R53 Cooper s ?

[Mivecrx]

Hi, how's the form? New to posting here but looking for some advice on 04/05 cooper s. As my girlfriends looking at buying one.

Apart from the normal checks with every car.
Is there anything in particular to look out for?
What would be considered high mileage ? Even if service history is good.

Any reason to avoid ?

There's a few on donedeal that she likes, I can put up links to get people's opinion ?

[kildangan_kid]

They are a fantastic little car. Unreal to drive and would shame an awful lot of other cars on the road. Few things from my experience to look out for.
- cooling problems. Make sure to get to start the car from dead cold, many of them are missing a heat shield between the coolant bottle and exhaust manifold. If it's driven any length of time with it missing you could be looking at headgasket problems.
- access in the engine bay is extremely tight even changing aux belt is a complete pain.
- I've heard a few comments about the earlier models having gearbox problems don't quote me though.
- power steering can be quite troublesome, listen for any wissing noises while going on full lock and steering feel going from heavy to light or vise versa. This is a costly fix

However i found them quite easy to insure and are very easy on fuel. Handy to tax too which is rare for a BMW just my two cents.

[Valdelisbmw]

lot things to fail as on most 04-05 cars , and lot things as for small car .

[Valdelisbmw]

easy on fuel ? E36 M3 probably better on fuel

[rebel.ranter]

easy on fuel ? E36 M3 probably better on fuel

Agreed!

- Brakes need to have discs and pads replaced at same time
- Water pump is a vulnerable area
- Electric power steering pump is practically a (very expensive) service item it fails in early cars
- That age car will need some bushes changed, especially front control arm bushes
- Front brakes are wooden, definitely need to be upgraded to R56
- UK cars are especially prone to underside rust damage
- Rocker cover gasket
- Window regulators can fail as they have pillarless doors

Great fun, very tuneable which makes them even more fun! More reliable than R56Cooper S by all accounts.

[kildangan_kid]

I used to get around 400 miles to a tank and was only €45-50 to fill..

[Valdelisbmw]

higher mileage mini needs :

as rebel.ranter mentioned and list goes on

Oil housing gasket leak
Chain tensioner
radiator
clutch and flywheel
Front susp ball joints
front ARB bushes
Footwell module problems
rusty suspension parts

but at the end of the day ,nothing unusual

[Valdelisbmw]

I'm driving friends very well looked after mini atm, for 20€ could get nearly 90miles with quite driving . Just bit more sharp with 3k revs or over and max 50miles .

Maybe if U cruise on motorway up to 60miles an hour ,I still would struggle to believe

[rebel.ranter]

This goes through list:'

[Mivecrx]

Thanks for all the good replies!

Looks like big car maintenance in a little car,the average stuff every car needs at this age isn't much a problem.
Even the list of problems seems less than all the problems her current petrol focus has thrown up.

Was planning on viewing this car :

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/10531343
Mini Cooper S Low Mileage Mint Tax & NCT




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