2003 Mini Cooper Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

Think of the born-again 2003 Mini Cooper as an affordable, luxurious go-kart for adults. Is this your dream car? Better get in line.

Pros

The thrill of owning a piece of history with modern underpinnings, BMW-engineered suspension and steering, chock full of comfort and safety features, hatchback utility, scheduled maintenance on-the-house for 3 years/36,000 miles.

Cons

Not enough horsepower in base model, questionable seat comfort, not much room for passengers and cargo, price goes up quickly with options, limited supply encourages dealer mark-up.

What's New for 2003

For their second season in the U.S. market, the 2003 Mini Cooper and Cooper S will now come with a second remote key and pre-wiring for a dealer-installed alarm system. Anthracite (smoke gray, that is) interior trim is available as a no-cost option for both cars, and the Cooper S is eligible for the high-gloss silver interior treatment found in the base Cooper. Sound systems will be satellite radio-ready this year, and the rear cargo area now has a power point.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Long Time Owner - Still Happy

Written by: Dwayne Hayes on 05/11/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	7
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	7
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

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

Favorite Features

The handling at 88K miles is every bit as precise and solid as it was driving home from the dealership. I would prefer my Mini to 4-wheel drive on any icy or wet roads, though anything over 6 inches of unplowed snow starts to concern me. It's nice to drive an economy car that people love to ride in.

Suggested Improvements

Interior squeaks and rattles make it feel like a poor-man's BMW. Reducing RPMs below 2500 at 70 mph would do much to quiet highway driving. An less-bouncy ride without sacrificing handling would be great. If Mini could make a plug-in-hybrid I would be first in line to trade up to a newer model.

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Think twice-Novelty wears off quick

Written by: Peter Rorie on 04/22/2009


Performance:	3	Fun-to-Drive:	5	Build Quality:	5
Comfort:	3	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	2
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	9

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.

-great design--compliments everywhere you go.

work on the torque steer--rear gets crazy alot.

Disheartened

Written by: Sheila on 04/19/2009


Performance:	1	Fun-to-Drive:	5	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	3	Interior Design:	3	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	3	Exterior Design:	5

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.

trouble ahead

Written by: joe Hanafin on 04/07/2009


Performance:	7	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	2
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	7	Reliability:	3
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	9

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

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

speed, agility, nice interior, conferrable ride and a fun six speed manual with a punchy supper charger.

the stock exhaust sounds great but doesn't hold up, interior starts to rattle after some time, synchronizer troubles.

A little good, a lot of bad

Written by: mini s on 02/24/2009


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	5
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	4
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	10

I had this car at 40k it currently has 72k. This has got to be one of the funnest cars to drive until something goes wrong. Where do I start, let's just do a list: 1. Passenger seat (can't recline) cost $600 to fix 2. Driver side door will no longer lock by itself or with key $900 to fix... yup just to make the lock go up and down. 3. power steering went out at 67k. So many people have post the same problem but Mini says no recall, cost to fix $1300 4. Pinging and clanking noise from the supercharger might be bearings. Yes I do keep up with normal maintenance cost to fix. 5. Currently at 71k car is overheating. I am hoping it is just the thermostat

Supercharger. A true go kart. Handles like a glove.

Reliability is a question.

2003 MINI Cooper Consumer Ratings & Reviews

2003 MINI Cooper Review