Newbie! Help. :)

[JDM_at_heart]

Hey there people.

As you can tell from the name.... I'm more of a Japanese car enthusiast. However, that looks like it could change for the time being as I'm 99% sure I'm putting down a deposit on a 2003 Mini Cooper S tomorrow.

Just some general advice would be great!

It has the Chilli pack and the visibility pack (whatever that is!). It's a gunmetal grey with black mirrors. It looks really nice - well would be my colour combo if I was choosing one from new!

It's covered almost 38,000 miles and had some dealership history but last service I believe was carried out by "a well respected garage". The indicator is currently showing 13,500 miles until the next service! Should I not be changing oil between then or not?

What should I be looking out for? Anything prone to go wrong/break/not fuction properly on these?

Another thing - the front bumper doesn't look like it sits properly - it sticks out where it meets the front quater panel on the passenger side but sticks in where it meets the quater panel on the driver side - like it doesn't look 100% aligned correctly - I will ask the owner tomorrow about it, but has there been problems with slightly mis-aligned front bumpers before?

I'll check the oil tomorrow as well - I assume I am to check oil after a run out in it first rather than from cold, correct?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, but hopefully by tomorrow I'll be the owner of a Mini Cooper S! My friends have already started makign jokes.

[ALD0]

Love Dark Silver
The next service will be Inspection 1 or Inspection 2, these are more costlier, so check that TLC is included if it's Inspection 1 or Oil change

[JDM_at_heart]

Too old for TLC isn't it buddy?

[minisoopercooper]

Yes - tlc last for 5 years or 50,000 miles - which ever comes first. So yours would just be out depending on when it was 1st registered.

Visibility pack on a 53 plate includes auto dimming rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers and a heated front screen - I would never want to own a MINI without this and as you can tell I love this option.

Welcome to MINI2 and go for it

[JDM_at_heart]

Quote: Originally Posted by minisoopercooper (original)

Yes - tlc last for 5 years or 50,000 miles - which ever comes first. So yours would just be out depending on when it was 1st registered.

Visibility pack on a 53 plate includes auto dimming rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers and a heated front screen - I would never want to own a MINI without this and as you can tell I love this option.

Welcome to MINI2 and go for it

Cheers, but I assume it doesn't have the TLC if the current owner had last service at an independent garage.

[FishFan]

I thought the 5yr/50K TLC, could be extended to 8yr/80K TLC XL?
Hey I'm new to MINI and still learning too, so forgive me if that's incorrect!

[Morri7]

Quote: Originally Posted by FishFan (original)

I thought the 5yr/50K TLC, could be extended to 8yr/80K TLC XL?
Hey I'm new to MINI and still learning too, so forgive me if that's incorrect!

Yeah, but I think it costs 300 notes! I am currently thinking about this because the next service for me is a belt changer and I think costs nearly 300 anyway.
I have a 2003 Cooper S and love it. It has always started for me but has had a few of the common things go wrong - Xenon headlight , power steering pump, boot lock, exhaust strap, BC1 module. Most replaced under warranty except the BC1. Great car to modify if you want.
Enjoy

[ALD0]

Just renewed the TLC XL, £300, worth it though, inspection 2 service is £280 alone, brake fluid change £70 ish, and oil change £110, varies dealer to dealer, 3 years covered though.