Need Some Oppo Help/Opinions

"Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage" (Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage)
03/04/2015 at 21:20 • Filed to: Mini

Hey Oppo, what's up? So, a friend of mine is looking to buy a car. He has basically decided on a '02 and up Mini Cooper, which surprised me greatly (he originally wanted a Jeep or a Firebird). I think they're kinda cool, and his parents seem cool with the idea, so it all works out.

Now, here's my question(s) for you. Does anybody have any first-hand experience with these? If so, how reliable are they? How expensive are parts/maintenance? What kind of things should you look for? THANKFULLY, he wants a manual, so there are no worries about the shitty CVT of the earlier years. I'm familiar with a few of the issues, such as the '02-'06 strut tower defect, '02-'06 power steering pump defect, and the aforementioned CVT (which won't be an issue), but otherwise, I'm not too good with them.

I found him this mint-looking '05 with, apparently, only 41k miles. What do you guys think? I think it looks really killer for the money. His budget is $6k, so this fits perfectly.

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TL;DR: My friend is looking for a '02 and up Mini Cooper, and I'm looking for some first-hand advice on them.

DISCUSSION (20)

jkm7680 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/04/2015 at 21:23

That's a good deal, check that title haha.

My citroen won't start > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/04/2015 at 21:24

I'd look for a Cooper S, but I don't know what's the price for those.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > jkm7680
03/04/2015 at 21:26

That's what I thought, for sure. The ad says the title is clean, but, yeah, I'd want to be sure.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > My citroen won't start
03/04/2015 at 21:27

I've found one Cooper S in his price range, but most are too expensive. Plus, I don't think he wants to deal with a supercharger.

Dsscats > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/04/2015 at 21:27

Unreliable as hell

My citroen won't start > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/04/2015 at 21:29

But the normal Mini is very very boring, the S makes it a completely different machine.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Dsscats
03/04/2015 at 21:29

How so? I've heard it both ways.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > My citroen won't start
03/04/2015 at 21:32

Yeah, I understand for sure. But there's less to go wrong on a base Mini. He's not looking for a crazy fun car to auto-x or take to track days (bro), just a good commuter with decent looks and a tad bit of fun.

jkm7680 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/04/2015 at 21:36

Flood damage is an automatic no!

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > jkm7680
03/04/2015 at 21:46

Where does it say it has flood damage?

jkm7680 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/04/2015 at 21:53

Just a guess.

CPT Speedbump > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/04/2015 at 22:00

I've test driven a turbo'd S, and have a friend with a Clubman S..as far as reliability and costs, think about it like this; it's a German car. So, it'll be reliable for a few years after it rolls out the plant, then it's electronics will all go to shit, and it's BMW, so.. yeah, expensive to fix and get parts for. Also, Jeep's are tons of fun if he's looking at them at all still :P

f86sabre > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/04/2015 at 22:15

we have a 2005 Cooper S that we bought new. 110k and no major issues. Runs to and from work every day. I did replace the timing chain tensioner a few months ago (one bolt) and the O2 sensors. Parts are spendy as the car is a BMW at its core. Working space is limited because it is a MINI. Fit and finish have held up just fine considering its daily use and the fact that it is 10 years old. Handling and power are fine for the size of the car. I did ditch the run flats for handling and cost reasons.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > CPT Speedbump
03/04/2015 at 22:22

Ah, good to know. He probably wouldn't be buying an S, just a base model, as I included in the ad. But I completely understand what you mean with the parts and reliability. Would you still recommend one, or no?

Yeah, he really wanted a Wrangler, but I don't think his parents let him :/

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > f86sabre
03/04/2015 at 22:32

Huh, good to hear. I figured as much with the parts, but I just wanted to make sure. Otherwise, like I said, I'm glad to hear someone has had a relatively positive experience. With all that being said, would you recommend owning one?

CPT Speedbump > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/04/2015 at 22:43

From a point of not owning one personally I'm not willing to answer that question, I almost got the one I test drove..but it was a 3rd option behind a Jeep Wrangler (TJ) and my 350Z, so would of only gotten it if the prices on those 2 were to high. I wanted something fun, and all 3 were, the Jeep was even fun on the road (let alone off) the Z and mini were quick and handled well...the Mini was wrong wheel drive which gave it 3rd option. I ended up getting the Z, and now have a Toyota Pickup for offroading :P My friend is about to get read of the Clubman in fear of it soon suffering from German car issues due to it's age. And a lot of parents have a irrational fear of them being easy to flip over for some reason. CJ's, yes, are easy to flip..if you're a retard. TJ's are pretty easy to drive, and JK's had some of the cheapest insurance rates ..of any vehicle the past few years, so I'm sure they've worked out the whole flipping over thing over the years, lol.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/05/2015 at 00:37

If he doesn't want to deal with a supercharger, don't let him test drive an R53 Cooper S, because that instant boost is just intoxicating. As for the price of the one in the advert, I think it's a solid deal, especially for something with so little mileage. He'll have to watch his wallet when it comes to repairs too - some can go wrong, some will break and when they do, they do cost a pretty penny to fix because German and BMW.

Levitas > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/05/2015 at 08:04

I've owned a base Cooper for 4 years now, so I'll offer up some advice.

First, that Mini you linked is so cheap because I 100% guarantee that the transmission is on its way out. I spent last summer working on a tranny swap because the R50 (base Cooper) uses a poorly engineered Midlands transmission.

With that said, the best models to own are 05-06 cooper S with the 6 spd manual. Those cars are known in the Mini world as 'the best to own' because almost everything has been sorted out and they really do run well. Also check the marketplace on northamericanmotoring.com because they always have new Mini's being posted.

In terms of reliability though, my personal car has been kinda a pain because my dad gave the okay to the first/cheapest we could find that looked pretty good. In retrospect, spending an extra 4k ($8750 vs 12750) would have made an absolutey huge difference. I've spent nearly 4k on replacing things because I bought the first/cheapest that looked good.

To keep in mind, some other common problems are failing control arm bushings and give the car a boat feel while driving, failed upper engine mount, broken exhaust bracket in the back (easy to replace), and failed strut mounts combined with the mushroomed strut towers.

TL;DR be careful when looking, paying a little extra to get an 05-06 S (known as r53) will save you tons more money in the long run, and get a Mini because theyre awesome.

f86sabre > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage
03/05/2015 at 08:21

I would. We have enjoyed the car. It has all the perks you would expect from a MINI. Good speed and handling, small size for easy parking and reasonable fuel economy, even though you have to run premium. We have a family of 4 and the kids have no problem riding in the back when I have to haul them around.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
03/05/2015 at 10:27

Like I said, he really doesn't need a fast car so, yeah, he probably won't be test driving any Cooper S's. Yeah, I hope he has some cash saved up aside for possible repairs, but I'm not too sure.