We are anxiously awaiting a call back about a 2003 MSC we are hoping to buy. This car would be our "fun car" - autoX, some track days, and a semi-daily driver. The biggest concern is with the super high mileage (84K). Should I worry about this? How will it hold up? I think we are going to end up getting it regardless...can't wait to drive the dragon in it!

 

You would have the concerns of any high mileage car. The MINI, to my knowledge does not have any unusual mileage related issues. I've heard of some MINI's on this board going over the 100k mark and more. Do a search, you'll find much more info than I can give.

 

Thanks for your input. From what we have been told, the owner has kept it serviced very regularly. He has also modified it like you would not believe, though! I worry that the mileage plus the mods might have caused a lot of strain, but we'll see. We have a 2005 BMW M3 - we are pretty much expecting that it will not last much longer than 100K. Our friend, though, has a 98 325 with over 265K miles with no problems. I am supposing that there are not many MINIs out there with 100K+miles (new minis, that is).

 

Why are you expecting that your M3 will not last past 100K? Are you abusing it?

There are an increasing number of early (2002/2003) MINIs that are at or approaching the 100K mark. If they have not been abused, they should last to at least around the 150K mark. If you are concerned about longevity or just want peace of mind for the potential repairs, check into an extended warranty.

 

We aren't abusing the M3 at all - we have autocrossed it a couple of times already, but it has the competition package. It's meant for things like that. We've just been hearing that they aren't necessarily designed to have an extremely long life without major upkeep anymore.

 

YOU FIGURE..BASIC YEARLY MILEAGE..15,000 BY INS. STANDARDS
...THIS MINI YOU DESIRE...MAY HAVE BEEN A DAILY DRIVER FOR QUITE
A DISTANCE...PLUS MOTORIN' ALL OVER THE PLACE...LIKE TO EVENTS
ETC....MODS MAY ALSO INDICATE 'HEAVY' TRACK DRIVING...WHAT
ABOUT THAT OWNERS' 'BREAK-IN' PERIOD...NO WAY TO KNOW FOR
SURE...MY '03 HAS 14,000 MILES...!!!

 

Eh? YOUR SHOUTING! What did you say?

 

Okay, let me clarify. My wife wrote all those other posts without making me a part of it at all. First, the head mechanic for ______ motorsports was saying to us to not expect much more than 100k from our 05 M3. I didn't want to be an *** so I just nodded and really said nothing. Maybe I should have said something after we walked away like " well that's a bunch of ****." So apparently she kept that in the back of her mind. Certainly no concern of mine. Really not even the correct venue to discuss it. Second, our main question was, I guess, do mini engines last a good while like civics, corrolas,e30,e36 6cylinders, etc? They really haven't been around long enough to tell. But from what I have heard, there is no reason to believe that they won't right? By the way our friend with they 98 325 actually has a 87 325is with 215k not 265 but I guess that really doesn't matter. Third, we actually do know the entire history of this car from the first mile. Super precise maybe even over board break in process. Amsoil used every 3-4k without exception. All required maintenance has been religiously performed. Modifications are extensive from headers to all adjustable suspension parts, webb ecu ,pulley, intercooler,quaife, etc. All professionally installed by a reputable shop. This is one of those cars that does actually have a lot of highway miles. As far as racing, autocross is the only thing this car has done.
Considering the maintenance history of the car, should we worry about the mileage? I am tending to think no. And considering the extensive and usefull mods, the price is very good as well. Any other input on mini longevity will be appreciated. Thanks

 

If you have done the after break-in (1,250 miles) service and all services when the counter says to (although if it were me, I would change the oil & filter more frequently - like around every 7,500 miles) and you have observed the break-in process, and you don't abuse (like run it all day at speeds north of 120 mph) the car, there is no reason why it should not last at least 150,000 miles. I don't have personal experience with taking an E46 M3 out to 150,000+ miles, but the 2005s had all of the issues with the earlier E46 M3s resolved.

Also, the competition package (in the U.S.) is 19 inch forged wheels, revised steering ratio, revised DSC, different interior trim, and a few other items, but nothing has been done to the engine. So, absent owner-added mods to the engine, you have the same engine as the base M3. I still don't see how you get to the conclusion that you are only going to see 100,000 miles out of the car.

Getting back to the MINI that you are considering, it sounds like it has had a full life so far (certainly more than 10,000 - 12,000 miles per year). If the current owner has complete maintenance records and you can get a comprehensive extended warranty for the car, it is probably worth a shot. If not, there are certainly other MINIs on the market.

 

I'm not sure what happened with the triple post. Sorry. At least my wife knows how to post only once. And if The tech from -------motorsports reads this, I appreciate your knowledge and ability, but I disagree with your e46 M3 engine assessment.

 

Did you click the submit button three times?

On to your questions. The engine in the MINI does not seem to have any inherent longevity issues (like some Toyotas have had in the past with sludging). If it has been conscientously maintained (and it seems to have been from your narative), it should last out to somewhere in the 150,000 mile territory (and possibly more). If you want to get a sense of the current condition of the engine, have a cylinder leakdown test performed on each cylinder and then compare it to a cylinder leakdown test on a new MINI. If the majority of the mods were to the suspension, I would check to be sure you don't have the front upper strut mount/mushrooming issue before taking the plunge. There are at least 2 active threads on the upper strut mount on NAM at the moment. The only concern I would raise is in regard to your tolerance for unplanned repair expense. An extended warranty is the best way to address that risk factor.

 

timsmith,

I think you will be fine on both cars. The M3 should last if you take the necessary precautions to maintain your car in all respects. Change the synthetic oil more frequently than normal, put in better quality oil than the OEM one, change the brake fluid to one that will boil at a higher temperature and change it on a regular basis if you track your car, etc.

Maybe your mechanic thinks that for the average M3 owner, cars last up to about 100,000 miles then have enough problems they are no longer worth keeping up.

The MINI is a good car and can take some rough use and survive. The more the car was driven on the highway the better- saves urban driving wear and tear which is much much worse on all systems. Is the clutch in good shape? What about the rotors/ brake pads/ brake fluid? Those take a beating from the heat on the track. Check the rims used on the track- high heat stesses wheels. The header also can be fried from track use especially at sustained high heat- the race cat will tend to burn out as do exhaust resonators. Any Check engine lights on the dash?

If there was little or no track and just some autocross then that is not too bad but it will depend on the driver. Some drive really slow and little wear is done on the car while if they won the Street Mod class of autocross you know they were beating modified M3s and WRX Sti.

Check for wear on the seats and leather or cloth. Check the electronics, windows, sunroof, radio, headlights- all have had some trouble. And with the 2003 check the battery which can fail prematurely. If there is an upgraded supercharger pulley then check the pulley belt every 6 months and if you are running a smaller belt then replace it once yearly. Check the PCV hose on the top left of the engine- sometimes it gets soft and collapses.

I don't see a problem with the MINI going 150,000 miles but many things will go bad and need repair long before the engine itself does.

 

I would appreciate any insight as to where my understanding of the E46 M3 engine is wrong. There were issues in the 2002-2003 period with internal engine parts failing (BMW extended the warranty out to 100,000 miles and there was a recall of sorts), but I am not aware of major issues with the 2005 & 2006 S54 engine. Maybe that is something for a PM exchange.

 

Right on minihune! I am still relatively new in my understanding of what happens to high mileage MINIs, but your points are great.

One question about your recommendation to change the belt on s/c reductions every year - are you referring to calendar time or mileage (say, every 12,000 miles)? I would think it would be based on mileage????

 

Thanks for all of the input everyone. It sounds like there is not much to worry about as long as the car was taken care of properly.. Hopefully we will be new mini owners soon. Thanks again.

 

assessment. Those engines, taken care of, will go WAY beyond 100,000 miles. I have never heard of anyone suggesting that 100,000 miles is the normal life expectancy...rediculous!

 

Are you in the Atlanta area, and is it a DS/B MCS with bonnet and boot stripes per chance?
Annette

 

Uh oh! Is someone else interested in the car???? Better strike while the iron is hot!

 

Not run north of 120 mph all day! Ooops!

 

Nah, we just know the former owner of the car (who upgraded recently to an identical 2006 model).

The car has been well cared for and is in excellent condition.

 

Pete, that's exactly what I was trying to ascertain. I had a hunch it was ******, and wanted to let timsmith know it was a car owned by an avid MINI guy and that it had been lovingly maintained and was an awesome car!

Annette

 

Annette,

The only reason I knew for sure it was ****'s old car was that this new owner
posted about it on the local SCCA AutoX forum.

 

Pete, lol, no one can hide!!!
Hopefully we'll see them at an Atlanta MINI get together.
Annette

 

Yes, we bought it from a local Atlanta avid MINI person names ******. We keep hearing so many great things about him and his love for his cars. We haven't actually met him yet, though. The sale was done through a "dealer". Hopefully we will meet him soon as well as other Atlanta MINI drivers. So far, we've had the car for a day and a half. My husband is completely thrilled and so am I! We will address any mechanical issues as they come - as with any car with high mileage, things will need some TLC eventually, but that's okay. It's a great car! Maybe we will see some of you at the next BMWcca event or solo2 event!

 

Looking forward to running with you Pete.

Tim