2003 Mini Cooper S

Hatchback

4 - Cyl.

Manual

wmwre33463td67660

Clear

Gasoline

Here we have one of the best driver's cars ever created. British panache for styling with German engineering. Could it get any sweeter? I bought this car several months ago because I enjoy driver's cars. My previous car was a 2001 330Ci with an Active Autowerke Stage 1 supercharger kit. That car had about 360 hp at the flywheel and could keep up with the M3s of its day. I moved onto this car for economical reasons. This car is just as much, if not more, fun to drive. The steering is incredibly quick - think it, and it's there. Most modern cars can stop on a dime, this one can drive the perimeter of a dime. On paper, this car is considerably slower than my old E46. In my hands, it's not noticeable at all. Buy this car and you'll have a stupid grin on your face every time you drive it. Now... As much as I love this car, it is unfortunately just not practical for me to keep at this point. The smaller size is part of the reason the car is so fun, but also the one of the main reasons I must sell. I have found myself in more predicaments about transporting items in the past few months than I care to discuss. So it goes... In my time of ownership, I have logged less than 3,000 miles. At the beginning of my ownership, I changed the oil with Mobil 1 (as I do with all my cars) and used a Mann oil filter. I planned to keep the car a while, so I had ordered two more Mann oil filters from Bavarian Autosport. Those two oil filters are my gift to the highest bidder - a $20 plus shipping value! I change the oil in my cars about every 3,000 miles. The next oil change is due at 91,000, which is only about 200 miles away. All you'll need is to drop by your local Wal-Mart and pick up a 5 quart bottle of Mobil 1 5w- or 10w-30, and you'll be set. Factory options on this car include: Xenon headlampsAll leather seats (front and rear)Dual sunroofsPremium 18" chrome wheels The engine on this car is in perfect shape. The spark plugs were pulled to check this - and they couldn't be cleaner looking. They are Bosch 4-prong plugs, for anyone that cares. The car drives smoothly in any RPM range. I don't often push my cars (both for fuel mileage and health reasons), but I did before posting this ad just to make sure. The clutch and transmission shift smoothly and show no signs of giving out any time soon. Car is rust free. A few minor blemishes in the paint, but as you can see from the reflection from my closeup of the chips on the door, the paint is mirror-like. I didn't even wash the car before listing it. :) I recently conditioned the leather with Zymol leather treat and at the same time did a complete detail using Zymol wash, pre-wax treat, and wax. It's high-carnauba wax that should last at least another 6 months even in the Florida sun. Everything else on the car works as it should, except... As with any used car, there will be minor things wrong. They are as follows: The remote keyless entry on the key is non-functional. In my searches for a new key, I have found this is a common problem on these Coopers. I never replaced it because keyless entry is a luxury I don't really require. The airbag light is on. Now this may seem like a serious issue if you are not familiar with these cars. I did, as I always do, a fair amount of research before purchasing this car. The airbag light is a problem that plagues many Coopers. It does not mean the airbags won't go off in an accident**, rather, from my research, it is due to a faulty wiring harness under the driver's seat. This problem didn't bother me too much, and it was on my list of things to do were I keeping the car, I just never got around to it. I included a picture just so the buyer knows for sure. If you're handy, you could probably replace the harness yourself and have the light reset at the dealer. (Also, about the picture. The low tire pressure sensor light is on. It came on and I immediately filled the tires with air to spec per Mini suggestions. I have not yet reset the light) The tires will need to be replaced. They will need to be replaced almost immediately. Please do not plan on flying in from Alaska and driving the car back - the tires will not make it. I can, however, arrange for the tires to be replaced and then you may drive it back to wherever you like. And that's all that I am aware of that is wrong. The stereo doesn't sound all that great, but it's the stock stereo and I'm used to stereo systems I've designed and installed, so my opinion on that is a little skewed anyway. With all that said, here are the important details for my protection and yours: *Free shipping - If the bidding goes above $8700, I will contribute $300 towards shipping. This should get it to about Maryland or Texas without you having to be charged. After that, it shouldn't be too much more to ship it to the rest of the US. **I make this claim based on my research on the airbag light issue. I cannot, with absolute certainty, guarantee that statement were you to get in an accident with this car. And finally, please ask any questions prior to bidding. This is a used car and sold as-is with no warranty expressed or implied. By bidding, you agree that I, my relatives, and/or any of my associates will not be held liable for any potential damages accrued by your purchase of this car. (i.e. the car is the sole property and responsibility of the buyer once the payment has been made, thereby finalizing the transaction. All sales final.)