i posted on here thinking about purchasing a 2003 MCS, but just found another contender. its an 04 MCS, a few more miles. which one should i go for?

 

That is a hard one to answer. For me I'd like a newer one like an 05 or 06. Back to your question, you really have to buy on condition. Buy the one that is in the best shape regardless of miles. Check the service history of both cars.

Good luck!

 

Both years are pretty much the same mechanically, so what is much more important than mileage is maintenance. You can't get good information about maintenance by looking at the car unless you know what to look for. CarFax reports don't have the details you really need either. This is why you should take any used car including the MINI to a knowledgeable mechanic for a complete inspection. They will tell you if the car has been maintained well or not. My advice is to go with the car that has been maintained well, and a MINI mechanic will be able to tell you that. I personally would not buy a car that has not been maintained well; you end up paying so much for repairs that you might as well have bought a new one.

 

Which one do you like better? Is there much a price differential? What about equipment? Color? ?????

 

I love my 03, but.........If you can find a 05 or later for a close price, go for that. 05 and later R53's have better gearing in the tranny. Makes a difference in performance, if that matters to you?