Mini Cooper S mk1 (BMW)
13 October 2010, 07:36 PM
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Mini Cooper S mk1 (BMW)
Dad's just got one - a '52 plate with all the toys - chilli pack, full sunroof, climate, blah blah blah.
Anything to look out for problem wise? Needs two new front tyres but other than that it seems mint.
Only been driven in it but pretty impressed - lovely supercharger whine and feels very "go karty." Will have a good blat in it soon.
Bought him a "Hatchbag" (custom made bootliner) for it for his Birthday in November. Very impressed with the one I got for my E91 Beemer.
Anything to look out for problem wise? Needs two new front tyres but other than that it seems mint.
Only been driven in it but pretty impressed - lovely supercharger whine and feels very "go karty." Will have a good blat in it soon.
Bought him a "Hatchbag" (custom made bootliner) for it for his Birthday in November. Very impressed with the one I got for my E91 Beemer.
13 October 2010, 08:06 PM
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I worked at BMW/Mini dealer for 6 years, including the introduction of the Mini from the start. The list of re-calls was massive on the earlier Minis, if he's got the history it should have the invoices of the warranty re-calls that's been done.
Some of them that I can remember;
Rear Suspension strut top bolts weak & break
Fuel filler cap causing fire - spark into fuel tank when closing/opening
Control Unit relocation and resealing
Bonnet sound deadening catching fire
Seat frames breaking
Handbrake button sticking in causing handbrake to release
All were things that were supposed to be sorted under the warranty and current owners were contacted so there should be evidence in the paperwork that its been done.
Some of them that I can remember;
Rear Suspension strut top bolts weak & break
Fuel filler cap causing fire - spark into fuel tank when closing/opening
Control Unit relocation and resealing
Bonnet sound deadening catching fire
Seat frames breaking
Handbrake button sticking in causing handbrake to release
All were things that were supposed to be sorted under the warranty and current owners were contacted so there should be evidence in the paperwork that its been done.
Last edited by BULLITT; 13 October 2010 at 08:07 PM.
13 October 2010, 08:27 PM
#3
I had the Cooper, airbag warning light kept comming on due to moving front seats back/ forth stretching harness - new harness needed
steering rack problems, replacement needed
water leaking into boot, rear lights and high level brake light needed resealing
I replaced the tyres with non runflats, vastly improved comfort/ handling
Fun cars and i was considering getting a 2006 s model (turbo) for a while - might 1 day?
steering rack problems, replacement needed
water leaking into boot, rear lights and high level brake light needed resealing
I replaced the tyres with non runflats, vastly improved comfort/ handling
Fun cars and i was considering getting a 2006 s model (turbo) for a while - might 1 day?
13 October 2010, 08:51 PM
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I know someone who has one thats about that age and the gearbox went on it. Apparently, she says, its a common fault and needs a new one. 
Her husband is a BMW dealer principal.
Her husband is a BMW dealer principal.
13 October 2010, 10:01 PM
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RIIGGGGGHHHTTTTTT....... (stretches fingers together)
2002 R53 mini cooper s.
Various recalls were issued with this model (get me the reg and i can get a list of all dealer involved work)
Common faults are...
The steering hydraulic motor can fail intermittently- causing sudden and irratic power steering assistance. (new hydraulic pump needed)
Steering rack seals can leak into the gaiters. (new rack needed)
Steering columns can be "noisy" (replacement of both upper and lower will fix this)
Gearboxs can fail. If it does, realistically you'll need a new one.
Clutch replacement isn't cheap (£1150 is the current rate at my dealership)
Rear exhaust back box brackets can rust and snap. (new brackets needed, upper and lower)
Wheel bearings can fail on the front expecially (bolt on and easy diy fix)
Poorly executed rear pad changes can cause the boots for the calipers to split, resulting in the eventual seizing of said caliper.
Poorly routed knock sensor can rub against supercharger body, causing engine light. (easy fix- reroute in front of the coolant top hose)
Supercharger bypass valve can fail- causing loss of boost (new valve to fix this)
Older ones are starting to have leaks around the seams of the radiators.
Coolant Expansion tanks split on forming lines and leak.
Seat back frames can jam (however these can be freed off if you perform a special move!...i.e hold the lever up whilst shocking the backrest rearwards to free off the ratchets)
Window motors can fail.
Thats all i can think of right now. phew!!
2002 R53 mini cooper s.
Various recalls were issued with this model (get me the reg and i can get a list of all dealer involved work)
Common faults are...
The steering hydraulic motor can fail intermittently- causing sudden and irratic power steering assistance. (new hydraulic pump needed)
Steering rack seals can leak into the gaiters. (new rack needed)
Steering columns can be "noisy" (replacement of both upper and lower will fix this)
Gearboxs can fail. If it does, realistically you'll need a new one.
Clutch replacement isn't cheap (£1150 is the current rate at my dealership)
Rear exhaust back box brackets can rust and snap. (new brackets needed, upper and lower)
Wheel bearings can fail on the front expecially (bolt on and easy diy fix)
Poorly executed rear pad changes can cause the boots for the calipers to split, resulting in the eventual seizing of said caliper.
Poorly routed knock sensor can rub against supercharger body, causing engine light. (easy fix- reroute in front of the coolant top hose)
Supercharger bypass valve can fail- causing loss of boost (new valve to fix this)
Older ones are starting to have leaks around the seams of the radiators.
Coolant Expansion tanks split on forming lines and leak.
Seat back frames can jam (however these can be freed off if you perform a special move!...i.e hold the lever up whilst shocking the backrest rearwards to free off the ratchets)
Window motors can fail.
Thats all i can think of right now. phew!!
Last edited by rookymatt; 13 October 2010 at 10:09 PM.
13 October 2010, 10:28 PM
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Mate's wife has a 52 plate and has had the airbag problem.
Runflats are terrible, enough said.
What other types of cooper s are there other than BMW or is it matteeboys inability not to mention bmw in every post
Runflats are terrible, enough said.
What other types of cooper s are there other than BMW or is it matteeboys inability not to mention bmw in every post
I had the Cooper, airbag warning light kept comming on due to moving front seats back/ forth stretching harness - new harness needed
steering rack problems, replacement needed
water leaking into boot, rear lights and high level brake light needed resealing
I replaced the tyres with non runflats, vastly improved comfort/ handling
Fun cars and i was considering getting a 2006 s model (turbo) for a while - might 1 day?
steering rack problems, replacement needed
water leaking into boot, rear lights and high level brake light needed resealing
I replaced the tyres with non runflats, vastly improved comfort/ handling
Fun cars and i was considering getting a 2006 s model (turbo) for a while - might 1 day?
13 October 2010, 10:36 PM
#7
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I have a 1964 Morris Mini Cooper S
Last edited by hodgy0_2; 13 October 2010 at 10:40 PM.
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13 October 2010, 10:54 PM
#9
Gearbox issues are any 5-speed model before 2004. Mini One and non "S" coopers. They use a Metro (aka Midland) gearbox with bits inherited from an old Peugeot, modified by Rover, then modified again by BMW to fit the Chrysler engine (bodge
). Its very prone; we do about one a week at the moment. Thankfully they aren't that costly to rebuild (well, when compared to other gearboxes at least).Cooper-S use a six speed Getrag, and thus much more reliable. So not one to get mixed up with - that S on the boot badge means a lot.
Last edited by ALi-B; 13 October 2010 at 11:07 PM.
14 October 2010, 09:15 AM
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Gearbox issues are any 5-speed model before 2004. Mini One and non "S" coopers. They use a Metro (aka Midland) gearbox with bits inherited from an old Peugeot, modified by Rover, then modified again by BMW to fit the Chrysler engine (bodge ). Its very prone; we do about one a week at the moment. Thankfully they aren't that costly to rebuild (well, when compared to other gearboxes at least).
Cooper-S use a six speed Getrag, and thus much more reliable. So not one to get mixed up with - that S on the boot badge means a lot.
). Its very prone; we do about one a week at the moment. Thankfully they aren't that costly to rebuild (well, when compared to other gearboxes at least).Cooper-S use a six speed Getrag, and thus much more reliable. So not one to get mixed up with - that S on the boot badge means a lot.
Plus BMW fitted an uprated version 5 speed to their "54" plate onwards minis as the previously mentioned box was breaking thier wallet with warranty replacements/complaints! haha! Bloody corner cutting germans.
They seemed to have learned their lesson with the new r56 models!
14 October 2010, 09:19 AM
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nik - seeing as he had a original Mini Cooper S when he was 19, I think the BMW bit was justified...
Blimey - lots to look out for!
Matt - will get the reg ASAP. Thanks all!
TBH the clutch did seem to judder a wee bit up our (1 in 3 100 yard long) driveway...
Blimey - lots to look out for!
Matt - will get the reg ASAP. Thanks all!
TBH the clutch did seem to judder a wee bit up our (1 in 3 100 yard long) driveway...
14 October 2010, 10:39 AM
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Getting towards a case soon!! hahaha
OK..
16.6.2003, 11365 miles, engine oil service @ Cooper tunbridge wells.
22.4.2004, 21143 miles, front seat belt pre tensioner replaced @ cooper tunbridge wells.
3.12.2004, 27937 miles, Coolant expansion tank replaced @ Berry Brentford.
14.10.2005, 29260 miles, inspection one, window regulator and motor, Steering rack, and full wheel alignment @ Coopers again.
11.6.2007, 38527 miles, lower steering column replaced @ BMW park lane.
24.7.2007, 38852 miles, another steering rack replaced, and wheel alignment @ BMW park lane.
Thats all the history i can see on the system mate.
Hope the milage isn't too high now, plus the car would have services outside of the system too i hope. check the service book for this.
OK..
16.6.2003, 11365 miles, engine oil service @ Cooper tunbridge wells.
22.4.2004, 21143 miles, front seat belt pre tensioner replaced @ cooper tunbridge wells.
3.12.2004, 27937 miles, Coolant expansion tank replaced @ Berry Brentford.
14.10.2005, 29260 miles, inspection one, window regulator and motor, Steering rack, and full wheel alignment @ Coopers again.
11.6.2007, 38527 miles, lower steering column replaced @ BMW park lane.
24.7.2007, 38852 miles, another steering rack replaced, and wheel alignment @ BMW park lane.
Thats all the history i can see on the system mate.
Hope the milage isn't too high now, plus the car would have services outside of the system too i hope. check the service book for this.
15 October 2010, 09:44 AM
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MMT - I can't see a major issue with it having had work done to it.
He did the usual thorough physical checks and all was fine. Has full service history, runs well, etc.
Anyway he's loving it and yes, it does have an LSD!
He did the usual thorough physical checks and all was fine. Has full service history, runs well, etc.
Anyway he's loving it and yes, it does have an LSD!
15 October 2010, 10:20 AM
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I'm sure its fine, although I wasn't aware of the amount of possible issues.
15 October 2010, 11:05 AM
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MMT - I have to admit, that is big list of possible problems. I wonder if BMW tested it properly before releasing it? A cracking motor but definitely a "temperamental" one by the looks of it.
Matt - cheers again! I will mention it. Thanks from my dad too - he was very impressed. The guy that will be servicing it has a mk1 Cooper S too so it pretty savvy with them apparently.
He took it to his nearby pub last night and got called a girly hairdresser poof by a few regulars he knows (they all rip the p155 out of each other all the time). Not sure he was expecting that. I suspect they all drive knackered old escorts or similar though...
Matt - cheers again! I will mention it. Thanks from my dad too - he was very impressed. The guy that will be servicing it has a mk1 Cooper S too so it pretty savvy with them apparently.
He took it to his nearby pub last night and got called a girly hairdresser poof by a few regulars he knows (they all rip the p155 out of each other all the time). Not sure he was expecting that. I suspect they all drive knackered old escorts or similar though...
15 October 2010, 11:51 AM
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Had 2 throttle body replaced under warranty ..around 1k each fitted. Causing the famous "lime home mode" EML light. Others being airbag light, oil leak..... quite a unrealible little car withi
n 1 year ownership...
n 1 year ownership...
15 October 2010, 01:11 PM
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Throttles are never really the fault- it is actually the engine wiring harness that has resistance at the plug end for the throttle. You need a new wiring harness if that fault arrises.
15 October 2010, 01:42 PM
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rookymatt,
Might be easier to list what's right about the new Mini
I thought my old little Mini Cooper was bad with constant flat batteries lol!
Make mental note.................never buy a new Mini.
Might be easier to list what's right about the new Mini
I thought my old little Mini Cooper was bad with constant flat batteries lol!
Make mental note.................never buy a new Mini.
15 October 2010, 01:53 PM
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Spen - this is an 8 year old Mini. Not really very new...!
When they work (!) they are brilliant IMO - well specced, proper go karts, wicked sounding little engine and with a HUGE sunroof as an option.
When they don't work... errrrrm...!
When they work (!) they are brilliant IMO - well specced, proper go karts, wicked sounding little engine and with a HUGE sunroof as an option.
When they don't work... errrrrm...!
15 October 2010, 01:55 PM
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I'm making it sound worse than it is to be honest Spen.
They are good cars, but so many are on the road here in London, that i see many a mullered one, with the few minters thrown in for good measure.
They are good cars, but so many are on the road here in London, that i see many a mullered one, with the few minters thrown in for good measure.
15 October 2010, 02:29 PM
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love the ones with all the cooper s kit....not, you open the bonnet, to find a mini one lump staring back at you. classy.
