How many miles? (wuts your mileage?)

Scott O' · #1 10-09-2009, 11:46 AM

Hey Guys/Gals,
Potential MINI buyer (been stalkin' for 6 years now) and have noticed a troubling trend - MOST USED MINI'S I'VE SEEN HAVE LESS THAN 50K MILES ON THEM.

Searching Craig's List & the like (Houston) you find MINI's by the droves for sale, but nearly ALL have mileage of about 15k to 30k. This makes me wonder, do folks ditch these great cars 'cause they develop claustrophobia over time? Are there pricey mechanical issues that crop up? What gives?

Please reply with any shining testaments to 50k+ trouble-free miles on yours.
Not trying to be cynical here, just gathering support to build confidence for my first BMW car experience (I've been a Toyota guy - i.e. 100,000+ miles/no problems-kind-of-experiences).

Thanks!

Scott O'

Jeremy1026 · #2 10-09-2009, 12:03 PM

I had 81,000 miles on my 2003 Cooper when the power steering pump failed. I kept that MINI for another year or so. Beyond that, it was relatively smooth sailing. I currently have 2600 miles on my 2009 Cooper S Convertible.

docv · #3 10-09-2009, 12:08 PM

60,000 + on my 02 no problems or issues, just a whole lotta fun.

Scott O' · #4 10-09-2009, 12:09 PM

Thanks Jeremy. I can live a pump failure with nearly 100,000 miles. That seems reasonable. Any others?

Scott O' · #5 10-09-2009, 12:10 PM

Thanks Doc. Gotta' love trouble-free FUN!!!

Scott O' · #6 10-09-2009, 12:23 PM

As a side note, I'll be doing some heavy commuting in mine (about 70 miles a day) and will easily chaulk up 20K miles per/yr most likely. Mostly freeway driving (Houston). Any additional thoughts on this kind of driving?

jcauseyfd · #7 10-09-2009, 12:31 PM

I just turned 42k the other day in 20 months of ownership. Mine works great as my daily driver for my 70 mile commute and assorted other errands along with club runs, trips, etc. Under warranty I had the rear latch replaced and the thermostat replaced.

Scott O' · #8 10-09-2009, 12:34 PM

Thanks again. O.K., small stuff I can "handle" (punn intended for the latch).

Porthos · #9 10-09-2009, 12:35 PM

25k on an 07 with only on problem.

MirthScout · #10 10-09-2009, 12:45 PM

My 2006 MCS is just shy of 75K miles with my commute of 37 miles each way each day. It is a perfect commuter car.

See this thread for high mileage stories:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...right-now.html
Lots of 100K Minis and at least one with 350K.

Scott O' · #11 10-09-2009, 12:45 PM

Thanks Porthos. BTW, er, wut was the problem?

nabeshin · #12 10-09-2009, 02:47 PM

I think the people who keep the car longer than the 50,000 miles love them too much to sell them. The low mile cars had owners who didn't love the cars as much.

xsmini · #13 10-09-2009, 04:13 PM

Just turned 211,000 miles this morning on the way to work. Its still running great - just a couple of little problems (ok one), its time for a new actuator for the passenger door look. Other than that its great.

Some threads on the cost of my high milage Mini - 150,000 and 200,000.

Still on original clutch!

Nik

MiniTS-05 · #14 10-09-2009, 10:42 PM

just hit 50K here. still loving every minute of it only problem was the seat it won't go down anymore. but everything else still running 100% even flashed it 2 months ago 15% pulley and polyurethane bushings makes a big difference to the car.
keep on motoring...

AirBoston · #15 10-10-2009, 08:04 AM

I have 130 miles.

Seriously though, I don't own cars for less than 10 years. While I don't drive far each year, I hope the MINI will last.

Red_Fred · #16 10-12-2009, 07:17 AM

Just under 15,000 on my 2009 and not a single problem. Just tons of fun driving and 40+ MPG (actual milage, not based on the OBC). So far this has been a great car

Jurrell · #17 10-12-2009, 01:51 PM

Just hit 48100 yesterday. It only went 650 miles in the last year, until I brought her down from Maryland a few days.

RainierHooker · #18 10-12-2009, 09:48 PM

My milage in my '08 MCS is just over 29k. Remember most buyers now aren't buyers at all. Rather, they are leasing them which means they get dumped right around that four year mark regardless of milage.
Buy it, maintain it, enjoy it. For many years to come...

Scott O' · #19 10-13-2009, 09:23 AM

Thanks RainierHooker (rainier hooker?!

I'm sure there's some explanation). Good point about the leasing thing.

Another guy pointed out the fact that the car has only been out since about 2002 which doesn't lend itself to 100's of 1000's of racked-up miles.

misslindsey · #20 10-13-2009, 11:06 AM

I have a little over 30k on my '07 already.

A lot of people buy MINIs as a third (fourth, fifth..) car and only take it out in the summer when the weather is nice. The 'premium' part of the equation draws people with disposable income. I have just one vehicle, the MINI, but most of the people in my club have several and don't drive their MINI every day.

Scott O' · #21 10-13-2009, 11:11 AM

Good point, Ms. Lindsey.
It does seem to be the case that a lot of these folks have the $$ for a "fun car" that is not as much a "need" as a "want".

Other thoughts?

xsmini · #22 10-13-2009, 07:00 PM

Mine gets driven every day - rain or shine, the wife's car is a classic, and our third vehicle, an F350, is our back up vehicle (which is broken at the moment) is hardly ever driven. So no, ours are driven - they are not garage queens.

tsidoti · #23 10-13-2009, 07:37 PM

141000 on my 03 yellow/white copper. only thing Iv had to do up until yesterday (10/12/09) was tires and a windshiled and a battery. but yesterday iy broke down. Yesterday after driving and then stopping and then starting it died on me and still won't start. It just truns over, damn good battery though.

Mato · #24 10-13-2009, 09:17 PM

2600 miles, 3rd month, enjoying the 29.0 mpg average I get in this city, especially when going to school.... I'm happy with early release, but not so with the forceyourwayinjerks...

Cooper S 2009

Scott O' · #25 10-14-2009, 09:36 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys (& gals!).
All very good input. I'm feeling much more confident in the MINI's potential to motor for the long haul!!!