Hi everyone,

I'm eyeing a 2003 MCS with about 100,000 miles on it. Apparently the car has just had the engine replaced with a new crate motor, with all work done by BMW/Mini. I assume this is a good thing, since it has a brand new engine. Is there anything else specifically I should look for or watch out for on this car? I know enough to know that 2002-2003 Minis are not known for their reliability, but really how bad is it (especially with a new engine)? For a decent price, is this going to be a car I'll be happy living with, or am I more likely to just keep dumping money into it?

Thanks.

 

I just went through this with 130k car, fixing everything wrong (same engine though). I would ask what is inclusive of the engine, supercharger, exhaust manifold, etc.

MINI, THERMOSTAT & HOUSING ... REPLACE THERMOSTAT HOUSING
AND THERMOSTAT W/N...
Labor Rate 1 Work Requested - THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS
WEEPING AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT
1.70 82.50 140.25
Work Performed - REPLACE THERMOSTAT HOUSING, THERMOSTAT AND GASKET
Part 11-53-7-512-733 MINI, Thermostat Housing 1.00 40.18 40.18
Part 11-53-7-596-787 MINI, Thermostat & Gasket 1.00 43.25 43.25
Part ANTIFREEZE UNIVERSAL ANTIFREEZE 1.00 12.99 12.99
Part AZ REDLINE WATTER WETTER 1.00 11.25 11.25
test
Job Total:
Discount: 10.77
237.15
MINI, FRNT CNTRL ARM BUSHIN...
Labor Rate 1 Work Requested - POWERFLEX FRONT BUSHING
REPLACEMENT
2.80 82.50 231.00
Part PFF5-101 POWERFLEX URETHANE BUSHINGS 1.00 89.95 89.95
Sublet Work Requested - FRONT END ALIGNMENT 1.00 79.95 79.95
Work Performed - FRONT END ALIGNMENT
test
Job Total:
Discount: 9.00
391.90
MINI, ENGINE FAN ASSM 03/0... ENGINE FAN ASSEMBLY FOR EARLY
MINIS (R50/53)....
Labor Rate 1 Work Requested - LOW SPEED ENGINE FAN IS
INOPERABLE. POWER RESISTOR IS DEFECTIVE.
2.30 82.50 189.75
Work Performed - REPLACE EXISTING UNIT WITH NEW FAN ASSEMBLY
Part 17101475577 MINI, ENGINE FAN ASSEMBLY UPTO 03/03 1.00 279.55 279.55
test
Job Total:
Discount: 27.96
441.34
MINI, REAR TRILING ARM BUSH... POWERFLEX REAR TRAILING ARM
BUSHINGS
Labor Rate 1 Work Requested - MINI, REAR TRAILING ARM
BUSHINGS
1.00 75.00 75.00
Work Performed - REPLACE WORN REAR TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS W/ NEW POWERFLEX BUSHINGS
Part PFR5-110 POWERFLEX REAR TRIALING ARM BUSHINGS 1.00 82.55 82.55
test
Job Total:
Discount: 8.26
149.29
Save Old Parts: No
SWAYBAR REAR SWAYBAR IS WRONG.
BANGING ON SUSPENSION.
Labor Rate 1 Work Requested - REAR SWAYBAR IS WRONG.
BANGING ON SUSPENSION.
0.50 82.50 41.25
Work Performed - REPLACE REAR SWAY BAR
Part H-SPORT 25.5MM SWAYBAR 1.00 250.00 250.00
Part 33506772789 REAR SWAYBAR ENDLINKS 2.00 49.27 98.54
test
Job Total:
Discount: 34.85
354.94
OIL HOUSING OIL COOLER / FILTER HOUSING IS
LEAKING
Labor Rate 1 Work Requested - OIL COOLER / FILTER HOUSING IS
LEAKING
1.00 82.50 82.50
Work Performed - REPLACE OIL FILTER HOUSING
Part 11427562250 MINI, OIL FILTER HOUSING 1.00 264.17 264.17
test
Job Total:
Discount: 26.42
320.25
FOG LAMP LEFT FRONT FOGLAMP LAMP
CRACKED
Labor Rate 1 Work Requested - LEFT FRONT FOGLAMP LAMP
CRACKED
0.10 82.50 8.25
Part 63176925049 FRONT FOG LAMP 1.00 79.80 79.80
test
Job Total:
Discount: 7.98
80.07
CRACKED CAT CAT IS CRACKED
Labor Rate 1 Work Requested - CAT IS CRACKED 1.00 82.50 82.50
Work Performed - WELD SHUT
test
Job Total: 82.50
BITS
Part 33531518391 REAR FOAM STRUT INSERTS 2.00 37.17 74.34
test
Job Total:
Discount: 7.43
66.91
STRUTS CUSTOMER WANTS TO RAISE THE
RIDE HEIGHT BACK ...
Labor Rate 1 Work Requested - CUSTOMER WANTS TO RAISE THE
RIDE HEIGHT BACK TO STOCK.
2.00 82.50 165.00
Work Performed - NEW JCW STRUTS, FRONT STRUT MOUNT PLATES
Part FRONT STRUT MOUNTS 2.00 61.49 122.98
Part JCW STRUT KIT 1.00 655.00 655.00
Part STOCK MINI SPRINGS 4.00 0.00 0.00
Save Old Parts: No
test
Job Total:
Discount: 77.80
865.18

Also did oil pan, valve cover leaks and superchager servicing.

 

This made me laugh. Poor thermostat.

 

I would look under the door seals.
Early Mini's were prone to have moisture issues around the seals.
Look for rust formation or possible repair of rust in that area.

 

I am just curious what are you paying for this MINI. Maybe getting one with lower miles or a newer year might give you better peace of mind.

 

Funny opinion, my 2003 has 108K carries 40 psi oil pressure at 2,000 rpm hot and hasn't had any reliability issues.

 

With the amount I just spent on the 2002 and fixing I could have got a 2005 with 100k, but I wonder if I would have had the same problems! I got mine for 6k but it had a full aero kit, and all the go fast parts (short shift, borla, 15% alta, coil pack and wires, strut mounts, H&R suspension and alta cone filter, other stuff I can't remember.