I am looking at a 2012 Countryman S, M, AWD with 18k miles on it but it is being sold "as is," by a dealer who doesn't regularly sell Minis. Should I get an extended or third party warranty for this car and if so, what are my options?

I like this car very much but don't want to risk that much money without protecting my investment.




Thanks,

Len

 

You should still have some Mini warranty left I would assume. Get a pre purchase inspection from a qualified mechanic. We have one in Portland area that uses several high tech modern methods of detecting all sorts of issues before they bite. Worth the money. If you still have factory warranty, drive the heck out of it before warranty expires.

I'm pretty anti extended warranty as it is a financial windfall for the insurance companies and generally it comes from our pockets. You always statistically have a few winners from car owners who have major issues, but more often not.

 

Thanks. Years ago I bought a boat (well, a mid '90s Mercury Grand Marquis) and the broker who found the car hinted to me me to buy an extended warranty. Sure enough a week later something major happened (so long ago that I can't remember what) but the extended coverage more than covered the cost. So since then, I am wary.

That was also the last boat I ever bought. I had to get rid of it when I moved and it didn't fit in my new garage.

 

The two happiest days of a 'boat' owners life are the day he buys the boat and then the day he unloads it...

Given that it's a 2012 and has a manual tranny, i'd do as Minnie suggests and have it checked out by a good mechanic particularly given the clutch issues the 2011-2012 models suffered from.

 

As everyone else says, a good ppi should help put your mind at ease. Either set aside funds, or go for the extended warranty - all depends on your risk tolerance and cash position

If you're looking - I have a 2012 6MT All4 for sale as well

2012 Mini Countryman Cooper S All4 Turbo 6MT Loaded $19850
http://omaha.craigslist.org/cto/5261699265.html

 

Thanks, Bandwagn. Great price, but I have decided I need the automatic for the kind of driving I do. This one only has 18k miles on and was sold for the first time about a year ago, so it still has 35 months and about 30,000 miles on the warranty. I've decided that should do for starters.

Big question now is can I deal with the rail down the center. :(

 

If you get easycare which my mini uses for their extended warranty or a really high rated one get it. I am and have always been an anti extended warranty guy until I got my 2014 Countryman S all 4 and read through this forum. A turbo and HPFP alone is $6,000 plus all the issues these things have. If you get a plan from a mini dealer and have a good relationship with the service department, are willing to stand up for your rights as a warranty holder you will make out on it. Just read the first 4 pages here in NAM and you will come to the conclusion that these things are just as reliable as any 1960's to 1980's British car. The warranty companies will loose money on you but they will rake in millions on the Honda and Toyota owners buying the warranties. These cars (minis) are fun cars but are best for people who buy new every 3 years and take advantage of the included warranties, then sell after 3 years or when the original 50,000 mile warranty ends or people who lease cars through work.

These are not poor people cars. They come off as fun and economical vehicles but they are really sports cars with all the issues, costs and fun that comes with them. My Dads 1987 911 careers had less problems than my 2014 MIni all 4 S.

Seriously. Read the first 4 pages of the countryman section on NAM and wrote down the complaints people have had and the cost of repairs. Get a inclusive and premium extended warranty and pay around $3000 because you better believe your going to be paying some service place a lot more than that in the next 50,000 miles, probably 30,000.

Again, I am a anti-extended warranty guy, I mean they are in business to make money right? Well if they kept costs they way they are now for the next 5 years and the public only bought Mini's, they would be out of business in 5 months.