I am thinking of getting an 06 Mini as my everyday driver. It is an 06 non S model with 101k miles for 7500, I currently have a 02 Saturn sl1. My main concern is reliability due to it being rather pricey to fix. Is there anything I should look for while looking/test driving the car tomorrow that would clue me as to possible issues with the car at that mileage. Any help would be great, Thank You.

 

One thing to look at is the tops of the strut towers.

 

What should I look for?

 

Sorry, I probably should have expanded my thought a little.

If you'll search on here a little, you will quickly find pictures of the front strut towers (right and left, inside the engine compartment with three nuts surrounding a circular connection point where the tops of the front struts attach) on Gen 1 vehicles which are mushroomed or cracked.

They should be flat planes, a little mushrooming can be fixed with a deadblow hammer and a 2x4. If they're cracked, that would require a more expensive repair.
Here is a sample thread:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...om-repair.html

 

In general, with MINIs, the further into a model series you go, the better they are. Also, the non-S models are typically more reliable than the S models.

I'm on my third MINI, a 2012 Countryman (non-S), and I have had zero issues in the short time I've had it. My first MINI was an '06 R50 (non-S) Checkmate. It was rock solid reliable and a blast to drive. The only issue that came up was that the thermostat needed to be replaced, and it was handled under warranty. You'll find that with the first generation cars, the '05-'06 models are typically the best ones to go with. The only caveat is that if it's an automatic, the non-S models in the first generation used a CVT transmission that was prone to failure. If yours is a manual, this is not an issue at all.

 

Strut tower plates are easy to install if needed. Get a pair from M7.
http://www.m7tuning.com/parts/produc...products_id=30
Remove the three nuts on each side, set the plate in place and replace the three nuts and torque to 25#. If they are a little out of shape, the hammer/ 2X4 process is called for.

The '06 is by far the most reliable of the Gen 1 MINIs. The only real lookout is the old CVT gear box. With 100+K miles, the usual gremlins should have all been excised out. Just keep a close eye on regular service and tire rotation about every 5,000 miles.

 

a problem I noticed when looking at MINI's is check under the trunk area for water/rust many people dont get there drainage tube blown out and end up unknowingly pooling water back there.

come to think of that I've only seen that on MINI's with sunroofs.

 

Something else if buying privet party is ask them "is regular gas okay in this?" if they say yes walk away.

 

Good point that needs amplified some. 91 octane is the minimum for the Cooper S. Some have been penny wise and pound foolish trying to save a few cents at the pump with lower octane fuel eventually causing poorer gas mileage and often, expensive repairs like knock sensor replacement.
Here are a couple of URLs to help:
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?
Also, you really want one of these but check the inquiry for availability.
http://www.lightinsight.com/
...and some additional URLs with good information:
http://www.motoringfile.com/
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/index.html
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do
http://soopercooperinfo.com/