I Bought a Factory Flawed Mini Cooper Turbo for $1,000 at Auction! How did Mini Get Away with This? 

Mine is definitely cooler...

To the people who say he should get something more reliable, obviously dont know how these videos work😂

Samcrac: trades a marvellous V10 money pit for a "basic" 4 cyl black hole. *STONKS*

As a mini owner I can confirm that is a fairly loaded up car. That interior is the lounge leather which is around a $2,000 option on its own

This car and immobilizer worked in the auction photos. It has to be something really simple like a loose connection. I would start with clearing all the codes in the car and start from there then unplug and replug all of the modules. Stat looking at the wiring from there. The chances those modules failed while at the auction are slim to none. Also does the physical key work in the doors, that would be your first clue that the key was switched at the auction or not.

I have the Driver's door speaker grill pod to replace your broken one. Hit me up with an address and it is yours.

Definitely a loaded Cooper S. The Interior was a $2000 option and a complete interior sells for around $800-1000 by itself. Also the factory roof bars are $150-200 now so between that and the interior you are already break even. Looking forward to seeing more on the MINI.

So calm about that frog... it’s like he sees them on the daily!

Hey Sam, try if the physical key from the key fob matches with the lock on the driver door. One time, one of the cars I purchased from auction, came with a key from a completely different vehicle, so neither was the key fob, nor the physical key from the car I purchased. Worth a try.

The transition into the insurance was so smooth it took me a moment to realize it happened.

I had a loaded 2013 Countryman JCW and blew the engine due to a coolant leak... RIP. A fun car designed by rich mechanics, but fun to drive when they work. Suggestion for other cars: Go vintage, Volvo 122, BMW 2002 etc

Good luck! I own the same 2007 Cooper S with N14 engine. Its a oil sucking rabbit hole. When you fix one problem the next one appear. I am looking forward to see how it goes😀

I’d love to offer a tip on smelly interiors, buy yourself an O3 generator, they are very affordable and will completely sterilize any space including odors. Look it up!

We need a collection car tour plz

ah yes because aftermarket oil dipsticks are all the rage among the tuner kids, mad street cred for a aftermarket dip stick

This seems like a chilly version of the R56s, which indeed is the top spec, at least in Europe. However, if and when this is repaired, you need to have a look at several parts that usually fall: - chain, chain tensioners etc - clogged valves (BMW cleans them with wallnut blasting) - high pressure fuel pump - thermostat housing leaking every 50k kms (at least in my case) - front silent blocks - in my case they fail every 50k kms When and if the above are repaired, you will be able to enjoy: - small rocket - very good turning/handling, even with the stock suspension - precise steering wheel Mine is a 2010 R56s, with 100,000kms and despite the problems, I enjoy daily driving it :) For a $1000 seems like a good deal, provided that you are ready to put some more money in it. Looking forward to see more videos of this thing!

I had the same steering column issue on my 2003 Range Rover. I used a fuse tap and replaced it with a switch. So instead of pulling a fuse. You have to flip the switch and do the post pull fuse process. Easy way to get around that issue.

Had this problem with a BMW that had comfort opening. After many many attempts to get the car fixed it turned out to be as short in a sensor on the door handle pulling down the canbus. Only took 18 months to get it running again. Was a 2008 by the way.

As soon as I see wipers stuck in the operating zone on the windshield..... My FLOOD CAR red flag waves like a rodeo queen on a parade float.

You could have tried ISTA-P with an ICOM and programmed it yourself. I just got done totally programming 3 different BMWs that had bricked modules with some good results. Hit me up if you need to borrow it, I work in Orlando.

I just bought an 03 S for cheap. Tried to stay away from anything 07+ because of the engine issues, and the first generation cars are iron blocks and supercharged!

Huh. Sam even had his Raycons on! He really does use them after all.

Sam, thank you once again for making me realise my car problems aren't actually too bad . I must've missed this one when you got it

I absolutely *LOVE* seeing people figure out how to fix problems like this *without* going to the dealer and spending thousands of dollars!! My *favorite* kinds of videos!!! I hope it works out!

I saw the article about you on Land Rovers on Yahoo motors. A good read. Keep the great work coming!

The Ultimate “Drive Moderately” Machine

A lot of animals for a car show and I love it! More animals!!!

I picked up a 2007 Mini Cooper S with 110K miles on the Odometer, not long ago for $1900. The only major issue it had was a turbo leaking oil into the intake. I replaced the turbo, upgraded the intercooler, and replaced the intercooler and radiator hoses. These are fun cars to drive.

my mini is a re=shelled 1973 right hand drive. legal go cart. 1275cc, 10-inch rims

Dang, I normally don’t like those Mini’s but if you get her going and are selling I’m legit interested.

I work on the docks on the outskirts of London exporting minis, one year we managed to miss lay, lose, eight sets of keys, the technicians from the factory had to take five dashboards out to rectify and reprogram. Made sure we didn’t do that again. LOL

RU-vid should add a laughing button next to the like button so I can laugh at Rich's comments 🤣

I’m getting ready to switch the modules and fob on a 7 series I have had here for 2 years, done it on a couple other bmw and worked fine. Even able to program a 5 speed auto to work in a 6 speed auto 7 series. The minis I bought at auction have usually had timing fail 70-80k and need pistons, head and so on.

Come on Sam when are you goin' to get that lock-up garage so we can see all the cars lined up!

"I've been tugging at this for ages" PHRASING 🤣

Just love all the animals on Sam's car related videos...bringing some nature to this kind of content it's just smart! Ahahahah

That dip stick is factory, one of the only dipsticks you could do some damage with.

The dipstick is not stock, the stock one is hard to read, so a lot of people get aftermarket ones

Samcrac “I’ve been tugging at this for ages and something is still stuck!” Lol

Like your channel because you helping a lot of people to choose the right car for them because any cheap luxury car that was very expensive 10 to 15 years ago could be tempted to own but thanks to you we can avoid such lemon cars keep up the great channel

What's funny is I owned an 09 Cooper S with the N14 engine. For 115k miles, it was relatively trouble-free. My timing chain remained healthy (checked it often as it didn't take much to do so) and my oil cooler remained functional as well. All that went wrong on it was the clutch (typical for a manual) and a few other maintenance things. Other than that, it wasn't a bad car. I must've lucked out

As someone owning several BMW' and Mini's (have been living in Belgium, Netherlands and Germany) and working on them for at least 15 years I've seen these issues a lot. First the red icon is the immobilizer, the Key which is striped through means the key is not recognized at all. The unlock doors and ignition are 2 separate systems on these key's where the ignition system is read via an antenna. Also the ignition part is not powered by the keyfob battery. It is powered by induction when the key is inserted in the key slot. These are know to break down with these models. (And easy to override with a 15 dollar cable, laptop and correct software)

@samcrack the oil Dipstick is not the original, the OEM one is Made from a plastic/fiber and usualy breaks

Those camshafts fail too, but you need to check the CANBus failures. It could have a bad door handle if it has comfort access or other issue causing CAS problems recognizing the key.

I’m sticking with my insurance: it’s new car replacement for the life of the vehicle. Since I’ve owned it since new

SVT Contour Sam! Only 11,445 ever made and how many are actually left now? Love the channel, keep it awesome man! 🤙

This is a very common issue even among BMW bikes. I have a 2004 BMW R1200GS and the immobilizer is one of the most common problems.There is a small plastic ring that contains the key reader device and when that fail, the car or bike no longer recongnizes the vehicle key and leave you stranded. It is like a $30 part and i always cary one spare. Change is like 15 minutes if you know how. It does not require reprogramming the key as the device itself that reads the key in the car or bike is dead. Once replaced, it will again read and recognize your old key.

It's pretty well loaded but this is a rough car with some aftermarket parts thrown at it that provide no performance benefit. Best mod you can do for a turbo mini is have the DME tuned. Instant free power. It looks like someone decorated it years ago and didn't take care of it since. It will clean up nice but it's had a rough life.

In you like the Style but want a better car, try a 535d. We drove this car 150000 mls without problems.

Man, this guy is SUCH a product peddler lol. Whatever pays him most will soon become his favorite ___________.

Kermit did a runner from the engine bay 😆

7:40 That's what you get for buying the Alfalfa Romeo golf cart! 😉

That’s not the original dipstick it’s aftermarket the factory one is nearly impossible to read the oil levels and you’ve got the N14 engine which isn’t the best

Hoovie's garage calls himself the dumbest automotive channel on RU-vid... I don't think he has met samcrack yet.

there is a mobil guy i use to program key fobs and keys, but now i bought the scanner to do it my self

Thanks for doing some lower budget builds. This one is pretty sweet. Hoping it starts before the end..

When I was young, back in the 70's, 80's, German cars were at the apex of reliability. I owned my share of BMW's, 1600, 1800 TI, and so forth. Never had a problem. Hard to believe what they seem to have evolved into nowadays...

BMW and Range Rover ... most reliable, cheap to maintain cars you keep on your ranch, Sam :D

I have a 2010 cooper S. N14 engine. Do the walnut blast to the valves ,install oil catch can. Get updated timing chain tensioner. Watch oil levels, top up when needed. Other than that works great. The old minis needed lots of maintainance too!! I've owned both😎🇨🇦👍

Yo Sam you're the man I really enjoy your videos I've learned lots of things from you. Keep up the great work 👍

Mini’s a cute cars. Given their trouble history and low resale it seems like a guy could do well specializing in them, learning all their quirks and budget repairs and putting them back on the road sorted. Then again does it’s BMW stuff. Maybe better to avoid all together???

What happened to the focus RS

One quirky little HotHatch would be the Volvo C30 T5. Fun looking and a surprisingly fast little bastard. Shares engine chassis with the 2009 Ford Focus RS and the go fast bits fits...

"Last one, ARGH!" I never find those ones either! I thought I was the only one, thanks for the reassurance Sam!

I've had four Mini Cooper S's. Two of which were bought from Copart. One is the JCW that my wife drives every single day and loves it. One I fixed and I'm getting ready to list it for sale. Another one is a work in progress. One was a parts car that I still have loads of parts from. So let me know what you need.

I've been tugging at this for ages... sounds familiar

Hi Sam, Im a mini owner over in the uk. As youve got the dreaded n14 engine id start to look for carbon buildup and install an oil catch can too. If theres carbon buildup then may need to get the engine walnut blasted. Also common faults are the timing chain going and the high pressure fuel pump. The fuel pump is a cheaper fix to buy and install one however the timing chain is a big job and can be pricey and time consuming as youll have to strip the engine out to do the job. As for the car it is a higher spec model as it has the full leather interior aswell as sunroof and multi function steering wheel Hope this helps

I’m sure mini share the engine with Peugeot which suffer the same ecu and bsi problems with water ingress

leather seats are worth a couple of grand alone can you!!😎🇨🇦👍

Do a fire rebuild. That way your money is already up in smoke

I have an 07 with the n14 they are fun when the work... I’ve found that the only time I’ve really had problems with mine is when I let it sit. Carbon build up and the timing chain are the most common issues but good suspension and good tires and a tune and they are sure to put a smile on your face. For $1000 dollars I don’t think you will lose!

That dipstick is the aftermarket Cravenspeed dipstick. It’s a common upgrade on these cars because the factory dipstick is so hard to read.

Sam thinks he is Tyler Hoover... buying the CHEAPEST POS "Sports Car" in the USA

Sam crac must not watch scotty Kilmer channel.

Your videos make me appreciate Lexus engineering even more.

Heh. I picked up an ancient golf cart that was on the way to the scrap yard. Some batteries and a honking huge solenoid later, I added cabinetry front and back, and it’s now my electric service truck that holds a full set of tools. :)

Locksmith here, my guess the auction started the process of replacing the key and bricked the computer.

WORST CAR EVER! I truly believe he's a glutton for punishment. I owned the exact car. Mechanical nightmare

That dipstick is definitely aftermarket. But the oem one is very hard to read. I need a aftermarket one 🤣

Timing chain!!!!!!!! Be sure to check it because if it hasn't been done it needs it. Also check carbon build up on valves. The N14 were ticking time bombs if not taken care of

Sam looks like he's on acid when he is speaking next to the mini 11 mins in lol

Enough with the Bimmers and Range Rovers already!

A MINI! Awesome! Currently driving an 2013 JCW 👍🏻

Hi, Worked on a Mini Cooper S before. Things to look out for, -Sun roof malfunction (it will open once but wont close again) Most likly the cable that runs in it is broken, so the whole sunroof needs to be replaced! -Thermostat (Looks like a heart!) Not really the best acces to get it replaced. This is it for now what I had to deal with

I wanted more info on the frog 🐸🐸🐸🐸

the oil dipstick is original. oil level needs to be between the two metal “things”, dots, or whatever you call it

I miss the good old days when I could call the dealer and tell them I need a master key and give the last 7 digits of the vin.

It's good that you like Carly. There are some fairly heavy duty criticisms of it out there!

Dump that mini as fast as you can. The n14 is known to have timing chain issues. High pressure fuel pump issues.

Yes keep the bmw content coming !!!

Do you have to clear the codes for ‘Car Access System’ as well also does this model have a key hidden in the fob (small button on the tip you would attach to a keychain press and the key slides out) if this will lock and unlock your door then it should be the correct key for the car

The vacuum pipe on the back is a common modification. The rear plastic breather pipe cracks and causes issues. Much easier to replace with silicone

British Brand and a German Engine. ITS A MCLAREN F1!

Finally after the Range Rover and M5 you bought something sensible and reliable 😂😂😂😂😂😂

i have an 06 Range and i usually disconnect the negative for a second and put it backfor the key to work... theres a way to drill a tiny hole into the column and spray lubricant into it to get the actuator unstuck... worked on mine for a few months and stopped again recently...

for stuck bolt's fire works well just heat to cherry red. or get a cheap induction heater.

Sam im in the area and would like to buy the roof rack off that mini. Plz dm me if interested

German engineering is so good thats sometimes they lost grip on the reality that they can make things simple instead of that complicated sh*t.

"No mechanical issues"... 10 seconds later.... "my friend diagnosed the rod knock"

Sam I'd like to see a series 1 Audi A3/S3 or Audi A4 (B6) for a cheap Auction buy and fix. Enjoying the progress on the Mini!