I've seen an 03 Mini Cooper for sale. What are your views on one of these as a daily ( apart from limited boot space ) car for town and longer trips? Anyone got one/had one?
Wanting something as a daily runner and garage the S.

 

Gaddafi's had several MINIs - should be able to set you right.

 

aren't they properly unreliable? checks the mini forums, supposed to be a good drive but i dislike the looks, only ever driven a base one and it was predictably shit but reasonably roomy inside

 

There've been lots of issues after reading through mini forums. Gearbox and power steering pump were big probs I think. However this one has had both sorted.See Richard E Grant's tirade on Watchdog? I await Gad if he's around.
I DID have one in the days before rock n' roll ( seems like) and had to drive from London to Brighton in 2nd gear, but that was way back when.
Not sure about these run flat tyres.Apparently changing them for "normal" tyres makes big difference to the ride.

 

I had an R57 Cooper S. In the 14 months I owned it, it had a full top-engine rebuild by BMW due to a timing chain issue, thankfully under warranty (if not, it would have been £6k or so I believe). However, that was for a specific Cooper S "problem".

The build quality of the car was shocking though. I wouldn't have another MINI if you paid me.

 

we had a 52 plate R52 Cooper S which we really liked (my now wife's car), however my sister in law had a 53 Cooper which I thought was actually a nicer drive and despite missing the top end zing of the super charged S, I think is actually the nicer drive. The gearbox (5 speeder) is certainly nicer than the S' 6 speed which was a bit vague and 'sloppy'.

We had no issues other than exhaust mounts (corrosion) and power steering motor was on it's way out when we traded in, was around £800 I think for a new one, so pleased we got rid in time. They all whine like hell though (power steering pumps) so don't let that put you off. The Cooper is still in the family with near 100k on it and no issues that I am aware of. I've have another.

 

Nobody has mentioned the wayward handling yet?

The sportier models are quite shocking and seem to want to swap ends rather too often IME.
And if you follow one pressing on, that is 'really' scary - keep well back!

Buy an A3....

Steve.

 

Not very positive responses.Thanks for the imput . Got to find a car for about £3000 or so.
I heard about the 18" wheels being a bit wayward but not the 17s. Anyway, in general, the Mini not too popular on here.

 

Actually, I just remembered I know a girl (what else?) with a MINI convertible.

She said it's going, because something has gone wrong on a monthly basis for a year - and she regrets selling her old bag o'shite 106 which was actually good.

Now I get Steve's A3 joke...yeah or a Lada or an Allegro!

 

or one of these Soviet gems

http://www.flickr.com/photos/95041018@N02/10177148083/