Hi, glad to have found this forum, am researching Minis which I’ve always wanted & ready to purchase finally. Recently bereaved of my 2013 Volvo C30, which I LOVED, when rear-ended at a stop light. Still grieving but ready to move on...found what seems incredible deal on 2014 Clubman S but could use expert advice, not sure this is right place to post the ask?

 

You did find the right place! I hope everyone was ok after the accident. Volvos can be replaced. People can’t.

welcome to the forum. Give us some more details of the car you are looking at and your questions and concerns.

I will I’ll start by saying an independent assessment by a mechanic with MINI experience will be very valuable. After the purchase, it will be important to keep up on the routine maintenance, get a synthetic oil change every 5,000 miles and use a top name premium gas.

MINIs are a lot of fun to drive and make getting there part of the fun in life.

Welcome to the forum.

 

IIRC there were 2 issues with the early Gen3s - one was the A/C condensate not draining well, the other was a crankshaft thrust bearing. There were recall fixes for both, so maybe ask for documentation they were taken care of.

Good luck with you search

 

Didn't the Clubman transition to the third generation in 2015, making the 2014 a late second generation?

 

Thank you for replies, here is info: 2014 R55 S, asking $13,5K, has 35k mi, clean carfax record, has mini extended maintenance plan thru June 2020, manual trans, premium & cold weather packages, roof rails, lounge toffee leather interior, looks amazingly well taken care of in photos, even one of underside. He will include service records etc. He says selling b/c wants a 4 door for now-older kids, but I’m wondering if anything to do with expiration of warranties...I’ve looked extensively but not finding much on issues with 2014 S model. Originally wanted F55 but seeing this R55 for sale made me rethink. Have arranged test drive for this weekend, if service records look good & after I get deets on warranty, is this a good buy? Thanks for your help!

 

Hi and welcome to NAM, WaterGirl!
It really sounds like a nice Mini and I hope it all checks out well for you!

 

Thanks much! I’m hoping to go see it this afternoon. I’ve never bought directly from an owner before so am not sure how to arrange for mini mechanic to look at it before I commit. Unchartered waters...

 

What part of the planet are you located at? Here in the Portland Or area we have a mobile inspection service, not specific to MINI, but the owner saved me some headaches on a BMW potential purchase that the Original owner swore had never been in an accident. With his higher tech devices, he scanned all the paint on the car and found several replaced and repainted parts. Pretty simple to use as they just go wherever the car is and inspect it for you. Used car dealers hate this guy!

Look on Yelp for reviews near you. If you post up your location maybe someone here will have real life review for you.

 

I’m in DC (but have been to Oregon several times, amazing place to be), I will look up mobile inspection & see what’s around here, thank you for the tip! Of course, happy for input from anyone in the area

 

If anyone would like to give their opinion, here is the link with info and photos:
https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...961048662.html
heading to go see it shortly, fingers crossed!

 

Surprised having trouble finding a mobile inspector...places I find want you to bring car to them only...will keep looking

 

Welcome to NAM. That looks like a really nice low mileage Clubman S. Love the interior and has the right amount of options ticked too.
Take your time with the test drive and get a good feel for the car. Check the level and condition of the engine oil and make sure it has been serviced regularly. If you're unable to find a mobile mechanic/inspector, try asking the seller to drop the car off to a local shop for an inspection. Good luck!

 

Thank you for advice! Test drove it all over NW DC yesterday & it handles beautifully, shifts so smoothly, wonderful suspension. I also let it idle for quite a time, checked & no leaks, looked at oil, reviewed with owner his detailed receipts from every service done, tried out all controls...it really is a nice car. Owner did point out a small rip in leather rear seat he didn't see before & showed me a decal strip for bottom of passenger side door frame missing but those aren't deal breakers for me. I don't think owner will drop off at local shop tho, he's had other inquiries & I'm thinking this car won't be waiting for a buyer long...

 

Looks good to me, love that style of Clubman. The MINI extended maintenance plan seems like a very good bonus but double check what is covered and what is not. If it also covers services such as oil changes then that would be nice to have worry free driving for another year.

 

Sounds like it went well. Did you end up making an offer?
Edit: Just noticed your other thread. Congrats on the purchase!

 

Thanks! & yes, the ext warranty covers all routine maintenance, just brought to dealer today to get serviced & checked, thought would have to pay to transfer warranty to me but nope! All free through June 2020. I saw a thread on changing oil oneself though & prefer to do that in future as warranty only pays for 1x per year.

 

Congrats and welcome.