well before you buy, but then just sit back and wait for the smiles to appear.

 

Great post minicoopas! I too am thinking of purchasing a 2005 Mini Cooper S. I am not sure and need more people to post there experiences. Only R53 Cooper S posts please!

Come forward please my fellow Mini'ers!

 

Hi, welcome to NAM Hope I don't get in trouble for posting this? But there is also a Mini forum based in the UK it's called "Mini Torque". There might be some guy's close to you that can also help you out? Here is a link: http://www.minitorque.com/forum/

 

Thanks JIMINNI! But all I need is advice from fellow R53 Mini Cooper S Auto owners! Doesn't matter where they live.

 

Hey davii, your welcome My post was kinda aimed at the OP as he lives in the UK. Concerning your car, as I have a 6 speed can't help you there, but I think the autos on the S models are all good, not the dreaded CVT

 

point taken JIMINNI! Thanks for the welcome buddy!

 

2006 MCS Auto here - no problems since new. 26,000 miles. The Aisin built auto in the S is a good one!

 

No problem I should have said though that my wifes 2009 S has the automatic and it is very nice, it has the sport mode and the paddle shifters, very cool. Not sure if the later model R53's had all that?

 

They do apparantly.

 

I have an '05 MCSa with just under 49K miles. It's been good, the transmission is solid. The car has had all the normal things that the '05 and '06 had issues with:
1. leaking thermostat
2. leaking passenger side motor mount.
3. MINI emblem on steering wheel curling up (replaced twice)

The only issue with the auto (compared to my '06 MCS) is that when the car is cold, there is some hesitation accelerating from a dead stop for the first minute or two. Something with the programming that MINI didn't get quite right. All in all, it's been solid and reliable. I'm planning on getting the transmission fluid replaced in the near future as a preventative measure.

 

my 06 R53 auto has 53k miles now. early problem. Thermostat leak fix by the dealer. Had one major horror story of oil change done by the dealer.They didnt put the filter seal properly, engine oil was leaking to no oil at the engine. The car was towed back to the dealer. But no major damage thank God. That was my last trip to the dealer. I had mine maintained at diff shop now. The auto in R53 is different from other car. It mimics the manual tranny, it can even do engine braking. Power on wheel might be less than manual but can be easily compensated by a few mod. Thinking about doing transmission flush as she is approaching 60k this yr.

 

I've had my 06 since it came over from England brand new. Absolutely no problems with the auto (thermostat leak like everyone else). I've had manuals all my life and I do not miss the clutch. I drive it in full manual with the paddles 100% of the time, more fun and it's in the gear I want not what the computer thinks it should be in. Gear shifts with the paddles are fast except first to second which is about half a second so I anticipate that shift and shift that much sooner. I think you can go through the gears faster than a guy with a manual (only my opinion but I have many years experience with manuals). I think the auto will take a little top end hp and torque away from you than what you could get in a manual but I don't live in the high rpm range either. I can't comment on the cold issue as I live in the southwest and it doesn't drop below freezing here very often.

 

Hello, and welcome 2 NAM!

Scoopie is a 2006 MCSa, and she hasn't had the thermostat issue. She has ~49K miles on her, and had a strut tower mushroom issue that the dealer fixed at ~48K (damnable potholes in the DC area!). I noticed a little 'puckering' in the driver's seat 2 yrs ago, and they replaced the cover (that was ~34K miles). Other than that, she's golden!

 

o6mcsa, 30k miles, had since dec 20, love it in manual mode. D is fine but I use it less and less everyday. no problems cept minor oil leak fixed. it is basically stock at the moment /cry

 

Don't cry; nothin' wrong w/stock! The R53 MINI rocks as it is!

 

@violet. Get the Alta CAI v2. Its worth it. I notice 2 mpg improvement. I average 30 mpg now. with 70% hwy and 30% city driving. Esp if you live in the south, summer here is pretty rough on mini engine with 105 degrees F during the day.

 

I love my '05 MCSa -- owned since last June, currently just shy of 55k on the odo.

Only issue to speak of was a bad wheel sensor wire; replaced for minimal $ by dealer under extended warranty (thanks to previous owner).

I think the previous owner replaced the thermostat.

BTW, our Local MINI Guru says that the autos take especially well to pulley reductions. (I'm hoping to find out first-hand at some point.)

Finally, don't forget to stop by here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ners-club.html

 

06 MCSa. Ordered new, has about 48k now, with mmany of those miles coming from long haul road trips, and some serious Mini Rallies.

I'm semi-heavily modified, with no issues to report as of yet, other than a throttle body failure at around 27 or 30k. Quick and cheap fix.

He's been a solid car and we have gotten along great over the years.

DCAM0056.jpg?t=1269356775

Slightly old pic. Pre-dates the side exit exhaust, and he's sitting a little lower these days.

 

thanks for the all the input! anymore views guys?

 

45K miles, MCSa 06'

I have visited the dealer for common issues like thermostat leak (twice), coolant reservoir tank leak (replaced once), motor mount leak (replaced once), headlight washer failure (once).

I also have schedule for another repair in a few days for strut mount replacement (they are sagging), and oil pan gasket change (minor oil leaks), and dome light replacement.

I mean, for 2 years and 35000 miles, it hasn't given me major problems.
everything works fine and i drive enthusiastically.

also done oil/filter changes every 5K miles.

-drew-

 

@hoonpv

What oil do you use?

 

0-30 German Syntec with Napa Gold filter.

I swear by the German syntec.



drew-