Guys, I am considering a 2005 or 2006 mini, both with around 55K miles on them. It will be my daily driver living in the midwest so I have a couple of concerns I am hoping you guys can help me address.

#1 How are Minis in the snow?

#2 What type of maintenance cost will a car like this have?

#3 Is this a money sink waiting to happen without a warranty?

I currently own a 2008VW R32 and will trade it in for the mini. I drive less than 10K miles per year currently.

Thanks for any input

 

#1 The MINI is good in the snow.
#2
#3
#4 Fun to Drive

Your original post said 05, 06, MINI. Are they Cooper S?

 

Oh yes sorry, I am only looking at 2004,2005,2006 cooper S

Any year better than others? Going rate seems to be around $14kish with 40-60k miles

 

If you put a set of proper winter tires on your MINI it will do well in the snow.

 

Thank you guys but what about maintenance?

 

I've had mine-a 2003 Mini since 2003. Now at 45 K miles, my Sport Steering wheel is peeling, I had to replace the driver's-side power window motor, and my dealer charges $125.00 per hr for Labor,. I relaced the window motor myself,(fortunately I have the skills) in 2 hours and bought a remanufactured motor from RockAuto for $48.00, as opposed to $140.00 from the dealer, thus saving about $250.00. Oil/Filter changes at the Dealer cost about $90.00 while Jiffy Lube charges me $58.00. 4-wheel Alignment at Dealer costs $350.00 while Goodyear charges $65.00.

While my Mini has been very reliable and a lot of fun, would I buy another one? No.

And I would not buy a used one unless I wanted a new hobby of maintaining it.

If I really wanted the Mini Experience, I might lease a new one for $199 per month and drive it for 2 years and say good bye at the end.

And how is BMW/MINI North America for Customer support? FUGEDDABOUDIT!. They are on the dealer's side and will not even let you speak with their District Service Manager about warranty issues .

When Mini Maintenance gets too bothersome for me to handle, I'll sell it to some other fool and get a new rice burner. Like a KIA SOUL.

 

2006, for sure, but you can find one with lower miles. Get one with the 100k warranty.

Also, see motoringfile.com's buyer's guide.

 

I drive a 2006 with 76,000 on the clock. I do the preventative maintenance myself. It's a pretty easy car to work on. Mine has been what I would consider reliable.

My dealer has been great to work with & they are on the customers side. MAG MINI in Ohio gets a thumbs up for their treatment of us local MINI owners.

 

Thank you for that link, some great info there. I am trying to trade my car in at the same place I purchase the mini, which somewhat limits the options.

 

How can I get the 100k warranty on a used car?

 

How do you feel about a 2007 Cooper Hardtop S manual with 39K miles on it for $19K

 

2007 S, 19K high side average. Offer 17500 and buy it.

 

This is the car I am going in to test drive tomorrow. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3066540

What do you think if everything checks out?

 

I'd be very wary of any used car, especially one that is known for a number of commonplace mechanical failings.

My Cooper is right at that age/mileage now of the cars you are looking at. I might buy my own car used, and thats not what I consider high praise. Its been pretty reliable, but there have been just too many stupid little things go wrong. And I havent had nearly the problems of some others here. If youre not handy, and dont have the tools, these cars can get reeeally expensive very quickly. My dealer, in particular, either didnt attempt, or were just unable to fix everything they were supposed to.

When Obie is ready to be parted with, I'll go new again, but not a MINI, especially not an R56. Then again, chances are that by the time Im ready to let him go, the R56 will have been replaced. As it is now, if I had to buy another small car today, Id head to Honda for a Civic.