Morn'n all,
This 7/5... I'll have owned my May 2002 build, MCS for 1 year.
I have 18.5K on it ..presently.
We have a large population here on MCO of current owners, future owners & people who are still in the process of joining the ranks of MINI enthusiasts.
The demographic is definately vaired and we all add to the great info that is shared and presented here.

So.....here's my questions ?? :smile:

1.Who else is close to or has exceeded the 1 year mark????
2.What is your comments/impressions/insight of your car...both the +'s & the -'s ?????


Peace,
D


_________________
2002 MCS:PS/B, w/Lapis Int.

 

In one week - 6/26, I will have had my MC for a year. Over 19K miles now. I find myself not caring if I have to go out of the way drive somewhere, or get groceries, or wherever. I drive around aimlessly if I have nothing else to do. I have actually modified this car - something I had never done before. And in doing so, my interest in motorsports and the mechanics of cars has once again been sparked. I've met some very cool MINI owners thru MCO, and had some great drives.

I've gotten alot more out of this car than I ever expected.

As far as the minuses go - I find the choice of stock runflats that came on my car to be a bad one. Hoping that putting some real good winter tires on will stop the white knuckle syndrome. The seats could be better - I don't have the sport seats. But all in all, it's a great little car that still turns heads after a year - and I never quite expected that either.

 

Hey D.,

In Sept., I will have owned my Mini for a year. My observations are:

• At present, I have 8,100 miles
• The car continues to generate a great deal of interest wherever I go
• I have never driven a car that is so responsive
• MCO is a fun place to gain knowledge about the car and other owners

I consider myself fortunate, in that I have not encountered some of the problems that other owners have experienced (Windshields, stalling, etc.). I have a buzzing noise that comes from my sunroof panel control that the technicians can't seem to solve. The car is so much fun to drive...I have never been this excited about owning a car nearly a year after the purchase.

Jim

 

Hey D'
I've owned my 1/02 build date MCS for over a year. 19k+ miles. I keep it as clean as the 1st week I bought it. It's had 2 small problems. The leaking coolant tank (fixed) and the cold start problem(also fixed). As big as Orlando is, MINI sightings are still rare and it still draws the stares. It's the best vehicle I've owned to date. It's definately the most fun car I've owned. I have no regrets about the purchase of this car.
Motor on,
MB

 

Hey All,
I just realized that unintentionally left out my....spin....on the last year
PROBLEMS:
As mentioned by Minzila:"The leaking coolant tank (fixed) and the cold start problem(also fixed)."...also occured with my MCS.
My coolant tank is still leaking.... and I'm on my 3rd one...Next time I go in for service..I will get yet another one.
I also had a rattling sunroof problem that was fixed with velcro strips...the 2nd time.
My drivers side windshield wiper assembly flew off in a snow storm...but....I'll consider that a fluke .
I have had the rubber blades of both front windshields replaced 2 times.
I also had the drivers side lapis seat replaced due to inferior ..leather quality.
The rear boot latch was also replaced.
The sport seat release levers were also replaced.
Rear windshield wiper water jet...was replaced.

All above were replaced ...free of charge.

MODS:
By far the 3 best mods I've made to this MCS were in order of usefulness....
-rims & tires
-air intake
-tinting
I've also changed the rearsway bar ..which helps the car tremendously...
I've gone thru 2 exhaust systems and still remain w/ the stock system.... as it's the only one I can drive with.... due to volume/loudness issues.

FUTURE:
Pulley, an exhaust that mets my needs, ECU upgrade, brake/rotor upgrade, & possibly springs...

It's a great $20K car.....
It also seems from the vast majority of posts ..that the average money spent ..using my unscientific best guesstamation...... is more round $30K or so.

I've been fortunate enough to own some pretty cool cars in my years.
I'd say that this MCS comes in as a..... terrific/fun/sporty/head turning.... #2.


Peace
D

 

what's #1?

 

My 1967 Austin Healey 3000...which I owned in from 1971-73 or so.

Peace,
D

 

One Year Anniversary Today (June 22).

Picked up my MCS DS/W in Germany. Spent the first weekend in the vineyards of Germany and France. Before moving back to the USA in Aug, toured lots of Europe.

Lots of problems with car. In the shop multiple times, but I won't repeat them here (many threads about problems in other locations on this site). But, still love the car. Only wish I'd opted for the 16" wheels and not the 17" ones. The 17s are great on German autobahns . . . not so great on the vast majority of USA roads.

 

Congrats on the first year d...very cool! Good luck with the exhaust

 

>>Congrats on the first year d...very cool! Good luck with the exhaust
I saw the previews of the Mini Cooper as early as 2000 and I wanted one! I got around to ordering my MCS inMay of last year ,and took possesion of it at the closing days of August. The best desision I ever made . Period!! It now has ,as of today 13000 miles on her! Minor problems,but nothing worth reporting . Happy motoring!

 

July 30, 2003 will be my Cooper S birhtday number one. At this point I have 5,375 miles on the car (its not my daily driver)
First Year Problems:
1. Replaced Water Pump (under warranty)
First Year Mods:
1. OZ Crono Wheels, Yoko ES100 Tires (in hand, yet to be installed)
2. JCW Engine Upgrade (Currently #2 on dealer install list)
3. BPM Carbon Fiber Intake Scoop
4. Custom Designed USA Flying Flag Roof Decal

I love this car and like d-mini-ero, I too miss my 1955 Austin Healey 100m, sold the 100m last year to a guy in Switzerland but made enough money to buy my Cooper S free and clear!

 

6-17 was the 1st B-day...
16000 miles 25600 k
3 expansion tanks, and some problems with the cold start.

MODS<,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Just the Intake.

_________________
Julian Vasquez

 

Glad to hear that in spite of some problems, you are all happy with your purchases. Mine had it's one day anniversary today. I'm already thinking that maybe I need another one!

I've recognized some things that I might have ordered differently, now that I'm driving the car and frequenting this site. If I get that second one....

 

Since June 11th, 2002, We've put on over 26,000 miles on Brooksie's clock. Been to Seattle from San Diego last summer, and plan on the same this summer; to Phoenix a few times as well, and is our daily driver. If you know anything about SoCal, you know you will have to drive a lot. No real problems, except a windshield replacement last month. As a high mileage owner, I've noticed the inevitable minor rattles, but all have been fixable. Check under your bonnets, tho, folks - the paint rub issue is coming soon, but it doesn't look serious,....yet. Have loved this car from the beginning, and as an old Mini gearhead from way back, I enjoy the go-cart-grown-up feeling! My son, who started this whole MINI thing, got his 'S' a few months ago, and we're both grinning all the time.

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

 

One year with MCS....plus 20k miles....well lets see....rear hatch rattle, fixed, sunroof rattle, fixed, dash rattle, not completely fixed, replaced supercharger, replaced air compressor, broken seat frames, both driver and passenger seats, fixed, defective driver power window, fixed, defective runflat, all replaced, defective onboard computer, fixed except for avg milage has never worked, A/C has never worked that great, but in Phoenix.....

driving impressions..love driving around town for handling and traffic parking, but for long trips, prefer more comfortable seats and longer wheel base and more power for passing, also arm rest and cupholder is nice for trips...

mods.....relaced 17" superlights with lighter 16" and yokos...big improvement in handling, also tinted....not into performance mods as the returns seem very modest for the cost and warranty issues...even with the problems, still a fun car..at 20k a good value....for around town it can't be beat but for highway driving I'd stick with the M5...and probably not the best bet for the heat of Phoenix...