1st Gen R53 Cooper S 03 Cooper S, what to look for?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Jcw_mods, Mar 26, 2013.

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  1. Jcw_mods

    Jcw_mods New Member

    Mar 26, 2013
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    #1 Jcw_mods, Mar 26, 2013
    About to purchase an 03 Cooper s with a jcw works charger, exhaust system and seats.
    It has 116k on the clock but has a full service history.
    Just wondered what I should keep an eye on at with it at the mileage.

    Any help/advice very much appreciated.
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #2 Nathan, Mar 26, 2013
    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.

    I moved this to the 1st Generation area as the MINI is an 03.

    An 03 will be a dealer installed JCW kit. In order to help validate ask for a certificate. Look under the bonnet for a plaque as well. The Air Box will be visually different.

    Look for oil leaks, Crank seals dried up and leak, oil pan gaskets leak.

    Look at the coolant tank, if it has crusties around the seam then you'll need a new one straight away. These were prone to splitting.

    Lower Control Arm Bushing should have been replaced by now, hopefully with something better than OEM. If not, you'll be needing some real soon too.

    Crank Pulley, check it for cracks in the rubber.

    Door Sills of that era sometimes had some rust issues. It was sorta hit and miss. Around the tail light area too, some rust sometimes forms there.
     
  3. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #3 Mr. Jim, Mar 26, 2013
    Welcome to M/A and congrats on your purchase!
     
  4. Jcw_mods

    Jcw_mods New Member

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    #4 Jcw_mods, Mar 26, 2013
    Very much appreciate that advice, will look at these when I view again.
    The seller is getting it serviced before sale but will still like to have a look over it myself.
     
  5. 1momini

    1momini New Member

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    #5 1momini, Mar 26, 2013
    190k miles on 02 R53 . If it runs good get as good a deal as you can and the rest will work out. New to the mini myself but that's my 2 cents worth
     
  6. yellowbritishrocket

    yellowbritishrocket Well-Known Member

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    #6 yellowbritishrocket, Apr 1, 2013
    194k on a 03 Cooper S...if you take care of her she will run forever...
     
  7. xsmini

    xsmini Member

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    #7 xsmini, Apr 1, 2013
    Everything Nathan mentioned, also check the coolant tank, should be an off color, if it is white it is recalled. Keep an eye on the thermostat housing, they tend to weep a little. Oil pan gaskets also tend to weep. All little things that are easily fixed. Shouldn't be a problem if well maintained. Currently 302,000 + miles on my 03 :biggrin5:

    Nik
     
  8. fridayxiii

    fridayxiii Member

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    #8 fridayxiii, Apr 2, 2013
    MotoringFile has a great first gen buyer's guide here.

    You might also think about a pre-purchase inspection (PPI). Especially if the car is being sold by a non-MINI dealer or private party, spending $150 or so for a thorough look-over by a MINI dealer or experienced independent shop will help give you a good idea of what you're in for as far as immediate or upcoming maintenance.
     
  9. yellowbritishrocket

    yellowbritishrocket Well-Known Member

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    #9 yellowbritishrocket, Apr 2, 2013
    also take the vin to the MINI dealer and have them run the maint/service records...you can see if it had or has any maint trends...sometimes if they have to be constantly brought it for a particular part repair/replace it could be a sign that something is wrong

    pretty much anything that has a rubber seal you need to check

    Oil Filter Housing to block gasket
    Heat Exchanger gaskets
    Map Sensor
    Maf Sensor
    Crank Sensor
    Knock Sensor
    Cam Posistion sensor
    Oil Pan Gasket
    Valve Cover Gasket
    Spark Plug Guide Tube Gaskets
    Oil Dipstick gasket
    crank seal behind crank damper
    rear main Seal
    oil pump plate gasket
    Thermostat housing gasket
    rad exp tank(check hoses for defoliation)
    check radiator and heater hoses for leaks and defoliation
    power steering pump reservoir
    power steering hoses
    clutch slave
    drain all fluids and replace(trans/engine/brakes/clutch/rad/power steering)
     

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