Used 2004 MINI Cooper Consumer Reviews
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A great car if you have a spare one and money
It holds the road like it was glued to it and it is easy to drive, but after that it is all bad. I have lost track of the repairs it has needed. Three transmissions and four clutches with the first transmission and clutch at 10K so it isn't the driver. The front air dam falls off it you even touch a curb. The leather seats are falling apart. Heat and AC haven't worked in two years. The third stop light leaks and goes bad every couple of years. The muffler failed at 21K. The key doesn't work if you are more than ten feet from the car. I would never buy another even though the repair record on the newer models looks a lot better than the one for 2004.
Love it - Great value for the money
This car is a blast to drive. It spoils you. From the quick acceleration, to the continued power through all 6 gears, combined with sharp handling = tons of fun. Add in the great fuel economy and the unique look and it's just a great car. And if aftermarket tuning is an interest for you, this car has tons of potential available for simple/non-intrusive changes. You can easily add 40+ hp without doing anything radical. Warning - the summer tires will do you little good in the snow; the car is just too twitchy. I purchased a 2nd set of rims and studded snow tires and the car unstoppable in the Colorado winter.
Great performance car
This is a great performance car, especially when it comes to handling and driver engagement. While small, there is plenty of room in the front seats, but at the expense of the rear. First generation R53 MINI Cooper S is definitely more reliable than the second genarion that came out in 2007. Easy to modify with a 15% reduction superchager pulley and cold air intake to get this car around 200 hp.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
Great car but...
Great car, fun to drive. Cute as a button however, we are noticing some build quality issues. At 40K, radiator leaked, replaced battery 2 times, new belt tensioner, new engine seals. I don't know if the mechanic knew what he was doing but I found out the dealer sold his dealership shortly thereafter and all new people are working there now. Not too happy with the repairs.
Best car all around
My MINI is the best car I have ever had. I have the John Cooper Works model with work done making 249 hp. Besides the incredible power everything else about this car is spot on. For the money the interior is GREAT quality and flashy. Nothing is broken or falling off. I get 40 mpg highway with the work done and all. With 47k miles and the only problem was a leak in the slave cylinder. All in all the most fun car in the world. It is cheap, economical, high quality, fast, great handling, attractive, and always puts a smile on your face