Hello everybody. I'm new here and think I will fit in well being that I love Mini Coopers. There's one catch though, I don't have a car yet. However I decided to go ahead and join so when I do finally get one I'll have some general ideas of what to expect out of it and such.

See you guys around,
MiniCooperGuy42

 

Hello MiniCooperGuy! Welcome to NAM.

Could you give us some thoughts on your preferred MINI to buy? That way we can provide better suggestions. New, used, 1st gen, 2nd gen, etc.?

 

I'll be more than happy to!
Right now I am looking at a used 2007 Mini Cooper S, automatic transmission, with a pure silver paint job. It has no bonnet stripes (I plan to change that) and is absolutely awesome.
Does this sound good?

MiniCooperGuy42

 

Make sure you really inspect the vehicle well (or better yet, have a trusted mechanic look over it). Hopefully someone chimes in here who knows 2nd gen's better than I do to give you some advice on what to look for. As they have some mechanical changes in comparison to my year (which is a 1st gen).

Just be prepared for maintenance that isn't the cheapest, but you certainly will understand it's worth it when owning a MINI.

 

Thank you JohnW94, I'll be sure to inspect it. Would the test drive reveal anything major? I'm not talking about the obvious things, but should I pay attention to certain sounds and such specific to a mini?

I know the cost of owning a mini, being that I have been searching all through the forums and have heard all the stories. In a way I think I'll enjoy (in a loose sense of the word) fixing it. It brings you closer to the car and let's you learn more about it.

Thanks for your help JohnW94, and you have a wonderful looking car. A blue paint job with a white stripe is a great combination. Of course I can't think of a combo that looks bad...

MiniCooperGuy42

 

Working on your car certainly brings you closer to it and helps you save money while learning more about it! Plus it's a lot more fun to do that :D

Look for any mushrooming on the front tower struts, that's the point under the hood that the shock absorbers are attached too. Check the oil level (that could indicate how well the previous owner payed attention to the car. Check the sunroof, condition of all the lights on the exterior (like cracked fog lamps), check anything you can think of and you should be fine. Look at the preventative and normal things like wiper blades, keep those into consideration which could help you lower the asking price.

 

For Gen 2 I would also ask if the car has had the chain tensioner, high pressure
fuel pump and water pump go bad or replaced. That seems to be a common issues with the Gen 2-S. Any warranty left with the car?

Otherwise others aren't major issues.

If you decide to purchase the car, I would recommend changing the oil at frequent intervals. Most here seem to do it every 5K which I do.

Goodluck! Welcome and enjoy!

 

Thanks for your input MiniBOL, I agree with the frequent intervals for the oil changes as well.

 

Thanks MiniBOL. I'll be sure to do that.
I do have a question though. Many people here and even the mini Cooper guides supposedly say that premium fuel is better, but is it really necessary? It's not a problem if it is, but I am just wondering.

Thanks,
MiniCooperGuy42

 

Go with premium. Our engines are designed to run at a higher octane fuel. If you start using a lower octane fuel then the engine will run but not as efficiently, and other problems like pinging could occur. The extra cents will go a long way.

 

I figure that a mini cooper, with it's 28 mpg city and 13 gallon tank, will probably be less to fill up than a ford f150, which my brother has. I figure I can coax my parents into thinking that paying a little extra for premium fuel is good deal then.

Cheers,
MiniCooperGuy42

 

I definitely agree

 

It's roughly $50 or so to fill up and it will last longer than your bother's truck. My sister has a Jeep Grand Cherokee. She used to think my MINI was hideous but then I would show her my receipt to fill up my tank. She shut up after that =D