I'm new to minis and this forum. My friend has an 02 or 03 Cooper S. Yesterday he lost oil pressure and the engine died. He wants a new car and might sell me this one cheap. Does anyone know the usual causes for this in Minis ? Does anyone know how much a good used motor is ? ( i can do the swap )

Thanks

Dan

 

Here is one on ebay - asking $3000

 

The three things that come to mind as causing this failure are:

1. Catastrophic oil filter o-ring failure.
2. Catastrophic oil/coolant heat exchanger failure
3. Catastrophic oil pump failure.

 

Thanks for the replys. The basic situation is this. My friends car is worth $6k. The mechanic ( a dedicated L.A. Mini specialist and racer ) says $7-8k for a rebuild - the engine is toast. It makes no sense since Minis are completely unreliable and burn themselves up way too fast ( the mechanic's & my friends words ) to make it worth it. So he is probably gonna donate it. He would probably sell it if someone wants is. It's a 2003 Cooper S, red with black top. Full leather and moonroof and it has the minilite style wheels. Everything else works fine. Contact me via email if you are interested : alfapwr@yahoo.com. He is disposing it by this monday and it is located in Redondo Beach, CA

 

LOL....I bet everybody saw that one coming.......yet another add slipped into a thread....kinda innocently.....
Do we have Moderators anymore??

 

Well I really wouldn't call this an ad, since I have zero benefit. There was ZERO intent to disguise something here. The car is a piece of junk now. It will be disposed of monday. If any of the parts ( whole car except engine is really nice ) interest you then contact me. If not then don't. Not an ad, just trying to help out some fellow automobile enthusiasts.

 

He can fix it for 3,000 plus labor..likely less if he chances using a motor from a wrecking yard, and his friends are doing it........sell it for 6+. Cut his loss by 50%. Sounds to me like the way to go....The whole things just sounds fishy....not sure why....seems like a set up. Something about....gotta "dispose of it by MONDAY".

 

Well "Zippy " , my friend is a creative type, and has ZERO car knowledge or abilities. I have a garage full of projects and I really don't like how it drives compared to my Alfas. He has to get into something this weekend. He told me that if I wanted it i needed to make up my mind by monday. Otherwise he'll probably donate it to charity. His timetable, not mine.


AGAIN, I have NO BENEFIT. I am a serious Alfa Romeo restorer and racer, and I know what a shame it is for something unique or useful to be sent to the crusher. I naturally assumed that Mini owners/tuners would feel the same way. Perhaps I am mistaken. $3000 plus labor is way low for LA prices according to my research. But again, it is not mine so I don't care.

The only thing "fishy" is you Zippy !

 

Heck, might be a good deal for the right person....I hear what you are saying....and the fact that you are still around says you should be legit. I know prices can be high in LA, but sometimes the other side of town is cheaper. Good luck, it sounds like you are a good guy helping out a buddy. Add your buddies car to this motor, and somebody has a pretty good deal if they afford to wait a few weeks to start driving!! A motor for 3,000+ 200 shipping...was unsold, re-listed again..so will likely sell for the Mnimuim bid, 3000. Has a JCW intake...don'y know if it is a JCW. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=390137773758