R50/53 Hello, new guy here
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18
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From: Lakewood, California
Hello, new guy here
Just bought a used 2002 Mini Cooper and I love it. This is a great website. I've searched the site and i cant find a answer to a question I have. How can I tell what kind of suspension do I have? standard or sport? any way to tell? The car handles like a dream.
It currently has
17 inch wheels with run flats
DSC
6 CD changer
Driving lights
It currently has
17 inch wheels with run flats
DSC
6 CD changer
Driving lights
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,756
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Hello and welcome to NAM!
Beautiful car and looks almost identical to my '04 MCS right down to the Union Jack roof flag.
Your Cooper seems to be a pretty basic model (I don't see evidence of any factory packages such as Premium and Sport) as it doesn't even have cruise control and the remote stereo controls in the back spokes of the steering wheel.
The Sport Suspension PLUS (SS+) is standard factory equipment on the Cooper S model and a $500 (At the time your 2002 was sold) standalone option in the regular Cooper (5-speed or CVT) model. The SS+ suspension WAS STILL NOT INCLUDED ON COOPERS SOLD WITH THE SPORT PACKAGE.
You will need to check back with your local MINI dealer and with the serial number (VIN number) they should be able to pull up a history report for your car that includes the original factory equipment configuration sheet. This is sort of the "birth certificate" of the car that BMW keeps in their universal computer database. It takes 5 seconds to print out.
Just ask your service advisor or motoring advisor to provide you with this printout. If the Sport Plus suspension is not listed there, your car was not so equipped from factory with it.
Let us know.
Beautiful car and looks almost identical to my '04 MCS right down to the Union Jack roof flag.
Your Cooper seems to be a pretty basic model (I don't see evidence of any factory packages such as Premium and Sport) as it doesn't even have cruise control and the remote stereo controls in the back spokes of the steering wheel.
The Sport Suspension PLUS (SS+) is standard factory equipment on the Cooper S model and a $500 (At the time your 2002 was sold) standalone option in the regular Cooper (5-speed or CVT) model. The SS+ suspension WAS STILL NOT INCLUDED ON COOPERS SOLD WITH THE SPORT PACKAGE.
You will need to check back with your local MINI dealer and with the serial number (VIN number) they should be able to pull up a history report for your car that includes the original factory equipment configuration sheet. This is sort of the "birth certificate" of the car that BMW keeps in their universal computer database. It takes 5 seconds to print out.
Just ask your service advisor or motoring advisor to provide you with this printout. If the Sport Plus suspension is not listed there, your car was not so equipped from factory with it.
Let us know.
Originally Posted by USMC0341
Just bought a used 2002 Mini Cooper and I love it. This is a great website. I've searched the site and i cant find a answer to a question I have. How can I tell what kind of suspension do I have? standard or sport? any way to tell? The car handles like a dream.
It currently has
17 inch wheels with run flats
DSC
6 CD changer
Driving lights
Hello and welcome to NAM:
Do you have a Cooper S or a regular Cooper?
The Cooper S comes with the Sport Suspension
It currently has
17 inch wheels with run flats
DSC
6 CD changer
Driving lights
Hello and welcome to NAM:
Do you have a Cooper S or a regular Cooper?
The Cooper S comes with the Sport Suspension
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,756
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Coopers don't come from the factory with R90 17" wheels and tires. These were probably installed by either the original owner of the car or the selling dealer. Cooper's only come with 15" or 16" tires and rims from the factory. Your car probably came with R83 5-star rims equipped with 16" Goodyear runflats, or maybe 15" 7-holeys or 8-spoke wheels with 15" Continental radials (Non-runflats).
DSC is either part of the Cooper Sport Package or a $500 (2002 price) standalone option.
Driving lights are yet another dealer installed option, unavailable as a factory install.
Your car has the standard leatherette seats, not the sport buckets, which once again are optional in the Cooper, standard issue in the Cooper S.
The chrome bumper accents are a standalone $120 factory option for the 2002 model year.
Other than that, your MINI appears to be a pretty "bare bones" (Is there such a thing as a plain jane MINI) model. I also notice that you are missing the subtle rear hatchback spoiler which was either part of the Sport Package in the Cooper or a $100 standalone option.
What was the build date of your car? Check the placard or factory sticker affixed in the lower driver's side door jamb. Your car appears to be one of the very first US bound MINIs!
DSC is either part of the Cooper Sport Package or a $500 (2002 price) standalone option.
Driving lights are yet another dealer installed option, unavailable as a factory install.
Your car has the standard leatherette seats, not the sport buckets, which once again are optional in the Cooper, standard issue in the Cooper S.
The chrome bumper accents are a standalone $120 factory option for the 2002 model year.
Other than that, your MINI appears to be a pretty "bare bones" (Is there such a thing as a plain jane MINI) model. I also notice that you are missing the subtle rear hatchback spoiler which was either part of the Sport Package in the Cooper or a $100 standalone option.
What was the build date of your car? Check the placard or factory sticker affixed in the lower driver's side door jamb. Your car appears to be one of the very first US bound MINIs!
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Joined: Jul 2002
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The official name of the report printout you need to get from your MINI dealer is called "BMW and MINI Vehicle History Report". I have a copy of said report for both of my MINIs right in front of me.
The report gives out the following info:
VIN number
Model Code
Production date
Original Retailer dealer
Original sale date (To first owner)
Trim Code
Color Code
Motor type
Engineering series (Either R50 for the Cooper, R53 for the Cooper S)
Customer name and address
Warranty and free maintenance information including expiration date and expiration mileage.
Vehicle options listed in detail as the car was originally ordered from the factory, including equipment code and description.
And finally, the report will give you ALL the repair and maintenance history (Including recalls) performed to the car since new.
Very critical piece of information that no MINI owner should be without!
The report gives out the following info:
VIN number
Model Code
Production date
Original Retailer dealer
Original sale date (To first owner)
Trim Code
Color Code
Motor type
Engineering series (Either R50 for the Cooper, R53 for the Cooper S)
Customer name and address
Warranty and free maintenance information including expiration date and expiration mileage.
Vehicle options listed in detail as the car was originally ordered from the factory, including equipment code and description.
And finally, the report will give you ALL the repair and maintenance history (Including recalls) performed to the car since new.
Very critical piece of information that no MINI owner should be without!
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Joined: Jul 2002
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Originally Posted by TulsaMINI
I'm curious...what's that little switch over there to the left of the steering wheel?
The knee bolster panel is replaced when your dealer installs the driving lights with a new panel that has the switch and wiring already in it.
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 268
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From: Tulsa, OK
Originally Posted by Cooper4us
That's the power switch to turn on/off the optional driving lights that he has installed in his MINI.
The knee bolster panel is replaced when your dealer installs the driving lights with a new panel that has the switch and wiring already in it.
The knee bolster panel is replaced when your dealer installs the driving lights with a new panel that has the switch and wiring already in it.
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Originally Posted by TulsaMINI
Thanks! I've never seen that before. I guess I always assumed the driving lights would have a toggle.
But that is such a hassle to having to replace the entire switch panel, plus programming that MINI sought it easier just to have a totally independent switch for the driving lights in the knee bolster or Euro shelf area panel.
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Originally Posted by USMC0341
Thanks for the all of the info my build date is 01/02
my build date is 01/02You have a rolling piece of history there
I can tell that this car is a very early production build because the area where the remote switch control for the outside rearview mirrors (In the lower center console) is SILVER. Later production MINIs have this plastic piece in black matte finish. My wife has a 2002 Cooper CVT built 8/02 and doesn't have that trim piece in silver color such as yours.
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Lakewood, California
Cool Info!!! it has very low miles, it just at 14895mi now. The car is very fast and handles great, and I'm comming from a 390 hp mustang cobra. the mini would sure hold its own in the corners but not the straight aways
Heres a pic of my other baby
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/gjhen/...ilvercobra.jpg
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/gjhen/...s/dsc00592.jpg
Heres a pic of my other baby
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/gjhen/...ilvercobra.jpg
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/gjhen/...s/dsc00592.jpg
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 268
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From: Tulsa, OK
Originally Posted by Cooper4us
Wow! your car is indeed among the VERY, VERY first MINI Coopers sold in American soil back in March 2002!
You have a rolling piece of history there
I can tell that this car is a very early production build because the area where the remote switch control for the outside rearview mirrors (In the lower center console) is SILVER. Later production MINIs have this plastic piece in black matte finish. My wife has a 2002 Cooper CVT built 8/02 and doesn't have that trim piece in silver color such as yours.
You have a rolling piece of history there
I can tell that this car is a very early production build because the area where the remote switch control for the outside rearview mirrors (In the lower center console) is SILVER. Later production MINIs have this plastic piece in black matte finish. My wife has a 2002 Cooper CVT built 8/02 and doesn't have that trim piece in silver color such as yours.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 864
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From: So Cal
Originally Posted by USMC0341
Cool Info!!! it has very low miles, it just at 14895mi now. The car is very fast and handles great, and I'm comming from a 390 hp mustang cobra. the mini would sure hold its own in the corners but not the straight aways
Heres a pic of my other baby
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/gjhen/...ilvercobra.jpg
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/gjhen/...s/dsc00592.jpg
Heres a pic of my other baby
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/gjhen/...ilvercobra.jpg
http://mypeoplepc.com/members/gjhen/...s/dsc00592.jpg
6342......
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
USMC0341,
Aloha and welcome to NAM.
You have a great looking MC there.
I'd guess you have the standard suspension but the records should show your options.
The other way to tell is look at the rear swaybar and check if it is about 16mm or about 19mm diameter. The smaller size is standard for the MC and the larger is standard for the MCS or MC with sports suspension option. Just measure it. They are both black in color.
Aloha and welcome to NAM.
You have a great looking MC there.
I'd guess you have the standard suspension but the records should show your options.
The other way to tell is look at the rear swaybar and check if it is about 16mm or about 19mm diameter. The smaller size is standard for the MC and the larger is standard for the MCS or MC with sports suspension option. Just measure it. They are both black in color.
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