I posted for the first time and talked about weather to get an S or non S.. After reading until my eyes started to bleed and all the recomendations from people on here I think I found my Mini.. I probably looked at 20 different ones from San Diego to LA and even some on the web from AZ and other states..

So I found a 2003 MCS with 46,000 miles. Blue with white mirrors and white top. It has 75% life on the run flats, new breaks and rotors.. Rubber mats and the regular mats and Ipod connection in the glove box.. I am getting it for 15,800. Down from 16,200.

I am going to do a car fax on it and drive it again tonight and take another really good look at it.

Just would like some owners of 03, MCS to chime in and tell me what you think. I really want to make sure I get the right car the first time.

 

i have an '04. 15.8 is an ok deal for a car w/ that mileage, depending on options. granted, mileage isn't as important as condition and history, but just fyi, i've seen enough '02 mcs's w/ ~50k going for $15~16k. just make sure everything is straight and she was well taken care of, and you'll get yourself a good car. might be worth it to have a mechanic check out, but a good going over might cost a little bit of $

 

I have seen a few 02's going for that price also.. I just wanted to get as new as I could.
I looked at this car really good the other day. Looked at the nuts and bolts for wear marks, looked at the strut tower for deformation.. Laid on the ground and looked under for scrapes or anything leaking.. It all looked good.

I am wondering if I had it checked out by a mechanic just to be safe, should I just go to Mini since they work on them? Or will a regular mechanic know what to look for in a Mini?

 

I would see if I could knock the price down a bit. I just got my 02 MCS for 16K with 19K miles in perfect condition.

 

Thats true.. But I am sure the KBB and NADA webpages price them differently since we are on different coasts. I am in San Diego where cars never see snow or salted roads

 

Didnt think of that. Good luck though

 

the dealer will likely not be terribly helpful w/ this and rip you off for whatever inspection. if you want to do it, best find a mini shop. there's a few in LA, but ask the san diego people for suggestions. some might charge you handsomely for it. it might not be really necessary if you know what you're doing and everything looks clean and straight

 

I will check the things I know what to look for. I am mechanically inclined so I dont think the Mini would be a problem for me to work on. I rebuilt the heads on my 1995 Bronco..

Anyone have a Car Fax account that would run a check for me?

 

I just picked up a 2003 mini cooper s with 30,000 miles... in great condition, garaged, up to date, etc... $15,000

I have had a few problems with the sensor lights coming on and some interior rattling... seems like these are problems that happen a lot.?

 

You guys are lucky, the dealers out here in So Cal are nuts. There's an 03 MCS near where I live with no options, several scratches, 37k miles and the dealership is asking $19,872!!!

 

I bought an 03 MCS this summer from a private seller in Ohio. Sports, Premium, Winter packages. 28,000 miles, stored in winter, rubber mats, iPod wired, roof rack, nearly new tires - not run flats. Beautiful condition with mints and a MINI coffee mug! $17k. Since then I replaced rear brakes and did the 30k service -- and have been having a great time.

 

Someone ran the Car fax for me.. All looks good. I am going tonight one last time to drive it again and really look at anything I can think of one more time.. If I still cant find anything that would change my mind then tomorrow morning at 10 am I will be the new owner of a 03' MCS. Blue with white mirrors and top! Yahoo!

 

The small things are bothering me a little, like the sensor lights and the rattling but I have not done any trouble shooting to see if I could find the sources for these things. When I test drove the car no sensor lights came on and I drove it for a bit... What I have noticed is sometimes the lights will come on after a long period of time driving or it will come on pretty quickly... It is the seatbelt and airbag... the wheel sensor came on but I think that was legit because the tire was low...

Other than that, I love my car... it rocks.

 

Darn....it seems that MINI's are going down more and more! I remember last spring (06) I got my 03' MCS (almost loaded) in immaculate condition with 47k miles for $17k and that was a STEAL!

I can't believe prices have dropped that much!

-Cody

 

Just got back from driving the Mini.. Really looked good under the car.. No sign of leaks. Looked at the door jams and everything very closely. The owner must have thought I was a wierdo or something. Drove it around town some more and then on the highway. Not one rattle to be heard. So tomorrow at 10 I am going to get it! So excited! First on the list of things to do will be paint the roof and mirrors black and also the front grill.

 

i recently bought a 04' with 50K for 15.8K

 

Congrats! Sweet ride. Shed those run-flats first thing, tho.

 

i've been an 03 mcs owner for about two weeks now and it's been FANTASTIC!!! i paid $17.5k for a black/black leather manual with 56k miles. it's pretty much spotless... after reading what everyone paid for their car it seems like i was kinda ripped off but what the hell i love the car! good luck!

 

You're doing the right thing. I also bought my '04 MCS used. No problems. Love it!

 

I know I need to get rid of the tires soon. I will either try to find a set of take off wheels and tires or just drive it for a while with the run flats and then get new rims and tires.

 

They are and they aren't I'm seeing, it all depends on where you are. Where I live (Coastal Connecticut) an 05 MCS is about $21k , and the premium for a new MCS takes it up to almost 30 grand. Bad news for a college kid. I'm HOPING to get an 04 for less than 19 or so!

 

Last summer I got my mini. An 03 fully loaded with sport, cold, premium and a k40 radar with 50,000 miles for $13.2. I talked the guy down from 17!!! Its been a blast and Im already at 55,000 miles!

I live in CT by the way....

 

I got the same (MCS electric blue, white roof/mirros), with 8k miles for 20k. I love my baby! =)