Buying advice on a 54 Cooper S
Discussion
Morning.
My girlfriend is off to look at an 54 Cooper S tomorow morning and I'm seeking the collective knowledge on common faults to watch out for on this year & model.
Been sifting through parkers and general google searches but not really found any definitive articles. We've seen a few Coopers now but this one seems to be ticking all the right boxes.
Car is at a dealer, 2004 (54 reg), 40,600 miles, Full Service History. Asking £8,995
Thanks,
My girlfriend is off to look at an 54 Cooper S tomorow morning and I'm seeking the collective knowledge on common faults to watch out for on this year & model.
Been sifting through parkers and general google searches but not really found any definitive articles. We've seen a few Coopers now but this one seems to be ticking all the right boxes.
Car is at a dealer, 2004 (54 reg), 40,600 miles, Full Service History. Asking £8,995
Thanks,
I've owned a '54 Cooper S for two years now.
First thing I'd say is that the car is supposed to be much, much more comfortable with 16" wheels, as opposed to the 17"s with the Chilli Pack. You have been warned.
Check the tyres are relatively fresh, as they're expensive to replace - you're looking at £500+ for four runflats.
Check that all the lights on the dash go out when the engine is on - a permanent Emissions Warning Light is a sign the O2 sensor has gone, or worse.
I would also switch on the headlights and confirm that they've both auto-levelled (one light pointing downwards indicates that the mechanisation has broken) and that all the bulbs work, especially on xenons.
Gearshift is a bit clunky but there should be no strange noises, like squeels when pulling away. The engine should pull hard from about 3000rpm+, especially in first through third - you won't feel the need to go beyond 5,500 rpm.
Beyond that, probably your normal car checks!
First thing I'd say is that the car is supposed to be much, much more comfortable with 16" wheels, as opposed to the 17"s with the Chilli Pack. You have been warned.
Check the tyres are relatively fresh, as they're expensive to replace - you're looking at £500+ for four runflats.
Check that all the lights on the dash go out when the engine is on - a permanent Emissions Warning Light is a sign the O2 sensor has gone, or worse.
I would also switch on the headlights and confirm that they've both auto-levelled (one light pointing downwards indicates that the mechanisation has broken) and that all the bulbs work, especially on xenons.
Gearshift is a bit clunky but there should be no strange noises, like squeels when pulling away. The engine should pull hard from about 3000rpm+, especially in first through third - you won't feel the need to go beyond 5,500 rpm.
Beyond that, probably your normal car checks!
Wilburo said:
I've owned a '54 Cooper S for two years now.
First thing I'd say is that the car is supposed to be much, much more comfortable with 16" wheels, as opposed to the 17"s with the Chilli Pack. You have been warned.
Check the tyres are relatively fresh, as they're expensive to replace - you're looking at £500+ for four runflats.
Check that all the lights on the dash go out when the engine is on - a permanent Emissions Warning Light is a sign the O2 sensor has gone, or worse.
I would also switch on the headlights and confirm that they've both auto-levelled (one light pointing downwards indicates that the mechanisation has broken) and that all the bulbs work, especially on xenons.
Gearshift is a bit clunky but there should be no strange noises, like squeels when pulling away. The engine should pull hard from about 3000rpm+, especially in first through third - you won't feel the need to go beyond 5,500 rpm.
Beyond that, probably your normal car checks!
£500 + for 4?!! You need to shop around more my friend, First thing I'd say is that the car is supposed to be much, much more comfortable with 16" wheels, as opposed to the 17"s with the Chilli Pack. You have been warned.
Check the tyres are relatively fresh, as they're expensive to replace - you're looking at £500+ for four runflats.
Check that all the lights on the dash go out when the engine is on - a permanent Emissions Warning Light is a sign the O2 sensor has gone, or worse.
I would also switch on the headlights and confirm that they've both auto-levelled (one light pointing downwards indicates that the mechanisation has broken) and that all the bulbs work, especially on xenons.
Gearshift is a bit clunky but there should be no strange noises, like squeels when pulling away. The engine should pull hard from about 3000rpm+, especially in first through third - you won't feel the need to go beyond 5,500 rpm.
Beyond that, probably your normal car checks!
We are having 2 Continentals fitted tomorrow for £120 a corner (could have had Dunlops or Pirelli's too)
As above though, they are pretty good, watch for clunking in the sterring which generally indicates the steering rack/column is shot - seems pretty commmon
Eviltad said:
Accelebrate said:
Chr1sch said:
£500 + for 4?!! You need to shop around more my friend,
We are having 2 Continentals fitted tomorrow for £120 a corner (could have had Dunlops or Pirelli's too)
So £480 for four? Near enough £500 in my book! We are having 2 Continentals fitted tomorrow for £120 a corner (could have had Dunlops or Pirelli's too)
Tom74 said:
Just put 16" wheels on my 04 Cooper S, ride comfort is now noticably better than before, especially with non runflats at c.£200 for all 4!
Other than that I've had no problems except for a loose connection in the headlight wires. Great car.
Out of interest, what wheels did you get and where from? Other than that I've had no problems except for a loose connection in the headlight wires. Great car.
Without even preaching about the improved ride qualities, according to MINI Torque, changing from the standard 17s (e.g. s-spokes) to lighter 16s (e.g. x-lites), will give you 10 bhp back due to less rotational inertia, or something. Whatever, it sounds AMAZE'!
Doesn't surprise me, someone gave me a 17" s-spoke clad in a Pirelli runflat as a spare, it weighs an absolute ton.
I paid £115 for a 16" Dunlop runflat from BMW the other week, think the original price was £138ish but they were happy to come within a couple of pounds of Blackcircles.
I paid £115 for a 16" Dunlop runflat from BMW the other week, think the original price was £138ish but they were happy to come within a couple of pounds of Blackcircles.
You guys really need to shop around more. I get Dunlop sport 2000's for less than £88 a corner. Pirellis only cost marginally more, still under the £100 mark though.
As far as the 54 cooper s goes, I don't think there are major problems. the only one which springs to mind is the steering rack that has already been mentioned. Check out the model specific section at Totalmini. They normally cover all the faults with the cars well tehre.
As far as the 54 cooper s goes, I don't think there are major problems. the only one which springs to mind is the steering rack that has already been mentioned. Check out the model specific section at Totalmini. They normally cover all the faults with the cars well tehre.
Wilburo said:
gonzales said:
You guys really need to shop around more. I get Dunlop sport 2000's for less than £88 a corner. Pirellis only cost marginally more, still under the £100 mark though.
For 205/45/17 runflats? The cheapest I've found were around £110 each, fitted, for Bridgestones.
The other half has a Mini one D with the 17inch Runflats, its now sold and shes picking up a cooper S at the weekend, with the same runflats.
I just want to say that the prices you have been paying are ludicrous, we pick them up for £100 fitted!! If you felt the need (Or needed to save a bob or two) you can pick up run flats for £60, which are plenty good enough!! (Obviously on the limit they lack the edge, but how often are you there!)
I just want to say that the prices you have been paying are ludicrous, we pick them up for £100 fitted!! If you felt the need (Or needed to save a bob or two) you can pick up run flats for £60, which are plenty good enough!! (Obviously on the limit they lack the edge, but how often are you there!)
Just my 2 penneth, Get rid of the runflats alltogether, buy desent make tyres all round and with the money saved buy a can of tyreweld and a 12v compressor to keep in the boot just incase, the difference in ride will be like night and day. I had Michelin runflats on my MCS when i bought it, god they were awful, ditchfinders, bought Kumho ecsta's for each corner,about £300 all in if my memory serves me correctly, bargain.
Edited by ROBTVR on Sunday 2nd May 21:44
Wilburo said:
Tom74 said:
Just put 16" wheels on my 04 Cooper S, ride comfort is now noticably better than before, especially with non runflats at c.£200 for all 4!
Other than that I've had no problems except for a loose connection in the headlight wires. Great car.
Out of interest, what wheels did you get and where from? Other than that I've had no problems except for a loose connection in the headlight wires. Great car.
Without even preaching about the improved ride qualities, according to MINI Torque, changing from the standard 17s (e.g. s-spokes) to lighter 16s (e.g. x-lites), will give you 10 bhp back due to less rotational inertia, or something. Whatever, it sounds AMAZE'!
[quote=russy01]
I just want to say that the prices you have been paying are ludicrous, we pick them up for £100 fitted!! If you felt the need (Or needed to save a bob or two) you can pick up run flats for £60
can someone please enlighten us as to where you are buying these incredibly cheap tyres????
Are you getting them through a mate or something as I have friends in the trade and they can't sell them a cheaply as you are claiming!
Nobody seems to be willing to suggest where we can go and get these wonder deals and I desperately need 2 new 205/45/17 runflats!
I just want to say that the prices you have been paying are ludicrous, we pick them up for £100 fitted!! If you felt the need (Or needed to save a bob or two) you can pick up run flats for £60
can someone please enlighten us as to where you are buying these incredibly cheap tyres????
Are you getting them through a mate or something as I have friends in the trade and they can't sell them a cheaply as you are claiming!
Nobody seems to be willing to suggest where we can go and get these wonder deals and I desperately need 2 new 205/45/17 runflats!
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