I am new to the mini and new to performance enigines/cars, I have always been worked on lifting vehicles but never dealt with engine issues. I did some searches but I didn't see I perfect match. I just bought my fiance an 03 cooper s JCW off craigslist. It has 120K. Everything seemed fine when I took it for a test drive but I did not really get on the gas much. On the way home the caution (exclamation point) light came on as well as the brake service light as I was accelerating hard getting on the interstate. I took it out a day or two later and noticed that first and second gear seem to do fine but when I put the petal to the floor the RPMs seem to increase from 5-7k but the power is not there. It is like the tires are on ice and I am hitting the gas hard but the acceleration is not there. I also saw a small coolant leak after it sat a couple days. The power seems fine under normal driving but when trying to get on the gas it just revs up high and has very little power. Any ideas? I am worried it may be a supercharger issue, but again I have no experience with engine work.
Thanks guys, love the mini it is a blast to drive but I was looking forward to the JCW package. We live about 30 mins from the dragon (hwy129) and really wanting to get it in good running shape. Also, wanting to see if the $6k I paid was a good price, thought it was till I started having these issues.

 

First, Welcome aboard.
Sounds like your belt may be slipping. Check the belt and the belt tensioner.

This would be normal to a point as the cars DSC is kicking in. But you could have a bad ABS/wheel speed sensor.

Check the expansion tank as these are know to leak and go bad. Check thermostat housing next as that is another known issue.

Are you having any unusual noises from it? Again another known issue if the SC is running low on oil on the waterpump side. You would usually know this by the horrible noise it would be making.

This is just my opnion in the few areas I would be looking into.

 

when you say the power is "not there" and it is "like it is on ice"...I think you are describing a slipping clutch....a RPM increase without a matching increase in roadspeed...remember, with a stick, the engine and tranny speeds MATCH 100% of the time if the clutch is holding.

 

I have not heard any unusual noises but my fiance said she turned it off the other day and it there was still noise from the engine bay that she said she thought the car was still running, this lasted a couple mins but I was not home to hear. I will read up on the tensioner, the seller said they had the belt replaced recently. Thanks for all the comments, I hope it is not the clutch but I guess that will be my next move.

 

This was probably the power steering fan running. Read this
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...p-failure.html

 

It is normal for a radiator fan to run a bit after shutting off the car...happens more with low fluid level...and you DID say you have a leak.....top it off lately? If it gets more than a couple cups low, air gets trapped in system, and it might need rebleeding....or worse, overheat and cause $$in dammages.
The run on sound COULD be the ps pump...easy test...just turn the steering wheel with the car off....if it moves easily, new pump time...and disconnect the battery so the car will start later!!
good luck...sounds like the prior owner knew the car needed a few $$ spent on repairs and sold the car....the coolant leak may only be a $50 coolant tank or a $50 thermostat, simple and cheap if you catch it early...ps pump ...if it is bad is more $$.

 

Start with a GOOD Insp2 service. You could have a part blocked fuel filter - high flow starving. Clutch slip quite common with cars driven hard. Fix it once and right. Cheap repairs bite you on the a#$e in the long run. If it fails on the partner you won't hear the last of it - trust me............

 

This was my thought that the clutch is slipping from your post.

 

The coolant leak seemed to be coming from the back side of the engine and after reading about the common thermo leaks I have ordered a new one from Way Motor Works and will be installing it this weekend. Thanks for all the replies, it defiantly feels like the clutch it slipping. Normal driving is fine it only happens when you really hammer the throttle. I am still happy with the purchase. My fiance has never driven a manual so I am going to give her a little time to learn and me a little time to read up on the best options for replacement parts before I drop the money for the new clutch.
thanks again

 

that’s what it was for mine it was running rough under hard acceleration