Most liked posts in thread: Looking at a 2003 Cooper S today

  1. xxerniexx

    xxerniexx New Member

    Feb 1, 2015
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    #4 xxerniexx, Feb 1, 2015
    Dave, thanks for the welcome and advice! Went and saw the car looked great this was my fourth to see this weekend. Mechanically, minus the a/c, is great. Shifts really smooth, radio on and off was good, no rust on the mufflers, no noise in the hard turns. Drove home, about a 40 minute drive, was great no overheating temp stayed right in the middle. Again thanks

    Ernie
    2003 MINI Cooper S
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #2 Nathan, Feb 1, 2015
    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.

    Look for a few things..

    Strut towers. they should be level the studs all pointing straight up. An easy fix though.

    Coolant tank, make sure is not split. Recommend replace soon with non-OEM if not already done.

    Lower Control Arm bushings, check when last serviced and what brand was used.

    MotoringFile has a really good Buyers Guide for the R53. MotoringFile » MINI R50/R53 Buyers Guide So good that I see no reason to write one for the M/A library.
     
  3. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #9 Crashton, Feb 1, 2015
    Welcome to M/A

    My advice is before doing any mods catch up on the maintenance. Changing the oil is a good place to start. Add to that change the brake fluid, flush the coolant & change the trans oil. Enjoy your new MINI.
     
  4. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #3 Dave.0, Feb 1, 2015
    Welcome to M\A the FUN MINI site. :Thumbsup:

    Things I would check are:

    1# ask if it has been modded...Pully, tuned and listen to any other information they offer.

    The oil , let it run and listen to the motor.
    Test the radio then turn it off and listen to the car.
    Look under the car and check the exhaust for rust. "Mufflers".

    Take if for a test drive and find a parking lot and do some figure 8 and listen to the suspension. This will let you here I'd the lower control arm bushings are shot and you will also hear everything else.
    Above all else get the service history with that mileage and find out if it has been hit.

    Run a car fax report for what it's worth just to be safe.

    Now this is the hardest part, DO NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH IT. That will cause you to buy a poor high milage car with many hidden problems that you hate later.

    Remember you can always find another one with lower milage and in better shape because they are available.
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #6 Dave.0, Feb 1, 2015
    Looks good does it have any mods at all or was owned by a little old lady that never did anything to it but drive to church on Sunday?
     
  6. Kenny kustom

    Kenny kustom New Member

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    #11 Kenny kustom, Feb 1, 2015
    Might want to get those lights cleaned up!
     
  7. Canusrufis

    Canusrufis RMW Powered R53
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    #15 Canusrufis, Feb 2, 2015
  8. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #5 Firebro17, Feb 1, 2015
    Best of great times to you and your new ride!
     
  9. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    #7 wmwny, Feb 1, 2015
    Welcome to M/A!
     
  10. xxerniexx

    xxerniexx New Member

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    #8 xxerniexx, Feb 1, 2015
    Thanks for all the welcomes!
    Bone stock! First thing to do it change the oil and then start looking at all these mods I see around here.
    There is a small tear in the drivers seat I need to address and the sill plates are buggered up but that should be easy.
     
  11. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #10 MCS02, Feb 1, 2015
    Welcome to MA! Nice ride!
     
  12. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #12 MCS02, Feb 2, 2015
    I use a light rubbing compound on my lights to keep them clear. If there too bad you may need to get out the sandpaper.
     
  13. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    #13 mrntd, Feb 2, 2015
    Welcome Aboard!

    Great looking new ride!
     
  14. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    #14 00Mini, Feb 2, 2015
    Great looking 03 and Welcome to Motoring Alliance the only MINI forum you'll ever need !!