I just bought a 2002 Mini Cooper S with 32k miles on it.

In 2 weeks of driving, I have already uncovered these problems:

Clutch makes a noise when I engage it - not a squeak but more of a "moan" sound it makes when starting from a complete stop.
Bad throttlebody connection - wiggling plug on tb temporarily resolves it
Windshield wipers stopped working - on the day it rained
Needs Alignment
Frequent Engine hesitation - There are no "check engine" or "EML" lights on, it just doesn't feel like it runs right and I test drove another mini that also felt this way.

Is this typical of the Mini Cooper experience? I've owned 3 VW GTI VR6's in a row, logging about 250k miles on them with less problems total than I have right now on a 32k mile car.

Any insight?

 

some of that is probably because u have the first yr of production, see if u can find a MINI dealer in ur area and try and get intouch with them about the cars previous owners/service info
and its five yrs old and only has 32K miles on it, either it was turned or driven very little and not taken care of, did u get a carfax?

 

Yes, carfax was clean.

 

then u just need to find a dealer, or someone who works with MINIs and ask them to inspect it

 

clutch is kind of known thing. I think people say it sounds like a wookie! My 02 did it. My 04 did it and clutch was replaced under warranty.

 

06 MCS, 27k miles, gone through 2 clutches, 1 dual-mass flywheel. All under warranty.

 

The moan sound is the dual mass flywheel. Mine was replaced under warranty. The fly-by-wire throttle acts more like an on-off switch than a throttle. You may need some of the "flash" upgrades that were needed for the early cars. Welcome to the world of 1st year production runs.

Motor On
Minzila

 

Thanks for the info!

Minzilla, your description of the on-off throttle is exactly as I would explain it.

Do you guys know if the "wookie" flywheel or clutch is something that NEEDS to be fixed or is it just an annoyance?

 

I am noticing similiar things with my new-to-me mini, 4/02 build date. The dealer I bought it from(Princeton BMW/MINI) said that I have a 90 day power/drivetrain warranty that they are required to give... It's only got 32k on the clock as well(Though it's red, blue02 we could be not-so-identical twins lol)

Anyway, Do you guys think I can convince the dealer to take care of the clutch or is it just like blue02 asked, an annoyance?

 

In short, yes. '02-'04 MINI's are the most eccentric of the MINI's. Be prepared to care for it with more TLC than most modern marques. That said, two of your supposed problems, aren't; they're just traits. If you don't like the moaning clutch, get an aftermarket installed. If you don't like the crappy ECU, have LDG reflash it with parameters that aren't stupid like the factory coding. The MINI isn't going to drive like your vee-dubs; it's definitely different.

Obviously stuff like the TB connection, alignment, and wipers not working demand attention; hopefully your purchase price reflected such disrepair. You can also expect to replace the power steering cooling fan, coolant resevoir tank, and front strut bushings pretty soon if not already overdue.

Good luck,
Ryan [fellow '02 MCS owner]

 

Alot of 07's also make a Wookie sound 3rd to 2nd downshift Mini designers must have been huge Starwars fans !

 

The clutch issue seems common. Mine tends to do a moan on acceleration from a start on wet days but only intermittently. It doesn't happen all the time and not enough to be a major problem. Just an annoyance. I noticed it also happens on other cars (non-MINIs) also....particularly European cars.

As most connectors are made of plastic, and the engine bay is warm to hot, it is likely the connectors warp a bit. You might consider replacing the connector or going in with pliers and maybe some contact cleaner to ensure a clean electrical connection. I just did that to the headlights on one of my other cars last night. It took me 10 minutes and saved me the cost of a bunch of bulbs that didn't need replacing.

Hopefully your windshield wiper problem is just a fuse problem. Fuses should be easy to fix.

Your car is a 2002 so it might be time for a wheel alignment anyways. Also the previous owner probably never replaced the fuel filter as it is not mentioned in the service manual and it's probably time. That might explain the engine hesitation.

Good luck. I hope you get the issues sorted out without much problem.

 

All good advice. However the fuel filter is a " Lifetime " unit installed in the fuel tank. There is no routine interval or procedure for replacing the fuel filter. Note: all your vehicle information is stored on your electronic ignition key head! If you have more than one key, bring them all to the dealer so they can update the info. Fresh plugs and a engine control software update will greatly improve the running.

 

I haven't experienced the clutch moan you are reffering to here, I hope I got a good MINI here!

27k and still plugging along like she were new.

 

Carfax doesn't mean much, since it requires non-mandated reporting.