Opinions on a Mini Cooper S?

[simulatedwood]

Does anyone have any opinions on mini coopers? I am looking at a 03 s model with high miles as a winter beater. Are they reliable? Should I look elsewhere?
Owned a few BMW's but these seem to not be quite the same in quality, so before I bit the bullet, what am I in for?

Thanks,
Shawn

[mike55112]

I personally hate the interior on them, I test drove an s model a few years back and couldn't get it simply cause the interior. But that's just me

[A//// Guy]

^ Same here, if they looked nicer inside, not clown car style, id probably end up getting one.

A co worker has one here with maybe 60k or more and she likes it, no problems yet.

[simulatedwood]

Actually here is link to the actual car: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/ctd/2647812273.html.

Its a winter car, but it has all the things I am looking for, climate control, traction control, mpg, and cruise. The can get this one for substantially less then the advertised price so that is the only reason I am considering it.

[A//// Guy]

Looks clean! If it drives and shifts fine, I dont think youll have an issue with it. Thats pretty cheap too.

[mike55112]

If you don't mind the interior, I would say go for it. Wouldn't be a bad winter vehicle

[turbotalon1g]

U fit in those comfortably? remember we get at least 6 months of salt/winter here.

[Goat Blower]

I looked over at one today as I was driving by in my Tahoe thinking how I'd drive right over it and hardly notice, just think if you'd want to be in that car on an icy day. :D

[scheides]

Nice little car, I'd rip one! Rosey has one, I'll have him chime in.

[rose0529]

Shawn -

The wife DD's an 02 MCS with a 15% pulley and CAI. (I'd recommend those two mods, woke it up quite considerably, and still drives like a stock car).

We've had it for about 2 years now. It's been a very good car for us.

Here is my thoughts. The car handles awesome. Moves pretty good. S/C wine is a bit addicting!

The interior isn't great but I have definitly seen worse. I think peoples biggest problem with the interior would be the speedo being in the center. Ours has navigation, so it moves the speedo next to the tach on the steering column, so its a bit more normal.

3 adults can fit decently comfortably in it. Forth is tricky if the driver is taller than about 5'8". inside with 2 adults it imo doesn't feel cramped.

The Traction control sucks, basically gets turned off when driving in the winter. We have a set of General Artimax Artics on it for the winter and it does really well at getting through the snow.

Cruise control is good, the mpg is good we average a little over 30 DD, which involves some stop and go.

The only issue we've had is it threw a code and went into limp mode a couple times, but found a wire that had warn threw the insulation, fixed that and it hasn't done it sense. We also had the cable that hooks up to the door handle on the drivers side come out of its clip inside the door. Kind of a pita, but once you know how to fix it, its pretty simple, like a 20min fix.

Craig is another person to ask he has also owned one, and from what I know still wants one.

www.northamericanmotoring is the national forum for minis. Also check out this thread about minis common problems and what to look for when buying them.
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/r50-r53-hatch-talk-2002-2006/182969-your-ultimate-r53-newbie-diy-and-performance-guide.html

That car seems pretty cheap, check out the carfax, and such. Most likely becuase of miles. Looks like a fun Winter DD. GL! LMK if you have any questions or want to look at it or something.