I'm about ready to make an offer on a 2004 Mini Cooper S - 72000 miles (manual). Everything seems to work great and there are no apparent problems.

Any potential problem areas to look at closely before doing the deal?

 

have you read this? http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

 

Control arm bushings
Leaks, including oil pan gaset, crank sensor seal, axle seal, various power steering lines.
Broken power steering fan
Low speed fan resistor

Scared yet? Don't be: just include them in your purchase price, because you will have to fix them. It's not a Toyota, which will run like a sewing machine for 175,000 miles without breaking; but then again, you won't be driving a boring sewing machine.

 

I can deal with paying for minor repairs. I just want to avoid costly stuff (like CVT issues) or a never-ending string of problems.

I had an 09 R56 and loved it but had to sell last summer. I'm looking to get back into the game at a cheaper price. My biggest problem will be overpaying because I REALLY want another Mini and the available cars in my area are limited. It's tough to make a smart purchase when I feel impatient. I don't want to be blinded by real, costly issues with an older year model.

 

Solid 'lump' engine block and near bullet proof Getrag gearbox. Can't go wrong with either. Another notorious week spot is the passenger seat airbag sensor, mine's been dead for a couple of years and I've leaned to ignore it. You'll want to upgrade the sway bar and possibly the struts for a flatter and more agressive answer to any crooked roads you encounter. MINIs are not mere conveyances, they are or can be a magical mystery tour if you open your heart and mind to the possibilities.

 

I just picked my 2004 mini cooper s up in october. I had a few issues with loose spark plugs that has been covered under dealer warranty. I would check your spark plugs for snuggness. My understanding is it is a rather common problem and you don't want to blow a plug.

 

Passenger side engine mount, Clutch throw out bearings, and Power Steering Pumps. I am of the belief that there should have been a factory recall on the pumps. Yes things dont last forever, but I have had 2 MCS and had to do them both. My 3rd one just had it done in May.

 

I just bought an 04 MCS in October too. I found someone's weekend driver and only have 30k miles on it though. Spark plugs weren't just worn but electrode was burned off...but other than burning through tires I'm under the hope it'll be as reliable as my 03 MCS was

 

bought a 04 MCS in August and got it halfway home and heard a rattle... Ended up being the Supercharger .. AutoXCoop rebuilt it the right way and after 22 hours of reassembly it was done.. well I changed out some other parts too while I was in there. Then I cleaned up all the door sill rust with por-15 and had the whole car reclear coated.. damn thing looks brand new again.

 

Had a 03 and have a 06. Very low mileage cars.

Common to both:

Sunroof leak down the "A" pilllar (just a hose that comes undone)

Electrical issues that can only be solved by selling the car.


Otherwise the most fun car you will ever own.

 

Just make sure it not a auto tran. If it has a getrag manual tran, great. Check for the oil leaks and the oil pan gasket. Check the engine mounts for leaks. Pull the seals at doors and check for the rust, this can be corrected by you if the situation has not progressed to far. Make sure everything works, A/C, power windows, all lights, etc.

Inspect the head liner it might be ready to be changed out.

Good Luck!!

 

Look out for strut tower mushrooming, I had little knowledge on strut tower mushrooming or MINI's until I joined various forum's after buying my MINI and later discovered I had a severe case of mushrooming. So bad infact, that the strut tower had cracked & split a little.