Today I picked up my first Mini, it's an 02 MCS, Dark Silver, White Roof. Paid 7 grand, and it has 100k miles. Driving it I noticed it was down on power at first, but then I remembered the last and only one I had driven had a Pulley, RMW Tune, 440 Injectors, Header, Catback, Intake, Cam, and a bunch of other goodies. So I didnt feel too bad. After picking up the car we decided to go up to Mini Corsa with me as he seemed to think pretty highly of the owner Danny.

Danny wanted to do a compression test on it and see how the engine was, so I hesitantly agreed not wanting to find out I got one of the "weak" 02's. The next thing I knew my car was on a rack, and he's having me crank it over to test. So after the first couple cranks, he had me stop, and I asked how it was. He looked at my friend who is fairly well versed in Minis, and was surprised. Apparently I got a real strong one.

So next thing I know we pull the airbox out, cut it up, finish the edges, and put weather stripping in it to give it a bit nicer apearance. Then they talked me into a pulley, and I must say it was probably one of the best decisions I've made. Total night and day difference from stock to 15%.

I only have a couple problems with the car. The interior smells like tar from the previous owner smoking like a damn chimney, so if anyone knows a definite way to take care of that, I would REALLY apreciate it. As it is I have dryer sheets in the pockets, under the seats, in the boot etc. Plus I've used febreeze on all the fabric surfaces and it is a tiny better, however I still get a bit nautious driving if the windows arent down.

Beside the smell, there are a couple rattles that were still trying to sort out, I've located the last two, and am not quite sure what they are. One is in between the sun-roof control and the actual sunroof, and stops if pressure is applied to the area. The other seems to be located somewhere in the forward half of the drivers door. So again, if anyone has any tips or advice, it would be greatly apreciated.

So I'm one day in and loving the Mini, beside the smell and ocassional rattles in the places I listed, it's much more enjoyable to drive than my E36 Sedan, quicker, and alot better on gas (which is a huge advantage).

I do have to include a shameless advertisement for Danny and Mini Corsa, since I spent a couple hours at his shop in North Hollywood. He's an absolute wealth of information, and a really down to earth guy. I was really impressed also how fast he was able to do the pulley on my car, it only took about half an hour. The whole thing was an awsome experience. So if you're coming up on needing service, and live around Southern California, definately check him out, you wont be disapointed. So please, go blow a giant wad of cash with him.

Next up, RMW tune. Well, as soon as Jan gets back.

 

$7k is pretty good price.

For the smoke i suggest getting a carpet shampoo machine or scrub the carpet by hand. Take the seats out so you can get everything. Wipe down all the plastics and also i bet the headliner stinks since smoke goes all over the place. leave it out in on a sunny day with the windows down and that should do it.

Rattle in the roof is the wind deflector. Put some very thick foam and that will take care of it.

 

damn thats cheap!!! $16k less than mine lol!!

 

concur this is most likely the wind deflector flaps. Dunno about "thick foam"?

Open the sunroof and note how the flaps get folded down when you close... I applied some "fuzzy side" velcro tape (1 inch wide) where the wear / contact points could be seen on the flaps and problem was gone forever...

 

...your friend is smart.Danny might be "the" quickest,most gifted,fair minded Mini mechanic on planet earth!!!Congrats on your Mini.

 

I tried the velcro 1st and it came back. Not as noisy but did so I used thick strip of neoprene foam with a sticky back instead. You can see the impressions it leaves when it's open.

 

Im pretty positive that some green felt buttons will do the trick.
Now for the rattle in the rear hatch...