Hey guys,

New to the forum and the whole Mini addiction but I've been bitten hard and I think I'm sticking around for a while...

Anyway I'm a college student and I'm kind of set on getting a Cooper S. Theyre fast, quality machines and i cant WAIT until i get one... Im still drooling from the test drive!

Couple questions though as a newb. How reliable are the Cooper S'? Should I be watching out for the early year models? I have been thinking 2003 is a good year cuz theyre cheap and theyve had a year to get most of the bugs sorted out.

Also, what kind of mileage are you guys actually getting with a cooper s? I will mostly be highway driving (except for the joyrides Im sure Ill go on), so mileage is definitely a factor. Thanks in advance,

Colin

 

i didnt mean to make a second one, sorry! How do i delete threads?

 

2005 the Cooper's saw a mid model facelift. They changed the gearing and made the car's a lot more fun to drive (IMO). The 0-60 shifted from 7.2 in 02-04 to 6.8 in 05-06

In general I think you'll find that the 04+ will have less issues. These are European cars though, so don't expect 10 years of flawless reliability just changing your oil! That's what makes them fun though. I love my car, it has a personality of it's own :-). Welcome to NAM!

 

You can't delete posts, marking it as a double post would be more than adequate .

 

i would say that the most reliable one is the 05/06, but heck what do i konw i have an 07 :P

 

My 2003 has been very reliable...most reliable (and definitely the most fun) car I've ever owned, and I've been driving for almost 40 years. I prefer the gearing on the earlier MCSs (2002-2004)...love the longer first gear.

 

I would tend to agree . The new gearing sealed the deal for me! I was very particular about how I wanted mine though, I ordered new.

 

Colin,

Aloha and welcome to NAM. I deleted your second thread.

Due to your budget considerations there is likely more value in a used 2003 MCS than in a 2005 or later MCS but some might be higher mileage. The gearing is a big difference. The 2005 MCS came with shorter lower gears that allow for quicker acceleration in first and second. This is helpful for performance driving but the 2003 MCS is no slouch. Some of us purposely mount tires of less than stock height to allow for lowered gearing and quick acceleration.

2002 had new model problems and many are fixed by now. 2003 had a few problems mostly fixed. 2005 many fewer problems. The early years had only 6 speed transmission for the MCS. Auto transmission was added later.

My 2003 MCS 6 speed when new a stock got 33 mpg. Now with many mods I can drive really sanely and recently got 29 mpg but it was really tough to drive that slow.

Overall reliability is good but there can be problems. If you find a used one try to get one that hasn't been modded or minimally so. The MINI makes for an excellent used car. I see used 2003 MC (not MCS) for about $14,999.

 

As always you will read about some one and a problem they may have. The problem free people have nothing to complain about. I have many friends with problem free 02/03 MCS and feel they are a very reliable car.

 

Define reliable. Some people will complain about any and every flaw or bug. Others will live with little quirks and enjoy the car and consider engine/parts failures as a problem.

 

lot's of general statements here ... let's add some more

- it depends alot on how the car was taken care of b4 - it is a USED car. Some are used ... some ABused. Face it ... a number of MINI owners seems to drive just a tad more aggreesively than the average driver. On the other hand there ARE 'S out there that were owned by lil' ol school teachers (the ones that don't do autocross)

- any car, no matter how good, has the good the bad and the ugly. W/out history....you just don't know

a specific. I've an early build 02 - other than the initial issue recall (expansion tank) and a steering col' replaced cuz I asked 'em to - it has been as trouble free as anything else I've owned. I don't thrash it - or race it and my son looks forward to buying it this summer. He knows it has been a good car

2 me....many people mod their car, esp stiffed the susp just to get BACK to what the 02 was initially b4 the de-tuning started. It is one of the things making me re-consider buying an 07 .... have they gotten too soft????

 

No they are not reliable..not like a toyota or something indestructible like that..But they sure are fun..
But my 02 MCS seems to have all the bugs worked out of it...
(I had a few early issues all known issues, car never has "stranded" me though.)
The key is finding a good mechanic (through your local MINI club, particularly if out of warranty)
A person who knows how to work on these cars (preferebly an enthusiast) will really be able to tune and maintain your car..

 

It sounds like you HAVE been bitten by the bug!

However, if reliability is a HUGE factor, then perhaps a Honda or Toyota is the way to go. the things with the MINI - they will most likely not leave you stranded, but will require fixing now and again.

My 04 MCS gets 28-30 MPG. I drive it hard, and do about 1/2 hwy and 1/2 city driving.

BTW, I never ever try to "convince" someone to get a MINI. Because if someone is truly bitten by the bug? No other car will suffice. We don't want any "maybe so" MINI owners. Sounds like you really want one though!

 

#1. 11,000 miles so far and no worries..I get about 31mpg highway driving..

 

Well so far my 2004, which I treat very well, has needed:

A clutch (spring failure, not wear)
Power steering pump
2 oxygen sensors
A power window motor
Seat belt latch
Switch for rear light

Far from reliable, but all repaired under warranty and nothing that created an unsafe situation. As I approach 50K miles I am getting nervous, but I really don't know what other car I'd want, including the 2007 MCS, so I will probably take my chances...

As for MPG, I'm lucky to get 25 normally, but I'll get about 30 on a highway trip.

 

I have a 2002 S, 65K miles. Daily driver, it's been very reliable. Only once would it not start because of a dead battery (after 4 years). Only issues have been window motors, windshieds, etc. All fixed and not problems now.

 

I have an 05 MCS and in 46,000mi I've only had to have a motor mount and a brake light bulb replaced under warranty.

There are quirky things about it, but I know that a lot of the quirks that used to be there in the 02-04 are no where to be found in mine.

Probably the most expensive quirk you'll have is the modification bug. Once you start... you can't stop.


Just keep in mind, as college student, if you get a used mini and there are repairs you need to get, it's not going to be as cheap as a Honda or Toyota. You'll pay a very pretty penny, especially if you take it to the dealer. (but honestly, once it's out of warranty, who does that?!)

 

Today I get to change my signature. And it relates to the original poster's question!

100k miles on my 2004 Cooper S. No major problems so far, though I have some concerns about a wheel bearing and/or shocks/struts.

 

What gearing did they change, cause I test drove an 05 and then o4, The 05 seemed a little quicker then the o4. I am also currently looking to get one.

 

I bought a used '04 MCS and have had no problems. You can save a few bucks by shopping around. Be patient... the are owners that look at a MINI as just another car and will sell at a good price. It's like mining for gold, though... you gotta be patient.

 

I've had two... an 04 and now an 06. Reliable... sorta. My 04 did leave me stranded and required a huge amount of work (at 13K). My 06 has never left me stranded but has had warranty work 3 times now (just hit 19K). The car is fun, but it's really inconvenient to have to repair these things. Sure, it's all been free under warranty but having my boss ask me why I needed to be late to work to take my car with 5,000 miles on it to the shop.

After what happened with my 04, I told myself I would never have a MINI without a warranty. If that had happened at 60K.... thousands of dollars. I am not saying this is everyone's case... obviously... but it is possible. It's possible with all cars though, I had a Honda Civic that required insane amounts of repairs as well. That was all mechanical though, with the MINI... it's been odd things. Airbag sensor, frozen door handles to the point that I couldn't get in the car (and I live in GA!).

If you buy one, I would weigh the costs of an extended warranty.

 

They changed the gearing between '04 and '05. First gear is something like 12% lower. I've been very happy with my '02 and still plan on keeping it a long time. There are some squeeks and rattles but they doesn't bother me much. After 50k miles, the only major issue was an engine harness that needed to be replaced. This was a known issue in earlier cars.

 

my 06 mcs is my FIRST brand new spankin car. and i love it. VERY fun to drive. makes me want to drive everywhere. but i try to resist the temptation.
(trying not to get WAYY too many miles on it) gotta make sure i still have warranty later on in the near future. =]
but welcome to NAM!!

 

2005 MCS 65,000 miles, 23.5mpg $800 in out-of warrenty repairs.

$2000 in mods

 

Reliability is in the eye of the beholder and I find it quite subjective

It depends most heavilly on what car you are comming from and the cars you are used too.
I never owned a car before my MINI that was less than 10years old and had at least 140k miles......So I concider my car quite reliable. If you are comming from this background any new car you buy will make you very happy because of the dramatic improvement. sure I have had some minor things fixed on my car but it has never left me stranded, and nothing that I would not have fixed myself once out of warranty....

Other people around these forums grew up in a socio-economic level that I can't identify with. They think that everyone drives a brand new car and they run out and buy a new one everytime a warranty runs out Or a brand new car magically shows up upon some graduation....etc....By nature these people are more inclined to be much more nitpicky and seem horified by some pretty trivial things.
So I believe there are differing perspectives on what reliable is and the only thing that matters in YOUR satisfaction is to choose a car that you enjoy that fits your standards.