School me on the Mini Cooper S.

[mikeb23ft]

Looking at getting one of the first ones, a 2002-03, I love my 540i but can't afford gas and maintenance. I'm going to get a small fun car and the Mini is where it's at. Would be looking for something around 100k, Sport package with no moonroof in a reasonable not ridiculously loud color. Hoping to spend $8k at most.

I know that they can make really good power/weight with just a pulley and some basic tuning, but how does that affect reliability and gas mileage? What's the overall reliability report on them? What should I look for as typical problem areas?

Basically, chime in if you have one or have had one. I was thinking about getting a Miata, but I'd like to stay in the BMW extended family.

[Wschnitz]

For 100k you could probably get yerself a 2012 M5,, two turbos should be good on gas.

Ona serious note minis are cool but really not that fast.

[Vivek]

Is it really financially worth it for you? Think about how much gas 8 grand will buy. If you like mini's and want one then go for it, but spending 8 thousand bucks for the sole reason of saving money simply makes no sense unless you drive a LOT.

[2ndName]

They are fun little cars. I've always wanted one but went with an e90 instead. Watch out for the same issues that plagues all BMWs. Also start reading threads at NorthAmericanMotoring.

A couple of my buddies own Minis and they love their cars. We went on a cruise and I was on photographing duties since I was Mini-less...lol

[Pl3wA]

get a fiat 500, then drive it into the ocean

[mikeedler]

I work on them every day. I would seriously stay away from the first gen. minis. they were complete crap, no bolt willl come undone without breaking the plastic under it.

I just recently installd a JCW supercharger on one, and compared to the turbo minis, they are VERY slow even with mods.

largest problem with all minis is the weak transmissions and clutches. the seats seem to fall apart pretty fast too, as well as a TON of electrical Gremlins.

[defaultName]

I had a 2003 Mini Cooper S in 2005. I bought it after I got fed up with my E30 leaving me stranded so often!

The only issue I had was a headlight bulb that was fixed under warranty. However to put things into perspective it was only 2 years old at the time. Also I got it with 9,000km's and in the 2 years I owned it I only put 10,000km's on it. Only summer driven.

Fantastic on gas if you drive it with fuel economy in mind. Mini does advise to not go below a 1/4 tank though.

They are not fast cars, just quick. To give you an idea a friend of mine had a Corrado VR6 and we were dead even up until we hit 5th and he ran out of gears.

They are a blast to drive though!

[PKR]

I had an '05 "S" and loved it. Among the first gen cars I wouldn't touch any until the '05s. I encountered no significant problems during 5 years/55,00 miles since new. The supercharged models were not as good on gas as the newer turbo cars but I routinely saw low 20s around town and 26-27mpg on the highway. The best forum to check out is at www.northamericanmotoring.com . Its a nice group - check it out for more details.

[N2MYE30]

I am also considering a late model mini to replace my coupe so, in for more info.

[M-technik-3]

Just remember that are Cooper's not a very light weight car for it's size so fuel mileage suffers.

[hammbone33]

I had a 04 S for over 6 years with zero problems. I'm guessing I was lucky. There are ton of mods for the pre 07 supercharged cars. Mine was a blast to drive. It handled like it was on rails. I had a reduction pulley, exhaust and Supersprint throttle booster mods. I got around 27 mpg driving it like I stole it.

[2ndName]

Also, make sure to get the standard transmission Coopers, assuming that you'll be doing that anyway. Too many issues with the auto tranny.

[Julien]

The auto trans are trash, the later manual trans have some issues and the blower itself can become problematic as well - fun tossable cars though

[mikeedler]

Also, make sure to get the standard transmission Coopers, assuming that you'll be doing that anyway. Too many issues with the auto tranny.

the standards aren't any better.

The newer Minis are really great cars...even though I would never buy one, just overpriced compared to the other small cars here in Europe.
The quality of them is not the same quality that BMW is made witheither. Lately we have been having ALOT of minis coming in with bad Cats..... ALOT of em. and the rust is starting to catch up with th e older ones now too, just did complete brake lines from front to rear on a 2005 S (rust, had about 140,00 miles on it though)

all minis suffer from alot of rattles and wind noise too.

[Nsquared97]

Had a buddy that just sold his '03, after he had to dump $2k into it. Watch for the power steering pump to go bad, among other things. The car was a riot to drive, get a rear sway if you really want it to feel like a go-kart. Like everyone said it's quick but not fast, but man is that supercharger whine addicting! He seemed to get great gas mileage with his, always 30+ on the freeway, close to 40 in the Upper Peninsula where the speed limit is 55.