Wife and I purchased the MCSc (blue/blue) as a spare car to help with fuel consumption. She normally drives a Suburban and I normally drive a 740iL. So, whenever one of us needs to run a solo errand or two, we plan to jump in the MINI.

We started our search thinking we wanted a MC (auto). But, after driving the MC and then driving MVS (manual), we decided to only look for MCS manuals. Then we saw the convertible advertised and snapped it up very quickly. Particular's:

'05 MCSc
Blue (hyper?) with blue top
Premium, Sport, Cold Weather, and chrome packages.
Leather, cloth seats.
Xenon
aftermarket DVD head unit with DVD monitors in both headrests (I know).
Basslink
Run Flats removed (we hated the cars with the Run Flats).

Anyway, reading up here a ton and trying to learn. the first thing I am going to check are the strut towers. Then I will change ALL fluids. Anything else I should do or check out?

I will probably take to dealer (80 miles away) soon to have the rubber at the base of the top replaced under warranty (before it runs out).

Can't wait to play

Here is the Craigslist page http://austin.craigslist.org/car/704807853.html

 

looks awesome! pretty similar to my 05 HB that I picked up at the beginning of the year. For sure have the dealer check out the seals on the roof when you get it, mine had just been replaced by the previous owner.

Other than that and fluids, its an incredibly well built car, and you probably won't need to do much else.

Congrats on your new mini! and welcome to the madness.

 

Well, we picked it up last night. Everything looks good except I think it is suffering from strut tower mushrooming. I was going to pick up a set of Craven STD's (been reading a bit here lately), but think I will have trouble bolting them up. Is mushrooming something the dealer will fix under warranty?

Also, the top makes a pop sound in the same place/instance every time it is lowered. Normal? Sort of sounds like part of the mechanism is catching.

 

Unfortunately, no.

I have not noticed this on mine.

Another thing to check on the top, of course, is that there is no fraying (usually happens at the point over the windows -- where the top folds as it is put down). And check for half-moon shaped scratches on the small side windows. These are some things that should be taken care of under warranty.

 

all you need are 24"s with those headrest monitors j/k

 

I called the dealer in San Antonio (no Austin dealer yet ). The service advisor said they would cover the strut tower mushrooming under warranty along with the other small issues such as:

rubber trim at base of top.
oil seeping at valve cover (very minor)
top adjustment/issues

He said the stumble at cold start could be the fuel grade. I doubt this, but will fill with premium and observe.

 

Awesome Many others have had problems getting support on this -- so, congrats.

 

Just speculating, but the dealer may be making a 'goodwill' repair of the towers to 'seal the deal' of customer loyalty with this new owner who will shortly be out of warranty. I've only read of 1 to 2 other people getting the mushrooming covered under warranty. Everyone else has had to repair this on their own dime.

Congrats on your free 'shroom repair and on your beautiful new ride! Very nice!

 

Now you guys have me worried. Dealer will probably try to renegotiate once I am there. But, I clearly said that the towers appeared to be "mushrooming" He immediately said he was familiar with the problem and would fix under warranty. I would imagine that if this was something MINI did not reimburse the dealer for, they would not make such a statement or offer. Regardless, I need other things done before warranty runs out and I could fix the towers myself if needed.

 

congrats! have fun with it!