Hello,

I'd like to get a Mini Cooper S for < $10,000. So that pretty much limits me to the R53s, even there the pickings are somewhat slim, but certainly not impossible.

I read the buyers guide at http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/ and they say that, like most cars, first generation cars generally got more reliable as things went along.

However, on Consumer Reports websites they rate the 2005's as a bit worse overall than the '03 and '04 models. The big issues that consumer reports ding the R53s on are the transmission, but I'd only consider a manual, and I think the vast majority of problems were with the automatics, so that's probably not a problem.

They also mention cooling system problems. Are there any other problems other than the expansion tanks? It looks like I could go ahead and buy a new one for $60 bucks or so and install it in and hour or two as a preventative measure.

The other big issue that Consumer Reports specifically ding the '02 models on are "Drive System". The other model years are average or better in this category. What is that? With front wheel drive, the differential is generally just considered part of the transmission (hence the term transaxle), would they be referring to the halfshafts and CV joints? Any way to tell if they've been upgraded? Most of the cars I'm coming across are just over 100k miles, so I would imagine that if they were bad, they'd have been replaced by now. Is there anyway to tell if they have?

Thanks,
Eric

 

I can't really comment on the suspension, but as for the expansion tank, there's one easy way to check if it's malfunctioning. Let the car idle until the engine temp rises enough for the fan to turn on. At that point check the expansion tank to make sure it is not overflowing. As long as it's dry, you should be ok!