R50/53 Any '02 owners out there???
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 607
Likes: 1
From: South of Silicon Valley
I still enjoy my '02 but with 133k+ on the clock, and 100 mile round trip commute every day, I've started thinking about an '07.
Just have to think up a way of convincing my wife on why I need to keep the '02 ... I'd hate to let this car go.
T
Just have to think up a way of convincing my wife on why I need to keep the '02 ... I'd hate to let this car go.
T
Two '02's, both June 2002 build date. MCS bought new, 65,000 mi, and trouble free, and a MC, 3rd owner, 59,000 mi, and so far no trouble for me other than a few annoying rattles which are now fixed. Both stock. Looking to add a clubman to the fleet when they come out with it, and probably won't sell one then either.
I just picked up an '02 PS/B MCS to match the MC that we have at home. Totally stock for now, but I would expect shocks and other stuff appropriate for GS autocross will be added in the next couple of months.
Looks like my milage is going to be passed up by DrkSlvrS pretty quickly! 
I'm nearing 155k. Funny, I'm still on original battery, and rear rotors. Front rotors were replaced just 1000 miles ago. On my second windshield, replaced about 10k miles ago. I haven't had a lot of the 'common' issues others seemed to have had. I've had a whole bunca DIFFERENT problems! But I still love it.
I'm nearing 155k. Funny, I'm still on original battery, and rear rotors. Front rotors were replaced just 1000 miles ago. On my second windshield, replaced about 10k miles ago. I haven't had a lot of the 'common' issues others seemed to have had. I've had a whole bunca DIFFERENT problems! But I still love it.
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
02s had some warranty problems but many have been addressed.
My MCS was built 10/02. Now just out of warranty. Not many miles, only 34,000.
Many of the 2002 MINIs in my area are doing well. Some on the resale market. Many in the 30,000 to 50,000 plus miles range.
My MCS was built 10/02. Now just out of warranty. Not many miles, only 34,000.
Many of the 2002 MINIs in my area are doing well. Some on the resale market. Many in the 30,000 to 50,000 plus miles range.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
08/02 build MCS Here:
Bought it pre owned in 05 with 37,000 miles..
a few problems (all addressed by warranty) all known issues
replaced fresh air vents
replaced leaky radiator tank....
replaced both airbag wiring harnesses...
rubber door seals replaced
sill rust repaired (by MINI dealer)
replaced both power window motors
replaced dead battery..(on my dime)
and the fan occasionally stays on...
Engine is bone stock..
now with 55,000 trouble free miles (since I've been taking it to a local and trusted MINI mechanic)
Still love the car and wouldn't trade it..
Bought it pre owned in 05 with 37,000 miles..
a few problems (all addressed by warranty) all known issues
replaced fresh air vents
replaced leaky radiator tank....
replaced both airbag wiring harnesses...
rubber door seals replaced
sill rust repaired (by MINI dealer)
replaced both power window motors
replaced dead battery..(on my dime)
and the fan occasionally stays on...
Engine is bone stock..
now with 55,000 trouble free miles (since I've been taking it to a local and trusted MINI mechanic)
Still love the car and wouldn't trade it..
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: HARRISBURG, N.C.
02 DS/S MCS....PREOWNED W/50,000 RUNS LIKE BRAND NEW. STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE NAV SYSTEM AND ALL THE OTHER HIDDEN GEMS WITH IT. WHAT A BLAST TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH MOD TO DO FIRST....ANY SUGGESTIONS OUT THERE
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
J/K,
many suggestions check the modifications forums...
Banned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,756
Likes: 0
Another original 2002 owner here:
June 30, 2002: Placed order for our very first new MINI: A Cooper CVT PW/B (Kind of regret not getting Velvet Red/White we originally wanted, but PW its been fine), with only 2 options: The CVT transmission and MFSW. Gave the $500 deposit and embarked in the longest 8 week wait of my life.
August 7, 2002: Our "Tina" is born at Oxford. With the next few days she would start her voyage in the North Atlantic towards Lauderdale MINI. Don't remember the name of the cargo ship, but I have all the online tracking papers on file from way back when. For those of you who ordered in 2002, do you remember the excitment here in MCO keeping daily tabs on the daily travel progression of the ships! I miss those days!
September 7th, 2002: The day after we came back from a wonderful 2 week trip throught the American West, visiting several national parks, we finally took delivery of our new MC. What an exciting day! Gave a $4,500 cash down payment and financed the rest for 36 months. Ended up paying off the car free and clear 9 months later in July 2003. Total sticker before taxes and fees: $18,500
And the rest as they say is history.....
The first year we did experience problems with the ECU firmware but we were very lucky in that we received one of the least troublesome CVTs of the time.
Its been on several road trips in the east cost and countless times to Disney World. Its been driven 4 times on the sandy beach expanses of Daytona Beach turning more heads than a blonde in a bikini....
My baby boy's first ride ever from the hospital was taken aboard the MC. He loves to motor ever since....
Its been to parades and club events. Lots of fantastic memories aboard this little car. Hard working daily driver too. Ticks like the finest piece of Swiss clock machinery.
Its got a tick over 42,000 miles. It was delivered with 7 miles. Its been out of warranty since early Sept '06.
Would love to keep one of the öriginal" R50 MINIs pre-2005 facelift but now with a baby onboard we need a little more room and the convenience of a rear door. Mind you, we have handle just fine with 2 MINIs in our household and a baby plus all his gear! Its been fun!
Come February 2008, the '02 will either be traded in or sold for a new '08 R55 MINI Clubman'. Its going to be hard to let go of a car that for more than 5 years has given us so many wonderful memories.... But the story will continue and a new chapter will be written in the Clubman.
As for my '05 MCS, I plan to keep it for a very long time. With only 22K ultrareliable miles I have no reason to let go of it. This is the last of the "Supercharged "breed" I want to see what MINI will have coming down the pipe in 2009 when the MINI turns 50th. That could make me change my mind..we'll see.
June 30, 2002: Placed order for our very first new MINI: A Cooper CVT PW/B (Kind of regret not getting Velvet Red/White we originally wanted, but PW its been fine), with only 2 options: The CVT transmission and MFSW. Gave the $500 deposit and embarked in the longest 8 week wait of my life.
August 7, 2002: Our "Tina" is born at Oxford. With the next few days she would start her voyage in the North Atlantic towards Lauderdale MINI. Don't remember the name of the cargo ship, but I have all the online tracking papers on file from way back when. For those of you who ordered in 2002, do you remember the excitment here in MCO keeping daily tabs on the daily travel progression of the ships! I miss those days!
September 7th, 2002: The day after we came back from a wonderful 2 week trip throught the American West, visiting several national parks, we finally took delivery of our new MC. What an exciting day! Gave a $4,500 cash down payment and financed the rest for 36 months. Ended up paying off the car free and clear 9 months later in July 2003. Total sticker before taxes and fees: $18,500
And the rest as they say is history.....
The first year we did experience problems with the ECU firmware but we were very lucky in that we received one of the least troublesome CVTs of the time.
Its been on several road trips in the east cost and countless times to Disney World. Its been driven 4 times on the sandy beach expanses of Daytona Beach turning more heads than a blonde in a bikini....
My baby boy's first ride ever from the hospital was taken aboard the MC. He loves to motor ever since....
Its been to parades and club events. Lots of fantastic memories aboard this little car. Hard working daily driver too. Ticks like the finest piece of Swiss clock machinery.
Its got a tick over 42,000 miles. It was delivered with 7 miles. Its been out of warranty since early Sept '06.
Would love to keep one of the öriginal" R50 MINIs pre-2005 facelift but now with a baby onboard we need a little more room and the convenience of a rear door. Mind you, we have handle just fine with 2 MINIs in our household and a baby plus all his gear! Its been fun!
Come February 2008, the '02 will either be traded in or sold for a new '08 R55 MINI Clubman'. Its going to be hard to let go of a car that for more than 5 years has given us so many wonderful memories.... But the story will continue and a new chapter will be written in the Clubman.
As for my '05 MCS, I plan to keep it for a very long time. With only 22K ultrareliable miles I have no reason to let go of it. This is the last of the "Supercharged "breed" I want to see what MINI will have coming down the pipe in 2009 when the MINI turns 50th. That could make me change my mind..we'll see.
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
02 Owner
I just bought my 02' Electric Blue MCS. This thing is solid. I got it with 72k miles and I've just put 2k in the past month or so. I love driving it. It also drives stronger than my previous 2 cars and they all had less miles. I just finished my first easy mod and it was the chrome trunk lid cover. Looks very sweet.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
Love my '02
I bought my June 02 built MCS DS/W Checkered roof the end of June 2006 with just under 65,000 on it. I did the first mod before I even took a picture of it! The mod was just adding white pinstripes to the edges of the black vipers on the hood and boot. I've been tinkering ever since. Lots of checkers and chrome. I never thought I could have so much fun with a car! I got the previous service records from the only WI dealer/service dept. Just a few rattles and the ever famous expansion tank replacement. Unfortunetly for me I just had to have a new water pump - out of warrenty, OUCH! Why wasn't there a recall for those on the '02-'03 builds??? Seems like the forum posters are pretty clear about the problem. At any rate I LOVE this car! I've done alot of mods on it and have several more up my sleeve. I'm just waiting for warmer weather so I can work on it. But, really wanting dry weather so I can DRIVE it! I was going to store it for the winter so I never put the 15" wheels back on it. My Astro van gave out in Feb. and I had to take it out on a few snowy days (I work at home). The 17" Dunlop Sport runflats are down right scary in the snow. I bought an '04 PT Cruiser TurboLite to fill the winter gap. Now I doing mods on two cars. How sick it that!!