 Advice on buying 2002 MINI S used
I'm hoping to be in the market for a used 2002 MINI Cooper S, if I can get my current car sold. I should be able to spend around $18,000 US. I need to know what to look for or lookout for... if there are any issues that were a problem on 2002's. I don't care about warranty being expired or almost expired, because I'm over 160 miles from the nearest MINI dealer anyhow, and I don't mind turning my own wrenches, if the need arises. As long as I can get parts and a factory service manual or other detailed service manual, I'm not worried. I'm hoping, however, that any wrenching will be at will for install of mods, and not forced due to a failure. How is the long term reliability on these cars proving out, with the early models now accumulating mid to high miles/kilometers on the odometer?
Thanks. Car I am selling is a domestic (USA) car, which I can take apart and put back together, but these MINIs are new ground for me... Need to learn about them more before looking at any used ones to buy.  | 
