[barneyp]

Hi all

Newbie, here !

I am looking to purchase a 2002, grey Mini S, with blue\black leather seats and climate control. Agreed £8250 from an independent dealer.

I have had a test drive and good look round the car and looks good. 50k miles on the clock.

The questions are:

1. What to look out for specifically on a Cooper S
2. Is it worth getting a aa\rac inspection ? are they worth the money ?
3. I heard that BMW keep the entire history on their systems, can I give BMW the reg.mark and get the full history of the car ?
4. The only niggle I have is that I look under the oil filler cap and there was some white residue, not alot but enough to notice. The coolant looked clear and so was the dip stick, should this be a worry or just a bit of condesation ?
5. Also i hear that there is a big service at 55k miles, is this right and how much will it be, assuming no additional repairs\parts are required.

Thanks

[withoutabix2007]

hi i dont a cooper s but do own a 2002 cooper

best things i can advise to check is

- does the gearbox sound ok did you manage to get into all gears on the test drive?? as its a common failing point on 2002 minis.

- is the power steering pump very whinney? like a cat screeching lol because again this is a common fault and excess whinning is a sign its on its way out i had to replace mine which cost £170. it shud make some noise when turning at slow speeds but they go crazy loud when its failing.

- also a does the steering wheel click when its turned as this may need a replacement steering coloum??

this may help out on your stuff under the oil cap i know its related to the r56 but may help

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-f...r-oil-cap.html

hope that helps

neil

[barneyp]

Thanks, looks like condensation is not uncommon so that should be okay then.

Gear selection seems okay and no noticeable steering pump noise, ill listen again on final test drive. Was the gearbox a recall thing ?

Also I'll get 6 months warranty on the car will that cover things like steering column, head gasket, power steering pumps and big stuff like that ?

[MINIAC]

Some items specific to 2002 builds:

• No manual boot release was fitted until October 2002
• Power steering fan shared same electrical circuit as radiator fan until January 2003

[withoutabix2007]

ermm not sure if i was a recall thing but would have the "midland gearbox" in which is notrious for failing have a search on here will bring up alot of posts about it.

this thread talks about the faults

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...tted-mini.html

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by withoutabix2007 (original)

ermm not sure if i was a recall thing but would have the "midland gearbox" in which is notrious for failing have a search on here will bring up alot of posts about it.

The Midlands gearbox was in a Cooper ... the "S" has always had a Getrag gearbox.

[Mini_me]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original)

The Midlands gearbox was in a Cooper ... the "S" has always had a Getrag gearbox.

Yep, and wasn't the Getrag then also used in later coopers (facelift in 2004ish?) due too it being tougher and more reliable? Sorry just a sketchy recollection. I have a 2002 S (bought new).

Do check the steering though as the colunm bearings are a common fault (mines been done under warranty). Try lock to lock slowly whilst stationary and also on tight slow speed corners/turnoffs. Clicks and notches are not good.

Also check the windows. Faulty motors can lead to intermittant sticking (not too tricky to replace yourself , but nice to know about before a purchase to knock e.g. 200 off the price).

typically non-warrany:

1. Check the tryres and brakes aswell. They do wear quickly (especially the brake discs) - personal observation based on my driving style of a mix of spirited and releaxed.

2. As with any car make sure to have a nosey underneath. Exhaust is a possibility. Mine looked like it needed a new exhaust a year ago but it still going strong (probably multilayered metal as the outer skin is shot on one of the 2 boxes). Replacement at dealer would be 800 euros. maybe from 500 ish at a kwik fit type place, or DIY and ebay for a lot less.