I plan on keeping my mini until it gets to the point where I'm putting so much time and money into it to just keep it going, that it just doesn't make sense. I can't see that happening any time soon. I've got 120,000 miles on it right now....and it's still going strong with no issue. I try to stay on top of the maintenance, and address any issue when they pop up. From what I've heard, the motors in these things will go 200,000 miles pretty easy without needing a rebuild...especially if you are not out tracking them all the time. Other than suspension, motor, transmission, and interior.....there really isn't anything that can't be repaired and replaced.

If there wasn't such a huge aftermarket offering for them, and a great forum like NAM for trouble shooting problems ...I may think differently

 

You guys are amazing at keeping MCS running!

I would love to drive 25k per year on the car and hope I do not have to put in a new engine and new transmission.

 

I was hit on the freeway in october and it spun me around and I then hit a semi. The side bags blew and the hood and bumper got munched and the rear suspension was bent. Insurance totaled it. I bought it back for $1400 bucks. due to people parting out their cars on here and ebay and craigslist. I got it back on the road in one week. However I still need paint work. I have 202K miles now. I think it is time for a full rebuild. But to do that I need another car to get to work in. Im currently in the market for a low milage R-53 While I rebuild my mini back to they way it was the day I flew to utah to pick it up and drive it home in 2003.

 

You went through 2 clutches in 92k miles ?

 

I would have kept my first mini ('04 MC, bought in 2005, sold in 2006) forever if I didn't have to become an adult and make sacrifices :( I did finally buy another one when the time was right.

I'm still holding onto my 03 MCS (bought in 2009) for as long as I can. I think it's the best looking model mini ever has or will put out.

BUT, I did fall in love with a 2012 Countryman. So now I have old and new The 03 is still going strong, and at my inspection this week, mini said it was in top shape with about 115,000 miles on the clock!

 

I've had thoughts about buying a Countryman All4 just to get myself into something newer. I'd keep my '04 R53 if I did this though...would be the perfect excuse to start modding it up, as it would no longer serve as a daily driver.

 

I really like mine, bought it new in May 2002. Turned heads then and still does. Keep mine garage kept, never sees snow and seldom rain. Still drive it as much as possible, for a ton of fun.

Charleston, WV

 

same for us here....I'm keeping my '05 S Pep White that I purchased with a JCW kit installed. We're keeping a base '02 Indy Blue with 186K miles on it already, as well. Someone told us that it was one of the first MINIs to make it across the pond. Who knows. But we're keeping both.

 

Just curious how bad the damage was, as in anything beyond what I can see in the photo. If you hunted around, you could find a used bonnet, bumper, bumper skin, etc. under the cost of their estimate.

 

Interesting forum here, I have had my car for sale for a very long time. I am burdened with an airbag light that I can't seem to figure out (I have a few more ideas) and an evap code that haunts me from time to time. This is the only thing that forces me to keep the car. No one wants a car with lights on the dash so I might be forced to drive this car forever unless I can figure out the lights!

 

Your airbag light is one for one of three reasons:


1. You had some work done that required an airbag sensor to be temporarily disconnected. You will have to get the light reset. This cannot be done with a Peake diagnostic tool. Only the dealership can do it.

2. The passenger airbag sensor is bad. This is usually caused by a rip in the ribbon-type circuit cable. MINI does not recognize this as a recall. The cost to repair can be up to $2,000, unless you can find one in a junk yard.

3. Somehow water got into the battery box under the boot. This is what happened to mine over three years ago. The seal was bad. The repair required replacing the battery cables that run the length of the MINI, as well as the main 250 amp circuit breaker (for which the airbag system is tied into). Mine was replaced under warranty; I have no idea how much this costs otherwise.

 

Maybe its the mini trying to make me keep it?
Airbag light and other code fixed. Bad butt connector under the seat 0$. Evap code P1477 needed a new leak detection pump 128$. Now that its all fixed I don't think I can part ways with it. Ever. Too many hours invested in our relationship.

 

Mine will be ten years old this August, 2014. Been thinking of putting it up on blocks and performing a complete re-build over the winter.

Thinking of a new 2014 Cooper S as it appears to be a comeback design of a 2006 MCS.

Therefore I will have two MINIs ten years apart.

 

We just bought 2 1st gen JCWs with low miles this month to ensure that we will have the supercharger whine to keep us company for years to come. I now have an 05 for the summer and an 06 for winter, my wife's 05 we just got only has 15,000 miles on it.

 

A comeback design of the '06? How so?

 

Finally needed a clutch and super charger plus control arm bushings. so did belts pulleys and tensioner, oilcan and valve cover gaskets and many small seals while in there, Still a lot cheaper than new car. So I aim to get another 100K+ outta this round. Been thru lots of tires and brakes with 40 track days. But my engine does no burn oil and now doesn't leak any either once again, I Sure I have to whack the passenger window now and then and may need a xenon ignitor. but Still a blast to drive.. Ilove the sound of that blower and the smell of rubber in the morning going up a canyon.

 

2003 MCS with 98,500 miles and counting.

Doing very well, plus a few rattles and noises, still very fun to drive.

Replaced (over the last few years) all the engine mounts, suspension bushings, clutch, window regulators and motors, AC, headliner and leather upholstery. Looks like new inside.

 

I still am! Expecially after seeing the new models..... Not a fan. Kinda feel like the classic guys did when the first generation of the "New MINI' came out

Will turn 326,000 miles on the way home today! Still running great!

Nik

 

That's awesome. Just bought a 2005 MCS with 96K for a commuter and this gives me hope afte some of the horror stories I've now read.

BTW, wave if you see me; leaving for mammoth tonight from Orange county so i'll be passing through your stomping grounds around 10PM. I'll be in a lifted F250 (reason i bought the mini to commute)!

 

I have a 2003 R53 with 148k on it.... love it! Just did the upper strut mounts... plugs/wires... royal purple blood transfusion... brakes all the way around a year or so ago... replaced the passenger door actuator. Its paid off in october and my plan is to garage it for nice days and weekends, pick up a honda accord or something to commute to work in. Plan is to totally make this my carve up the road beast eventually.... I could never sell this car. And like the above statement... don't like the newer designs. I feel old school driving this as the 1st gen! I wanted one when they came out but i was only 22 and couldnt afford it..... Love my silver and flat black cooper s.

 

Well look me up next time. I generally go to mammoth every Sunday!

If you see a lowered liquid yellow/ white cooper s I'm there!

Nik

 

My Cooper isn't my daily driver. It sits in my mom and dad's garage 10/12 months of the year while I am away at school. I plan to buy a 3 series or something comparable after I get a job and keep my Cooper S as a secondary car forever : ) I worked my *** off for that thing in high school. I'm keeping it forever, no matter what!

 

I'm keeping mine. '06 Cooper needed transmission work recently. New clutch went in with the reman tranny. Pretty costly, but better than selling for next to nothing.

My car was in the dealership for another issue recently (for 3 days due to wrong parts issues- MINI of Birmingham couldn't have been nicer), and I got to ride into work in new clubman, paceman and coupe S. The doors didn't seem as "heavy", and the cars just seemed a little "cheaper" (although they are not, of cour$e.) My car does seem like a throwback in comparison, but it is still what I'd like to drive more than any other. 138,000 miles. "daddy's fun car"

 

I figure that a few years from now when it comes time sell it my mini it will mean a lot more to me sentimentally than anything else so I'm just going to keep it. It bought it when I was in high school, it was my first car, and I've done all the work on it myself so I've grown quite attached to it.

The plan is to get a cheap beater to drive in the winter and use my mini in the nice weather. At the rate I'm going, (only put 6k on in over 2 years, and its currently my primary car lol) if you factor in the winter beater the mini should last a while!

 

ME! ME! ME! Scoopie has 108k+ miles on her now, and I'll keep going as long as she does. They'll have 2 pry my cold dead fingers from her steering wheel b4 I give her up!