Just wanted to say hey and yes I got me a 03' cooper s on friday. So far its everything and more that I wanted. My last car was a 00' impreza rs so I was sceptical if the handling was going to be as good as I had my suby set up as. Its exactly the same and the cooper is completely stock. Wow!!!! The only things so far that are wrong with it is the airbag light is on and im stumped if the power steering pump is almost toast or if i just need to bleed the pump. well anyways I guess another mini cooper is added to the streets of tacoma.

 

Congrats and welcome to NAM.
Where's the pictures???????????

 

I havnt taken any pictures yet. :( i completely forgot my camera. i had to drive from tacoma to portland so i couldnt just go back and grab it. i was pissed. i think in a couple days the weather is gonna be nice.

 

Oh well, s*** happens. Sounds like me, I'd forget my head if it weren't attached sometimes.
You'll get it together and you'll love every minute of it.
Just got home from a Mini Rally. About 30 of us total.
Great fun.

 

I know right that goes ditto for me. Ya I need to look in the washington state section see if there are any cool meets or what not. its been a whole year since ive had a car so my gf is gonna love it. haha right....

 

Alright finally took a drive out to the carbon river with the gf today and what a drive!!!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cture_0255.jpg

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cture_0323.jpg

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cture_0304.jpg

This one was on ruston wayish in tacoma.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cture_0621.jpg

 

Very nice. Like the dark grey and stripes.
I really like the last picture the best. Shows some good
photographic talent.
Enjoy it and hope you have good luck with it.

I'm still loving mine even though I've had to do a few things
to it. But all better now.
Actually, just ordered a new intercooler, coilovers, rear camber links, and torque arm mount inserts.
Can't wait to get 'em hooked up.

 

haha damn what an order!!! I wish I could order that many things. :( Told the gf if I can get this car the I wouldnt buy anything extra for it till its payed off. :( Were are doin a lock down on spending though so itll be a hard yr or two but I got a cooper s. Ya hopefully I can figure out the airbag light and the little rough steering. Hopefully I have good luck with this car haha.

 

Oh and heres a couple more from the drive.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...icture_049.jpg

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cture_0482.jpg

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...cture_0471.jpg

AAAhh ya!!!!

 

Figure it's an 03. How many miles on it? Probably going to come up with a few little issues, I know when I bought my 07 it had a few issues.
Can't expect too much being almost 10 yrs old.
Oh, mine is paid for so I don't have a payment. It's a little easier to stash money away for 'goodies'. Come to think of it, wife's car is paid, and house is paid off. All good but on the bad side, I'm getting older.

 

ohhh ya well I guess that would make it easier. Its got 106k. so pretty much exactly what it should have I guess. ya theres a couple little stuff with the car i can live with. ive had worse with other cars. man im just dreading to find out how much the airbag light and power steering is gonna be. haha. ya im turnin 25 in a month so im not as far ahead as you unless you hit it big early in life haha.

 

Wish I could help you out on the airbag light. I'm just not familiar with the 1st gen's. But the 2nd gen's seem to have soooo many senors that that is what is wrong alot of the times. I wouldn't think it's a big thing.
The power steering thing (shimmey or shake) could be bushings, ball joints, torque arm insert, wheel bearings, ????) That shouldn't be too big a deal either.
And no, I didn't hit it big young, I'm 63 but still enjoy harley's and Mini's.
Just managed my money. Plus, I'm retired so that should really get you going. All kinds of time to play.
Anyway, post your issues and a good description of what your car is doing, I'm sure you'll get someone to pin point what it is or at least direct you as to what to look at.
Good Luck my friend.

 

Ya me and the gf have been bucklin down pretty good recently. So much our families are callin us cheap lol. its all good. ya i posted somethin in the 1st gen stock problems/issues but not a lot of bites. its not wheel bearings i know that. i feel like from research that its air in the power steering pump or the pump is almost toast. Ill just bring it in which sucks cause i did not wanna spend my tax return on that. :(

 

I was bored so looked around a little. Power steering pump failure of 1st gen's is common. They aren't cheap, around $600-$700. Might be able to find some refurbished ones if you search a little.
Also, seems that they whine loudly when starting to go. Maybe that's not your issue. You could also go online to www.waymotorworks.com
Call or email Waylan (Way). He's out of Atlanta but sometimes has used parts he'll sell. I buy most of my stuff from him plus you'll see his name on NAM alot. Good guy. Also, has his own shop that only works on Mini's.

 

haha ya i started reading stuff like that after i got the car. I just read that mini coopers had good resale values. ill have to check that website out. i saw that theres a mini cooper shop right next to the mini cooper dealership in tacoma so i might check them out too. thanks for tellin me about refurbished pumps. didnt know that. all my cars ive had never had a steering pump go out.

 

Well just heard back from the wonderful euro shop of Rofls and it was just the passenger sensor in the buckle. Something like that. I was getting excited so i might have missed a little. $350 diagnostic, parts and labor. hells ya!!! that and the steering is perfect I think im just not use to mini cooper steering. A little harder than normal cars. so nothin wrong there. So in conclusion my coop is awesome and cant wait to get it back friday!!!

 

Congrats! I also just picked up an 03 MCS today, and came from an 04 Subaru STi. I love this little car, can't wait for the modding bug to hit...haha

 

Oh, it will hit you. Very hard....

 

Ohh well you came from a beast of a car. I never got a chance to ride in an sti. this mcs completely stock is amazing!! I cant wait to have this car paid off so i can start modding. I already have everything picked out for it.

 

If you want to have some fun with other MINI owners, check out the local club here:

http://www.psmini.org

This summer will be full of drives and events. The next really big thing will probably be the Tulip Rallye put on by the MGCCNW; not strictly a PSMINI event but very well attended by MINI owners.

Depending on your build date, there was an extended warranty (out to 10 years) on some of the airbag components on the early models. The warranty covered cars built until January of 2003 if I remember correctly. This may have been what was wrong with your car but it sounds like you have already gotten it fixed. Did you also get a clean bill of health on your power steering system? The noise and feel of it are different than on a car with a belt driven pump, and it can feel odd at first. Check the power steering fluid regularly as the hoses on the early models can be a bit weepy.

Loved your pictures- the Carbon River area is beautiful and you have a nice looking car.

Val

 

Start buying the parts, and when you have it paid off slap it all on!

 

Congrats on the mini man, looks sharp....Welcome to the NW MINI Community!! I am in Portland also, lots of great roads to rip around here ...

 

Ya i knew i saw something about an extended warrant on certain things. So if im gettin the airbag light fixed not at the dealership could i take the reciept to the dealership and get a refund? lol worth a shot. ya the guy at the shop said my steering was normal. no leaks and the pump seemed good. he said mini coopers are just harder in general. im gettin use to it. ya i def wanna get a meet here soon ill check out that website. I think a carbon river drive should be on the website for sure.

 

Ohh trust me I wish. I work the dock at fedex and hopefully I can start driving soon. thatll speed the process up.

Thanks oohhh ya I know a lot of good roads. atleast in the puget sound area. Only in pdx when i visit my buddy down there. Sorry I stole a mini from you oregonians. lol.