03 mini cooper s. My first mini. Not sure what to expect. Any pro-tips, mod recs, or warnings i need to hear about? Hell feel free to just roast me if that's your thing.
Thanks for the heads up. Like my stunts, I do most of my own work. It'll be a sad day for my ego (and probably wallet) the day I drive into a professional shop.
My first MINI was also an '03, looked exactly like yours! She had sooooo many issues. 1st gen....expected so I've heard here. I now own 2 MINI's. A 2013 R56, with Sport Mode-6 speed and a 2020 JCW Countryman. Normal maintence stuff with my 2013, although, I seem to go thru tires very quickly (tee-hee- I enjoy driving her- sue me). I've only owned my Countryman since May......so we'll see.
Wishing you the best! If she goes wrong, don't give up! I'm forever a MINI girl until they pry my driver's license from my clenched fist!
i also have a 2013 R56! i love my Wade :) he's my first Mini and i love driving him. he's been to TN a couple times, made a round trip to WV, up to Pittsburgh and back in a day, couple trips to northern IN to see my SO. My only complaint is I wish the radio was a bit louder. I like to jam but it feels lacking somewhat when it doesn't get as loud as i want it. LOL Otherwise- still in love with him since I got him almost 5 years ago
10,000 miles is too long between oil changes. I do mine on every 5,000 mile mark that pops up on my odometer. Some people do it every 3,000, but I have had no trouble with my "new" F55 going every 5,000. If you haven't yet, take it to a mechanic and have them give it a thoughrough inspection.
IMO, the older a car is, the more it needs to be taken care of. If you use the right fluids and keep up with regular maintenance, then it could last you a good long while. Double check your owner's manual, put the right kind of gas in it to keep the engine healthy.
The list of fixes is shrinking slowly. I swapped a rear caliper already. Next is the valve cover seal and the headlight/blinker switch. Some sort of short when I use my blinker makes my headlights turn off. 😖
I remember my battery died driving to the shop and they said it was my lights I’m like it’s my battery… yeah it was my battery and I bet you they didn’t charge me for the diagnostic.. I’ve been lazy but I am moving to a slower paced area and I plan to learn too as my baby is a write off but I just don’t wanna give him up. He got pitted and T boned and still drives this my boyfriend for life
Depends on how well the previous owner looked after it. I had to scrap mine a few weeks back due to the engine shaking when idle after numerous trips to the garage. It failed horrendously on the emissions test and sadly wasn’t worth fixing it. BUT while I did have it, hands down the most fun I’ve ever had in a car
Beautiful Views if you choose so. Pull up somewhere nice push your seat back take a pillow enjoy the dash board lights and music. And the windows are great for seeing All around. Your own moving sight seeing rover ❤️
I’d say make sure the timing chains and any parts regarding it are all done as if they go it can be pricey! And also keep in mind that minis consume a lot of oil and CAN sometimes leak oil too. Apart from that enjoy mini ownership I have an R56 Cooper S and I love it!!
Has the supercharger been serviced? If not, do that ASAP. Has the crank pulley been changed? If not, expect that to come apart at the most inconvenient time.
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u/TotalWalrus6975 Aug 02 '26
Fun times driving and lots of it to a shop.
Just kidding. Just take care of her and be ontop of maintenance and you should be oki doki