2002 Cooper S - Potential new owner questions
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I've done some research but finding it hard to group the answers to the model year that I am looking at tomorrow, so just wondering if you could all help.
I am looking at a velvet red 2002 Cooper S.
Reported faults are.
1. Heater blowing cold, advised as a heater matrix failure, car is said to not be losing coolant or smoking etc?
- I have read that and this is a fairly common fault and also seen a few listed for sale currently as not blowing hot air, the matrix I understand is a pig of a job to do but not impossible.
2. ABS light on - Rear sensor shown up on diag.
- No experience of changing one of these so will look into it, but not a glaring issue.
3. Not gonna ask the general "how reliable are these" question. But I do have a question regarding the gearbox, will it have the 6 speed and is this as prone to failure as the 5 speed box? As the later LSD 6 Speed box was meant to be considered an upgrade.
Thanks in advance.
I've done some research but finding it hard to group the answers to the model year that I am looking at tomorrow, so just wondering if you could all help.
I am looking at a velvet red 2002 Cooper S.
Reported faults are.
1. Heater blowing cold, advised as a heater matrix failure, car is said to not be losing coolant or smoking etc?
- I have read that and this is a fairly common fault and also seen a few listed for sale currently as not blowing hot air, the matrix I understand is a pig of a job to do but not impossible.
2. ABS light on - Rear sensor shown up on diag.
- No experience of changing one of these so will look into it, but not a glaring issue.
3. Not gonna ask the general "how reliable are these" question. But I do have a question regarding the gearbox, will it have the 6 speed and is this as prone to failure as the 5 speed box? As the later LSD 6 Speed box was meant to be considered an upgrade.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Guys,
I've done some research but finding it hard to group the answers to the model year that I am looking at tomorrow, so just wondering if you could all help.
I am looking at a velvet red 2002 Cooper S.
Reported faults are.
1. Heater blowing cold, advised as a heater matrix failure, car is said to not be losing coolant or smoking etc?
- I have read that and this is a fairly common fault and also seen a few listed for sale currently as not blowing hot air, the matrix I understand is a pig of a job to do but not impossible.
2. ABS light on - Rear sensor shown up on diag.
- No experience of changing one of these so will look into it, but not a glaring issue.
3. Not gonna ask the general "how reliable are these" question. But I do have a question regarding the gearbox, will it have the 6 speed and is this as prone to failure as the 5 speed box? As the later LSD 6 Speed box was meant to be considered an upgrade.
Thanks in advance.
I've done some research but finding it hard to group the answers to the model year that I am looking at tomorrow, so just wondering if you could all help.
I am looking at a velvet red 2002 Cooper S.
Reported faults are.
1. Heater blowing cold, advised as a heater matrix failure, car is said to not be losing coolant or smoking etc?
- I have read that and this is a fairly common fault and also seen a few listed for sale currently as not blowing hot air, the matrix I understand is a pig of a job to do but not impossible.
2. ABS light on - Rear sensor shown up on diag.
- No experience of changing one of these so will look into it, but not a glaring issue.
3. Not gonna ask the general "how reliable are these" question. But I do have a question regarding the gearbox, will it have the 6 speed and is this as prone to failure as the 5 speed box? As the later LSD 6 Speed box was meant to be considered an upgrade.
Thanks in advance.
I'll let others respond to the specific questions but I've come to one of these from a Clio 182. Have a look through my recent posting history for a few opinions on the car in general. If it wasn't for a very important personal reason I wouldn't be selling mine, it's fun but 'grown up' in equal measure. There is a buying guide on here which I found extremely useful, I'd be checking the footwells first for damp as apparently that's a big issue.
It will deffo have the 6 speed gearbox. If you can find the VIN number then you can go onto somewhere like this and it'll tell you all the options it was fitted with.
http://myminivin.com/
You based in Hampshire also? More than welcome to view mine too
It will deffo have the 6 speed gearbox. If you can find the VIN number then you can go onto somewhere like this and it'll tell you all the options it was fitted with.
http://myminivin.com/
You based in Hampshire also? More than welcome to view mine too
Thanks for the reply Mike 
This is quite well priced (Sub 2k) so I won't waste your time viewing a well sorted and fairly priced one that is outside of that haha I had a Clio 182 before, I have regularly driven a 2005 Cooper Convertible so I am aware of some of the faults that has had.
I like the drive of the convertible, handling is nice enough just very under powered. Also I believe with a few choice modifications the S can run decent power reliably (or as reliably as these cars go)
This is quite well priced (Sub 2k) so I won't waste your time viewing a well sorted and fairly priced one that is outside of that haha I had a Clio 182 before, I have regularly driven a 2005 Cooper Convertible so I am aware of some of the faults that has had.
I like the drive of the convertible, handling is nice enough just very under powered. Also I believe with a few choice modifications the S can run decent power reliably (or as reliably as these cars go)
Can't help with the first two, sorry. But as far as I'm aware, all the pre-facelifts came with the older gearbox? Mind you, the 6 speed I have in my facelift MCS is still the worse thing about the car! Really stiff and notchy, even after some fresh gearbox oil... next up is to change the linkage cables, but basically everyone agrees that most MINIs are like this 
Heater matrix is common, and as you have researched it is a pain to do.
ABS sensor is a piece of cake
It will have the 6-speed gearbox, but no LSD. The LSD only came in with the facelift in July/August 2004.
Power upgrades:
15% pulley can be fitted without changing the intercooler... Plenty of reputable suppliers around, but I tend to sue Lohen.
http://lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-1-mini/packages/cooper...
ABS sensor is a piece of cake
It will have the 6-speed gearbox, but no LSD. The LSD only came in with the facelift in July/August 2004.
Power upgrades:
15% pulley can be fitted without changing the intercooler... Plenty of reputable suppliers around, but I tend to sue Lohen.
http://lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-1-mini/packages/cooper...
hantsph said:
This is quite well priced (Sub 2k)
Sounds bargainous, have just looked up Velvet Red and that's a nice, rare colour for an S. I like my subtle grey/black look but am a sucker for the bright blue with white wheels. Maybe in a few months time that's what I'll go hunting for! Thanks again for the responses
Good to see that my research was correct, firstly that the matrix is a right ball ache of a job and secondly that the LSD didn't come about until the facelift model.
Velvet Red is a rare one Mike i'd not actually seen one in this colour before so that drew me to it, the price even more so, but like many things will have a better idea when I view tomorrow. Will check out that buying guide too.
Interested in the tuning aspect and what is further required after adding the pulley reduction in order to obtain safe power. Hopefully it turns out to be worth a punt.
Good to see that my research was correct, firstly that the matrix is a right ball ache of a job and secondly that the LSD didn't come about until the facelift model.
Velvet Red is a rare one Mike i'd not actually seen one in this colour before so that drew me to it, the price even more so, but like many things will have a better idea when I view tomorrow. Will check out that buying guide too.
Interested in the tuning aspect and what is further required after adding the pulley reduction in order to obtain safe power. Hopefully it turns out to be worth a punt.
hantsph said:
Interested in the tuning aspect and what is further required after adding the pulley reduction in order to obtain safe power. Hopefully it turns out to be worth a punt.
Pulley is the biggest bang for buck mod you can do...As I said, up to 15% reduction, you can use the stock intercooler. If you want to go harder to 17/19% I would personally change the intercooler. Lots available, I always liked the GRS Motorsport, but many use Airtec (no experience of them personally), and the OEM GP is very good but rare and expensive.
Then there is the Dave F style airbox, which I think is available through Orranje, or keep an eye on eBay. Exhaust, Milltek is good, as is stock JCW.
17% pulley, intercooler, plugs, airbox and exhaust will see 210-215 on a healthy engine, which is entertaining in a MINI.
Then after that you're into Cams, injectors, heads, and then a trip to 1320 or others for a custom map. It all gets expensive for smaller and smaller returns.
You will need to upgrade the brakes! The standard R53 Cooper S brakes are shocking (same as fitted to the 115hp Cooper). You can purchase the front brakes from an R56 Cooper S, these give bigger piston calipers, bigger discs, without the budget of anything JCW branded. The R56 Cooper S brakes are a straight fit, just a different brake line needed.
I had a 2002 Cooper S and overall it was very reliable. It only broke down once when the heater matrix failed and dumped all the coolant on the passenger carpet. Had it for 4 years, and started on the button all the time. I left mine standard apart from a new stainless steel exhaust because it works out the same cost wise compared to a replacement standard unit.
The 2004 models are a facelift and tend to be better overall but I did love my earlier version.
Look out for the following:
Has the clutch been changed? If not and it's high mileage it's around £1000 to change.
Lock actuators can fail. Replacement units from EBay but can be tricky to replace
Exhaust can rust out so check both back boxes
Power steering pumps can fail
Check the pulley as these need to be changed regularly.
Xenon headlights on the early models can fail, and as it's a fixed unit is expensive to replace.
The 2004 models are a facelift and tend to be better overall but I did love my earlier version.
Look out for the following:
Has the clutch been changed? If not and it's high mileage it's around £1000 to change.
Lock actuators can fail. Replacement units from EBay but can be tricky to replace
Exhaust can rust out so check both back boxes
Power steering pumps can fail
Check the pulley as these need to be changed regularly.
Xenon headlights on the early models can fail, and as it's a fixed unit is expensive to replace.
I thought it was only the Cooper that changed to a Getrag box at the facelift - the S always had the Getrag 6-speed, although the ratios (final drive?) changed at the facelift to make the S accelerate better.
I've never had issues with mine, but I have heard of a stiff shift and it's normally the cables
I've never had issues with mine, but I have heard of a stiff shift and it's normally the cables
Hey guys,
Thanks for all the feedback, I went to see the car, it turned out to be pretty fairly priced for the all be it very cheap price.
The velvet red was actually a proffesional spray job that had been done earlier in the cars life (no recorded damage, a colour change recorded on the HPI check) and a good job (doors, inside bonnet and outer wings (engine bay and boot floor still grey)
It was lacking service history but entirely expected for £1500. Based on that and a few other things id need to change I wasnt able to offer the asking for the current owner.
However it has now become my latest car fad and i'm fairly set on getting one, preferably a facelift for the LSD gearbox benifits. There is a red one on ebay at the moment without a million miles and FSH for £2100 so looking to start saving.
200bhp some better brakes and suspension modifications in one of these must be great fun!
Thanks for all the feedback, I went to see the car, it turned out to be pretty fairly priced for the all be it very cheap price.
The velvet red was actually a proffesional spray job that had been done earlier in the cars life (no recorded damage, a colour change recorded on the HPI check) and a good job (doors, inside bonnet and outer wings (engine bay and boot floor still grey)
It was lacking service history but entirely expected for £1500. Based on that and a few other things id need to change I wasnt able to offer the asking for the current owner.
However it has now become my latest car fad and i'm fairly set on getting one, preferably a facelift for the LSD gearbox benifits. There is a red one on ebay at the moment without a million miles and FSH for £2100 so looking to start saving.
200bhp some better brakes and suspension modifications in one of these must be great fun!
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