I used to own a second gen cooper S which after 6-7 years of ownership I sold with some great relieve. I did not like repairability, reliability, durability, etc. That mini was the only car that had to be towed to be repaired on several occasions. I do not mind to work on the car myself, but preferred to pay money rather than work on that mini because of the way it was designed. Also, not having a temperature gauge? Anyways....

Also, I somehow did not like 2nd gen design. My heart always belonged to the original mini and a 1st gen.

I'm carefully considering a possibility of getting a 1st gen mini now....

I'd like to ask for an advice from the community on what is it to maintain 1st gen with a balanced self/dealer repairs maintenance? Again, I do not mind doing things myself unless this is very frustrating/difficult. Things like oil changes, brakes, suspension, timing belt - I was able to do myself in the past.

As a current or past 1st gen owner - would you, or would you not recommend it and why? Also, which one is the best option? My only experience in the past was a 1st gen cooper s drive which I enjoyed a lot because of engine character, handling and steering feel.



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The '05 R52 I have is pretty easy to work on and modifications abound. Best car for seat of the pants driving. The other ones in my life are the '19 F54 and '21 F60.hybrid. Wouldn't have just the one as a daily drive as it needs periodic attention.

 

There will be another car in the garage and I understand mini is not a top notch in terms of reliability.

I guess the question is - how critical is it...

Like my former 2nd gen mini I would not take at a long roaftrip fsr from the dealerbnetwork.

 

The general advice on buying a used car is to buy the newest/best example you can find/afford.

Getting a 1st gen MINI may look good while sitting in front of your computer but the car will be from 2000 to 2005. 17 to 22 years old. This is the age at which time things not necessarily considered "wear items" start to go bad.

A practical purchase? No. One that only makes sense from heart not the head.

 

Totally agree. There definitely is "heart" component here.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

LOTS of seals and gaskets deep in the engine on any first gen car will need addressing if they have not specifically been addressed by the previous owner. An older car may need supercharger oil service. Oil pan gaskets go bad frequently. There is always the clutch to think about too. Buying a 20 year old car comes with the expectation that lots of work will be needed.

All of that said, the only way I will part with my 03 R53 is when I die.

 

Thanks, all of you, some great info here.

I'll stick to my search for a gen 3, then. Gen 1 is too old, I just don't want any more cars that are more than 20 years old.

I'm looking at 2014-2019, but what I'm seeing so far price-wise, probably 2014-2016. My budget is definitely limited.

Any of you have experience with early 3rd gen Countryman?

 

How hard was the timing belt? I've never changed a timing belt or chain myself. My husband did, a couple of times, but he's gone now, so I'm on my own.

The biggest repair I've done myself, was replacing the intake manifold gasket on an '05 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Mostly, I avoid getting under a car, because I have trouble getting up from all the way down on the ground. Getting down there is no picnic, either. So under the hood, or beside the car like when you do the brakes, or change a ball joint, etc., is what I almost always do myself.

I don't know how hard a timing belt would be.

 

I went from a 09 R55s to an 05 R53. I have had to replace oil pan gasket, crankshaft position sensor gasket, oil cooler gaskets, an axle, front wheel bearings, and header due to it splitting. All of it was pretty easy to do, just takes time and some patience. Overall she hasn’t left me stranded like the r55s did and has been pretty trouble free, past 6 months has been just changing the oil and rotating the tires, keeping her clean and driving her.