Hi all-
Thinking about picking up a lightly used (20k miles or so) 03 Cooper S. From what I've read online at a few review websites, the only major problem with the 03 model year is drivetrain/transmission but ONLY in the non-S models.

Is this accurate in your collective experiences? Any other tips you guys can give me before I take the plunge? I've wanted one of these for the past year or so and now it's so close I can taste it... just want to make sure it won't leave a bitter aftertaste after I take it home.

Thanks in advance!

 

mine's a 03 with around 21k miles. no issues on mine.

 

Thank you for that kenchan, anyone else?

 

...with 45,000 and (knock on wood) it's been rock-solid when it comes to major mechanical issues. Minor things I've had to deal with:

-- Horn has had to be fixed twice
-- Various rattles and squeaks from various places (some I've fixed, some I've just learned to deal with)
-- Right-front suspension replaced under warranty (watch out for potholes!)
-- Rattling flywheel (replaced under warranty, there's a TSB on this issue)
-- Glove-box opened by itself on bumps, replaced with improved part under warranty

That's all I can remember at the moment...compared to an 05/06, an 03 is noisier (aforementioned rattles and squeaks) and needs a bit more "oomph" to get rolling (especially when the A/C is on), but from my experience is otherwise a downright good way to go, if the price is right.

 

I've had every recall item fixed on my 2003 MCS - leaky coolant tank, a/c noise at high speeds, and I can't remember how many things.

The stuff I just had done last week includes the following:

rotted foam cowl vents replaced, new glove box, new window motors, new central locking system, squeaky sunroof serviced, new brakes - rotors and pads, reflash of version 58 ECU software, rusted side rear position lights in bumper, new brakes and rotors, trim coming off of exterior A pillar, and loss of freon in a/c. All these things were 100% covered by MINI. I had to camp out for the day at the dealership to make sure it was done to my satisfaction.

Just make sure that you have the 50K mile extended warranty and that it extends to you. I paid $300 extra for it, and I am so glad I bought it from MINI at purchase. All together, these items would have nickle and dimed me to death. Good luck!

 

My '03 has about 22,500 mi. and I've had no major problems. Like others, I had the coolant tank replaced, sunroof rattle fixed, and a rear hatch rattle addressed, but overall it's great. I do have a bit of the stumble at 3000 with light throttle, but Detroit Tuned has a solution I may use. Good luck with your decision!

 

Wow, lots of things here to think about... but if I get an 03, I should have a year or so of factory warranty left right?
How would I even be able to check that?

 

Call MINI at 866 ASK MINI to find out what transfers and what does not.

 

4yr from in-service date, your local dealer can tell you when your car was placed in service by the VIN #....or 50k miles

 

I drive an 03 S.
The only problem I've ever had which was fixed under warrenty was the door lock actuator. Other than that, I love my car a whole lot and I've been problem free.

 

My 2003 MCS has been great with the exception of a faluty rear brake caliper that was fixed under warranty. It did take a second occurrence of the problem and an all-out battle with Global Imports in Atlanta to get it properly fixed, but that is more of a problem with that particular dealership than MINI. Another dealership with a more competent service department would have diagnosed the problem correctly the first time.

54k on mine so far

 

The warranty is transferable for FREE from the original owner to a second owner only. The balance of the warranty can not longerbe transfered to a third owner or so on and so forth.

The warranty date takes place from the time the vehicle goes "In-Service" either as sold to new to a new owner or registered as a company/dealer demo.

When I say the warranty is transferable, I mean not only the 4 Year or 50K mile bumper-tobumper warranty, but also whatever remains of the 3 year/36K mile scheduled maintenance and the 24/7 roadside assistance coverage.

After you have purchased the car from the original owner, all you have to do is call MINIUSA (1-866-ASK-MINI) provide the VIN number and request the warranty transfer to the new owner.

 

Thanks for all the help everyone, if anyone else has anything else to report or any tips etc feel free to keep going!

 

I think most of the initial problems with the coolant bottle and steering pump were resolved for the 2003 model year. One advantage to an early '03 is that it may have the 'older' version of the sport suspension. It was stiffer and I liked it better. Most folks wanted a softer ride, so they modified the suspension in mid-'03.

 

54k miles, 15%pully, uuc exhaust and more, just a few know issues like the wire harness to close to heat and causing false readings, they replaced mine, and added a heat sheild...

but basicaly, no issues...

 

52K miles - going strong- only problem was boot latch which was fixed under warranty

 

I've got an early '03. I was just waiting for the BRG to become available in the MCS. The only serious problems I have had was when I caught a bag and blew out my power steering fan, which lead to the cooling fan not working, which lead to overheat->tow. That was the only one that needed a tow. I had a windshield replaced under warantee early on. I recently had the rear boot latch go, requiring a replacement. Oh, and I had some recallissues with an air bag light that required a wiring harness replacement. Other than that, just minor squeaks. Oh, and replaced coolant tank early on.

As a testamony to how much I LOVE this car, last summer, My wife and I did 10k miles, and 26 states in 28 days. And we loved every minute of it!
Woo-Hoo!!

 

Had an 02 MC with a bunch of small problems, but my 03 MCS only has the sunroof rattle, all else has been perfect.

 

not sure if anyone mentioned, there's a fan guard on later models that were installed to protect the fan cooling the power steering. Not having one has let some owners suck up plastic bags and road debris to jam the fan and allow the power steering to overheat, causing the power steering and circuit to fail. Later mini's also rewired the electric fan to work on its own circuit board... feel free to correct where this is inaccurate.

Ive done much research for myself while in the used mini market.

 

I think you have to purchase an aftermarket fan guard. As I understand it, the only thing that MINI actually "changed" in regards to this is sending a bulletin to dealers telling them that IF the customer ASKS, they can separate the fan fuses -- I think the issue was that the PS fan was on the same fuse as the radiator fan so when they PS fan got all munged up and blew the fuse, the radiator fan subsequently crapped out and the car overheated.


My 03 MCS has been an unmitigated disaster: stumble/yoyo, multiple boot latches, multiple windscreens, multiple door latch cables, multiple window motors, sunroof reinstall, A pillar cover fell off, PCV hose, entire HK system was systematically replaced (amp/head unit/speakers), wiring harness, fuel injector, air bag light recall, coolant bottle...

That's with 60K on the odo.

It's basically a roll of the dice with the early models -- probably most were great, some were um... special...

I'd personally go for an 05. Good luck!

 

Hey Omtoast,


Your experience sounds like mine almost to the letter. Troubleshooting my car has become a full-time hobby. I'm actually obsessed with what might go wrong with my car now. I'm due to go in for a glove box lock and I have the hanging muffler issue. At my 50K checkup at the dealer, they fixed 15 things that were broken. I'm now in the process of finding a good mechanic in my area and a good source of discount OEM parts.

I love my car, but I wouldn't recommend it for someone who wants a trouble free appliance. Happy motoring!

 

2003 MCS Owners,

Any update of problem areas experienced with 2003 models?

I was planning to buy an '05/'06; however, a retired family friend who owns a mint 2003 DS/white MCS with approx 5K miles on it may be interested in selling it to me. If he decides yes, I'll get the VIN to determine remaining warranty, etc. Assuming we agree on a fair price and it has some warranty left, I plan to get it in to the dealer quickly. This car has barely been driven, so I doubt any of the typical '03 problems have even arisen yet. What potential problem items should I ask to have repaired/replaced while still under warranty?

Thanks for any and all input.

 

-Check for the coolant tank leak (if its a white cooant tank it will leak, if its yellowish it has probably been replaced) I think it was a recall item.
-rear boot latch (not recall, but many failed)
-rear suspension bolt (recall)
-if in california then software version upgrade (recall)
-PCV hose (recall)

Call a dealer, give them the last 6 digits of the VIN and they will let you know what it needs.

Nik

 

Hmm. I'm the 3rd owner of my '04 MCS, and miniusa transferred the warranty and the free scheduled maintenance program over to me just fine and dandy. I had some minor issues taken care of under warranty at the car's Inspection 1 Service.

 

after i posted this last year my AC went out.

major issue? not to me, but if this was a daily driver, then yah,
it would be very bad.

i noticed i only put on about 2k miles since then... no wonder
my oil looks fresh still, although im going to change it next month
as it's going to be a year.