High Mileage Cooper S'

[Shotgun Rider]

I'm considering changing my MX5 and a Cooper S is high on my list.

They seem to be holding their values quite well so I am looking at higher mileage examples. Are there any issues with higher mileage cars? Should post 2 on this Evo thread have me worried and running away?

http://community.evo.co.uk/forums/thread.cfm?threa...

Any tips on what I should look out for and are they worth the additional purchase and running costs over a Cooper?

[DanGT]

I take it you are looking at early vetions. There are no big problems with the cars but just on the hole a lot of small ones (Check it has good service history). I run a 01 mini one. The door locking, rear wipper, and temp display all some time work and some times not. The water level some times drops a bit but on the hole stays ok. The list is long. But it starts and is ok. You have to check the normal parts and history. But do check all the electics work ok and it has been well looked after including having the supper charger oil changed.

[somejohn]

In a year and around 8,000 miles of ownership of a high-spec and very well looked-after (full MINI service history, etc), 2003 Mini Cooper S with 65k:

• Clutch release bearing failure requiring the replacement of both flywheel and clutch.
• Sudden steering pump failure on a roundabout - this is a well-known fault and was covered on Watchdog a couple of years ago. Came within around 50cm of ploughing us face-first into a bus. Totally immobilises the car and needs to be flat-bedded away.
• Failure in the driver's side Xenon headlight. Required replacement of both units, ballast, and adjustment mechanism.
• Second release bearing failure in the clutch.
• Chewed a fuel pump.
• A lot of oil use: it 'drank' around 5 liters in my ownership. There were no leaks, this is relatively common.
• Really dreadful MPG. It actually burnt more petrol than the supercharged 3.7 V6 before it.
• Insurance on these is higher than you would expect, something to do with a lot of them being driven by young guys who put them in hedges.

During my ownership it stranded us at the side of the road four times, wouldn't start in the morning twice, and cost just shy of it's total value in repairs. Thank Goodness I'd bought a third-party warranty for the car. Even they refused to carry on coverage a second year though.

Worth mentioning: all work/repairs was carried out at my local BMW/Mini dealership, none of it relates to poor maintenance or low-quality repairs.

Despite all of this, when you got it on a run on a quiet road, with the supercharger screaming, it never failed to put a grin on my face. I very fondly remember the thrum it would make from the exhaust at idle after a really good motorway run too - always seemed to blow away the cobwebs and leave it running crisper and smoother than ever.

Edited by somejohn on Monday 25th February 16:30

[scotty_d]

We have a 53 S coming up on 3 years now.

What has gone wrong.

Rear wiper motor packed in.
Both front wheel bearings changed.
Brake pipes all round.
Exhaust fell apart. Now on new custom stainless one for a fraction of the price of OEM stuff.
Disc's pads and tyres.

Bought the car with 21k on the clock now at 37k

I service it every year regardless of mileage (we never make the service intervals mileages) so just get it done at MOT time.

Been not too bad so far for a 10 year old car, But i hunted for a while for a low mileage one glad i did now.

[Shotgun Rider]

Thanks for the replies guys. Someone was waiting for me to post this as we were told today that if our factory is not sold within a month it will be closed.

The Cooper S is not going to happen, though I may see if I can get a Copper for a similar value to my MX5.

Life has an uncanny ability to bite you on your arse sometimes.

[Onemcs]

I've got an r56 with 60,000 on the clock. Not missed a beat yet! *Touch wood*

[mike9009]

We've owned various Minis over the last 11 years (Mini One, R53 Mini Cooper S, R56 Mini Cooper S Clubman). Pretty much had a ONly without a Mini for a couple of years....

In that time we had

2 x airbag lights coming on (Mini One)
1 x Steering pump failure (R53 Cooper S)
1 x chain tensioner (R56 Cooper S Clubman)

Luckily, all the work was covered under warranty - but even though the total cost including labour would be less than £900 - which over 11 years of ownership is not too bad.

Mike

[Bungleaio]

I've got a 2003 cooper s that I've done 22k in since last January. It's been a great car but I have had the power steering pump changed.

A car is essential for me for work and I have complete faith in the mini.

[turbolucie]

Sounds like some people have been unlucky - I've owned my 2002 Cooper S for nearly 3 years and have only paid out for servicing, tyres, brakes and a pipe that wore through because a mechanic hadn't fixed it properly at some point in its life.

Oh also put a new clutch in it for the sake of it.