2003 Cooper S Reliability

[FuzzaWuzz33]

Looking at one of these but just not really sure about the reliability. Standard shift, around 140,000 miles.

What does everyone think?

[SilverBeam]

Depends on the previous owner and the car to be honest. The service records should tell the whole story. Some of these cars go for ever without problems, others have little things always wrong with them. If the service records are filled with nagging little things, then that's a tale tale sign of what to expect. Conversely, if there are no service records or the previous owner has only done limited maintenance, walk away. It's never fun to buy a car and dump a grand or two into preventative maintenance.

That said, any high mileage car is not going to be perfect, you have to be prepared for something to break sooner or later.

[KeysCoupe]

The supercharger is going to need service sooner or later, and later usually means a new unit after it has seized. There are two small oil reservoirs that supply lubrication to the bearings at each end. The seals eventually allow the oil to be sucked out (it is under vacuum 98% of the time), and when it runs dry, things go bad. Only the front reservoir can be refilled without taking half the engine apart, and thats not the one with the waterpump reduction drive.
Count on servicing/rebuilding the S/C and water pump with that kind of mileage.
Also, The front suspension, specifically the lower control arm bushings, are toast by 80,000 miles, and all four shocks will be shot around that same time.
The final item is the balancer usually is shot by 100,000 miles and should be replaced before it comes apart. Replace the idler pullies and tensioner around this same time.
If all these items have been addressed, the cars are pretty reliable past 200,000 miles. See the maintenance history or count on having to do these things.
These cars don't go forever without addressing the above items.