Things to look for on a 2003 Mini
Discussion
Have a close read through of:
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mini/cooper-r...
Get a decent warranty if you're worried.
There are probably MINI forums with your question in their FAQ's which might be useful too, perhaps?
HTH
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mini/cooper-r...
Get a decent warranty if you're worried.
There are probably MINI forums with your question in their FAQ's which might be useful too, perhaps?
HTH
Off the top of my head, as a 2003 mini cooper owner:
1. Does the steering wheel "clunk" when you turn it (no, not the click from the indicators), if so it's probably a buggered bearing - requires a new steering column.
2. Does the power steering electric motor keep whining every loudly when the wheels are straight ahead - if so, this might be on the way out, it's a very common fault. In fact it's kinda a "when" rather than "if" it will happen fault.
3. Do the windows drop properly when you open the doors - the window motors are very fragile and are often buggered. Not too expensive to fix.
4. 2003 gearboxes can be a problem, check the action carefully and if it's still notchy when nice and warm, it could be on the way out.
5. Headlight adjust motors can go, leaving the lights pointing too high.
6. Water gets into the doors, drips down into the footwell and eats the engine management computer. Very expensive.
7. Check for water under the tyre repair kit in the boot, the leak is easy to fix as it comes from a poor seal around the high-level brake light.
8. Seat backs can become wobbly. This requires a new seat.
9. Rattles - every single piece of plastic in the car will rattle
10. Check it doesn't pull hard to the left under decent braking.
11. Rattly exhaust usually comes from a rusted mount at the rear.
12. Windscreens can be cracked at the edges.
13. The A/C is notoriously underpowered but should work
Saying all that, ours has done 120,000km and in that time I've replaced the high-level brake light (15 quid ebay) to cure a leak, had a new exhaust, discs and pads, 3 sets of tyres and replaced a few bulbs. The drivers seat wobbles when you get in but is fine once driving. The windows occasionally don't drop when you open the door which has resulted in one cracked A pillar trip which cost 20-30 pounds to replace (just clips into place). Oh we also needed a new battery last year which cured the intermittent desire to start problem
Saying that, it's still a cracking drive and bloody good fun to hoon around in although now I have the S4, I really appraciate the difference between big car and small car suspension
1. Does the steering wheel "clunk" when you turn it (no, not the click from the indicators), if so it's probably a buggered bearing - requires a new steering column.
2. Does the power steering electric motor keep whining every loudly when the wheels are straight ahead - if so, this might be on the way out, it's a very common fault. In fact it's kinda a "when" rather than "if" it will happen fault.
3. Do the windows drop properly when you open the doors - the window motors are very fragile and are often buggered. Not too expensive to fix.
4. 2003 gearboxes can be a problem, check the action carefully and if it's still notchy when nice and warm, it could be on the way out.
5. Headlight adjust motors can go, leaving the lights pointing too high.
6. Water gets into the doors, drips down into the footwell and eats the engine management computer. Very expensive.
7. Check for water under the tyre repair kit in the boot, the leak is easy to fix as it comes from a poor seal around the high-level brake light.
8. Seat backs can become wobbly. This requires a new seat.
9. Rattles - every single piece of plastic in the car will rattle
10. Check it doesn't pull hard to the left under decent braking.
11. Rattly exhaust usually comes from a rusted mount at the rear.
12. Windscreens can be cracked at the edges.
13. The A/C is notoriously underpowered but should work
Saying all that, ours has done 120,000km and in that time I've replaced the high-level brake light (15 quid ebay) to cure a leak, had a new exhaust, discs and pads, 3 sets of tyres and replaced a few bulbs. The drivers seat wobbles when you get in but is fine once driving. The windows occasionally don't drop when you open the door which has resulted in one cracked A pillar trip which cost 20-30 pounds to replace (just clips into place). Oh we also needed a new battery last year which cured the intermittent desire to start problem
Saying that, it's still a cracking drive and bloody good fun to hoon around in although now I have the S4, I really appraciate the difference between big car and small car suspension
I've got a 53 Cooper, never had any real problems with it.
There was a thread in the Mini section recently that might help too -
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
There was a thread in the Mini section recently that might help too -
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Funny that - just bought an 03 Cooper S!
I looked for all of the above comments, and the clicking steering rack is one thing that the wifes car suffers from. Indie dealer is fixing it next week though, all included in the price.
Quick question on tyres though - what are the standard ones on the 17" wheels and I guess most people have moved away from run flats - if so to what and how do you deal with the lack of a spare?
I looked for all of the above comments, and the clicking steering rack is one thing that the wifes car suffers from. Indie dealer is fixing it next week though, all included in the price.
Quick question on tyres though - what are the standard ones on the 17" wheels and I guess most people have moved away from run flats - if so to what and how do you deal with the lack of a spare?
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff