Early(ish) Cooper buying advice

[Waugh-terfall]

Afternoon all, went to have a nosey at replacements for the Cooper my mate wrote off the other week. Provided it didn't sell this morning, he's very keen on a pretty high-spec and low milage February 2003 Cooper. Other than obvious changes in weight and styling between this and his old facelifted 05 what else is suspect? I guess it'll have the Midlands gearbox, how bad actually are they?

It's got lots of toys like PDC and Navigation, any of these likely to fail and is the Nav any good?

TIA

[Big Al.]

Mrs Big Al. has a Cooper S works, owned it from new all the toys other than heated seats, Any problems? Yes it needed a circlip on the power steering hose, new set of pads on the rears and tires, lots of em.

Absolute superb car IMHO, any failiers? none (other than those above, any complaints? None.

Would we buy another? Bloody right we would.

HTH.

[Defcon5]

He hasnt had it long has he? That blue one you posted up?

[Waugh-terfall]

Defcon5 said:

He hasnt had it long has he? That blue one you posted up?

Cat-C write-off after 10 days, major underestimation of physics on a twisty wooded NSL road coupled with ignoring my warnings...

[Defcon5]

Did he buy it then? Sweepstake on how long before it ends up in a ditch?

[DanGT]

The boxes are not to bad if looked after. The air box clips are no good, the stearing can click (Hight ajustoment system no good put strain on the bearing), rear bracks pins stop sliding (look for uneven brack pad ware), Lower switch panel comming lose (switch seam not to work well windows mainly).

If the gear box is ok most other problem can be fixed for not to much.

[benreza]

Good thread, I am going to look at a 51 plate Cooper tomorrow. Has VW Polo's for years now so know them inside out, but know little or nothing about Mini's so looking for all the help I can get.

I have googled Mini Buying Guide and found some good stuff. Basically Gearbox and Power steering pump. Also water leaks, altho there are some good guides for fixing the Apillers and a modification you can do to the ECU in the drivers footwell to stop the water getting to it.

Any more advice will be appreciated.

[hyperblue]

Your mate needs one without an engine and very stick tyres

[Defcon5]

The steering clicking can be fixed with a bit of lithium grease, I did mine last week, its silent now

[Waugh-terfall]

Defcon5 said:

Did he buy it then? Sweepstake on how long before it ends up in a ditch?

Didn't get to see it, the cars at the groups Ashford branch and a couple of people were looking at it so they couldn't bring it over, he got a call back saying one wasn't interested and the other had applied for finance through MINI, but they have a chequered history, so he'll hear on Monday if that went through, if it hasn't, they'll bring it up for him to see.

Alex, it has been suggested... Perhaps with the built-in Navigation he could check out the corners in advance!!!