MINI2

Miniphobea Teen · Apr 2nd, 2004, 12:49 AM

Hey, I decided to give you guys a one year review of my 2003 Chili Red with black top MINI Cooper. The car (chilipeppa!) was frist built in feb 2003. I recieved the car at Checkered Flag Mini in Virginia Bench on April 14, 2003. That was like the best day of my life!

I ordered the car with only sport seats with no packages or anything. When I got to the dealership, the car was ready to pick up in its own little garage. I was amazed when I saw it! What a nice car. I had to have it delivered to my house the next day because I did not master the stick yet. It takes 40 minutes to get it to my house. It was delivered off of a flat bed truck SWEET!! Ever since I first got the car it has been a blast! Here are some pros and cons after a year of ownership.

Pros: styling, handling, history, size, cuteness, agressivness, roommy, standout feautures for its price range, interior styling, engine sound, stiff body, colors, comfort

Cons: weak power under 3000 rpm, very minior rattles, a/c drains the engine, some cheap interior plastics, dust in speedo, screaky botton driver seat, sometimes noisy engine, windsheild cracks easily, cliking sound from steering wheel when turning, engine studders sometimes when sitting it traffic for a while

Other than those things, I love my chilipeppa!! But he got hurt about 3 months ago in a snow acciedent. I was dirving normaly in my neighborhood when it was snowing outside. The ground was croved with at least 4 inches of snow. I took a risk and made a turn into a cadosack at about 5-10 mph. My MINI slid right into the crub. I could not stop at all. I drove the car home, something was not right. I saw that the streeing was not straight when driving straight. I parked the car in the driveway and put the steering wheel straight and saw that one wheel was sticking out while the other was straight.I was scared!!!

I had to drive it all the way to Sear auto center. They lifted my poor MINI and told me it was my rear later arm and front tie rod bent. Price altogher $470 dollars. So I got it fixed and the car was driving fine but has hearing a loud vibraition noise. (like an airplane rubbing sound) Then about 1 month after that I took the car back to sears. They said i need to replace my front hub bearing ($212). WOWOWOWOWOW CRAZZY!!! Got that fixed and still heard noise, but the airplane vibration sound was gone. I heard like a woping noise. Took it back to Sears he took of my two aftermarket rims and tires that hit the crub and put them on a blancing machine. Found out that the rims are slightly bent. But that still is not what is causing the noise. I was smart to put my stock rims and tires back on; still heard the noise. So today I drove way to VA Beach to go to Checkered Flag MINI. They said it was my rear wheel bearing and they also heard the creaking noise when I steer to the right when the car is not moving only. They said it was my rack and poinion steering. Is that common in MINIS beacuse they had another MINI there with the same problem. So they have to order that parts under warranty to fix Chilipeppa. WHAT A LONG YEAR

obehave · Apr 2nd, 2004, 01:12 AM

Nice little "year in the life".
I remember when you first signed on and we gave you grief about the spelling of your name

Glad you're both still around.

gazzabj · Apr 2nd, 2004, 06:33 AM

Thanks for the 1 year story.

Very interesting.

Gaz

EBMCS03 · Apr 2nd, 2004, 06:54 AM

Thanks for the write up... AWESOME I SEE SNOW!!!!! but sorry about the snow accident.. i still love snow though...

dr remulac · Apr 4th, 2004, 08:27 AM

Why would you bring your Mini to Sears for? Ya shoulda brought it to
the dealer you bought it from. I would'nt let Sears fix a flat on a pedal
bike. Geesh...

petsounds · Apr 4th, 2004, 09:48 AM

Okay, a couple points about the cons you made:

>> a/c drains the engine

Yes it does. However, have you been in a car where the A/C *hasn't* drained the engine? It's sort of something you just have to deal with. My only suggestion for MINI is that the Auto A/C should cut the A/C when it detects the car is accelerating.

>> some cheap interior plastics

I think for the price range of the MINI, the interior materials are very good. Go look at some other cars and you'll see they all look much cheaper than the MINI -- even some which go 10k more.

>> sometimes noisy engine

Well...just think of it as your MINI trying to have a chat with you.
Seriously..the Cooper is supposed to be a sporty car. Why would you
want it to sound like a Camry?

Thanks for the writeup!

AidenL · Apr 4th, 2004, 09:53 AM

Good report..............

dr remulac · Apr 4th, 2004, 10:35 AM

Kinda vague 1 year report. ya drove in the snow, ya cracked it up, ya went to Sears.
Sears is where ladies go to buy underwear, not where people go with a MINI to get it
fixed correctly. Next time GO TO YOUR DEALER

bryfliesme · Apr 4th, 2004, 05:12 PM

I just like your name. I do recall a Howard Stern freak called Dr Remulac. very funny!

AprilWhine · Apr 4th, 2004, 06:33 PM

Hi Teen, glad to see you're still around!

You should consider joining the local MINI club when we drive to the Outer Banks, if we ever can agree on a day.

EBMCS03 · Apr 4th, 2004, 07:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dr remulac

Sears is where ladies go to buy underwear

Wait, I thoght they went to Victory Secrets...

Miniphobea Teen · Apr 5th, 2004, 12:54 AM

But guys, wait WAit! Sears fixed my car. They had to order the original parts for the car from the MINI service department. They replaced the front tie rod first, rear lateral arm and then the front hub bearing. These are all true MINI Cooper parts. The machnic who fixed my car knows what he was doing!! I kept hearing noises because I had to get more parts replaced. The acciedent had a big effect on my Chilipeppa!! I hope you understand now!!

Mike Clarke · Apr 5th, 2004, 01:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Miniphobea Teen

But guys, wait WAit! Sears fixed my car. They had to order the original parts for the car from the MINI service department. They replaced the front tie rod first, rear lateral arm and then the front hub bearing. These are all true MINI Cooper parts. The machnic who fixed my car knows what he was doing!! I kept hearing noises because I had to get more parts replaced. The acciedent had a big effect on my Chilipeppa!! I hope you understand now!!

most of us understand, don't worry about the slow learners just keep enjoying the MINI

AprilWhine · Apr 5th, 2004, 08:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Miniphobea Teen

But guys, wait WAit! Sears fixed my car. They had to order the original parts for the car from the MINI service department. They replaced the front tie rod first, rear lateral arm and then the front hub bearing. These are all true MINI Cooper parts. The machnic who fixed my car knows what he was doing!! I kept hearing noises because I had to get more parts replaced. The acciedent had a big effect on my Chilipeppa!! I hope you understand now!!

No matter what you do, some are going to complain that you should have done something different. Pay no attention to malcontents.

You did the right thing.

wrenny · Apr 5th, 2004, 09:31 AM

Interesting review.

You steering column sounds like a common fault and should be repaired under warranty, not sure what impact your accident will have on this.

adios

Apr 2nd, 2004, 12:49 AM	#1
Miniphobea Teen MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Va, Newport News Local Time: 03:19 PM Posts: 141 Offline	1 year review of my 2003 MINI Cooper (long but worth reading) Hey, I decided to give you guys a one year review of my 2003 Chili Red with black top MINI Cooper. The car (chilipeppa!) was frist built in feb 2003. I recieved the car at Checkered Flag Mini in Virginia Bench on April 14, 2003. That was like the best day of my life! I ordered the car with only sport seats with no packages or anything. When I got to the dealership, the car was ready to pick up in its own little garage. I was amazed when I saw it! What a nice car. I had to have it delivered to my house the next day because I did not master the stick yet. It takes 40 minutes to get it to my house. It was delivered off of a flat bed truck SWEET!! Ever since I first got the car it has been a blast! Here are some pros and cons after a year of ownership. Pros: styling, handling, history, size, cuteness, agressivness, roommy, standout feautures for its price range, interior styling, engine sound, stiff body, colors, comfort Cons: weak power under 3000 rpm, very minior rattles, a/c drains the engine, some cheap interior plastics, dust in speedo, screaky botton driver seat, sometimes noisy engine, windsheild cracks easily, cliking sound from steering wheel when turning, engine studders sometimes when sitting it traffic for a while Other than those things, I love my chilipeppa!! But he got hurt about 3 months ago in a snow acciedent. I was dirving normaly in my neighborhood when it was snowing outside. The ground was croved with at least 4 inches of snow. I took a risk and made a turn into a cadosack at about 5-10 mph. My MINI slid right into the crub. I could not stop at all. I drove the car home, something was not right. I saw that the streeing was not straight when driving straight. I parked the car in the driveway and put the steering wheel straight and saw that one wheel was sticking out while the other was straight.I was scared!!! I had to drive it all the way to Sear auto center. They lifted my poor MINI and told me it was my rear later arm and front tie rod bent. Price altogher $470 dollars. So I got it fixed and the car was driving fine but has hearing a loud vibraition noise. (like an airplane rubbing sound) Then about 1 month after that I took the car back to sears. They said i need to replace my front hub bearing ($212). WOWOWOWOWOW CRAZZY!!! Got that fixed and still heard noise, but the airplane vibration sound was gone. I heard like a woping noise. Took it back to Sears he took of my two aftermarket rims and tires that hit the crub and put them on a blancing machine. Found out that the rims are slightly bent. But that still is not what is causing the noise. I was smart to put my stock rims and tires back on; still heard the noise. So today I drove way to VA Beach to go to Checkered Flag MINI. They said it was my rear wheel bearing and they also heard the creaking noise when I steer to the right when the car is not moving only. They said it was my rack and poinion steering. Is that common in MINIS beacuse they had another MINI there with the same problem. So they have to order that parts under warranty to fix Chilipeppa. WHAT A LONG YEAR Attached Thumbnails

Apr 2nd, 2004, 06:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
EBMCS03 M5 Extraordinare! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: So Cal Local Time: 12:19 PM Posts: 6,777 Offline	Thanks for the write up... AWESOME I SEE SNOW!!!!! but sorry about the snow accident.. i still love snow though... EB/W MCS Arrived (3/26/03) SOLD 4/25/06

Apr 4th, 2004, 08:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
dr remulac MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: massachusetts Local Time: 03:19 PM Posts: 160 Offline	Why would you bring your Mini to Sears for? Ya shoulda brought it to the dealer you bought it from. I would'nt let Sears fix a flat on a pedal bike. Geesh... dr remulac

Apr 4th, 2004, 09:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
AidenL Nice TTs......... Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: On The Coast........ Local Time: 08:19 PM Posts: 42,151 Offline	Good report.............. *Global Moderator*

Apr 4th, 2004, 10:35 AM	#8 (permalink)
dr remulac MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: massachusetts Local Time: 03:19 PM Posts: 160 Offline	Kinda vague 1 year report. ya drove in the snow, ya cracked it up, ya went to Sears. Sears is where ladies go to buy underwear, not where people go with a MINI to get it fixed correctly. Next time GO TO YOUR DEALER dr remulac

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Apr 2nd, 2004, 01:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
obehave Mini Mod Join Date: Sep 2002 Local Time: 03:19 PM Posts: 9,388 Offline	Nice little "year in the life". I remember when you first signed on and we gave you grief about the spelling of your name Glad you're both still around.

Apr 2nd, 2004, 06:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
gazzabj MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2004 Local Time: 08:19 PM Posts: 18 Offline	Thanks for the 1 year story. Very interesting. Gaz

Apr 4th, 2004, 09:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
petsounds MINI Afficionado Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: los angeles Local Time: 12:19 PM Posts: 51 Offline	Okay, a couple points about the cons you made: >> a/c drains the engine Yes it does. However, have you been in a car where the A/C hasn't drained the engine? It's sort of something you just have to deal with. My only suggestion for MINI is that the Auto A/C should cut the A/C when it detects the car is accelerating. >> some cheap interior plastics I think for the price range of the MINI, the interior materials are very good. Go look at some other cars and you'll see they all look much cheaper than the MINI -- even some which go 10k more. >> sometimes noisy engine Well...just think of it as your MINI trying to have a chat with you. Seriously..the Cooper is supposed to be a sporty car. Why would you want it to sound like a Camry? Thanks for the writeup!

Apr 4th, 2004, 05:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
bryfliesme feisty footie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Gilroy, CA Local Time: 12:19 PM Posts: 380 Offline	I just like your name. I do recall a Howard Stern freak called Dr Remulac. very funny!

Apr 4th, 2004, 06:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:19 PM Posts: 16,912 Offline	Hi Teen, glad to see you're still around! You should consider joining the local MINI club when we drive to the Outer Banks, if we ever can agree on a day. Global Moderator

Apr 4th, 2004, 07:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
EBMCS03 M5 Extraordinare! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: So Cal Local Time: 12:19 PM Posts: 6,777 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by dr remulac Sears is where ladies go to buy underwear Wait, I thoght they went to Victory Secrets... EB/W MCS Arrived (3/26/03) SOLD 4/25/06

Apr 5th, 2004, 12:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
Miniphobea Teen MINI2 Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Va, Newport News Local Time: 03:19 PM Posts: 141 Offline	But guys, wait WAit! Sears fixed my car. They had to order the original parts for the car from the MINI service department. They replaced the front tie rod first, rear lateral arm and then the front hub bearing. These are all true MINI Cooper parts. The machnic who fixed my car knows what he was doing!! I kept hearing noises because I had to get more parts replaced. The acciedent had a big effect on my Chilipeppa!! I hope you understand now!!

Apr 5th, 2004, 01:20 AM	#13 (permalink)
Mike Clarke You are number 6 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Perth WA Local Time: 03:19 AM Posts: 5,221 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Miniphobea Teen But guys, wait WAit! Sears fixed my car. They had to order the original parts for the car from the MINI service department. They replaced the front tie rod first, rear lateral arm and then the front hub bearing. These are all true MINI Cooper parts. The machnic who fixed my car knows what he was doing!! I kept hearing noises because I had to get more parts replaced. The acciedent had a big effect on my Chilipeppa!! I hope you understand now!! most of us understand, don't worry about the slow learners just keep enjoying the MINI

Apr 5th, 2004, 08:18 AM	#14 (permalink)
AprilWhine Loves the Fuzzy One Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gypsy Local Time: 01:19 PM Posts: 16,912 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Miniphobea Teen But guys, wait WAit! Sears fixed my car. They had to order the original parts for the car from the MINI service department. They replaced the front tie rod first, rear lateral arm and then the front hub bearing. These are all true MINI Cooper parts. The machnic who fixed my car knows what he was doing!! I kept hearing noises because I had to get more parts replaced. The acciedent had a big effect on my Chilipeppa!! I hope you understand now!! No matter what you do, some are going to complain that you should have done something different. Pay no attention to malcontents. You did the right thing. Global Moderator

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Apr 5th, 2004, 09:31 AM	#15 (permalink)
wrenny MINI2 Senior Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Braintree, Essex Local Time: 08:19 PM Posts: 581 Offline	Interesting review. You steering column sounds like a common fault and should be repaired under warranty, not sure what impact your accident will have on this. adios CHILLI RED, CHILLI PACK, MAGNEX & PIPERCROSS BAGS OF FUN gone now but not forgotten, an s next time ?

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