Hey all....I have been pseudo-shopping for Minis for a couple decades...I'm ready to jump in. For the last decade or so I was concerned about their reliability...seems to have changed in the last few years. A friend is selling a 2015 base model F55 manny tranny with 61k on it for $12k...I love the way it handles and the gas mileage is pretty good...but when I first started it up it has some rattles and tics...sounds a little junky at idle...someone told me it's the regulator..? Hopefully not valve tap...but it seems fine on the road. And the brake light is permanently on...hopefully just a sensor. So my quandary is...It's a friend selling...she owes $12k on it so wants the full amount which is on the high end of KBB value...I was hoping to spend $10k-11k maximum...I'm taking it to a mechanic for a prelim inspection to see what he thinks it's worth...but if my friend won't take less...should I pay the $12k? Is KBB value an acceptable value predictor? And what other things should I look out for in a 2015 Mini? THANK YOU!!!

 

If you are willing to pay your friend an extra 2,000 to have a chance at being disappointed with the transaction, no one can answer that question but you. First, you overpay, then something happens: timing chain snaps and it cost you THOUSANDS MORE to repair the damage. Personally, I would never buy from either a close friend OR a relative...too risky. If you really just want to help her, give her 2000 and keep looking for one that only costs 10,000.

 

Walk away from this one, doesn’t sound like your friend has kept up on the maintenance and you are going to be the one that pays for it. For example, my wife’s bf just picked up a R60 All4s, we just did $140 in fluid and oil filter, oil change and engine flush, coolant flush, and brake fluid swap. I did the work so we saved money there, took me 5.5 hours, but if you don’t wrench or have the space to do it then be prepared to open the wallet.

 

There difference in being a good friend and being a sucker. Good friend tells her to do all the required maintenance to get the car up to date and tell her to trade it in, a sucker picks this up from her and spends thousands later on fixing everything.

 

Thanks guys for your input and time...Agreed...Shall continue shopping elsewhere...