2003 MINI Cooper Consumer Reviews

Miss it, but GLAD it's gone!

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my Cooper used w/ 68,000 miles. W/in 4 months this happened: First the key fob quit locking/unlocking door & would instead spontaneously open all the windows. Then the driver's side door handle quit working so I had to roll window down to get out, until window quit too, then I had to crawl out passenger side. Electrical issues caused all windows + sunroof to open when it rained which ruined the cloth seats. Then it started running out of gas before it was on E. Doors locked shut once so my bf had to crawl out window & I had go out trunk so I could roll window up. Then the tranny quit! $5k for a rebuilt! So then I had to give car back to bank 6 months after I got it.
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Won't drive anything but a Mini

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Bought my Mini new in 2003. There have been a few issues with squeeks and rattles, but the dealership has remedied them all. I rated the comfort at 4 only because the Sport Suspension is a bit stiff, with the run flat tires, but it is NOT a complaint. The design is rated at 4 only because of the cup holders. I drove my car everyday, 70 miles round-trip to work, on wet and icy roads. The front-wheel drive is amazing! I'm getting ready to sell my baby for a new one -- 2011 Mini Countryman. Can't wait!!
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Cons outweigh the Pros

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I purchased this car used in 2007 and I didn't even get 5000 miles on it before the clutch went out on it the first time. Six months after that replacement, I had to have it back in the shop because the clutch pedal had a master/slave issue and I had to have the cylinders replaced. Then, just this past week, after approximately 21 months and 9,000 more miles on the car, I had to have the clutch replaced again. Seriously, while the car looks really cool and is sometimes fun to drive, it is *not* worth all the extra money it will cost you for ownership. I can't wait to pay this thing off and go back to driving a VW again.
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Super Fun But Also Expensive to Own

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

After owning a MINI S for 2.5 years and 15,000 miles I can say this is the most fun car I have ever had. However, it has been the most troublesome car for me to date as well with $2000 in repairs, and that is parts only because I can repair it myself. Now, this is a car that was owned by the lead MINI tech at the dealership for its first 70,000 miles and maintained religiously since new. And now it has rust, yes rust on a 7 year old car. There are two big holes in the sheet metal just below the taillights. Keep in mind when buying one that you are buying a BMW product and thus comes with BMW prices for parts and service.
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Worst car ever built

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I see them everywhere,so you estimate reliability as possibly "how bad could it be". I didn't do my research. 58,000 miles- almost no bearings left around the input shaft of the transmission- I only got 8000 miles out of it since I bought it used. It is a manual. Found it cause bleeding oil into the clutch and slipping. After reading about the problems, I want to drive it thru the showroom glass at the Mini dealership just to help the people with these problems with a national news story. This car is disgrace to BMW and to all German cars. Think they improved? Research "death knock". I would trade it for a Ford Pinto. A bicycle is worth more.
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I <3 my Mini

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My mini is my first car, i bought it myself and absolutely love it!!! My mom has one also and we both couldn't be happier with there performances. My mini was built with the sports package and its the best, the seats are so comfortable and the steering quality is excellent. The Mini Cooper is a great car for people of all ages and heights, even my 6 foot 4'' Grandpa fits in it with ease. Great over all car!!!
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Long Time Owner - Still Happy

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I use this as my daily commuter, year-round in Chicago winter driving with a 20+ mile commute on local roads (lots of stop-and-go). Other than a few interior squeaks from the dash, I have little complaint. I can't find another economy car that can be equipped as nicely and handle solid on slippery roads and high winds. When it comes to running errands, city driving/parking (even grocery runs) for 6 years we always gravitate to the Mini. Only major repair: I had the fuel injector replaced at 70K. Drawbacks are that it's a high-strung breed - higher revs, noisier on the highways and a bouncy ride on rough roads. Be prepared if you're a big coffee drinker -- you will need a good, no-spill mug
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Think twice-Novelty wears off quick

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I'm a medical rep. that drives 70 miles a day of hard driving. I've put 10,000 miles and 3,000.00 bucs into the car!--all new brakes,fan assembly, electric windows,clutch, ect,ect. It's cool for the first month, then guess what? It's just another gutless little car. Resale is still good-(x car salesman). For a toy, it's great. If your gonna make it your work car--buy something else.--If I had it to do again, I'd of bought a clean used BMW 325. I paid 14k a year ago for it--I'll get 9500- in trade for it next month-(already had a quote)- make sure you love em' if you make the purchase--your gonna spend a little $ on it. (Also, MAKE SURE there's a dealer close by) You'll be appreciated.
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Disheartened

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I am so disheartened and and terribly worried about driving a Mini as this car suddenly stopped while I was on the road and I could have been killed. The transmission gave away and the dealer cost of fixing I was told will be $8000. He states that there was a hole in the transmission and therefore it blew up. Obviously it sounds as though it is a manufacturing problem - but they of course will not admit it and attributes it to my driving. He refuses to admit that so many others have had the same "transmission" problems.
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trouble ahead

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

This is my first and only car. This has also been my baby I live in upstate NY and this car spends most of the winters in a garage this is the FIRST real winter out in the salt. The car has been great until this year... I have gotten in a minor fender bender were my rear passenger side was taped in a inch or two. The only reason this is relevant is I want any one reading this to know the entire story. I Have since found a hole in each of my mufflers. MINI wants $400 for the divers side and $300 for the passenger side exhaust. Also I have found a leak in the headers...I am just hoping thats a gasket problem. The current exhaust also has broken loss of the hangers twice now. In the past week i
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