Greetings from Maine!

After driving a friend's 2004 convertible a few times, ive been wanting a Mini of my own. Changing jobs shortly and wont have a company car, so I figured it was time to start shopping.

Unfortunately I dont have the largest budget in the world, but will be test driving a 2006 S w/ 45,000 miles and a 2007 base with 54,000 miles in the next couple days.

Both are 6-speeds and have complete service records available. The 06 S has a couple mods, but fairly basic outside of a 2" lift (for ground clearance says the owner).

I've read VERY mixed reviews of 2007's, so I'm looking for a little more first hand advice.

Anything I should be really aware of before going into each test? Anything coming up immediately with those mileages?

Thanks in advance and I cant wait to be an official part of the community!

 

Welcome.

2005 is when the MINI convertible R52 came here. You must be overseas?

for 2007 are you looking at a gen 2 turbo ?

 

My fault, just a typo...the convertible is an 05.

The gen 1 is the S model and the 07 is the base, so no turbo.

 

The non-turbo (aka base or just-a-cooper)tends to be fairly solid...
But both cars are VERY different...
The 2005 is a gen1 S is supercharged....as would be the 2006 S you are looking at...
The 2007 (if a hardtop) is a gen2 with a different motor...many of the issues in the gen2 were related to the turbo version...timing chain and oil burn issues do happen...but pretty rare....
Like I said..drive them...
It would be kinda rare to have a LIFTED MINI...might be a bit of a warning too look at the suspension and strut towers...gravel roads? Might be an interesting car....both good and bad.....
Here is the slightly confusing info...the gen1 car was built as a cabrio till the end of the 2008 model year....but the hardtop switched to gen2 for 2007....
The early 2007 cars had a few quirks....some did not have the gen2 tpms, but used then gen1 style system...so much about the 2007 depends on WHEN it was made...

 

Great to know about the 07...ill try to figure out when it was made when i see it tomorrow.

The lifted 06 has me feeling just how you described...could be great...but im cautiously optimistic. You're right about the lift...current owner lives down a long gravel road and driveway. Here's a list of the mods to that car and a pic:

JCW Intake
Cravenspeed Strut tower defenders
Stainless steel Remus exhaust
Coopercrap brand 2″ lift
Rennline Aluminum skid plate

 

One thing that MIGHT sway you...
You just need to be aware of it...
Gen1 cars REQUIRE premium fuel....
The gen2 does not...and it will get much better mpg's if it has sufficient power for you...
MOST gen1 drivers of the S are 19-25 mpg...on a highway trip I could get up to 29 with cruise...but that's about it depending on tires....while I loved my gen1, a 2005 S, it was fun, but more than 2-3 hours, and sometimes I would rather be in slightly more comfortable seats and ride...better struts helped the ride, as did careful tire choice. The gen2 was made with more of a nod to a daily driver with slightly less edge....often the non-s cars can be found as a safer buy since they have often been driven in a more relaxed way...but they still retain all the handling of an S.....just lower hp Be more mpg's...
Good luck with making your choice!

 

Seconded. Twitchy rocket vs peppy daily driver. It's all in what you're after

 

Base model is fine in the year range you are looking at, as is the 05, so you are fine either way. We have over 40 years street and race track experience with Minis, including getting the first new BMW MINI is the USA, so feel free to ask any and all questions. We are here to help!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

You may like the reliability of the gen 1 MINI more, I also really like My R52. In the early 2007 MCS Gen 2 MINIs you will find have allot more issues and about 2011 MCS have much less. Drive as many as you can then pick the one your like,, good luck.

 

hey OP, what did you end up getting?