I just bought my '02 from a woman in your predicament. She got an SUV to replace it. Way drastic change! The new owner of your '02 will love it as you did. That's why I'm here.

 

Did you swap it for an '05 yet? I am desperate for a fix for mine. Morning radio shows are awful, and my FM transmitter gets too much interference. I really don't want to get some after market stereo.

 

2002, manual transmission, 67,000 miles. There is a popping noise when I turn at very low speeds, like when I am backing out of my driveways and then turning to go down the street. It feels/sounds like it is inside the steering column rather than somewhere under the hood. My brother is good with cars and he said he thinks it is a clockspring that has something to do with the airbag. I've only had this beauty for 3 weeks, but it has done this since day 1. The previous owner says it is probably no big deal. Has anyone else had this experience? Any advice where to take it in Austin, Texas to have it fixed without breaking the bank?

 

The following applies to any car.
Maintain the engine in a good state of tune.
keep the tires inflated at the top end of the recommendation.
Don't drive at highway speed with the windows down.
Remove all excessive weight that does not need to be in the car
Do not engage electrical loads that are not needed at the time.
Use high octane fuel if that is what the car requires.
Use the cruise when conditions permit.
Avoid jack rabbit starts.
Do not drive down hills, let the car Cruz.
Avoid continuous excessive speed.
The rated MPG is based on driving on a level road, going up hills depending on the incline will average a MPG in the twenties
going down hill will give great MPG 40s S S you get the idea.
I suggest zeroing the cons value when you are on a level road at approx 65 MPH and see what your MPG is.
The minute you put the pedal to the metal all bets are off. The total MPG is dependent on how many hills of hill climbing you do.
Hope this answers your question.

 

I have 02 MCS silver with 75k miles. Bought used 4mo ago

 

I have an '02 MCS with 126k miles purchased new on 6/1/02 and another '02 MCS with 82k miles (the ex SpiderX MCS) purchased last month. One DS/W (salt) and the other DS/B (pepper).

 

Denny, yes I have the same thing, kind of a crunching or pop-pop-pop sound when I turn the steering wheel from limit to limit when at idle or at low speeds (parking, etc). I had this on my Acura MDX when it was new, and they fixed it under warranty. I cannot find anyone in the MINI world to tell me what it is on the MINI, but now that you have triggered my memory on the MDX repair, I'm going to contact that dealer and ask them what exactly they repaired.

I'll share what I find out. I'd sure like to get mine fixed.


Scott P

 

02 Cooper S been through HELL, a year after i bought it with 7,000 miles on it, i flipped over a guard rail down into a river...3 months later, i got it back and started doing mods, then about 30,000 miles later motor is blown from supercharger pulley's hot temps, and computer not picking up rapid oil loss. motor is now pulled and im working on replacing bottom bearings and such...

 

Yes, you can do the swap yourself, it's not hard. For the Cooper, I don't know if you need the tool or can relieve tension with something more home made. For the S, some have used non-tensioner tools. On my Mustang, I just use a long 1/2" drive extension (it has a mid 90s motor).

The swap is brain-dead easy. And the aux input works across all years. I didn't upgrade to the 05 head, but I did put the aux input in with a NAV system. Mini says you can't but you can if you just move the pins from the aux input connector to the Nav unit connector. They take the same space, but use different pins on the connectors. FWIW, I installed a video switch and can play vidios off my iPod on the nav screen with the sound coming through the stereo....

Matt

 

I just purchased a Cosmos Black Metalic '02 MC with 23K and 5speed in near showroom condition. I bought it from Bobby Rahal Honda in the Harrisburg, PA area (I live in Hershey).

I am still figuring out what is standard and what is optional equipment, but it has the dual moonroof, 15 inch tires with 5 spoke alloy wheels, cruise, and leather.

The second day, after about 150 miles the check engine light came on and off then back on. I took it in and they had Sun BMW look at it and on Friday pm they told me that it had codes for the EWS. They are to decide what needs to be repaired and I hope to get it back early in the week. (I have had 3 BMWs and so know enough to get the extended waranty, although this one is on them). I also know that BMW is through but not quick with repairs :-)

I already bought an Euro shelf, a silver, black and white Union Jack for the moonroof, a service manual and some other goodies to begin my personalization of it.

It is the 34th car I have owned (now i have an '07 Colorado Crewcab, an '89 Corvette 'vert and a HD Street Bob. All are customized to some extent except the bone stock Corvette.)

This is my first MINI and since all of my other vehicles have names (Mangus Col0rado, Red Lady and Rufus Lynx, respectively, I'll have to settle on a name for this one. I am leaning toward "Little Gary" (mini and Cooper) or D.B. (after the famous hi-jacker) but I know that a name for a vehicle requires some testing out and the approval of said vehicle.

I also have vanity plates for all: LALDYLA (think of Bob Dylan); 6ZRDLDY (for the sexy Red Lady); and LYNXR (for the Street Bob). The MINI inheirited LOSPARK (after the great Traffic tune) from the '04 Rubicon it replaced.

 

Don't push on your headliner!

I had a strange rattle coming from the door, but it sounded like it was coming from high up so I pushed firmly and it was like memory foam that lacked some memory. After 6 years the foam has deteriorated.

 

I love my 02 mcs have had it for like 3 mo has 48k on it

 

I have an '02 MCS....had it since late '04. It has about 44K. Runs Like a champ!!!

 

02 MC - pure silver and black 93,000 and running like a top, that is a soon as I get the new exhaust.

rock on

 

2002 mcS - silver & black (as seen below) - 94,000+ miles
never failed me - now suffering through first major service
torn strut top mounts, oil gasket leak, new tires, etc...
but i still love my mini

 

We could name dozens of vehicles that would have that much (or more) wrong at 94K miles, yes?

 

My first post here! But, I also have an 02 my first Mini mind you! I love it and all but I think everytime I fix something something else breaks! It had the engine replaced because of some work done in Tire Kingdom. It has new tires and as we speak it's in the shop getting new brakes..... I wonder what is next! But, I love it!

 

I am going to look and an 02 MCS tomorrow with 44,000 miles on it.

Stealership does not have proce listed.

What would be a good offer?

Thanks

 

My 02 was delivered 6/14 /02 I would really like to know how many original owner 02's are out there in NAM land. I just have not ever had a great urge to upgrade to a newer one.

 

December 02! Tranny just went out though at 90K :( Oh well I'm doin the switch to a 6-speed Getrag from an 04! Whoo Hoo. Everything else is great!

 

That poor little bastard.....

 

I'm new here - and just discovered this thread.

I'm in a big hurry now and gotta go -
but, see my first post below
for some history of this amazing car.

Look in: Welcome to NAM Page 60
Posted 11-19-08 8:55 PM

 

Welcome! That is simply amazing! I'd have said it's probably never seen snow and salt, but I saw the license plate. I love that color too. So what's your secret? You drive from ocean to ocean each month for the heck of it? That's like a 50,000 mile per year average or 960 miles each week! Some people have just too much fun.

 

Hey, H:

That's quite amazing! I have a 2002 MCS that has 34,000 miles on it. Hell, he's barely broken in!

Welcome to NAM...

 

I've always loved to drive, - and now that I'm 82, retired, live alone, and don't have a big dog I must hurry home to feed, my driving is more fun than ever.

If it's a nice day - winter or summer - and no one needs me or cares where I am, I'm gone. I've been to the East Coast 4 or 5 times, but most of those 300,000 miles have been 1 day trips, just 'motoring' to explore all parts of my native Wisconsin. I'll drive as far as I can go on the scenic state and county roads; - then when it gets dark, I'll follow a big semi home via an Interstate or other main highway. (We have lots of deer in Wisconsin - and a Peterbuilt can 'do' those deer better than I can in a MINI.)

So, ToB, when it's your turn, BFree - you'll enjoy it!
And Robby, watch that odometer; - it's about time for your 2nd Oil Change.

My car actually passed 303,000 miles today - and I'm getting ready to drive to Gainesville, Florida for Thanksgiving.