Brutus has been more than reliable, 60,000 miles since 9-02 and he's our Weekend/Vacation Warrior!
We've endured while on vacation, 118*F in Death Valley and -6*F in Bryce Canyon. A slight worry was present at the time for the wife and I, but all went well.

7/02 build MCS

James

 

Mine was built in January of 2003, just bumping 44,000 miles. Major problems:

Starter is about to die - getting it fixed under warranty on July 2nd (bearing is shot)
Clutch disk split in half

Otherwise just little maitenence issues. E-brake is kinda weak. Stereo is a bit too quiet. Numerous software upgrades, etc.

 

I drive my Sept '03 born MCS as a daily driver, an autocrosser and a driving school machine. I have 49000+ miles. No problems that couldn't wait until regular dealer visits. Never stranded (knocking on every piece of wood around me)... but a few stumbles.

I drive 20 miles round trip to work most every work day.

 

Aug. '02 build MCS. Just hit 29K. There have been some issues, but nothing that couldn't be remedied and reliablility has been super as a daily driver. I won't be replacing it for a good while.

 

Im mostly concerned with the tranny (see my above post) and if its something I should be concerned about and if so what do do about it while its at the dealer?
thanks
db

 

If it's still under warranty, see if he will give you a loaner.

 

I drive a Nov '02 build MINI that I purchased in Jan 03. It is my daily driver and I commute 70 miles round trip per day. Most recent issue was that the battery failed while I was at work a couple of weeks ago. It was towed to the dealer and replaced under warranty. I am on my third windshield, but this time it is a PPG, so I hope it last. I still have the original Goodyear runflats on the car. When they go I will replace them with non-runflats since my car (MC) also has a spare. So for no transmission or stumble issues for me. Although I must admit, I am getting a bit nervous now that my warranty is about to expire.

 

My 2002 Cooper was a July 02 build , I drive it every day year 'round, rain, snow, hot and cold, freeze-thaw cycles twice a day three months a year , and she has performed flawlessly, always there to answer the call of duty. All service and warrenty work has occurred at scheduled service and my only expense has been fuel, tires and inspections, and I think one tail light bulb, not bad for a three year old car, which I enjoy so much it feels like it is still brand new !

 

MINI Cooper CVT - June 2002 build.:smile: Many MINI runs under her belt and still with the original windshield.

She's been my daily driver since I got her. 44K miles later she is still in excellent shape and I'd want to keep her longer except that my new S is on the boat over to the states right now.

 

just turned 19,000 miles...power steering rack replaced (leaking) and right front strut mount replaced after hitting a series of potholes (with a few tires along the way). other than that, mine runs fantastic...

 

I'm creeping over 5500 miles now, with no issues other than the stumble in the morning, but I can overlook that and wait for the recall/fix.

As a daily driver 40 minutes each way to work, there's only word to describe the feeling of having a Mini Cooper as a daily commuter... INTOXICATING. Oh wait, there's ADDICTIVE, ALIVE, and EXHILERATING. As mentioned above, full throttle takeoffs to 6700 rpm are not uncommon. The sound of that supercharger screaming forces your right foot down further just to hear it more often.

I did find that at a 4000 mile oil check, that the oil level was down a full quart. That's my fault for not checking it sooner, and should have known with my driving habits, that it was bound to burn more oil. So check that oil folks!

 

:smile: yes, my 03 cooper is my daily driver. runs 74 miles a day to work and
back 5 days/week. 42,500 miles, almost 99% on the interstate. Car has been
great. Just several pieces of loose trim fixed under warranty. Only drawback I have found as a daily driver is that front of car can "plow" snow if it's too deep. I try to avoid standing snow on road.
Car seems to pick up alot of bonnet chips from stones because of the low profile. 1st chip was a lil traumatic, but after about 50 you get used to it.
* I change my oil every 5,000 miles (9 oil changes so far)
* Change air filter every 10,000 miles(5 air filters)
* Change plugs at 40,000 miles(on 2nd set of plugs)
* Changed my coolant 5 times (ok, a lil obsessive I admit)
* Changed my brake fluid at 35,000 miles ( 2 years)

She's been good to me so i'm good to her

 

March 2003 MC, 17,000 miles, daily driver.
No major problems, have only been to the dealer twice
since delivery (9000 mile oil change service and recall for ECU update).

A few minor things (coolant turned brown, radio sometimes
needs "rebooted" in the winter, funny noise on startup for
a block or so in very cold weather only, rain-gutter trim clip
was loose, toe-in needed adjustment when new (did it myself).
Have both winter and summer tires, and a few add ons:

(PS fan shield, MiniMania Intake, Euro Parcel shelf, glove-compartment
organizer, Light-In-Sight, Magnecor blue wires, Actual Size decal,
slightly better Osram Silverstar H7 bulbs (the euro clear ones, not the
US blue ones), front mud-flaps, etc.)
Still love it to bits, and so does the wife (although she's making noises
about eventually trading her VW Cabrio for a MINI Cabrio some day).

 

We drive a 2002 MC 5 speed as our daily driver. We just had our 3rd birthday on the July 11th weekend - woohoo!

I'm more than happy with it so far, although I've had a couple problems. Though not too much ofa problem considering we were part of the first year run.

78,225 or so miles
3 windshields - all due to rocks
3rd transmission - 1 - bad seal, 2 - grinding from 1st to 2nd, 3 - still going
2nd motor - bad rod bearing, metal shavings everywhere
I've replaced rotors and pads and tires, oh my!
Occassional autox, lots of fun runs and a couple road trips for longer than 3 days.

I'd definately by another one!

 

'02 MCS July build... 65k miles... daily driver including snow... no major problems... love it more each day!