I've had my 02 MC (33K miles) for 3 weeks. I'm dealing with a leaking transmission/differential seal and metal grindings in the fluid.

I've read posts of drivetrain failures as well as other issues with the early models. Mine shifts fine and I don't hear any noises in the drivetrain. But I'm starting to fear this car. Just how "bad" are the 2002 models?!!

Am I afraid only because I hear about all the bad 02 models and none of the good ones? Or do y'all think they really are bad?

So, tell me the "real truth"!!

I like the car and want to keep it. But maybe I'm a fool and should start looking at an 04 or later?

 

I can't say that I've really had any serious problems with my '02. I bought it used about a year ago and had about 10 months of warranty left.
Had both of my window motors replaced by warranty and that's about it.

Sorry if you have some buyer's remorse - but maybe it's only the bad ones that say anything about their '02s.

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread as well.
It's an interesting question.

Paul

 

That's what I want to hear. I need some positive re-inforcement.

So come on fellow 02 Pilots... give me some confidence in my machine!

 

love my 02 cooper.

 

Well, its not exactly an 02, but my 03 MCS was built in the fall of 02 and has been a strong and solid MINI. Yes, it has had a few minor issues, but nothing that doesn't make me think I'll be driving it for many miles to come. I've got almost 60k on it and I expect to keep it at least until 100k. . .

 

Ive had my 02 cooper for 3 months, and its been great!!! No problems.

 

I've had my 02 MC for nearly 4 months and have no problems. I'm very happy with it. The dealer did tell me though that the prev. owner had to replace the org. glass. I've had rocks ping off of it and still no troubles.

 

Has the car been someplace really, really cold? The big problem with the transmission is from a seal that doesn't hold when it gets extemely cold, well into the negative degrees F.

If you or the previous owner live in a place where it gets very cold, that's a reason to be concerned.

 

I've got an early '03 Cooper CVT [9/02 build] amd am quite happy with it...even in the face of all the CVT problems others have written about here in NAM.

 

I've had an 02 CVT [5/02 build] since February. Other than changing the CVT, one wheel bearing, struts and springs, a control arm bushing, and fluids, it's been great. I purchased it with a bad CVT and 110k miles from the original owner who drove it constantly and was so disappointed to give it up because of the color (Red Velvet) is no longer offered. That previous owner purchased a new 06 CVT. I plan to drive this to its end and am just speculating on which tires to get since they are getting low on tread.

 

I've had very few problems with my 02 MC, and NO problems yet with the transmission. However, no amount of reassurance from the rest of us will fix a leaking seal and metal grindings in the fluid.....sounds like a problem to me. At the very least, you'll need to keep a close eye on the tranny fluid level.

 

Mini coopers fit in the category of fun cars.

fun cars, like the porsche, bmw, even honda civics are driven hard by people who drive their cars hard without much consideration for real motoring. These are normally sold after a few years so there's no thought of longevity during the time of ownership. These cars sell for other aspects other than reliablitiy. Mostly for looks, emotional appeal or just for mere price.

I'd be hard pressed to buy a used mini from owners that used it as a primary source of transportation, or someone who's young, maybe first time car owners or those who have no experience driving other types of cars for longer periods than borrowing a car for a weeekend.

When you buy used, you generally buy into someone elses problems...

 

My O2 MCS has been a very reliable car, just the usual mini problems steering pump replaced, coolant tank, airbag light 9 times (dealers fault) and now it needs a new window motor. It has 53 km on it and I bought it with 11 km

 

I have an 2002 MCS...
has never left me stranded and I love it more now that the fugly 07 is coming out.
Problems?
Coolant tank, airbag light (3 times), driver and passenger power window motors..
No other issues..
I am just out of warranty, but luckily I found an independant mechanic (trusted) that can take care of any problems I have down the road...
Find a good mechanic and you'll be motoring for years to come...
Good luck..
I also have a friend that posts here with an 2002 cvt and reports ZERO problems with it and he's had it since it was brand spankin new....

 

I have been active in the MINI community since early in 2002 and have a lot of friends who have 02s and just love them! Most of those who no longer have them, like me, traded or sold their 02s to get newer MINIs. Of my friends who've kept their 02s, they really love them for the fact that the first year has the much stiffer suspension, and just because they were the first new MINIs!

I bought my first MINI August 28, 2002, a pretty all Pure Silver Cooper. When I saw that Jet Black was available as a color for 2003 MCSs, I had to have one, and traded in the first one for her.

I agree: find a good independent mechanic, hopefully one who owns a MINI, and you'll be fine.

 

I feel better

I just sold my beloved BMW Z3 to get the MINI and was having second thoughts about the whole thing. But you have made me feel better.

The seals get replaced next week.

Now I can start doing the mods on the suspension. 19mm sway bar is first. And a set of Toyo Proxes 4 or Falken 512s. I'm gonna get this go-cart handling better than my bimmer if I can.

Shannon

 

I didn't know the 02 had a stiffer suspension. Really? I'm assuming it's stiffer springs?

Now I really feel good! I'm all about suspension and handling. Don't care too much about horsepower... just need enough to propel me through the twisties

 

Yes, in '02, the original suspension on the MCS was considerably stiffer. As of January 2003 production, it was softened up a bit. Some early '03-builds from September to December 2002 still had the stiffer ride (for example, Yucca Patrol's MCS does).

I had an HR Compound Rear Swaybar installed on my '03 MCS, (March-build), in May, and LOVE the tighter handling it gave me! Also, I drive a friend's new '06 MCS with LSD, which has the heavy s-lites, and it is like a couch compared to my '03!

 

OK, so it was just the MCS that had the stiffer suspension. The MC did not?

I put a larger sway bar on my Z3 and it gave me the perfect amount of oversteer. I'm looking forward to a little more in the MINI. Though, the understeer isn't as bad as I expected. I can't push it until I get a better set of tires.

 

Nope, it was the dampers, and both models had them. There were, and are, quite a few different spring rates depending on whether the car had SS or SS+, sunroof or not, ETC. I think it was mid-03 or so when they bowed to "customer complaints" about the ride being too harsh and changed the dampers. They claimed the new dampers would be compliant yet provide the same level of responsiveness.....did it work? Don't know. It's possible though, after all, folks seem to be pretty happy with the Koni FSDs and they advertise with the same claims.

 

WUSSES!

 

 

I had lots of problems with mine, but it was under warranty for most of them so it was mostly just annoying taking the car in so much. The only thing that wasnt covered really was the clutch at 30,000 miles, which they said was not too uncommon, which made me mad when they stuck me with the bill. The warrantied fixes were clunking in the engine (forget what it actually was), new transmission, seat mechanisms, adding a new circuit to the fusebox (cooling fan/power steering were one).
I would call MINI and check what has already been done. If they have already done some or most of that then you shouldnt have much to worry about any more.

 

I just traded my 02 in last month for a 06, but my husband had to talk me into it-I didn't want to let her go After 4 years and 50m miles, she was (and still is) a great car Well, at least I stayed in the MINI family, my 06 is almost identical in color/options cuz I liked her so much Only very minor problems and always fixed under warranty.

 

Yeah i just bought 02 also about 2 months only the problem is steering pump replaced and some noise form back need to find out , also i just bought set of nologywire i have been installed I feel more smooth power actully is pretty good ~~will change the sparksplugs soon IK20 let see how is work for this P