I currently own a Suzuki SX-4 but would like to sell it and buy a Mini. I like the earlier (up to 2006) body style best, and being an OldCoot, I don't think I need the extra hp of an S... I know this is subjective, but am I totally off base? (One of my sons owns a new Mini S and he says I won't be happy with the slower one, and he's not crazy about the early motors.)

Also, where are the best places to look for a low-mileage used Mini?

Thanks for your input!

 

Only you can decide.. go test drive both! I have a non-S and find it plenty quick, even after driving a few S models. However, some will disagree with me. Either way you'll be happy with a MINI!

 

Used MINIs are all over the place now days. Try eBay, Craig's List or even your local MINI dealer. Maybe one of the best places to find a well cared for used MINI is right here on NAM. They right MINI for you is out there!

 

I recently bought an 07 Mini S from a Lexus dealer in southern california. You should try autotrader.com or cars.com, that's where I found mine. Before deciding on which mini to get, you should test drive the non-S & the S. Also, you might want to test drive an auto vs. manual, the experience is different between auto & manual.

 

I have both. I have a 2002 non S 5spd and a 2009 S auto and they each present their fun features and have their own personalities. You need to drive it to find out. If you plan on shifting gears a non-S would suit you well. It has amazing pep for a 1.6.

 

I hate to disagree with most but I will NEVER buy a car from another “individual” again. Dealership ONLY from now on. Nothing like finding out AFTER you get a car that you need to spend another 2000.00 on it. At least with a Dealership you (usually) have some kind of a warranty.

Now if you have a good mechanic to take it to and have them check it over first, than that’s another story. This is not just for MINI's I have had the same problem with a JEEP. Nothing like finding out that the previous owner put the wrong kind of gear oil in the trans and ALL of the brass bushings are now damaged (JEEP).
Whatever you get I’m sure you will love it. We have 2 in the family.

 

You guys are right. I need to go drive them all -- an S, non-S, manual and automatic. I've mostly driven a stick shift, but my wife has had an automatic for long distance driving. Since 1990 I have owned three new Miatas -- they were all fun, but they seemed to get more and more uncomfortable as I became more of an OldCoot. This automatic SX-4 has been so easy to drive... slow, but simple.

 

Believe me the non S MINI, is very capable of good speed, quick acceleration, nimble maneuvers and so much more. I've driven my husbands muscle cars for years and to me my 2005 MINI is superior to any of them in my feeling of control.
A used MINI, in the years you are looking for will probably be in need of a few repairs and for your peace of mind I'd say to get a warranty plan and try to have a good mechanic lined up, just in case.
I agree with you on the body style of those particular years and when looking at certain cars, look to the interior out of sight areas for clues as to how it may have been cared for. The obvious areas will always look pretty good, in order to sell.
Good luck and they're great little cars.

 

Heh, when I saw this, it made me think of another post https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-me-do-it.html

But yeah, good plan... drive 'em all! It all comes down to you and what you like... auto, manual, S, non-S, 1st gen or 2nd... all depends on which one you like the most. I thought I would get an automatic Countryman, but ended up with a manual Clubman. I spent the whole day at the dealer test driving. I also tried the Non-S to see if I could live with it, but I barely made it off the lot before I knew I had to get an S. And definitely check out the 2011's as well since there have been a lot of changes with it. I love my 2011 so much more than the previous years.

 

This old guy drives a 2006 MCS with a 6 speed & I love the extra power. It shares a garage with a 95 Miata.

Nothing wrong with a Cooper. If you buy an R50 do NOT buy one with a CVT automatic. They are likely to break & replacement cost are around $7000.

Your sons comment about the engine in early MINIs is interesting. Many more problems with the current engine.

Look here & on Autotrader.com. I recently saw a 2006 MCS with 5,700 miles listed for sale.

Good luck in your search.

 

2005 or 2006 MCS FTW

 

You know you want the S so why fight it? I've owned both and it only took 6 months to make me realize that the Cooper I bought should have been an S. The big question at this point is how long will you be comfortable with a 6-speed? The clutch thing does become a factor as we get older. (I'm 54). My last one was an 06 MCSA. I bought the auto trans so my daughter would be comfortable in it. Just for me? I'll get the 6-speed on the next one.
And the 05-06 MCS comment is dead on. The absolute best of the bunch.

 

Wanna feel like a younger "old coot" when behind the wheel? Get yourself an '09 or newer JCW.

 

Luckily, we have a non S, and an SX4.....

 

If you find the miata uncomfortable stick with the sx4. You will not hear this on this site - the sx4 is a better car. If I had known about them, we would have two. And I want to emphesize, I have not had any of the breakdowns the S versions is prone to.

What I have is worries.

If a mini breaks it is thousands.
If a suzuki breaks it is hundreds.

So yeah, take the advice - relive the days of your youth in a
JCW something blah blah, sure, if the days of your youth were spent
walking because you had an MG.......

 

Ummmm..... sure. Go ahead and compare a real car to a Suzuki SX4. It's a Suzuki, for crying out loud! One of the worst POS to hit the shores..... ever!

 

Now let's be polite... The SX-4 will never be as much fun as a Mini. True. But it has never given me a single problem mechanically, and it's good for certain things, like getting up my driveway in the snow....

 

To each their own, according to their needs. Personally, I'll take my Highlander 4wd any day of the week for such things. And I have owned a Suzuki. Grand Viagra. Vitara? Underpowered and over-priced, imho.
To get back to your original question, go with what feels right to you. None of us can make that decision for you. We can only relay our own experiences.

 

Well I guess it depends on what your priorities are, If you want reliable, comfortable and inexpensive transportation the sx4 is probably a better car.

If you want a great handling, sporty acceleration, and decent mileage the mini is the better car.

I went for the s and have no regrets, my thinking was I don't have to use the power and I may regret getting the non s.

 

Hey, I drove a '73 Midget for several years, including one full cold, snowy winter in Rapid City SD; and it never left me walking.
It did, however, often have me tweaking the dual SU's...

 

It sounds like the budget is not a problem, so my advice is to get a new '11 S automatic......

My reasoning - you think you like the body style of the 1st gen car, but the new one is lighter, tighter, less prone to squeaks and rattles and actually handles better. It also gets substantially better fuel mileage. If you drive it gently, the S is not a mileage penalty, it will easily get to the mid 30's, but when you want it to go - it does. Go with the auto because I'm also an old coot and the Auto does everything the stick does, and when you just want to stick it in D and let it do the work, you can. The auto has the same number of gears, can be manually shifted just like the manual and the only thing you can't do with it is shove a clutch pedal down a million times.

Go with the S especially if you drive in the mountains, altitude doesn't affect it one whit.

Go with a new one for 4 years/50K of warranty and 3 years of paid maintenance, plus AAA like coverage if it leaves you - which it won't do.

Go with a new one to avoid bad motor mounts, supercharger belts, bad electric power steering pumps, A/C compressors that fail, windows that don't wind up or down and a whole host of other things that the R53 owners forget to mention.

Take my word for it, I've owned and loved both, buy the new S - you'll love it!

And if you'd like enough room for someone to ride in the backseat, buy a Clubman S, you'll also get a little smoother ride and you won't lose a bit of the go kart like feel.

Oh, and no matter which you get be sure to get the Zenon headlights, you'll regret it if you don't....

 

Dave you left out a whole laundry list of R56 defects & some of them are dues whoppers . Automagics are ok if one wants & needs one, but no way do they shift just like a manual.

There some who will not buy an R56 because of all the problems they have. Maybe in another few years they'll work the bugs out. I hope.

 

And you don't think the 2011 refresh has cured most R56 problems and shortcomings?
The only reason I took a chance on a MINI is that I could see where each year or two, the problems have been addressed/fixed. It seems to me that the last years of the R56 should be the best. You should never get Honda/Toyota reliability with a MINI, but its not too much to hope for BMW reliability.

 

I like the suggestions and comments, but I'm getting confused (comes with my age). Some of you say the newer cars are dependable, but it sounds like some of you doubt it... I don't think my son has had any problems with his new one. He's coming over today, so I can ask him.

Has anyone done a poll on the site to ask new-car and older-car owners about their problems? (If so, please point me to it. -- And thanks again.)

 

What you need in a Countryman AWD.