Hey all, I just joined because I'm most likely getting my first Mini on this upcoming Saturday! I looked at it last weekend and it's gorgeous, it's a dark silver/black 05 MCS and it drives beautifully. This isn't my first car (I know, I'm only 18 but I love cars). I come from the Mustang family.... but I really just love cars in general, and have always respected the MCS. hope there's not too much hate on me!

...forgive me for not putting this in the 1st gear section.. again, newbie here lol

 

Welcome! Hope it ends up being a good one. It's a good idea to get them checked out by a trusted mechanic. There's a motoring link that someone will post soon enough ( I'm on my phone otherwise i would) that tells you what to look for and the changes in the MINI year to year.

Wait a second, a Mustang? Nvm, get outta here.
:p
but really, we own a 2003 MCS and a 1990 Mustang GT and we love both beasts

Again, welcome and hope to hear more from you!

Sara

 

Yeah, I'm taking it to a mechanic tomorrow probably so that'll be a good teller. And I want a foxbody so badly! They're so fun to drive, but they handle like pigs -_-.....which is one thing I love about the Mini! Here is the link to the MCS that I'm probably getting. I was wondering if you (or someone else) could possibly tell me what that pipe is that's missing near the front of the engine bay? I think it's called the air induction tube, not the intake, but the induction tube...? I'm not sure but I noticed that something was missing.. it's in the last picture on that page. http://newjersey.craigslist.org/ctd/2647633342.html

 

First off, welcome! And you are correct, there is an induction tube missing as show here in the following picture:


That will provide a path for outside air to enter the airbox, without it, it is most likely taking the hot air right by the engine.

I would be concerned why it isn't there, but you could use that to haggle the price down a bit more. Also, if you look to the left of the airbox (on the CR ad), you will see a little black box with a gray thing inside of it. That is the positive connection terminal for the battery (since it is in the boot of the car) there should also be a cover on that as well.

By the way, what part of NJ are you located in? You might see me around!

 

A few other things that I noticed about the car:
-It is a 2005 but a "pre-facelift" one, I have an '05 as well but had a production month of July so the interior is a little different as well as some other things on the outside and in. Not a big deal, just an FYI.

-You have the cold weather package, premium package (including premium speakers), and I would assume the sport package.

-Front fog lamps, not all cars had these but it is a nice option and they help out a lot at night and early mornings for small critters that may run across the road in front of the car.

-The wind scoop above the sunroof is not stock.

 

That's a nice looking car!

Funny thing, JohnW94 - I was just looking at that exact same pic online to compare. Strangely, I'm not seeing a dipstick handle in the craigslist pic. but maybe it's just hiding.

 

I didn't notice that but that would be another good thing to check, I couldn't imagine the dipstick not being there. But who knows!

 

Haha I'm sure crazier things have happened! I'm getting it checked out tomorrow for sure so I'll let you all know how it goes. @JohnW94, I'm in caldwell so about an hour from you. but me and my friends hit up e-town every once in awhile are there any good mini clubs in nj? And thanks for all of the info, I noticed some of it when I looked at the car (upgraded speakers and the wind scoop). I'm really hoping all goes well.. I can't imagine much could be wrong with a 54k mile car right? @Kirby11, I didn't realize that when I saw the car.. more negotiating to be done! Thanks a lot guys!

 

There really shouldn't be much wrong with it at that mileage. I got my car at 81K miles and the repairs were mainly bushings and other regular wear and tear. But, check for things like a leaking upper engine mount (on the top left hand side of the engine, it's the cylindrical silver canister), a "knocking" clutch, i.e. put the car in neutral with the engine on, press the clutch in then quickly release it. If you hear a knocking sound now than that means the throw-out bearing is going bad - another thing to get the price though, but keep in mind that doesn't mean the clutch will go bad and actually it will still work fine for many more miles to come. My clutch does it and it works fine.

As for a club, check out NEMINI.org

Good luck tomorrow!

 

Must be the season for that color LOL

 

So I took the car to the mechanic.......and it checked out perfectly! There were some minor problems (AC doesn't work, oil pan leaks) but I'm going to get it early next week @tkahike, that is a very nice Mini you got yourself! Where in jersey are you? Seems like there's a bunch of people on here from jersey

 

So I got it checked out and it was fine for the most part. There were some minor issues (leaking oil pan, ac doesn't work, and the exhaust has a leaky gasket) but it was in perfect condition otherwise! About the dipstick: the handle somehow got broken off and the rest of it is stuck there...... *facepalm* so I'm getting it sometime early next week. I was wondering if anybody here knows how fast the 0-60 and 1/4 mile are? If you could tell me, that'd be great! Thanks a lot

 

I thought of that last night, that has been a known problem with the dipsticks breaking. I'm not sure how to get it out though.

My car has a leaking oil pan gasket, not a big deal. The exhaust gasket would be a thing to fix soon though.

0-60 is about 6.5 and the quarter mile is about 15.0

But that is bone stock, many things can be modded ;D

Glad to hear that you will be picking it up next week...let the painful wait begin!

 

I wish I had the Chrono Pack...

 

That's great news, DSR! Hopefully all the little things will be taken care of and you'll be putting your new car through its paces soon.

If you do a NAM search on "broken dipstick" there's all sorts of threads and possible solutions depending on how far down in there it is. I think #4 in this one is my favorite - the one about using a red hot hanger.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-mcs-jcw.html

 

The oil pan gasket isn't a problem, until it really really starts leaking. I bought mine at 90k with a "seeping" pan gasket, and it started to really go about 10k miles later. It took me about 6-7 hours to do the work..... The first time. The dealership told me to prep the gasket with oil, bad idea. It began leaking about 5k later. I went at it again, but this time I asked BMW how to prep it, because afterall we all know our R53's are actually BMW's. They told me to do it dry. This time it took me about 5 hours and it's still dry at 120k miles. Not trying to scare you just be aware of this issue. At the dealership it's a $600 job. It's not hard, just time consuming. The reason why they leak like this is because of the lower motor mount, attached right to the pan. Shitty design if you ask me... Good luck though. I too was 18 when i first got my 2002 MCS. Have fun with it!

 

Yeah, that's definitely not a deal breaker, just something I'll have to negotiate for. And thanks! I'm definitely going to enjoy it

 

If it took me 10 hours to replace the damn engine mounts on the Austin Mini then I think I have to patience for the oil pan gasket ;D

As long as you have some knowledge, tools, and a good service manual than you are good to go!

I think before I head off to college I am going to replace the gasket while I have adequate garage space now.

Once you get all the little stuff fixed here and there, you won't have to worry and will be able to fully enjoy your new car. You are going to love it!