1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Possibly buying today

  1. Mr. Jim

    Mr. Jim Mudshark
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    #2 Mr. Jim, Dec 22, 2010
    Hello and welcome! The only thing that whines is the supercharger! Sounds like maybe a powersteering pump ready to bite the big one.

    I'm sure the others will chime in soon for the rest.

    Cheers
    Mr. Jim
     
  2. AXO

    AXO New Member

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    #3 AXO, Dec 22, 2010
    I second the steering pump. I am not sure about the knocking......? (Maybe bushings)
     
  3. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #4 Nathan, Dec 22, 2010
    Don't think I would buy that MINI today until a tech checks it out fully. From what you write it sure does sound like there are some issues.

    Be wary, ask the seller for service records and see if the power steering pump or fan has ever been replaced. It does not whine.

    Any kickback in the steering wheel when that happened? Crawl underneath and inspect those CV boots, make sure there is no grease on the outside of them and they are not torn. Also could be be front control arm bushings, again check the service history and see if they have ever been replaced. If not I'll wager they need replacement.

    Check the tops of the strut towers under the hood to make sure they are not "mushroomed" In short all the bolts should be facing straight up.

    Check the coolant catch tank, look at the seams to make sure there they are not cracked, they have a tendency to split there.

    As much as I hate to point people off this site check out this Buyers Guide. MotoringFile » MINI R50/R53 Buyers Guide

    Welcome to M/A and thanks for joining.
     
  4. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #5 minimark, Dec 22, 2010
    ^^
    Good advice Nathan.
     
  5. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #6 Steve, Dec 22, 2010
    Best advice on ANY car with that kind of age and mileage is to have a tech look at it first, esp. if you have concerns. I know that's not always an option when you're in a hurry.

    I don't mean to disagree with others, but your description of the steering whine sounds like mine and I've had it since I bought it new in '02. I even remember there were many people asking back then (on another forum) whether that whining was a sign of a problem and the overwhelming consensus at the time was that it was, indeed, normal and heard by all. It's not loud on mine so I only hear it when stationary or at low speeds, but it hasn't changed one iota since I drove it off the dealer's lot. I remember hearing the same thing on my test drive in their demo MINI in May '02 and I noticed it again in my own car on a drive just this week.

    As to your other questions, good advice above so far, and I don't know anything about the price.
     
  6. jamey

    jamey New Member

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    #7 jamey, Dec 23, 2010
    sadly we have decided against this mini. I called the local BMW shop to get an overview of past maintance records on the car, and they had no major records and nothing at all past 2007. The tech told me the whining was probably the steering unit going bad (1k to replace) and that I should honestly expect a clutch change in the near future with it being around 90k miles (2k for that job), and he also told me that the average supercharger life is about 120k and that would be very expensive.

    so, after speaking with them I called the owner and asked if he would have a problem letting me take the mini to the BMW shop to have them look it over. I offered to leave a certified check from my bank made out to him just for CYA. He said that he would not be ok with me taking the car, AND also told me his schedule was much to busy to drive it down there himself when i asked if he would mind driving it then. soooo alot of bad news vibes from that guy!

    So if your shopping around for a mini on Oahu stear clear of this one! 03 Mini Cooper S
     
  7. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #8 Steve, Dec 23, 2010
    I'd say you made the right choice. Here's hoping you can find another in better shape. :Thumbsup:

    Good luck.
     
  8. Johngo

    Johngo New Member
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    #9 Johngo, Dec 23, 2010
    That sounds like you were definitely on your way to getting screwed over. Good choice!

    Yours is out there. No worries! :Thumbsup:
     
  9. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #10 minimark, Dec 23, 2010
    Good choice! It's never a good idea to get in a hurry when buying a car and it's even more true with a used one. If someone selling a car will not or cannot let you have the time to get it properly inspected the game is over then and there, walk away and forget about that one...

    Good luck on finding the right one!
     
  10. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #11 Nathan, Dec 23, 2010
    The karma was not right for this one, keep looking if you have the luxury of time and the right MINI will find you.
     
  11. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #12 Crashton, Dec 23, 2010
    Lots of great MINI's out there jamey. Keep looking & you will find yours.
     
  12. Justa Jim

    Justa Jim Well-Known Member
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    #13 Justa Jim, Dec 23, 2010
    Actually "it will find you". :Thumbsup:

    Jim
     
  13. AXO

    AXO New Member

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    #14 AXO, Dec 23, 2010
    Cherers to you Jamey for not making a rash decision... The right Mini will come along...
     
  14. beken

    beken Well-Known Member

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    #15 beken, Dec 23, 2010
    If by whining noise, you mean something that sounds like an electric motor, then I will disagree with others here. There is a whining electric motor noise that you can hear when the windows are rowed down and you're not going that fast. It's not that loud. Having said that, the pre-2005 MINIs do have a habit of power steering fan motors blowing out due to debris getting caught in them under the car, so look carefully.

    I would, however agree with others here that, given all the other issues, you probably made the right choice to wait until the right MINI finds you. Keep looking. There are other MINIs that are in really good shape out there. Most of us absolutely baby our cars. :rolleyes:
     
  15. Rae

    Rae Club Coordinator

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    #16 Rae, Dec 23, 2010
    I had a similar experience looking for my perfect GP, she has found me, and we have many plans for a long term track relationship! As far as power steering pumps go, ask if they've put on the upgrade kit, it's a baffle thingy that keeps crap from getting sucked in. Worth the $150 (installed), and a sign that the car's been meticulously cared for :) good luck!
     
  16. Eric@Helix

    Eric@Helix New Member
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    #17 Eric@Helix, Dec 24, 2010
    OP, might I suggest that you take any potential MINI to a MINI specialist in your area for a pre-purchase inspection. It'll be the best one hour of labor you ever spent. Good luck!