Hello everyone I have been looking around the site for a couple of weeks and went for a test-drive this past weekend and fell in love. I do have to admit this would not be my first love I also have a 95 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX it is my pride and joy but not ideal for a daily driver and since I'm from Ma driving it in the winter is out of the question. But anyways unfortunately the 07's S are a little out of my price range. So I have to look into getting a used S, and now my question to you all? Are there things that I should look for when buying a used mini? Thanks for the help and I look forward to getting to know most of you.

 

Hello and welcome to NAM

I would look for an '05 or newer. I have an '04 and they changed the transmission in '05 and it is supposed to be a better tranny, but I haven't had any problems.

If you purchase it from a MINI dealership, have them plug the key in and have them print up a history on it to see if the previous owner has kept up with maintinence.

Here is a good checklist to follow that another NAMer has used.

On that list it states "Strut Towers". There is a thing with MINI strut towers called mushrooming. It is when the towers are bowing up from the struts. It is fixable (had mine fixed and helped someone else fix theirs) and most people get some sort of strut tower plate/brace. I got mine from M7 and it should be all god now.

Here is the whole thread as well.

Good luck

 

welcome to NAM!!