Below is a quote of another person,I am experiencing similar problems except for "total loss of power" which has not happened to me. Also, the studdering problem in first gear is greatly reduced when the "active skid control" is disabled.*ak my mini cooper s was purchased in may 2003. "new mini cooper s automobile (purchased in june of 2003) experiences a noticeable and significant stumble when engaging first gear and accelerating from a stopped position. The stumble is significant enough to cause a stall condition and results in unreliable throttle response. The problem is worse at higher RPM engagements, in hotter weather, and with the AC engaged. The stumble feels like a momentary loss of power and then shortly thereafter, power is returned to the wheels. The problem occurs on virtually every engagement but is considerably worse on the first engagement after the car has sat for several hours with the engine off. The problem is less severe when turning the car left or right while engaging first gear. This issue renders the throttle response unreliable and can stall the automobile at unexpected times. No crashes have occurred at this time but the potential for a rear-end collision due to a stall or a side impact collision due to stalling when crossing an intersection is present. Additional issues related to engine management and throttle response occur in the same automobile have occurred but these additional problems have been intermittent and difficult to reproduce. In general, the additional problems seem to occur in on temperature days with AC engaged and include a full loss of power for an extended period of time while engaging first gear and a noticeable surging during acceleration as is the driver was pressing and releasing the gas. *jb"
2003 MINI Cooper S engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 15 of 15, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Mini cooper s has severe hesitation when starting from a standing start. The problem is unrelated to throttle or clutch pedal position. Car bogs for a few seconds (when making a left against traffic it feels like an eternity) when in first gear at approximately 1800 RPM then resumes accelerating. Service advisor at dealership told me it's a "characteristic" of the car. Representative at mini USA told me they are aware of the problem and are working on a fix. The is no fix at the present time and no estimate as to when there will be one. For the time being, mini owners have to pray each time they enter an intersection.
Vehicle hesitates (stimbles) upon acceleration resulting in a serious saftey concern. Also, the vehicle yo-yos upon deceleration.
"2003 mini cooper s automobile experiences a noticeable and significant stumble when engaging first gear and accelerating from a stopped position. The stumble is significant enough to cause a stall condition and results in unreliable throttle response. The problem is worse at higher RPM engagements, in hotter weather, and with the AC engaged. The stumble feels like a momentary loss of power and then shortly thereafter, power is returned to the wheels. The problem occurs on virtually every engagement but is considerably worse on the first engagement after the car has sat for several hours with the engine off. The problem is less severe when turning the car left or right while engaging first gear. This issue renders the throttle response unreliable and can stall the automobile at unexpected times. No crashes have occurred at this time but the potential for a rear-end collision due to a stall or a side impact collision due to stalling when crossing an intersection is present. Additional issues related to engine management and throttle response occur in the same automobile have occurred but these additional problems have been intermittent and difficult to reproduce. In general, the additional problems seem to occur in on temperature days with AC engaged and include a full loss of power for an extended period of time while engaging first gear and a noticeable surging during acceleration as is the driver was pressing and releasing the gas." I am experiencing the exact same problem. I would only like to add that a car had to move into the median because my mini lost power while entering the freeway.
New mini cooper s automobile (purchased in june of 2003) experiences a noticeable and significant stumble when engaging first gear and accelerating from a stopped position. The stumble is significant enough to cause a stall condition and results in unreliable throttle response. The problem is worse at higher RPM engagements, in hotter weather, and with the AC engaged. The stumble feels like a momentary loss of power and then shortly thereafter, power is returned to the wheels. The problem occurs on virtually every engagement but is considerably worse on the first engagement after the car has sat for several hours with the engine off. The problem is less severe when turning the car left or right while engaging first gear. This issue renders the throttle response unreliable and can stall the automobile at unexpected times. No crashes have occurred at this time but the potential for a rear-end collision due to a stall or a side impact collision due to stalling when crossing an intersection is present. Additional issues related to engine management and throttle response occur in the same automobile have occurred but these additional problems have been intermittent and difficult to reproduce. In general, the additional problems seem to occur in on temperature days with AC engaged and include a full loss of power for an extended period of time while engaging first gear and a noticeable surging during acceleration as is the driver was pressing and releasing the gas.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 MINI Cooper S?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history