hey guys, i have been reading up on mini reliability because i want to get one after living with them for so long. i want to know what are some of the particular problems with the 2002/2003 minis. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-s-manual.html
I am debating weather or not to get that one or http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...3612/overview/ that one there is also this one http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...2808/overview/. my body tells me to get the 03 cooper s of all the upgrades and good pricing, but my brain is telling me to get the 06 with better price and because its "more reliable". there is also the 04 mini which is "meh". i have never lived with a mini earlier than 2004. are they as bad as people say or are they reliable and still as powerful as the 2004+ models? thanks badge from SC.
sorry for the spam of links

 

I've had an '06 in the recent past, and now drive an '04. Before I purchased the '06, I was told that (and the '05) was the best of the R53s - primarily because of the rust issue in the lower door jambs of the earlier models (a problem that I do have with my '04), and perhaps in the rear area: hatch, taillight housings, etc. In the '05-on, the radio plays MP3s and has information readout in the HU face; manual gear ratios are are tweaked for better performance; the reverse lights are combined into the taillights (as opposed to a single light centered under the bumper). Other than that, there aren't many differences in the pre-'05 vs newer. I think they got it all figured out by 2005.

I try to stay away from the first and second model year of any vehicle, and the Mini is no different. You'll likely pay a chunk more for the '06, but then there will also likely be less mileage, wear, etc. Nothing wrong with an earlier model though, as long as it's been well-cared for. I didn't get my '04 cheap, exactly, but it's in great shape overall with years of dealer service records.

 

My dads 2nd mini cooper s was an 04 bought for 10,000 with 110,000 miles on it(a good bit overpriced but he just won the lottery so...)and after having it for about 2 months the clutch went. ended up costing 3,000 to fix. but it was my favorite out of all, but i digress.
do you ever wish for lack of a better term that you had an 05?

 

Tell me you're kidding about your Dad winning the lottery...

TBH, if it were between an '02 or '05-'06 I'd take the newer model. But for the money, my '04 (that just turned 100K on the clock) is just fine. I might have/use an '02 or '03 to get crazy with - track it, modify it, etc., but not as a DD. They're so similar; you're really talking about budget and condition: what you want to spend and what you want to fix, change or update once you own it. Yeah, my supercharger could go out tomorrow - it's a risk you take with an 11-year-old car. I think my clutch is going out too, but even with a new flywheel, that repair is only $1,100.

Minis are cars with a bit of personality, and an interested owner can elaborate on that personality. There are many people who would rather drive a respectable, reliable, bland Toyota.

 

As with any car, try to get the newest and most maintained car your budget allows.

 

What is so bad about 2002 Mini's?

Or is it just the fact they have a little less hp and different gear ratio?

Do they have problems that a 2006 doesn't have?

 

i have heard that the 02 and 03 minis have a lot more problems than 05 and 06. http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

 

Agreed, 02 and 03 minis are not as reliable as the newer ones, but ... that 03 mini(first one listed) is so nice i dont really want to pass it up. minis are a very awesome and personable car i am refuse to go JDM, too many people have them and they are all the same.

 

What part of an 02 03 is not reliable?

I'm a little biased because I have an 02 but that guide isn't all that great.

My door sills are rust free. Rear hatch is rusty but newer Mini's get rusty too.

Newer dont leak oil? Only the 02 is prone to that?

 

I have an 03 MCS with a 11/02 build data. Very early model.


A couple of things that have gone bad:
Power steering pump and fan
Steering wheel peeled
Crank position sensor and pan gasket leak
Steering rack failed
Airbag connections under the seats are too short and when the seat is raised fully and moved forward it pulls them apart and causes fault (dealer has fixed 3 times and is still under warranty.
Both Power steering fan and AC fan are on the same 5 amp circuit and is subject to inconvenient blowing and resulting overheating of everything.


Control arm bushing are no doubt worn unless replace. They will need it for sure.


just a list of the top of my head. Oh, BTW, check the spark plug torque.


Make nice holes in the bonnet with a proper launch.


Good luck.


rob

 

How long have you owned it?

 

I have a 2003 Build date 04/03, And have had 1 issue so far. A vacuum leak code being thrown every so often, and then it would go away. The gasket on the gas cap was cracking from age.
That is the only problem so far.

I bought it in April 2014, with 83,000 miles. Now it has 95,000. It has been a wonderful car. Not all Minis have major issues.