1st Gen R53 Cooper S 02 S For Long Commute Daily Driver?

I drive about 115 miles round trip to work everyday in my '06 Cooper. I check my gas mileage, fill up to fill up, and return between 37 to 40 mpg. Not a very scientific method, I know, but gives me a ballpark figure. I did this even thru the worst winter in years with no problems. Only issue is all of the bloody stone chips to the front of my Chili Red Justa:frown5:

 

No, not supercharged. Only mechanical issue is an oxygen sensor replacement (covered under 10 year/100,000 mile MINI warranty). I have fitted Cravenspeed strut tower defenders to help prevent the dreaded "mushrooming" of the strut towers, and am going to be fitting Powerflex bushings to the lower control arms to replace the OEM rubber bushings (crap).

 

I commute 140 miles a day and get 28 mpg with my 05 S JCW. Can't calculate how much more fun it is.

 

Yep. I must look like a total moron when driving the M1N1, grinning like a Cheshire cat:lol:

morrisminor. I would recommend that if you buy a Coop, the first thing to purchase would be a Bentley service manual. Best one available.

Also, post questions/concerns on this forum. There are many specialists/enthusiasts that can help.

 

As with buying any car that is over 10 years old there is always the chance of it needing things. Not trying to scare you off but just more things to think about. I know of a local club member who had his SC go out at around 55,000 miles, another members clutch let go at 80,000, but know another member who claims to have 175,000 miles on his OEM SC and clutch...SO you could be good for years to come...

 

About 28 mpg is tops for a s on PREMIUM FUEL (REQUIRED)....
I can sometimes do better, running 185 width tires in commuting...but not as much fun...
Many owners never get much above 20.......so ask questions...look for mods...
The varration in mpg in gen1 s cars is huge...I suspect both due to driving styles and build quality and modifications.....
The early 2002 cars were sometimes iffy....with improved parts getting used later in 2002 and into 2004+..the prices tend to reflect this....
With mini's, prior driving style (was it a weekend track car, and beater?!) And the scheduled services that were done/skipped make a huge impact on the car.....
Has the coolant been changed and brakes flushed every 3 years? Has inspection 2 (major) ever been done...many folks skip stuff...doing oil changes....and stuff, like bushings dry rot, and fail...., e-brake cables rust and jam, stuff gets missed, causing other issues....so as questions....and imo get a person who knows minis to look at it....

 

I easily get 35 mpg on the highway in my S.

 

Best I ever did in my 06 JCW was 30 hwy. In my 08 JCW vert, best ever is 27 hwy

 

Just make sure it's not a pre 3/02. Some suspension parts on those won't fit the 3/02-06.
Don't be scared. Gen1 issues, fixes, mods are generally common knowledge now. Fun to drive, mod & even fix. Maintained well, these are pretty solid compared to Gen2s, esp the Pre N18 engines.

 

Scott, JEEZ! Put your FOOT in it brother! I hope you don't ALWAYS get 30mpg...

 

:cornut:

Hey friend! You know what's weird, I can drive to Portland via either the Santiam Pass or Mt. Hood with numerous triple digit runs and still get better than 30mpg. The tune I got really is spot on for me.

 

If you are looking for good mileage just buy a 05-06 JUSTA Cooper. (Non S) They are a lot of FUN and you can out handle almost anything on the road you just wont win a 1/2 drag race but you are looking for good mileage not power.

The S will have more issues just because you will push it and want to have even more FUN and then you get bit by the Modding bug.

The modding bug is worst than golf or crack you just keep spending and improving your car and the mileage goes down because your right foot does all the driving matted to the floor.

Yeah its that addicting, I know. :devil: