Ok after several days now and approximately 350 miles on a recently purchased `03 with 72,000 miles, here's where I'm at/wondering...

GOOD STUFF:

1 a. HOW GREAT IS THIS L'IL MACHINE!?!

1 b. THIS THING IS PRETTY GREAT!!!

The Not-So-Good Stuff (?):

1. I know there have been electro-power-steering pump/electric problems (i.e. "fires"). Mine has (makes) a very slight whirring "noise" (sound?) that I am not familiar with. I have virtually no history on this vehicle, but from the few glances I've made at the pump, it "appears" to not be original (looks relatively "new") - though I am not really sure of that. Any advice/suggestions/comments or opinions on this please? (all welcome).

2. The A/C compressor seems to make a bit of a "whirring/clicking" (for lack of better terms) noise/sound after slowing to stop (say, at a traffic light for instance) after a long highway pull/drive (along with decreased/diminishes cooling - though which is not so much a concern). Have there been many problems reported with the A/C compressors on these babies please?

Otherwise, all seems GREAT!



Thanks in advance for all replies,
g...........................................
PS - I'm "averaging" about 32/33 mpg's (with A/C being used about 1/3 to 1/2 of the time) on about 75 % highway - 25% stop & go ("city").

 

The power steering whine is perfectly normal - I think that's probably one of the most-asked questions here from new buyers . It's pretty pronounced, especially if you're barely moving and turning the wheel a lot, but as long as it's just a "whine" sound, kind of like the car is complaining about being turned, it's fine. My girlfriend likes it because she can hear it from the house and that's how she knows I'm home.

Some people have had problems with the A/C although I don't know if it's any more of a problem with MINIs vs any other car. I don't think the clicking is normal though. Also, if you're not sure if it's the A/C compressor, the MINI does have a loud blower fan in the hood that turns on when the engine gets really hot, so in the summer after a lot of stop-and-go, you'll hear the blower fan turn on (it will also turn on after you turn off the car sometimes). But again, clicking is not normal.

 

Thank you rnelsonee1...very helpful info...very helpful indeed.

I'll post back after I know more - I'm considering an initial visit to a MINI dealer to get it checked-out properly - just to get off to a good start with it.

Thanks again.....

 

My MINI doesnt have an ac click but I have an e46 BMW that makes a clicking sound with the A/C, Its done it for 60k miles now and hasnt been a problem. I was pretty worried about my PS pump when I first got mine, but after the first gathering and hearing the chorus of whining MINIs I was comforted.