Hello everyone!

My brother is going to buy my 2005 mini cooper s from me, and I want to make sure he has a reliable ride. Does anyone know the kinds of things that have been happening to these cars when the mileage starts to get high? I'm currently at about 52000 miles. The issues I've noticed so far are a rough feeling clutch pedal, almost like a creaky rubber band, and the distant helicopter sound when the engine is idling. From what I've read these are kind of common? Does anyone have info on fixes for these issues?

Beyond that, is there anything else I should have checked out or replaced before I pass my ride on to my brother?

Thanks for all of your help!

 

52k is nothing, I'm almost at 140k and on the original supercharger and changed the power steering pump for the first time at ~115k. The RTABs are common failure points as miles accrue......

It is all in how the car has been maintained.

 

I've read here that the hatch hinges need to be lubrictaed or they break and actually a friend of mine had a 2005 where that happened. Power steering pumps are under investigation by NHTSA due to numerous complaints about failure on 2005 models. Only other thing thats apparent is CVT transmission failure but you mention a clutch so you don't have to worry about that. Good luck to your brother.

 

1. Your front control arm bushings are probably shot or well on their way (common in all years).
2. Your passenger side top engine mount is probably leaking or has already leaked (if not you are one of the VERY few)
3. Check the top of your strut towers for mushrooming (common in all years)
4. Check belt tensioner for accesory belt condition. Replace if needed. (typical for all S models)
5. Harmonic Balancer/crank pulley is prone to break if driven hard, includes rubber that hardens and weakens over time and use.
6. Check spark plug torque, re tighten if needed. (common all years)
7. Brakes should be checked if they haven't been replaced at that mileage (pads + rotors).
8. Battery should also be checked if still the same one that came from the dealer.

These are just of the top of my head items that need to be at least thought of. I would get a MINI tech to look over the engine for any signs of oil/fluid leaks from worn seals and do a thorough health check if you want to be totally safe.

Did I mention my 05 S has only 39k miles and has suffered from 1,2,3,5,7 and 8? It has never left me stranded, though. Granted, most are things normal drivers would never even notice.

Hey, you asked!

 

My thermostat housing sprung a leak around 56k in my 05MCS, but it was shortly after i bought it (used) and my warranty covered it. Other than that, i had my slave cylinder for my clutch go. Nothing major, cheap fixes. Your brother is a lucky guy! make sure he treats it right

 

Ive had a few problems with my 06. Most of them common

-coolant leak when I first got my 06. I remember it being the gasket dried out which is pretty common.

-My windshield also cracked because of the cars stiff ride, sort of common from what ive read around here.

-The belt tensioner went. Apparently common from the post above.

-drivers side door handle wouldnt work in called weather. Don't think thats common

All fixed under warranty.

 

I picked up an 03S with 80k miles. Seems like every problem I've had has appeared to be common when I look on here. Most of these will probably happen at some point in time if he keeps it long enough.

1. 2 wheel bearings
2. LCA bushings
3. inner ball joints
4. tensioner
5. idler pulley
6. supercharger inlet gasket
7. coolant reservoir leak
8. thermostat leak
9. passenger side motor mount
10. clutch
11. strut top mushrooming
12. rusted ignition coils