So I hate to make this thread as I am sure there are many others like it. I did search the forum prior to making this tho. Looking at a 2003 cooper S with 95k. Prior VW owner so I'm prepared for some issues. Price is set at $4500 which is a little under KBB but the title is being held by finance company bc of unpaid lien. I would go to the bank with seller to get it paid off. Only thing he said the car needs is pads and rotors which I'm capable of replacing. He said the car had a power steering issue at 50k right after he bought it and he paid mini to fix it.(RECALL? Sounded like BS that he paid all this money to me) Other than that he said its just been normal oil changes done by himself with oem filters. The car has one deep scratch on the rear quarter and a paint chip. Interior looks pretty flawless tho Add ons to the car include magna flow exhaust, B&M short shifter, K&N intake, Konig racelight 17" wheels with new rubber. Is there anything i should really look out for when going back to look at it.

 

Lower Control Arm bushings wear out and require dropping subframe to replace.
Coolant reservoir tanks tend to leak at seam, cheap/easy to replace.
Should plan to replace supercharger oil which is a little bit of a pain.
Check that windows and door locks operate well. Can be a pain to fix.
Look for any fluid leaks.

 

Also check for:
mushrooming shock towers
broken/leaking upper engine mount
oil on front of oil pan - very possible crank position sensor o-ring

 

Since you are looking at a 2003 R53 the leaking engine mount probably will not an issue because the mount was a different design that usually does not leak.

As GregO said what looks like an oil pan gasket leak is frequently the crank shaft position sensor o-ring leaking. Cheap part but have to put the Mini in service mode (bumper removed and radiator leaned forward) to access the sensor.