I'm a current EVO IX owner and I'm in the market for a Mini Cooper S. There is a 2003 Mini near me that is really cheap but high mileage.

03 Mini Cooper S with 102K miles
JCW Package
Factory Navigation
Recent Service Inspection 2 and all service records available.

I was wondering what kind of maintenance should I be worried about with that kind of mileage.

Timing belt? Timing chain? Timing chain tensioner? I don't know, please give me some insight..

Thanks in advance!!!

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe they change all the belts with the Inspection ll, (I haven't got time to check in the owners manual). But anyways, if you got the JCW package (check how much it costs at MINI), plus all service records, plus a good price deal, I would say GO FOR IT, you don't see a JCW package every day!!!

 

price?

 

$13.5K

 

Not bad....... just t let you know sold a 03, 38K mile MINT for 12K, but that was a non S..... I say look have seen them lower miles...but if you have your heart set, buy it everything can be fixed Thats without the package

 

How is the exterior and interior?

Does the engine bay look well maintained?

Does the supercharger "rattle" at idle?

Fluid levels (Oil, correct blue coolant-not Prestone)?

Are mods done in a professional manner?

How are the brakes (pads, rotors, hoses, calipers, the brake fluid does not look like coffee, etc)?

Do all electronics work (A/C, multifunction switches, radio, windows, sunroof, etc, etc, etc)?

What shape are the tires and wheels?

CV joints leaking?

How does it handle? Is the steering tight or loose?

Any rust under the door seal along the threshold plate?

Any leaks (water into interior or engine fluid leaks)?

What shape is the air filter in?

These are just a few things you can use as a guage to see if the current owner has taken care of their MINI.

Good luck!

 

I will take a look at it over the weekend and report back.

I posted on here before taking a look at it. I wanted to gauge weather it would be worth even looking at. I'm usually not fond of high mileage vehicles, but this one looks so good.

This is a noob question, but JCW package is installed at the factory only, right?

 

Nope, if you have deep pockets, you can actually buy it and have it installed at any MINI dealer.

 

There's no timing belt, it's got a timing chain so you don't have to worry about that.
n '03 MCS JCW at 13.5 sounds like a great price. I'd ****** it up quick.

 

^ Even with 102K miles?

 

The market is hot for these things right now, trust me. $13,500 is an excellent price, especially for a JCW.

 

Yes!
I second what Z06C5R said. If you want one of these, then pick this one up quick because it will be gone soon.

 

Agreed. Sounds like a good price to me.

 

Go get it ASAP

 

I'm looking at it this weekend, hopefully I'm going to be a MCS JCW owner.

I've never driven aggressively in a Mini, how is it? I'm afraid that I'll think it's slow...

 

It's really no different than any other BMW with 100,000 miles.

If you have all service records, that's a home run. And the fact that it was just serviced by MINI - a grand slam for you, another cost not passed onto you.

Is this a one owner MINI ?

Take it to a reliable mechanic and have a pre-buy check done. This is cheap insurance to see what future expenses you may be looking at.

They do a check of: the electrical system, Compression of each cylinder, and suspension / Tires, brakes and fuel system. They hook up a reader and check for any engine codes as well. You should then have a comprehensive list of any future expenses you may be looking at.

If they come up with some future issues or repairs, it will give you a good reason to get a lower price, and this inspection cost may end up being a wash for ya.

 

I sold my '03 S not a JCW withh 90k in March for 11.5K, and it was in great shape needing nothing. The only reason I sold it was the new '08 on order.

 

Since you're coming from an Evo, the Cooper S JCW isn't going to have mind blowing acceleration, but it'll be fast enough to have a lot of fun, and will have amazing handling. And there are things you can do to it to get even more power, i.e. Jan at RMW.

While an '03 JCW for $13K might be tempting, as an '05 owner, I would have to say be very careful about getting anything before 2005 if only for the fear of the engine fires have have plagued pre '05 owners.

Richard

 

Coming from an EVO that's what I'm afraid of, my EVO IX is currently 350awhp and soon to be more..

Engine FIRES?!

Oh man, that is bad. I've had one engine fire on my old 240sx and that scared the crap out of me.

 

Not trying to scare you, but they tend to be more frequent on pre '05's. I still carry a fire extinguisher in my MINI regardless.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ht=engine+fire


Richard

 

Umm...

I'm swaying towards 05 now...I don't like the fact that the 02-04 are prone to engine fires.

I really can't afford a 2005+ right now. :(

My price range is under $15,000 out the door with tax and licensing.

 

I don't think you'll find an '05+ S at that price (including tax and license), much less a JCW.

As far as the fires go, there are many, many '02 - '04 MINIs out there without any problems. If there were, then the resale value wouldn't be what it is. If you're really worried about the fires, just make sure you have full coverage insurance, that's partly what it's there for.

Good luck with your decision. If you decide to pass on this killer deal, post up the info on this car so that another potential buyer from the site can have a chance at picking it up.

 

DUDES! The car is not a JCW :(

It just has JCW intake and cat-back. What a disappointment :(

 

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/857681805.html

that is the car...

 

I'd still get it, it has more than fifteen hundred dollar in upgrades with those parts plus the "aero kit" , plus it has been serviced At the dealer, and have Previous records. Not to mention that it has a "kinda" rare interior, you don't see a panther black/blue interior color combo MINI every day. Just my 2 cents.