Mini cooper s - talk to me
Discussion
Looking for something to replace the VW for my girlfriend to use *cough*, after borrowing a friends car for all of 10 minutes I'm hooked.
The whine from the supercharger, the darty handling, the pops from the exhaust. It's brilliant.
What's the chances of serious borkage? Any common problems?
Would anyone question my sexuality if they seen me drive it?
What are they like to own and use on a daily basis?
The whine from the supercharger, the darty handling, the pops from the exhaust. It's brilliant.
What's the chances of serious borkage? Any common problems?
Would anyone question my sexuality if they seen me drive it?
What are they like to own and use on a daily basis?
MethylatedSpirit said:
Looking for something to replace the VW for my girlfriend to use *cough*, after borrowing a friends car for all of 10 minutes I'm hooked.
The whine from the supercharger, the darty handling, the pops from the exhaust. It's brilliant.
What's the chances of serious borkage? Any common problems?
Would anyone question my sexuality if they seen me drive it?
What are they like to own and use on a daily basis?
50% of replies to this thread will tell you how ace they are.The whine from the supercharger, the darty handling, the pops from the exhaust. It's brilliant.
What's the chances of serious borkage? Any common problems?
Would anyone question my sexuality if they seen me drive it?
What are they like to own and use on a daily basis?
50% will be hilarious quips calling you a hairdresser or estate agent and refer to the car as a (get ready for this) a BINI! LOL
We had one for 12 months when we moved into a city last year and I loved it.
Power steering pump can get noisy, but I don't think this causes any issues and can be replaced for a couple of hundred quid.
Run-flat tyres, we all know about those.
30 MPG average. Late 20's round town. Early 20's if you're having fun, which you'll be doing a lot.
We only sold ours as we had a baby, but I've been checking the classifieds recently for one as a possible track car!
My girlfriends had 2 supercharged ones
The first was an 02 beautiful example, in red and white. No issues with that, bought at around 40k sold at around 50k
Second was a facelift 04, bought on around 75k, that had a really annoying knock that I never cured. It started using oil at around 85k so moved it on. She then had a 57 turbo S, and now has a 13 JCW
Was warned of supercharger failure, the well known PAS pump failure, and heavy clutches. Never had any of these, so it's not stitched on certain
Brilliant fun, but huge choice of spec, so buy the best you can afford as lots to choose from!
The first was an 02 beautiful example, in red and white. No issues with that, bought at around 40k sold at around 50k
Second was a facelift 04, bought on around 75k, that had a really annoying knock that I never cured. It started using oil at around 85k so moved it on. She then had a 57 turbo S, and now has a 13 JCW
Was warned of supercharger failure, the well known PAS pump failure, and heavy clutches. Never had any of these, so it's not stitched on certain
Brilliant fun, but huge choice of spec, so buy the best you can afford as lots to choose from!
As above,
Plastic thermostat housing poor, also water header tank they are easy fixes though.
Early ones had crap gearboxes, later ones had a lovely getrag one.
The best thing about them is when you fly past some mong in an original mini with 40bhp, made of 80% rust, knees under armpits and head hitting roof, bobbing up and down on the road wheezing along with a sticker in the rear window saying how s
t your BMW mini is.
Plastic thermostat housing poor, also water header tank they are easy fixes though.
Early ones had crap gearboxes, later ones had a lovely getrag one.
The best thing about them is when you fly past some mong in an original mini with 40bhp, made of 80% rust, knees under armpits and head hitting roof, bobbing up and down on the road wheezing along with a sticker in the rear window saying how s
t your BMW mini is. Excellent girly cars. ;-)
The JCW cars post facelift 2004 is a good one to get, the extra performance makes a big difference.
Even better with a LSD.
Poor standard brakes and traction, the more power the worse it gets.
I am not a fan of the retro cheap plastic interior but the Mrs loves it.
We have been unlucky and had a timing chain tensioner go, its in getting fixed.
The JCW cars post facelift 2004 is a good one to get, the extra performance makes a big difference.
Even better with a LSD.
Poor standard brakes and traction, the more power the worse it gets.
I am not a fan of the retro cheap plastic interior but the Mrs loves it.
We have been unlucky and had a timing chain tensioner go, its in getting fixed.
MethylatedSpirit said:
What's the chances of serious borkage? Any common problems?
Would anyone question my sexuality if they seen me drive it?
What are they like to own and use on a daily basis?
Not really much to go wrong, they're pretty simple engine wise.Would anyone question my sexuality if they seen me drive it?
What are they like to own and use on a daily basis?
Life's too short to care what other people (usually in some boring diesel) think.
They're great for daily drive, especially if you can find a back road on your commute
Ok, My wife and I have run 3 cooper S models, including a convertible and a few modifications along the way.
Here's some feed back...
If it comes on run flats as it did from new then get rid, its like driving on concrete rims. Get a can of tyre weld and some mid range sports tyres and you will see a massive difference in handling and ride quality. These cars are really great fun, but budget for track rod ends, top mounts and wheel alignment on a regular basis, porous original rims ( Particularly Bullet style ) will lead to tyre pressure dropping quickly daily/weekly checks needed. Bought new in 2006 my wife's convertible s needed a new clutch within 56,000 miles but more worrying the brake pipes were near to exploding by 46,000 miles, advisories at MOT included corroded Power steering pipes as well.
Responds well to a sports filter, and when brake discs needed replacing check out the Brake depot for upgrades, just don't go for the anodised disc finish as they squeal like hell even when warm. We ended up replacing all four wheels and tyres as it was cheaper than getting the originals repaired and refurbished.
Great cars, but the BMW nature of the build isn't quite apparent, and that go cart like handling comes at a price with stiff suspension and little travel plus wheel at each corner design. Great fun but budget wisely.
Hope this is of some helps.
Here's some feed back...
If it comes on run flats as it did from new then get rid, its like driving on concrete rims. Get a can of tyre weld and some mid range sports tyres and you will see a massive difference in handling and ride quality. These cars are really great fun, but budget for track rod ends, top mounts and wheel alignment on a regular basis, porous original rims ( Particularly Bullet style ) will lead to tyre pressure dropping quickly daily/weekly checks needed. Bought new in 2006 my wife's convertible s needed a new clutch within 56,000 miles but more worrying the brake pipes were near to exploding by 46,000 miles, advisories at MOT included corroded Power steering pipes as well.
Responds well to a sports filter, and when brake discs needed replacing check out the Brake depot for upgrades, just don't go for the anodised disc finish as they squeal like hell even when warm. We ended up replacing all four wheels and tyres as it was cheaper than getting the originals repaired and refurbished.
Great cars, but the BMW nature of the build isn't quite apparent, and that go cart like handling comes at a price with stiff suspension and little travel plus wheel at each corner design. Great fun but budget wisely.
Hope this is of some helps.
MajorProblem said:
Early ones had crap gearboxes, later ones had a lovely getrag one.
This is only for the cooper and one. The S has had Getrags from the start.As has been said the power steering pumps fail, not the end of the world and they do give you notice that they are going as they get a lot noisier. The rear exhaust box also rot out and OEM replacements can be expensive, lots of after market options though.
Fantastic cars though, I loved mine. They are suprsingly roomy inside if there is only two of you in it. I did 20k miles in just over 12 months in my last one. Averaged about 28mpg.
They were face lifted in 2004, anything on a 54 onwards should be a facelift but there are some that aren't. Main differences are:
- The supercharger got teflon coated blades (no real difference but if you are going for more power they are better)
- Lights are different
- Gearbox got different ratios. They are closer on the facelift so they feel a bit more spritely to 60. The prefacelift is better on the motorway for cruising
- Option to spec an LSD, this was only a £100 option but isn't as common as you would think.
- Door cards changed so that you can actually rest your arm on bar in the middle of them
- Clock got moved from above the mirror to in the dials
- Minor other changes.
- Dave F air box - Really lets the sound out from the charger, supposed to give a bit of a power gain
- Reduced charger pulley - lets the charger spin faster sooner
- Upgraded lower wishbone bushes - tightens the front end up.
- Front brakes from the R56
I love the things!
I had a 2002 Cooper, gearboxes are horrendous and very prone to failure,my car went through 3, don't know if the s got a stronger box or not.
Cost me a fortune In repairs but was great to drive and I loved mine
Would have one (a facelift one though) in a heart beat when they come down to shed prices
Cost me a fortune In repairs but was great to drive and I loved mine
Would have one (a facelift one though) in a heart beat when they come down to shed prices
ORD said:
The fuel economy is pretty horrific! You can run a 3l NA engine and get better return.
This is correct, I get better mpg from my 335i!You can expect poor fuel economy, zero boot space, zero legroom for passengers, and a terribly crashy ride on RFT's
BUT
They are huge fun, a simple swap of the supercharger pulley gives them a massively improved power delivery, and they just cover ground so well.
[ETA] if I had the cash for a spare car to mess around with, I think a supercharged S would be my first choice!
I have had mine for 18months and in the process of selling it. Fun cars to drive, I average around 25mpg in mine. Change the running flats as they are horrible. Mine has been pretty reliable with only a heater matrix and dodgy xenon being the issues.
The Supercharge whine is addictive. Get one if you have the chance. Cheap to buy and run and easy to mod with a pulley upgrade.
The Supercharge whine is addictive. Get one if you have the chance. Cheap to buy and run and easy to mod with a pulley upgrade.
Bungleaio said:
This is only for the cooper and one. The S has had Getrags from the start.
As has been said the power steering pumps fail, not the end of the world and they do give you notice that they are going as they get a lot noisier. The rear exhaust box also rot out and OEM replacements can be expensive, lots of after market options though.
Fantastic cars though, I loved mine. They are suprsingly roomy inside if there is only two of you in it. I did 20k miles in just over 12 months in my last one. Averaged about 28mpg.
They were face lifted in 2004, anything on a 54 onwards should be a facelift but there are some that aren't. Main differences are:
I love the things!
Have had one from new for just about 8.5 years.As has been said the power steering pumps fail, not the end of the world and they do give you notice that they are going as they get a lot noisier. The rear exhaust box also rot out and OEM replacements can be expensive, lots of after market options though.
Fantastic cars though, I loved mine. They are suprsingly roomy inside if there is only two of you in it. I did 20k miles in just over 12 months in my last one. Averaged about 28mpg.
They were face lifted in 2004, anything on a 54 onwards should be a facelift but there are some that aren't. Main differences are:
- The supercharger got teflon coated blades (no real difference but if you are going for more power they are better)
- Lights are different
- Gearbox got different ratios. They are closer on the facelift so they feel a bit more spritely to 60. The prefacelift is better on the motorway for cruising
- Option to spec an LSD, this was only a £100 option but isn't as common as you would think.
- Door cards changed so that you can actually rest your arm on bar in the middle of them
- Clock got moved from above the mirror to in the dials
- Minor other changes.
- Dave F air box - Really lets the sound out from the charger, supposed to give a bit of a power gain
- Reduced charger pulley - lets the charger spin faster sooner
- Upgraded lower wishbone bushes - tightens the front end up.
- Front brakes from the R56
I love the things!
Didn't spec the Chilli Pack as didn't want the 17" wheels( didn't fancy the hard ride ) or Xenon lights ( my friend had these on his and had a lot of problems with them - probably a one-off but didn't want to risk it ). Got aircon and sunroof, 16" alloys and specced the LSD, extra gauges in the centre pod ( which moves the speedo to behind the steering wheel ) and the MFSW which gives cruise and stereo controls.
Problems fixed under warranty
Leaking thermostat housing
Driver's side engine mount failed ( leaked oil as it is oil-filled )
Other things have been replacing wishbone bushes, front offside ABS sensor and a sticky passenger door handle which has been fine since a strip-down/re-grease.
Ride, handling and mpg were all much improved by switching to non-runflat Contis
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