Hey Y'all....been lurking here off and on for a couple years, but honestly don't read the board too much anymore. Been tossing around the idea since about 2002 to buy a "new" MINI........I currently own a 1987 Classic Austin Mini (right hand drive) which I imported from Wales to Canada about 6 years ago...

My daily driver is a 2002 Golf 1.9L tdi (diesel) 5 speed. 250,000kms. Most all options. Nice car. Maybe would like something a little sportier though.


I'd like to get into a new MINI, but prices in Atlantic Canada are crazy, thus I want to maximize my bucks.

Over the past 8-9 yrs, which ones have been proven that I should steer clear of?

I heard rumours a lot of 2002's have issues....transmissions, etc.

My nearest dealer is 200kms away, so that's an issue. I do about 50% of the work on the 02 Golf myself, and up til now, 100% of the work on my 87 Mini myself too.

Any purchased a 2011 Mini?...what are things that I should be aware of?

Can't afford an "S", nor any of the Traveller, Clubman, etc.

I'd like to buy a Chili Red MINI to match my 1987. . . .

Please, can someone enlighten me the difference between:
MINI COOPER
and
MINI COOPER CLASSIC?

Sooo many questions, LOL !

Tkx all.

MIke
2002 Golf
1987 Austin Mini
1961 LAnd Rover, SII 88

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...+cooper+models

The Wikipedia write up is a good place to start.......

 

Thanks Mr. Fever, but I was looking for a little something I wouldn't find on wikipedia. I hang out on the www.minimania.com message board, and if someone posted a similar thread about a classic there'd be all kinds of "advice"....
What I was looking for was something like : (I'm just making this up)
"STAY AWAY FROM 2002-2003 AUTOMATICS!"
"STAY AWAY FROM 2004 COOPER S' AS THEY HAVE KNOWN VALVE ISSUES"
"STAY AWAY FROM 2005 CONVERTIBLES, AS 90% OF THEM LEAK"
Something along those lines :-=)

Cheers,

 

200,000 mile MINI......

 

Your budget will determine a lot of what you can do, but there's this much in general.

If you want an automatic, you should stay away from a regular Cooper from 2002 till 2006 inclusive as they have a CVT, and if it fails it costs more than the value of the car to replace.

If you're OK with a stick shift, the latest newest nicest Cooper that will fit your budget is what you should get. Chili Red has been offered every year since the 2002's started so any year you should be able to find one of those...

If you can afford an S you'll like it, but a Justa Cooper is fine for many people here on the boards - however - the 2002-2003 Justa 5 speed transmission (Midlands) was also a weak sister and many have failed, and there are no parts available to repair them either.

The S model has always had a Getrag 6 speed stick, and that is a very good, very durable transmission - you won't go wrong with one of those.

The 2007 and newer Justa Cooper also uses the same Aisin automatic that the S model has used since 2005, those are just almost bulletproof too.

All the other issues are minor, relatively speaking, and if you do your own work on your current cars there's no reason why you can't on these either.
If you get an S, superchagers are lasting anywhere from 100-200K, some cars the right side liquid motor mount fails, there is a solid replacement available from outside vendors. Brake pads and rotors are easy to do, on some cars the 2 speed radiator fan becomes a one speed (high speed only) but it's only about $100 to fix. The sunroofs don't leak, but there were some issues on the 2007-2008 cars with it not wanting to open on really hot days.

All in all, your budget will determine what you can get, every car in the world has it's own particular idiosyncracies and these are no different. Like any used car, if you can find a one owner car with a thorough service history, chances are it will be a great car. If you buy from a wholesale lot or an auction, well you pays yer money and ya takes yer chances....

Hope this helps...

 

First of all when you want a comparison between the classic Mini and the new mini, I would have to say that your trying to compare apples to oranges. I would ask for a comparison between your Golf and the MINI to get a better idea of what to expect from a newer MINI. And since I've never owned a VW I'm going to leave my comment right there........

 

ballandchain.....Sorry, I meant to clarify that some.
I am certainly NOT looking for a comparison between a classic and a modern Mini, you misunderstand my verbiage my good man.

Since I am relatively NEW to this (new MINI) game, I researched a bit since posting my query and what I've found out is, that in the USA (and perhaps elsewhere) the MINI COOPER CLASSIC is not offered. This is a NEW car....not a classic Mini.

Like Saying MINI COOPER, MINI COOPER S, MINI COOPER CLUBMAN, etc.
I know it's confusing, but apparently the "CLASSIC" (model name, not a description of the cars' vintage) is almost the same as a MINI COOPER, but nearly 2K cheaper and has less options (like body coloured roof, for one) and is apparently only offered in Canada, as far as I can tell. Less packages and other bells' and whistles available for this model too.

Check out www.mini.ca to see what I am yammering on about.

OK,onwards to MINI Dave--what a fabminioulous reply - THANKS DUDE !! - wow

 

Some years ago (and for all I know, every year?!) there were models only available in Canada, which different packages. I vaguely remember a 2002 or was it a 2003 Model of MINI COOPER SOHO (I think that's the one) that was ONLY available in Canada also. I could be wrong...but something tells me in the back of my brain, that's true. Been a couple years since I checked into it, so my facts could be foggy, but everything is messed up here north of the border, so it shouldn't surprise anyone...hahah

Thanks again guys...really appreciate all the fab input.

Mike...classic Mini owner........but thinking about
a "2011 MINI COOPER CLASSIC"

 

yes, I remember this issue coming up b4 ... in Canada there was a MINI Classic ... a very base model

but not to be confused with a Mini

 

There *IS* a MINI COOPER CLASSIC today, www.mini.ca
See for yourself. If I am right, it's been offered at least the past 2 years (maybe more).
Body coloured roof, 15" wheels (no choice), leatherette interior (no choice) and extremely limited choices of options.
Canada always messes things up....and BMW adds to the confusion by
calling a modern machine a "CLASSIC" GRRR

 

cornfusing

ain't THAT the truth!

 

Find a low mileage '06 MCS 6 speed with no sunroof.

Best MINI made.

...Les

 

I think MINIdave covered the major yearly don'ts pretty well. Anything to do with the MINI Classic will have to be addressed by the forums Canucks.