Hey guys I'm looking to get into a mini s lately, I've done a lot of research on the maintenance and what to look for. My friend and I couple days ago test drove 3. A 2007 s, 2010 base, and 2006 s. The 2006 is purple haze paint with 120k and their asking $10.9k, this is at an actual mini dealer. I drove it, runs great, chirped 3rd gear getting on the free way. The only thing I didn't like was it had a wobble in the steering above 60mph. Also, I don't know if it's just how the first gen feels, but compared to the 07 mini s I drove. The 06 steering felt sloppy. The carfax on the 06 purple has a ton of maintenance records performed by mini. What do you guys think? The carfax is free to see on the link here..was used as a fleet vehicle.


http://www.northwestmini.com/Vehicle...-WA/2088433493

 

Hey guys i found a pretty clean looking 2006 cooper s for cheap but it does have 142k. Would you guys even consider this?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...ice=10000&mmt=[MINI[COOPERS[]][]]&listingId=358216879&listingIndex=14&Log=0

 

I would recommend you do some reading on the pitfalls of a Mini of a given age. '05 and '06 appear to be the better choices, at least as far as I've read. I'm not sure about the 100K plus mileage. I had a Miata and in that world 150K is just breaking in and a catastrophic failure won't break your bank. A Mini is essentially a BMW with repair prices in the stratosphere. I would say from reading that an automatic is a no-no since the newer ones at least can cost $8K to replace and have no rebuild options. An S with a direct injection has a carbon problem likely to develop at 50K miles. Repairable, but not preventable. The earlier 5 speeds aren't all that great so look for a 6 speed.

Walk slowly into the waters and remember that whatever you pay, you better have a bit of a buffer for repairs, otherwise you need to look elsewhere.

Of course if you drive one, you are in big trouble because they are too damn addictive!

Good luck in your searches!

 

I'd recommend you keep looking... You really don't want the '07 as some had weird mechanical issues, and the '06 has too many miles on it. For example, my '05 R53 has 63,000 miles on it. They're out there just be a patient shopper. Best of luck.!

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2013/09/...-your-stories/

 

^^ this. Patch nailed it...

 

The 2006 has to many miles, and the price is to high. Keep looking and stay away from the 2007.

 

Hubby and I have Minis,2009 basic and 2010 clubman. Neither is an S. Friends whohave the " turbo charged" S, always seem to have troubles, and I see there was a big S recall. Just get the regular engine.... you will have all the power you need. Once you drive a Mini... everything else is just a car.

 

As has been said any car with over 100,000 is going to need some kind of work sooner rather than later.. Just be prepared.. If you can do the work yourself most of it isn't all that bad $ wise, but if paying full labor rates a clutch replacement could run between $1500-$2200 depending on which parts and shop does it.. Here is the kicker. I know of an 06 S car that needed a new Supercharger at 50,000, others have gone 150,000 same with a clutch. Local member has 175,000 on his "S" car clutch and SC.. Some clutches go out well before 100,000 so alot is luck and some depends on who has been driving it..

 

I have an 06 MCS JCW that just passed 114k runs like new...but I have done almost every maintenance thing imaginable...

-things done...changed coil pack, plugs wires, rear brakes, power steering lines, power steering cooling fan, upper strut mounts (hit some pot holes), all the seals imaginable, water pump and probably forgetting some all done around the 100 mark...
- just got all the following parts that will be replaced by this december sitting in boxes in the garage... trans fluid, coolent, brake fluid, supercharger oil and magnet screw from WMW to replace origional, new OEM belt tensioner, M7 2% crank pulley, M7 16% gold supercharger pulley, belt, fuel filter, brake light pulsar and craven antenna which makes my car look real and remote controlled lol
I'm also planning on redoing my entire suspension new rims and header by summer of 2014...
It gets costly I purchased my 06 because I am a huge Gen 1 fanatic I would never get a newer Mini just me have nothing against them just not my cup of tea...05 and 06 are the best years of the Gen 1 least amount of problems don't get an automatic that gen 1 trans in auto sucks my opinion and that of many others...just make sure to check for oil underneath the vehicle it's easy to spot have them lift it and thoroughly check it...hope that helps.