I have just traded my 2003 Cooper S for the 2008 Cooper Clubman (wife has back issues so the ride in the S was a bit hard for her)I would have to say build quality of the R53 was a bit shy on good quality. I had rattles in dash in rear door in side doors and the gearbox was also getting 'clunky. However on the 2hr ride back home in the Clubman, Mini may have got their shit together as it was quiet like a quiet thing....about time Mini...I didn't have much faith in the longevity of the R53 if we held onto it much longer (it had done 61000km)I just had a weird feeling it was going to let us down, on cold mornings it would play up like my 1973 clubman did when I had that...not too flash for a car this young, as it turned out the passenger side central locking failed on delivery to BMW/Mini dealer for the trade.

• MINI COOPER OWNERS -- Chime in on quality! - Jay in Florida 2004-03-09 15:13:52 (3188 views)
  • Jay, where is everybody? - retcol 2004-03-18 20:11:16 (2635 views)
    • We're lurking. Go ahead and post here. (nt) - davidc 2004-03-18 22:34:47 (2372 views)
      • Mini Quality, or lack thereof...... - duckguy 2006-08-18 03:03:36 (1013 views)
        • Re: Mini Quality, or lack thereof...... - dangermouse 2008-10-31 01:12:56 (77 views)