What is the mileage on the car?

As an fyi, the supercharger has a gear in it that turns the water pump. If the water pump is not running correctly it could point to problems with the supercharger. I believe the history shows superchargers last about 110-130,000 miles before they need replacing, and you might as well change the water pump at the same time because you are only a couple bolts away. (I'm changing mine this weekend)

I am by no means an expert, just passing on a bit of info I have learned lately.

I agree with other posters, find the cause of overheating, fix it, and then keep the car. Once you have fixed the problems, why get rid of it and buy something else that might have problems?

Good luck.

p.s.
Just pray your head is not cracked from overheating.

 

Thanks Act_04 i guess i need to pray that its not cracked...o wait it is lol. It has 95000 miles on it. The owner of the shop called this morning and told me that he thinks that the crack is what was causing the coolant to not flow through the system correctly and thus overheating. He is not satisfied with that however and is going to take a look at the supercharger and the water pump when he has the engine apart. After all of this you can believe I am going to keep this car. He does have a used head that happens to be from a car thats vin is only 800 away from mine. How cool is that? He is sending it out to be checked by a machine shop today so hopefully its good to go it will be cheeper.

 

Sounds like you found a shop with a knowledgeable mini mechanic..
Hopefully it all works out well for you. When it is fixed,at least you will know all is good!!
hang in there, mini ownershipcan be a blast!! Just sucks so many used cars are junk....

 

This is a good place to learn a lot of things and I've also learned to just shut some things out...

I figured what needed fixing on my pre-owned 2005, would have probably been fixed at some point, if I'd bought it new.

Some things have taken longer to find the exact cause of but then its not exactly my grandpa's Chevy, either.

Good luck and enjoy your car. It will get fixed.

 

Thanks Zippy. Thats how I am looking at it. Once its fixed I will know all is well with it because they are going over it real good.

 

I totally feel your pain! I bought my 2002 MCS in June, and it was a mess for a while. Replaced Tranny, Clutch, Front Axles, wheels, and numerous other failed parts. I did not get the car checked out before I bought it.
I fell in love with the car as soon as I saw it, so I can't blame anybody but me, for everything I've been thru.
Having said that, I absolutely LOVE my MINI!! I can finally say I have MY dream car! It does everything I want, and I feel the car is capable of way more than I am capable of doing. The money, so far, is not a deal breaker, partly because I'm so far in.
Before you start investing all you have into your MINI, make sure you're ready. These cars cost a lot to maintain anyway, and when you start throwing BIG money at it, it gets real overwhelming! I might flinch, but it's worth it to me!!
As far as the dealer, I've been to the dealer a few times. Don't go to the dealer unless you "know a guy" or you have no other choice. An independent shop will do just as good a job, and charge you less. Just my opinion.
From what I've seen, everyone LOVES their MINI, but a lot of them secretly yearn for the R53. If you invest in it, you won't care how much it costs, because you'll be to busy listening to the supercharger while you're in the twisties!! Good luck and keep us Posted!

 

Well if your gonna keep it and most likely mod it, I say take the opportunity to get an aftermarket head. Revolution Mini Works Jesus head is supposed to be very nice.

 

Well I got my MINI back today. $2500 dollars was the bill. That included all labor, a used head (which had 25000 miles less on it then my old one), head gasket, head bolts, and a whole bunch of gaskets, and a new thermostat and housing as well as a oil change. So I consider that not too bad.

BTW guess why he had to replace the t-stat? well it is because who ever replaced it last time put it in backward. Thus the overheating which caused the cracked head and all of my problems once I bought it. Well at least I am driving it now.

 

Too bad some people don't quite know how to work on a MINI. That's why a experienced MINI mechanic is a must! Glad it wasn't a giant repair, money wise! Hopefully you have lots of time to build your Maintenece Fund back up!
Good Luck!

 

thats why i tell folks to be honest with themselves when they decide to diy an item...
some poor sucker put in a thermostat....then sold/ traded a car when it did not solve the issue....you got the car, the issue and the bill....

 

It's a shame about the thermostat, but I'm glad you found the problem and can hopefully motor carefree for a while.

 

I have been driving an '03 MCS "Ele" for three weeks and I can honestly say I have rediscovered the joy of driving! I am saving up to mod it now, new supercharger, CAI and exhaust (maybe a new intercooler). No mini-xing but spirited driving for sure.

 

i see dealers were i live have minicoopers that have alot of miles on them ,thank got i bought my minicooper s 06 premium sport package with only 15,000 miles on it from a private party,dont let the problem bother you to much these cars have parts all over ebay and at a good price to. I dont think youre motors head is cracked could the head gasket gone ,nothing a machine shop cant fix

 

First of all pew1375 you have a sweet looking ride!

Secondly keep an eye on that supercharger. I bought my first supercharger when I got up to 77,000 on the car. I replaced it with one I bought off of here (NAM) that had 23,000 miles on it.
I now have 114,000 miles on the car and I am looking to buy a reman. The problem will present itself as a weird little rattle on the front end. Both times, on mine anyway, it sounded like it was on the front of the motor. I replaced the tensionerthis time hoping that was it....not.
It sounds like a rattley idler going out, and will get louder as the problem worstens. What it has been both times is the waterpump drive gears going out because the seals go bad on the back of the supercharger....that paired with the extreme heat, and bam your water pump gears eat themselves. We even serviced this last one, but once they start going, they go fairly quickly.
Just so you know.
Enjoy the car, they are completely awesome. I wouldnt trade mine for the world, even if it has a couple quirks!

 

 

Its awsome to read the whole thread :>

 

Bummer that all that praying didn't work. ;-)
Glad your mechanic seems to have his head screwed on right and was able to fix it.

 

t stat back wards? i'm 99 percent t-stat can't be install backwards, the housing wont let you put it in wrong. 1 percent i might be wrong....

 

Congrats Trinity, now that all is well.....BUT, the suspense is killing me......show us your "resurrected" Mini!!!!!!!! Pix please!!!!!

 

I will post pics soon

 

Photos before and after are in my gallery