[jb4845]

Quote: Originally Posted by robbo mcs

Hi,

Just remember there are thousands of people out there driving minis who have never had a single problem This kind of thread attracts people with problems, but you rarely get someone saying the car is fine

Thanks Robbo, Doona and 2bob

As you point out - it is nice to hear from the people who have good experiences with their car - one would hope the number of positives far outweighs the negatives.

Smurfn - the Orange one is now $29,990 and probably a good buy at that - has Sat Nav and the big wheels - but lets be honest - who wants to drive an Orange car I am sure there are those that do, but as a 34 year old who visits clients for his work I don't think this is the right image for me

Personally I think I will be after a light (?Indy?) blue or BRG with white roof, and after the MX5 I really would prefer one with a sunroof. Anybody got positive thoughts on the sunroof out there??

And can someone enlighten me or point me in the right direction about some of the changes in the early ones?

Josh

[poki]

Quote: Originally Posted by jb4845

Personally I think I will be after a light (?Indy?) blue or BRG with white roof, and after the MX5 I really would prefer one with a sunroof. Anybody got positive thoughts on the sunroof out there??

You might be thinking Electric Blue - which was once common but now discontinued.

I adore my sunroof. Have never been a sunroof kinda person. Hate summer. Hate the beach. Always thought sunroofs were for kn0bhead posers. Not entirely sure how I came to end up speccing one on my car but am very glad that I did. It rattles a bit on bumpy roads and lets a great deal of road noise in and is causing the interior to age quicker than it probably would if I didn't have one but I don't give a fig, I love it.

[minigolf]

My car is Indi Blue.



And apart from the harmonic balancer and the steering rack replaced under warranty I too have had no real problems to speak of. The windows rattle a little bit, but I'm used to it now. However, it's been such a fun car to own, I can't see myself ever selling it.

I heard a nice line that applies to MINI ownership today … it's easy to stand out of the crowd while being in one.

[jb4845]

Must be electric blue I am thinking of - all the same that Indi Blue looks good too!

[MiniFr34k]

i can see myself selling my car.. only to get an 05 model in a different colour or something

[AndrewH]

I second others comments about how good these cars are I have had a couple of niggly problems with the 2 that I have owned but they have been minor and were niggly more because the service offered by our dealer here in Canberra is "sub optimal" to say the least.

If I was looking second hand, I would try to steer clear of models built before about March 2003. There were a number of changes made just before then to improve build quality and some other specification changes such as the inclusion of standard glove box (although a lot of 02's have since been retrofitted with the glove box in place of the parcel shelf).

It is generally accepted that the Cooper S engine and transmission are bullet proof. Being based on a Chrysler design is no bad thing in the case of this engine .

Most problems with Minis tend to be related to the steering (including, power steering pumps, cooling fans and columns), seats (airbag/pretensioner electrical connections, operation), sunroofs (as others have said - mainly related to rattling) and interior rattles (dash, boot, doors). There is also an issue with rust under the door rubber seals but this, in my opinion, is very minor and is generally being fixed by BMW when the car is still in the body corrosion warranty (6 years?? upto 12 years on newer cars??).

All said and done though, I don't consider that these problems are any worse than most other manufacturers - certainly my 2000 built Mazda 323 had just as many issues as my Mini's.

Also, despite what others have said, I reckon that the cost of BMW servicing is actually quite competitive - especially considering the service intervals are generally much longer than most other cars and the use of fully synthetic oil. Over 75,000k's my last Mini was a lot cheaper to service than my 323 over roughly the same distance (ie to the tune of 1000's of dollars cheaper ).

[minigolf]

Quote: Originally Posted by AndrewH

If I was looking second hand, I would try to steer clear of models built before about March 2003. There were a number of changes made just before then to improve build quality and some other specification changes such as the inclusion of standard glove box (although a lot of 02's have since been retrofitted with the glove box in place of the parcel shelf).

The two spoke multi-function steering wheel with thumb grips was included from this change until the 05 model release (around mid 2004). IMO it's the best standard MINI wheel, nicer to use in all aspects.

[Gr1zzLy]

I love my sunroof. Despite the odd rattle here and there, it's a nice thing to have... definitely makes the car feel roomier on the inside (but apparently that's not the case as it reduces headroom). It's a nice big sunroof.. nice to have.. but in summer.. it's an absolute bi@tch.... coz they give you these perforated cloth covers that don't block out the sun, and if you leave the car parked outdoors it'll build up heat like an oven. But the good side of that is that you can always open it.... then there's the wind noise... It sounds like there's more negatives to positives, but I can't explain it, I just wouldn't have the mini without it.

[jb4845]

I agree that a sunroof is a must - already used to the top-down motoring and the heat issues associated so not too worried

Summer evenings are the best with open roof

So looks like I should be aiming for a March 2003 onwards car in my price range

Thanks again for the great advice - this post should be really useful in the future for others looking to get into a MINI

Josh

[Josh and Ali]

Hi there Josh,

As the others have iterated the issues with older minis are pretty much have been known for a while and have been sorted out.

coolant tanks, airbag wiring, window winders have been prone to fail in the past, and have generally been replaced by dealers under warrenty. So it is worth asking those sorts of questions on an inspection.

I have a BRG/W MCS that is in your price range. Ill elaborate more by pm, as to not upset the mods.

Josh

[Smurfn]

Quote: Originally Posted by jb4845

Smurfn - the Orange one is now $29,990 and probably a good buy at that - has Sat Nav and the big wheels - but lets be honest - who wants to drive an Orange car I am sure there are those that do, but as a 34 year old who visits clients for his work I don't think this is the right image for me

Personally I think I will be after a light (?Indy?) blue or BRG with white roof, and after the MX5 I really would prefer one with a sunroof. Anybody got positive thoughts on the sunroof out there??

Electric Blue is THE colour to have

[stephen orford]

I have just traded in a chilli red Mcs march 2003 with Klosters leather seats sun roof twin spots bonett stripes cruise control multifunction steering wheel 6 stacker cd changer air con etc 26000 kms no problems except slight dash rattle.I have no idea what they want for it try calling Robert lenton. It will give you some idea what the market is doing price wise. Good luck with your search.

[robbo mcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by AndrewH

If I was looking second hand, I would try to steer clear of models built before about March 2003. There were a number of changes made just before then to improve build quality and some other specification changes such as the inclusion of standard glove box (although a lot of 02's have since been retrofitted with the glove box in place of the parcel shelf).
.

Hi,

All knowing Oracle,

My car Maddie is a November 2002 build (february 2003 compliance), but came standert with a glove box???

I think the glove box was earlier than March03

Cheers

Robbo

["Megan"]

Quote: Originally Posted by robbo mcs

Hi,

All knowing Oracle,

My car Maddie is a November 2002 build (february 2003 compliance), but came standert with a glove box???

I think the glove box was earlier than March03

Cheers

Robbo

"Megan" is an August 2002 build and came with a glove box too. Nick seems to remember there were some with the parcel shelf, but can't remember details. "Megan" was an order cancellation that just happened to suit what Nick was looking for, so we don't know if it was an option or not.

"Megan" has done about 38,000km and apart from a couple of things that have been identified as 'known issues' and repaired under warranty or extended warranty - she hasn't had a problem. The only 'non service' cost over the nearly 4 years of owning her has been about $500.

And the only thing I can add, is that every time I drive her (or my husband's MCS JCW) I have a big smile on my face They are a hoot to drive and own. Good luck in your search.

[AndrewH]

Quote: Originally Posted by robbo mcs

Hi,

All knowing Oracle,

My car Maddie is a November 2002 build (february 2003 compliance), but came standert with a glove box???

I think the glove box was earlier than March03

Cheers

Robbo

Your right, was using it as an example. I know there was stuff that was changed just before March but didn't have my Bentley service manual at work with me (I know, what was I thinking ). Without going and finding it now, I think some of the changes included things changes to the front springs, something to do with the brakes (routing of the rear brake lines springs to mind??) etc. There were definitely changes though

[jb4845]

Steven - will prob go in on the weekend to check yours out - they are asking $35,990 so it may be out of my range but I will look anyway

And thanks "Megan" for your insight also - seems like a lot of people have grown very close to their little cars in the few years they have been out

Good to hear about the model differences - can'r really find anywhere that lists the year by year changes - when did the power go up, and was that a big thing?

Josh

[Smurfn]

Quote: Originally Posted by jb4845

Good to hear about the model differences - can'r really find anywhere that lists the year by year changes - when did the power go up, and was that a big thing?

Josh

I don't think it was that big, I think power went up by 5KW in 2005 (but I could be wrong), it was more the fact that the gearing ratios changed at the same time, rather than the actual power.

[jb4845]

Just to revive this thread I have another question,

Considering my options and it looks like a '02 or '03 MCS could be had now for around the $30k mark

My decision is based on finance and I need to be looking at predicted car values for the end of the hire-purchase

What do people think the resale value of an '02 or '03 MCS with 80-100k's on the clock will be in 4 years time (i.e the car will be 7-8 years old)?

Is $20k too optimistic?

Josh

[play fife]

Im 'guesstimating' $15-20k.

Daniel

[swamos]

The glovebox came in June 2002 build. Our car didn't have it, and some fellow MINI2'ers on the same boat did I actually preffer not having the GB because there is more legroom for passengers