Hi there. I did some searching for history about the car I was about to buy and discovered this site. I also learned that this car has a bit of history here.

Here are a couple pics.



and


I'm hoping that I could get some assitance from this forum to learn more about the car. I'm going through it now looking for what I'm going to have to do near term for maintenance. I know that the dealership it was at didn't take the best care of it.
So this weekend I'll be doing the basics, oil change, brake fluid change, filters, hoses, belts etc.
There are a few things that are coming apart in the interior and under the hood.
The tires are shot and the wheels need some serious cleaning.
The body is great. Not a scratch.
One of the brake ducts is falling out.

One really bad thing was found after I got it home and after I drove it 5 hours over the mountain to home. That is when I lift the front of the car, both of the front coilovers basically fall out of the car and the wheels flop out. That's becuase the top bolt of the strut is not supported at all by the camber plate. Normally the top bolt goes through it and is held in place by that to the plate.

Thanks!

 

Are you connected to Kayla or did you just jump on her post?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...per-owner.html

How did this pass any inspection to drive?

 

Its a great looking Mini. Terrible about the front end. I picked up a 2004 Mini Cooper S and since October have been nursing it back to health. Whenever we pick up cars there is always a history, for better or worse.

Good luck with your new ride. The most fun on four wheels period!

 

I must have accidentally jumped her post. Noob.

As for it passing inspection, I wasn't able to put it up on a lift or jack it up at the dealership. And when I looked it over the strut nuts not coming out the top of the strut tower just didn't register.

Lucky me, it drove the 5 hours back home without issue. Very lucky me.
In any case, this is the first thing I'm fixing before I drive it again!

 

Hey, that's a good looking Mini.

Going thru the same thing, purchased a 2005 MCS Auto with transmission issues. Have just about everything squared away on her. Yea disappointed that we had to spend a couple more bucks on it than planned, but when I see the smile on my daughter's face as she is driving away;priceless..................

Good luck with the repairs, there certainly seems to be a lot of info on the forums that should aid in doing repairs to these little hotrods.

Keep us posted on the progress.