[mbrain]

Hi,
I'm thinking of buying a MCS. Having previously owned one of the first MINI One D's I'm looking at coming back!!

Can anyone offer me any advice as to what to look for....potential pitfalls, common problems. I'm looking at a 2003 most probably with a CHILI pack.

Many thanks

[Nebdingo]

Just be picky mate...

theres LOTS to choose from, if your not sure, walk away!

Mine is a 53 plate (03) with 31K. cant say Ive had any problems apart from a few dead pixels on the stereo which Sytner changed under warranty.

Obviously go for one with TLC with dealer stamp.

As of pitfalls, The earlly MCS had icky gearboxes, but I would have thought most would have been sorted out by now. other than that cant say I know of any tho Im sure others here will advise you accordingly.

[mbrain]

Cheers Mate.

I have read a few threads about dodgy clutches as well.

I'm looking at something with around 80K on.

[ALD0]

Mine has 54k and had the clutch fly wheel problem, when I sell mine I will be advertising this as a selling point, this because I have read too many stories about other peoples going.

Other than that just check for the usual wear and tear items

[3rdpillar]

mines on 64k , runing strong and sweet.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I had a flywheel exchanged on mine, but that was faulty from new and was swapped at 5,000 miles.

17,000 miles later and no problems and it feels like it will go on forever, but it's still early days. Ask me again in another 4 or 5 years! (should be running it to waaay over 100,000 miles!)

I've not been aware of any particular problems with the R53 MCS coming to light over the 3 1/2 years that I've been on Mini2. It seems to be a very tough, over engineered, engine that should go on and on....

Just check the usual items that you would on any high mileage car: wheel bearings / shock absorbers / CV joints / steering column bushes (come to think of it, steering columns have caused problems) / oil contamination with coolant (mayonaise on the dipstick) / radiator condition / exhaust and exhaust hanger brakets / accident damage.

With so many low mileage used MCS's around, will you really be saving enough on the high mileage one to make it worth while buying it?

Tigger.

PS: The superchargers are specced for a life of around 100,000 mies, so budget for one of those before too long.

[himagain]

My 02 S (campany car thank god) was sold at 80K. Althou it was built in 02 it was slowly rebuilt over the next 4 years;

New:-


engine wiring loom
Clutch fault
Fan fault
ECU to fix fan fault
both door handles
rear latch
passenger wiring loom
discs all round (probably my fault)
rear hatch seal
clutch fault again!!!
seat recliner stuck

and not to forget a new steering column

My advice is stay away from the early ones.

On the brighter side I loved the car and now have a r56 s. I guess I got a Friday afternoon build

David

[PmP]

50,000 up on my 04 S, check for leaking Engine mounts, these items are not your ordinary rubber mount, they are oil lubricated, a sealed unit and if its leaking its a throw away item. Not a cheap fix either.

[Fizzoid]

Hi! New here, but I've been looking at a high mileage 52 plate MCS, full history, but 114k on the clock. Test drove it, and it seems to drive ok (apart from pulling to the left but it had a puncture which will be fixed). Should I walk away due to the mileage, or should anything that needs replacing been done already? Is the supercharger coming to the end of it's life?

[Hugo]

Take 3 or 4 out for a test drive just so you get a feel for an S. you should take into account how long your planning to keep it for.

[ALD0]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fizzoid (original)

Hi! New here, but I've been looking at a high mileage 52 plate MCS, full history, but 114k on the clock. Test drove it, and it seems to drive ok (apart from pulling to the left but it had a puncture which will be fixed). Should I walk away due to the mileage, or should anything that needs replacing been done already? Is the supercharger coming to the end of it's life?

How much is it firstly?
It is worded that the supercharger usually lasts for around £100k, these come up for sale on Ebay, not as much as they used to mind since the JCW conversion was done at the factory and not the dealerships

[Hugo]

Quote: Originally Posted by ALD0 (original)

How much is it firstly?
It is worded that the supercharger usually lasts for around £100k, these come up for sale on Ebay, not as much as they used to mind since the JCW conversion was done at the factory and not the dealerships

Sorry but I would like to pay £100k for supercharger unless its giving me a 1000BHP.

[Fizzoid]

Quote: Originally Posted by ALD0 (original)

How much is it firstly?
It is worded that the supercharger usually lasts for around £100k, these come up for sale on Ebay, not as much as they used to mind since the JCW conversion was done at the factory and not the dealerships

It's up for £6990 and he's offered a decent price for my 7 series which I want to trade in. Interior looks like it's had kids in, with a few pen\crayon marks and a few scuffs and such, but most of it can be cleaned up. I'm more concerned about it mechanically, with it averaging 20k miles a year. How much have the superchargers been fetching?
Edit; Just seen this on ebay
Mini BMW Eaton Supercharger + Cylinder Head power M45, is that the one?

[oldnell]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fizzoid (original)

Hi! New here, but I've been looking at a high mileage 52 plate MCS, full history, but 114k on the clock. Test drove it, and it seems to drive ok (apart from pulling to the left but it had a puncture which will be fixed). Should I walk away due to the mileage, or should anything that needs replacing been done already? Is the supercharger coming to the end of it's life?

Personally, I'd walk away. Or run.

[edit] Now you've said the price, I'd definitely run.

Oli

[Fizzoid]

How come, too expensive?

[oldnell]

I've got a Mini One on 88000 miles and it's cost me around £1200 in repairs over the last year. That's not including servicing or wear and tear items like exhaust or brakes. Then again, I own it outright and can afford to repair it. I would have bought a brand new MINI if they hadn't launched the new model, which I detest (sorry, sounding like a broken record, I know).

I'd only touch that car if it had had lots of work done recently and was in great condition due to lots and lots of care. Even then, keep a couple of grand in reserve for the unexpected.

Find out as much as you can of the repair history of the car. If it's never had a power steering pump replaced, it's quite likely to fail on you. That'll cost you about £400. Radiators fail. The exhaust on a Cooper S is expensive to replace as there are two of them. Check the tops of the exhaust mounting brackets. They rust very easily. Check for handling at motorway speeds and on rough roads. Suspension bushes and balljoints are, apparently, a weak point. You're buying a MINI for its great handling. There's no point having all that performance if it's worn out and at that mileage it more than likely will be.

If it's under the MINI Cherished scheme then it's slightly different. Whatever you do, though, test drive a new car or two and compare.

Not sure what kind of price that car would be going for but you're not going to see any of that back if you sell it in a few years' time..

Sorry to be negative.

Oli

[Fizzoid]

Quote: Originally Posted by oldnell (original)

Sorry to be negative.

Oli

Not a problem, I appreciate the information. TBH it ticks more negative boxes than positive ones. High mileage I could probably accept, but the fact it hasn't been kept well inside makes me wonder how it's been kept mechanically.

[ALD0]

Agree with above, that sort of mileage I would pay about 4/5k, unless you are a mechanic or know a mechanic!
Ref the interior, the plastics on the back of the seats are pretty soft and scratch easily, I would keep looking, the right one will come up for you.

[Ant FR]

pulling to the left is usually due to a knackered damper on the Minis. although it can just sometiemes be trait of having larger wheels on ***** british roads.

i would never shy away from the older MCS's in fact i have one, mines an 02 and i bought it in 2006 with 38000 miles on it. Its now on 54000 miles which for what is nearly a 6yr old car is still quite low i suppose.

Equally though i would be put off by a car that has done low low milage. There are alot of MCS's even 02 ones that have just 15000 miles on them. For me i would'nt want on with super low milage as it usually means they haev done loads and load of low milage, which is actually worse than one that is used everyday for long commutes on a motorway. also when you consider the oil would hardly ever be warmed enough, i obnly jnow this as my mother has a VW polo which has just turned 3yrs old, however the mialge is just 5200 miles as she uses it everyday to get to the train station.

There is nothing wrong with the 02 MCS's and you need to apply the same tactics when looking to buy one as you would if buying a 56 plate. in fact i have seen 1yr old MCS's that look tattier than my 5and half year old one. I've had 18 months pleasure from mine, and intende to have at least a further 2 yrs pleasure, there is still nothing out there that can replace it in my eyes.

[Fizzoid]

Yeah, I decided against it. Bought a Cooper in the end. It was too nice to resist