New to the forum as I have decided I would like to purchase a used Cooper S and stumbled across this site, very informative so far.

The sweet spot for my budget seems to be a 2006 or 07 with around 40-50k miles. I was all set on the 07 as I usually prefer a turbo over supercharger, and I've found an 07 with only 32,000 miles for under $16,000 (good deal?) with a clean carfax. Also like some of the cosmetic changes from 06 to 07.

But, I have come across some posts on this forum suggesting that an 07 would be a mistake as it's the first year of the 2nd generation. Are there really tons of problems with them? I would be using the car as a daily driver, no modifications.

 

07's tend to have issues.... That is why the low price....first year of a new body...motor..etc. Many motors were replaced under warranty.... Some still are...timing chain/tensioner issues mostly.
The 06's were the last hardtop gen1 supercharged mini....simpler motor. Not perfect...but had a few more years of improvements.
BUT....
Both cars are VERY different...
They handle different...
They sound different...
The interior is different...
If you want to modify it...the options are different...
So test drive one of each....find the one that suits YOU.
The gen1 (2006) tends to be more of a rally car feel...more raw...connected to the road.
The gen2 car (2007) tends to be more refined... More insulated... More BMW like.

 

So would you say an 07 that has had no major issues should be in the clear, relatively speaking?

 

Nope....
Has an ongoing carbon issue on the intake valves...
As an early direct injected motor (lacks the revised pcv system of later mini's) it requires regular MANUAL cleaning...usually walnut shell blasting... A few hundred $$...timing chain issues has been addressed with 3 or 4 possible fixes....some OK on some cars...some had multiple repairs...still return...gets $$$ out of warrenty. Let it go too long ...new motor.

 

+1 on ZippyNH comments. I would stay away from the 2007.

 

Also if you look closely....you can see/feel a different design philosophy...
Gen2.."good enough"....parts feel cheaper...lighter plastics.....less of a substantial feel...
But without getting into x is better than y thread.... Drive them both. To me the '07 is just too risky...mostly timing chain and carbon issues. Till fixed for good with a new redesgined chain....(a few has been tried...but a different part number in the past couple MONTHS SEEM TO BE WORKING)....older ones wear..elongate...longer tensioner sometimes helps for a bit...but a temp fix...ask RECENT RECORDS.

 

Were the issues ironed out in the 08s?

 

my 07S has had ONE problem - just recently needed to replace the thermostat housing for a coolant leak.

Consistent 30 MPG around town and push 40 on the highway when I can keep the speed over 70

49,000 garaged miles

$14,000 and it is yours if you pick it up - I'm pricing a Miata Club hardtop

BRG and white, tuscan leather, premium pkg (sunroof, auto-ac, more), English Oak wood grain (incl steering wheel and shifter), 6 spd





Was at the dealer last year for an extended check up at their invitation .... aka we're gonna try and sell you work . . .
after the car was in the back for an hour the service manager came out disappointed and said I could use a brake fluid change but that was ALL they could suggest . . .

*********************
I was an early 02-S buyer and had that car for 90,000 miles before I bought the 07 ... aka first year of both GEN

They ARE different cars

The GEN1 is more harsh if you get an early one - 6 months after introduction of MINI in the US they started softening the suspension because the majority of buyers were soccer-moms. Sad but true. The later the GEN-1 you buy the softer the suspension. Ditto the gear box .... the ratios were changed to make the car easier for most to shift (to wit ... the 02-S didn't even OFFER an auto . . .) I TOO prefer the supercharger whine to a turbo but that made the car TOO easily modifiable by the owner and had to go. It cut deeply into MINI projected sales of the JCW package. GEN1 had a standard DIN sized radio too!

The GEN2 is a lil bigger and a lil softer yet then the 06 - and a far cry from the 02-S. The turbo engine can not benefit from a $100 kick in the pants like a GEN1 supercharger pulley job. Along this line I'd stay FAR away from any GEN1 with any engine mods . . . had my 7 in for a dealer trade estimate today and question 1: does the car have any modifications? I've NEVER been asked that b4.

 

Yeah, but that carbon issue was all the way up to 2010, as I recall. And it was late 2010 that they resolved it. But -- in most cases, it wasn't anything that couldn't be controlled with a slug of Seafoam down the PCV hose ever 10K miles or so.

I had a late '07 MCS, and the only problem I had with it was a valve timing module go south the second day I owned it. Dealer fixed and it ran trouble-free for the rest of the time I had it. And I spent a lot of that time driving it like I hated it.

But really, as a few people have pointed out, ya gotta drive them both yourself and decide which is better for you. General consensus seems to be that gen 1's were more 'visceral', and the gen 2's were a little more 'refined'. I've never driven a gen 1 myself, but I absolutely loved my '07 and '10 MCS's.

 

I have an 07 with 52000 and the only thing i had to do beyond regualr maintance was the timing chain tensioner(120$ shop fix) so i would say they are a good car. For me if i could do it over again and could have found an 06 with low miles i probably would have gotten it. i actually like the look of the 1st gen better and being that it was the last year of the gen 1 they probably had most of the issues worked out of it. I think the 1st gen are a little more tunner friendly if thats what your into. but with all that being said i love my 07 and will prbably drive it 'til it dies!

 

o and 16000 is not a bad deal considering the miles. I have bought mine 2 years ago with 32000 miles and paid 20,000 for it. they are blue booking around 15000 so that is not to much of a markup for an 07 and that is pretty low mileage considering how old it is. if you but the 07 i would sugest doing a pcv delete on it right away to prevent the carbon issue. 32000 miles is pretty low so it might now be to bad yet. doing the pcv delete will prevent it from happening. i wish i would have known that when i got mine.

 

they are two totally different cars. the only thing they really share is the MINI Badge.

one of the biggest differences is where the power comes in.

the 2006 has lots of torque right there at the bottom of the RPMs.

the 2007+ has HP higher up in the revs for top speed.

also the Gen2 is quieter and more refined riding. definetly more a quiet luxury car whereas the Gen1 is a much more Raw Connected to the Road Rally Car feel.

like everyone said. drive both and see which you like better. Granted I would never buy a first year of a new design ever (always problems no matter what the manufacturer is) CUrrently own an '06 and wouldnt have my MCS any other way

 

I'll second what everyone else has said here - they are two very different cars. You definitely need to drive them both to see. Yes, the Gen 2 is more refined than the Gen 1, but it is not made of "cheaper materials". There was plenty of cheap plastic and mismatched grains in the interior of the Gen 1 cars as well. The one thing that I really missed when I traded my '06 for a '10 was the Cockpit Chrono Pack. I loved the way that looked.