faults 2002 vs later models

[swamos]

I have a June build 2002 MCS. It currently has 40 000 k on it, which isn't really a lot. However along the way it has had numerous problems (common issues) and many trips to the dealer. I don't really want to get another MINI as I like the 2002 as it has lots of things that I think are better than then later models, and we had originally intended to keep it for a long time it's also a bad time for us to go buying another car. If we change MINI it would only be in the quest for greater reliability.

My question is, can anyone post up that has had a 2002 car and then a second later car, and tell me if you think the later one is better built? From my experience, cars from early 03 on seem to be relatively trouble free compared to the early ones.

Also I'd like to hear from people with high mileage 2002 cars as to what ongoing problems (if any) they are having.

Thanks

[obehave]

I'll be watching this with interset.
I'm in the same boat.

[GMINI]

my 02 left me at 49k mi. my current 04 has 37k mi. i got the 04 cuz the 02 held no promise for its post-warranty days. a crappy dealership network and a crappy first year build had me eager to find a way out. steering rack, sunroof, overheating, etc,... more later,,,

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by GMINI

my 02 left me at 49k mi. my current 04 has 37k mi. i got the 04 cuz the 02 held no promise for its post-warranty days. a crappy dealership network and a crappy first year build had me eager to find a way out. steering rack, sunroof, overheating, etc,... more later,,,

Was the 04 better?

[GMINI]

The 04 is the bee's knees, swamos. I've had trouble, but nothing compared to the last monster . Aside from a troubled delivery (the likes of which i'd not wish upon my worst enemy (if that position were held by anyone other than that dealership itself)) the car has had only minor issues with clicks in both wheels, a flickering xenon and a rattle in the dash.

it also has helped that things seem too get fixed far more efficiently in today's MINI dealerships.

[stephen orford]

This is interesting as I have a 2002 build registered 2003 Macs with only 21K on it. Only problem I have encountered is a creak/knock from the centre of the dash board waiting for next service to get fixed. As for rest drives and runs like a watch. I have had no problems with electric roof /windows or any other mechanical problems i also have a 15% reduction pulley fitted. As a consequence I'm in no hurry to upgrade and when i do i hope to get the same build quality.Touch wood .

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by stephen orford

This is interesting as I have a 2002 build registered 2003 Macs with only 21K on it. Only problem I have encountered is a creak/knock from the centre of the dash board waiting for next service to get fixed. As for rest drives and runs like a watch. I have had no problems with electric roof /windows or any other mechanical problems i also have a 15% reduction pulley fitted. As a consequence I'm in no hurry to upgrade and when i do i hope to get the same build quality.Touch wood .

It's interesting you say that . My theory is that by late 2002 as each month went by they were progressively getting much better. From what I have seen locally, even late 2002 builds have far fewer issues than my car

[Adrian_T]

Okay I think I may be able to shed some light!

Had July 02 Cooper which was an absolute DOG
3 Years and 70,000 Miles

Steering rack replaced
Gearbox replaced
Airbag Light fix 7 times
Left Side Half Shaft snapped pulling out of a junction - That scared the S**T out of me and the other cars in the lanes of traffic that I was crossing.
Squeaky Seats - very serious as bloody annoying!
Broken Drivers seat - strange angle to it - no idea why
Coolant Hose Snapped
Melted Electrical circuits - caused all electrics to fail and car needed to towed away. Apparently this was caused by a wire rubbing on the engine.
MAD ABS System. Brake on anything slippy and the car shuddered and jumped around like an old TR7 convertible. Very disconcerting.
VERY VERY STIFF UNCOMFORTABLE SUSPENSION.

Why did I keep it? It was a company car and had no choice otherwise it would have been back at the makers - quick smart. It did give me the opportunity to try lots of hire cars though and can definitely say avoid a small engined Micra, Astra, Vectra and the worst of the lot in my opinion a 120D BMW. Talk about Turbo lag......And the nasty Push Button Start/Stop.

Onto my New Cooper S July Build.

8,000 miles so far

Problems -
1. ITS THIRSTY
2. They didn't program the key fob for remote window opening.
3. Thats it

So, in answer get a new one - they as SO much better in all areas! (Apart from the position of the clock!)

I have a friend with a July 01 Build which apart from the Airbag probs seems to not have had any problems at all. Makes no sense at all ......

[l1dve]

I have a Nov 02 build MCS which has only covered 20,000 miles. I have a few interior rattles from: top of dash, around the glove box area and just behind my ear from the seatbelt mounting. Have noticed that it only happens when the interior is cold and all noises go away when warm!
But there is one on going problem regardless of temperature I have - is the inside door handle, starting to feel stiff and notchy like the cable inside has caught on something.
Does any one else here have the same problem, if so was it easy to cure? as my car is now out of warranty. Apart from that all is fine (touch wood).

[mooneymini]

bought 2 minis beginning of last year. 1 was a very early 2001 cooper, second was an 05 plate cooper s convertible.

2001 - new drive shaft, new suspension, new gearbox, new windscreen wiper moter. (all within a year - and not counting anything that needed fixing before i bought it)

2005 - never taken a trip back to the dealer since taking it home

[danb]

I have an 02 MCS, and the only problems I've had are a steering rack and the passanger seat is broken (being replaced under warranty)

[RickB]

I've had a lot of niggles with my June '02, but nothing major. For a couple of years, I was driving around until I had three or more niggles, then would take it to the dealer to have all repaired. Still, the car was never in the shop for more than half a day. With 36k on the clock, I'll say I have no issues with the car. I (finally) took it in to have the steering wheel replaced (peeling leather), but that was the last remaining warranty item, and the rest will be on my dime. So far, my total out-of-pocket expenses have been an oil change, an "oil service", and four new tires. Warranty repairs included a new gas tank, coolant overflow tank, hatch latch (2), wheel/tire balance, skipping CD player, idiotic idiot lights, watery tail light, heat-warped roof, stumble, yo-yo, and other, small annoyances common to the early MCS. Still, I love my car.

[AidenL]

My 04 S is way better than my 02 Cooper was to be honest Steve - my Cooper developed a number of problems after I traded it in as far as I know, but so far , my S has been fault-free - I hope I'm not tempting fate now, but its as solid as a rock, and totally reliable.

["Megan"]

I will be able to answer this a little better next week. Last night I took our BRG/W 2002 MCS to Eastern Creek for a Driver Training Session, but we didn't even make it onto the track!!!

On the way I did notice that the air conditioning didn't seem to be working as well, but thought it could have just been me. When we arrived in the car park, I parked her and left her running because my son was still in the car and it was really hot outside. Not long after, someone drew to my attention that steam was pouring out of the bonnet and on opening the bonnet discovered that coolant was spewing out around the lid (not sure if it was on tight enough now) and ended up in a huge puddle underneath the car.

Of course, before long we had many fellow MINI enthusiasts come over to see what had happened. Someone noticed the fan wasn't working, so we turned the car on (didn't start it up, just on) and the fan definitely wasn't working.

MINI Assist came out, check the fuses (they were fine) and a couple of other small things and declared that she would have to be towed to a Service Centre. Whilst loading her onto the tray truck, she was still losing fluid from underneath (the MINI Assist guy had topped up the coolant with more water).

So, in a few days I will find out exactly what caused all this over-heating and whether any futher damage has been done. Thankfully, as soon as it happened, my son jumped out of the car, raced around to the driver's side and turned the car off - so hopefully further damage has been minimised or prevented.

I am just keeping my fingers crossed that we won't have to take out another mortgage to have her repaired!! I know they can be expensive to fix :-( She is only out of warranty by a few months too :-(

Cheers
Avril...

[swamos]

Quote: Originally Posted by ahodge

I am just keeping my fingers crossed that we won't have to take out another mortgage to have her repaired!! I know they can be expensive to fix :-( She is only out of warranty by a few months too :-(

Cheers
Avril...

Very sad to hear, Avril. I'm sure BMW will offer you some support with the repairs if required. We actually had one MINI up here that did that 4 times. MINI ended up replacing the car as they couldn't stop it happening