R50/53 Keeping Your MCS for the Long Haul?
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: Valley Grande, Al.
I spotted a little orange staining and small blisters below the tail lights recently -the first signs that this amazing car is 'normal' after all. Since I'll be driving it over salt covered roads this winter - like all others - I had some work done behind those lights before it gets worse (I've learned that rust does not 'heal' - and you've probably guessed that I want to find out what 'long haul' means to a MINI) )
So, my 2002 MC looked and ran like new for 248 miles this afternoon -
and I watched as the odometer turned over to 411,000 miles about 100 miles ago.
So, my 2002 MC looked and ran like new for 248 miles this afternoon -
and I watched as the odometer turned over to 411,000 miles about 100 miles ago.
Dexter
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 4
From: Milwaukee, WI
You Want Pictures? - That's Not Easy - - -
In Summer, my MINI is usually covered with bugs.
In Winter, it's usually covered with Snow or Salt Residue.
But, here's an old photo taken when we were both kinda 'cleaned-up'.
The car and I still look pretty much the same, but that shirt was made
to wear during my Plant Tour celebrating Mini's 50th Birthday in May of 2009.
In Winter, it's usually covered with Snow or Salt Residue.
But, here's an old photo taken when we were both kinda 'cleaned-up'.
The car and I still look pretty much the same, but that shirt was made
to wear during my Plant Tour celebrating Mini's 50th Birthday in May of 2009.
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Berea, KY
I spotted a little orange staining and small blisters below the tail lights recently -the first signs that this amazing car is 'normal' after all. Since I'll be driving it over salt covered roads this winter - like all others - I had some work done behind those lights before it gets worse (I've learned that rust does not 'heal' - and you've probably guessed that I want to find out what 'long haul' means to a MINI) )
So, my 2002 MC looked and ran like new for 248 miles this afternoon -
and I watched as the odometer turned over to 411,000 miles about 100 miles ago.
So, my 2002 MC looked and ran like new for 248 miles this afternoon -
and I watched as the odometer turned over to 411,000 miles about 100 miles ago.
I put over 30k miles on my MCS last year for business travel with some fun miles (bringing the total to ~140k) and only had to spend money on parts to replace the PSP/fan with me doing the labor, around $600 and also replaced the motor mounts with better and longer lasting ones for ~$300.....not bad and this car is so much more fun than an appliance car. I did a mountain drive with my old Lotus club and not only were they amazed that the MCS could keep up (and be the #2 or #3 car) but that it could do so with ~140k miles on the clock. The parts replaced should be good for another ~100k miles so when amortized it really is not a lot of $$$. Lots of mods over the past year but you can't really count that as maintenance costs 
Mine has a shade under 86,000. I've been looking at new MINI's lately, but really don't know if I'd want an R56. My MINI is long ago paid for so I've decided to keep driving it. No major issues & if it has a large repair it will still be cheaper than buying a new one. Plus I'm driving my R53 which is what I prefer.
Reading about MINI's with huge miles on them makes me want to join your club too.
Reading about MINI's with huge miles on them makes me want to join your club too.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 4
From: Milwaukee, WI
You May Have Heard Me Say Before . . . .
if I was a more normal, conservative owner
(like my Dad who traded his cars about every 80,000 miles)
I'd be on my Sixth MINI by now!
I haven't actually done the arithmetic, but I believe one trade
might have cost more than I've spent in 8.4 years
and 411,000 miles on this unbelievably reliable, satisfying car!
The MINI Salesmen all know me and say,
"Hi, Mr Stanfield - How many miles now?"
They know they're not likely to sell me a New Car -
but, they confess they enjoy telling everyone about My Old One.
(like my Dad who traded his cars about every 80,000 miles)
I'd be on my Sixth MINI by now!
I haven't actually done the arithmetic, but I believe one trade
might have cost more than I've spent in 8.4 years
and 411,000 miles on this unbelievably reliable, satisfying car!
The MINI Salesmen all know me and say,
"Hi, Mr Stanfield - How many miles now?"
They know they're not likely to sell me a New Car -
but, they confess they enjoy telling everyone about My Old One.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 4
From: Milwaukee, WI
Is 15 Years and 641,000 Miles "The Long Haul"?
I haven't visited here for quite a while (and neither has anyone else apparently)
But, I just had to say my 2002 MINI Cooper is still "hauling" every day of the year - not just barely - but triumphantly!
It's had some repairs, but fewer than any of the very satisfactory VW, Mercedes, or BMW cars I'd owned for the 45 years before ordering the MINI.
Everything is still operating just as it should - and I still look forward to my next drive. It still doesn't rattle or squeak, shimmy or shake, smoke, leak, or smell funny.
Anyway, I'm proud and happy to say, my 'long haul' is far from over.
No, it's not For Sale.
But, I just had to say my 2002 MINI Cooper is still "hauling" every day of the year - not just barely - but triumphantly!
It's had some repairs, but fewer than any of the very satisfactory VW, Mercedes, or BMW cars I'd owned for the 45 years before ordering the MINI.
Everything is still operating just as it should - and I still look forward to my next drive. It still doesn't rattle or squeak, shimmy or shake, smoke, leak, or smell funny.
Anyway, I'm proud and happy to say, my 'long haul' is far from over.
No, it's not For Sale.
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 985
Likes: 97
From: Atlanta Georgia
I haven't visited here for quite a while (and neither has anyone else apparently)
But, I just had to say my 2002 MINI Cooper is still "hauling" every day of the year - not just barely - but triumphantly!
It's had some repairs, but fewer than any of the very satisfactory VW, Mercedes, or BMW cars I'd owned for the 45 years before ordering the MINI.
Everything is still operating just as it should - and I still look forward to my next drive. It still doesn't rattle or squeak, shimmy or shake, smoke, leak, or smell funny.
Anyway, I'm proud and happy to say, my 'long haul' is far from over.
No, it's not For Sale.
But, I just had to say my 2002 MINI Cooper is still "hauling" every day of the year - not just barely - but triumphantly!
It's had some repairs, but fewer than any of the very satisfactory VW, Mercedes, or BMW cars I'd owned for the 45 years before ordering the MINI.
Everything is still operating just as it should - and I still look forward to my next drive. It still doesn't rattle or squeak, shimmy or shake, smoke, leak, or smell funny.
Anyway, I'm proud and happy to say, my 'long haul' is far from over.
No, it's not For Sale.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mini Mania
Drivetrain Products
0
Aug 21, 2015 10:07 AM
ccccPUNISHER
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
0
Aug 15, 2015 01:35 PM
minipopkart
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
2
Aug 13, 2015 05:22 AM