Hello everyone! I was looking for a Mini a year ago or so and never found one. Well i got the itch again and found a 2 owner 2005 MINI S with 56,000 mile on it for 8999.00. It has a clean carfax and here is what has been done according to the carfax:
Motor mounts replaced @ 42,000 miles
Upper and Lower control arm bushings replaced @ approx 40,000 miles
New brakes and rotors all around
Car has been serviced on time every time according to car fax.
I looked at it today and it looks brand new. So is this a reasonable price? And has the major stuff that is known to go bad addressed so i should be good to go for awhile? Any thoughts would be appreciated, i am hoping to finally get into a MINI!!

 

Clean retail is probably $1000 less than that price according to Black Book values.

 

Low mileage speaks well.
Common issues with the Gen1 are thermostat housing, PS hoses, pan gasket. At that mileage I'd want the serpentine belt replaced, check the plugs.
Use ONLY 91 or better octane from Top Tier suppliers or you'll be replacing the O sensor as well.
Sounds like a worthy find.

 

Thanks for the replies guys! Ok could you please check this out and let me know what you think, i posted a link to the carfax, its a 2009 clubman, 109,000 miles one owner and they want 6,999. What do you think of that one? carfax look good? good deal? Thanks alot helping me, i really appreciate it!

http://www.yingstautomotive.com/app/...ubman+109k.pdf

 

Well then, my comments centered mainly around the Gen1. A '09 Clubman falls under Gen2. They've got their own issues but those mentioned are still common fails. The fuel requirements differ slightly. You'll want input from the Gen2 crowd for that.

 

Thanks, yeah sorry i need to post that in the gen2 forum. I am still going to drive the 2005MCS though, just thinking of some different options. The 09 is newer and cheaper but has higher miles, the 05 is 2000 more but has less miles and is supercharged......hmmmmmm

 

The '05 S definitely requires top tier/top octane fuel or you will be replacing the O sensor.

 

The engine mounts and lower control arm bushings are known problems and if they replaced them with stock parts, you can look forward to replacing them again in the future. My original engine mount went bad at 17K.

Any other info on the '05, or a link? Depending on all of the other options on the car, it would still be something to consider, especially if you can talk them down on the final price.

 

Thanks guys, here is a link to the 05 MCS, let me know what you think!
With the lowers miles i was thinking at least for the next couple years it may be less problems then the 09 Clubman..........but i could be wrong, thats why i am on here!

http://www.morganautosonline.com/200...6/Details.aspx

 

Using a VIN decoder, nothing really stands out options wise, but it looks really clean. I would do a quick visual check for the usual 1st gen issues, then get a pre-purchase inspection from a MINI specialist after negotiating a price with the seller.

 

+1

 

Hey guys, i just noticed that the 2005MCS i am going to drive tonight has a 5speed transmission, whats the deal with that? i thought all MCS had the getrag 6 speed? is the 5speed any good?? Thanks!

 

The dealer selling the car is probably clueless and doesn't realize it's a 6-speed

 

HAHA, Yeah your probably right.........when i saw in the ad it said 5speed it threw up a red flag!

 

It's got two beer cans out the center of the tail, a scoop on the bonnet and a red S after the Cooper on the boot, it's a 6 sp.

 

Well, i just drove the 2005MCS and i didnt think it was all that great, clutch seemed weird and really heavy, thought i hear almost like a pinging when i gunned it and rattles! boy i thought my 2005 saab 93 that i was gonna trade on it had alot of rattles, but after driving the MINI my Saab felt much less rattly then i thought it was! It was quite zippy though! The search continues.......

 

Wise move! Sounds like you are looking in the right year/model neighborhood. Just might take longer. I recently picked up an '04 R53 MCS and it's great, but took me about a month of searching. So, be patient.

Feel free to ask any and all questions. We've been working on these for over 40 years on the street and track!

Here's a handy maintenance and service guide that can help you determine how well the car has been maintained, and what you may need to do next.

http://new.minimania.com/MINI_Routin..._I_and_II_2344

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Thanks Mnin Mania, is the 04MCS pretty solid? i found one in really nice condition with 91,000 miles on it for 6999.00. I didnt drive it yet, i may this week sometime. Are the clutches on these things really heavy? I dont know if its just because i am used to my Saab 93 turbo but the clutch on the o5 MCS i drove last week felt really heavy and it wanted to spring out when releasing it...........

 

Mine is very solid. I think it was garaged and well maintained in Texas most its life. 79,000 miles and the clutch is a little stiff but no worse than my '88 Fiero Formula V6. I have heard good things in general about the 04, and it seems readers on NAM like the '05 and '06 MCS even better, along with the base models, too.