Hi there. I want to buy a mini convertible as a fun second car for weekend driving on nice days only. I know for sure that I’ll want an “S” and manual transmission, but would I be better off with something 2011ish-2015 with lower mileage or 2016+ With higher mileage (that’s the year they introduced the Gen 3 convertible, right?). I’ll be driving a lot of remote country roads, sometimes with my kid, so I need this car to be reliable and not leave me stranded. I’d love it keep it in good shape for many years to come. Would a 2011 or 2012 with around 50k miles be reliable for the long run? Or am I better off with something newer? Really I just want to have a lot of fun and not have to mess with anything. Also, there is a mechanic down the road from me who works on minis who has a decent reputation but I don’t know him. I was thinking about stopping by to ask him some of these questions - what else should I ask him? Thanks so much!

 

Ideally, and '06 or 7 R52. The W11 engine and Getrag gear box are near bullet proof and there are a lot less computerized nannys to worry about. The 2nd Gen with the N14 engine is a timing chain disaster waiting to happen though some have been OK but its a crap shoot.
Years of Brit roadsters and this li'l guy have shown me only 4 reasons to run up the top.
1. It is raining.
2. It is snowing
3. My co-pilot is whining about being too hot or cold and I can't hear the supercharger.
4. Some drunks are throwing empty beer cans in the back seat and didn't invite me.
And always: Topless motoring IS motoring at its best.

 

The '08 R52 S should also be included in your answer....that was the last year for the supercharged R52

Bryan

 

I have an 05 "Justa", and a 2010 S with the N14 turbo motor. Both have in excess of 160k miles, both are stick shift and other than the bottom falling out of a transmission nothing major has broken on me. More power is definitely fun, but for driving experience and feedback I think I prefer the older one, even if it lacks some mod cons. It also lacks some of the BMW introduced unnecessary electronic complexity too. My head says get the latest model you can afford and avoid the potential pitfalls of the N14 motor. My heart says go for the supercharger whine of a late model year 1st gen R53. I suppose it depends how much money you can afford to throw at a toy, and how much you enjoy working on your own vehicles.

Reliability of any of these cars is broadly a function of time spent doing maintenance. Just because BMW say you can go 10k miles between oil changes doesnt make it a good idea, they after all are only interested in making it to the 100k warranty and then selling you a new car. If reliability is a paramount issue find a car with exemplary service history, or just buy a Miata.

My neighbour is from Florida, she messaged my wife the other day, concerned that I was driving to work top down as the temperature was down in the 50s...Topless motoring is just more fun, it makes even the most mundane trip a pleasure.
(FWIW I lived in Canada for 20 years, 50° is not even close to cold, I don't think I even had the heater on!)

 

Go to the minis for sale on internet thread. Near the end is a Seattle listing for an 05 R52 JCW. Black with the sidewalk interior and all usual hard to do maintenance done. He's asking 10.5. if you dont buy this car your a moron, idiot, booger eater.

 

Yup, good catch. My old timer's disease fumbled that one on top of being too lazy to double check.

 

Somewhere on the forum is a thread, I think titled 'How Cold Is It', or something close. I've posted on it down to the very low 20's.
This past winter went down to below 0° and I did drive to morning coffee top down but well bundled. Got a lot of strange looks - returned fire with a big grin.
My co-pilot is right out of that sort of behavior.

 

If you want reliability, I'd go with the newest generation since the second generation didn't have a good reputation. And I'm not sure how confident you'd be in a ~15 year old car (even if it was well maintained).
Also, something to consider, is that the newer generations are more "refined" than previous generations. I'd test drive a few to see if you prefer one model. But for reliability, my recommendation would be the newest generation (although I may be biased).