Mini Cooper S Question for Owners

I'm thinking about buying a Cooper S. For those of you who have experience with the car, do you still enjoy the car after owing it for a period of time. I'm concerned that the car is more of a "toy" and will lose the appeal after awhile. I know it's fun to drive but does the car have other pluses?

 

25,000 miles in 2 1/2 years and only one minor problem. An intermittent short that was fixed first try by the dealer. The car has some rattles but that's about all I can fault. It is reliable, gets good mileage and is fun to drive. It actually drives so much like a rear wheel drive car it is amazing.
The six speed transmission is a lot more fun than the Modenas, short, precise throws. A great box.
The engine takes a little reving to get it going, it's a dog off the line if you don't really rev it from a standing start. Kind of like a motorcycle in that regard.
The brakes are very well balanced but fade quickly if you use them hard. The dealer replaced my rotors at 11,000 miles (under warranty). I also went through a set of Yokohama AVS tires in 3,000 miles then too though. Since then my wife has done most of the driving and the brakes are still OK.
The stock wheels are boat anchors, I got some OZ Superleggera's and the difference is huge. I use the stock wheels for snow tires. The car is good in the snow too.
There are many very good aftermarket parts if you want to go that way: suspension, brakes, engine, etc.
Overall one of my favorite cars ever.

 

From what I've heard it gets to be a boring car... Go rent one, romp the **** out of it, then return it.

 

Everytime I see one of those I expect a clowns head to pop out the top. A toy? very much so.

 

I have a 2003 Cooper S w/ 11,700 on it and am glad I bought it every time I get in it - it's my daily driver. Since you need to have a point A-to-point B transportation car anyway, you might as well make it a lot of fun and cheap at the same time. It is so small, I can get into the parallel spots downtown no one else can. W/ the back seats folded down, you can actually get a lot of stuff in the car. I have the performance package w/ the low-profile run-flat times.
Would I take a long trip in it? hell no, esp since I have kids.
It is definitely lacking guts at low revs - but if I really want something to pull like a freight train, I get in my 1968 4.4 liter v-12 . . . .

 

well, I got one of the first ones (a late 02 MY2003) and it has had a lot of problems; that being said its a fun car. If a new one seems like its well put together, definitely go for it!

 

We had our S for two yrs and sold it in January w/ 19K miles. We never had a problem with ours. It was fun for awhile... just not very practical. The resale was incredible... we lost very little in two yrs.

 

It was an impulse buy so only time will tell if it was a good purchase. The car is a blast to drive. My wife, who thought the car was a clown car, likes it more than I do.
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How's the Mini Cooper treating you so far Jeff?

 

can't speak for Jeff, but I finally had my first problem w/ mine - sitting in traffic one morning a few weeks ago, the cooling fan for the power steering pump died and took the circuit down w/ it - on the same circuit is the AC condenser and the main elec. rad. cooling fan. Within a minute, I had to pull off and turn off. On the upside, Mini roadside assistance was there quickly, the flatbed was free as well as the replacement fan - all set 24 hours later.

Other than that, still an awesome little car.

 

Not supercharged, but I liked mine just the same. The seats were like bricks, though.
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Just bought an '03 S this weekend, am having it prepped for SCCA's showroom stock class, where they seem to be competitive at the moment. Am driving it on the street for a week until the parts begin to trickle in.

Yes, the stock wheels are bricks, and there's not much torque in the low revs. The flywheel must weigh a ton, because the thing spools down very slowly.

All in all, though I won't be driving it on the street, it seems like a great little car and I can't wait to race it.

 

When looking for a convertible for my wife as a "toy" car, I drove a convertible Mini S several times before I decided to get the Mustang GT convertible instead. The Mustang was just more fun to drive to me, faster, sounded better...and has a lot more room too.

 

Not at all bored, not of novelty, but quality issues are a problem, my A/C fuse went too engine would overheat unless i used the heater in summer to pull it off the motor; and also there are fears of water getting in engine; several rattles, however I believe that 04 or 05s will be much better. I toss n turn questioning if id buy again! Love some parts, hate others.

 

I'm about to get one for my fiance. They finally came out with the automatic version so she's in. I've checked on some mini sites and there seems to be an issue with the engine ingesting water. Maybe this is only on earlier cars and this issue has been corrected in current cars. We're going to check one out again this weekend. The previous dealer wanted a $3K markup!

I said "C'YA!".

 

I like the Mini Cooper S. But if you buy one, as one of the people said, change up the tires. Also, if you can afford it. Put the John Cooper Works package on it.

 

very good point - upshifting is a leisurely affair if you want to be smooth

 

I had one for 7 months of last year. It was a blast. Surprisingly, you can fit a lot of stuff inside of it....including one time when we had three 6' adults in the car for an hour drive with no complaints!

 

might I suggest looking at an rx-8?

 

I'm curious how much you got your '03 Cooper S for, someone is asking $22k for a 15k mi Cooper S w/ sport and premire packages. And it looks like I can get an '05 for around $25 (barring any dealer markup BS).

 

Paid $20,998 (you gotta love it) at Carmax - 22k miles, no sunroof, red exterior w/white stripes & white roof w/Union Jack, cloth seats, harmon kardon radio - not sure what other packages affect pricing. Hope that helps.

 

MIght as well just get a new one.. Mini of the hamptons will sell you one with no markup and have shipped several to cali. I like mine. Only one problem so far. Wastegate issue but was quickly fixed. Knock on wood, no rattles to speak of for my 05'. Not sure if I would get another one though. Ride is somewhat hard but of course handles great and fits in tight spots.

 

"MIght as well just get a new one."

Probably right.

 

My dad has a Mini Cooper S as his daily driver and loves it. I like the car but it is no match in power for my modded WRX. However, the steering feel blows my car away, the turn in felt more responsive than a 360. He's thinking about a JCW package to give it a little more cojones and I think that will make it a better all around car.

All in all, it is a great car but definitely not for everyone.

Larry

 

Problem with the RX-8 is lack of tourqe.