Hi all!

I'm thinking about getting a used Mini Cooper S. It would basically be a spare car just for fun but I'd probably end up using it as a daily driver to save wear and tear (and get better mileage) on my Jeep and F250 Diesel.

I've always been a RWD muscle car kind of guy (Mustangs and Corvettes) but sold my last sportscar about 4 years ago and I'm getting that itch again. I had a Toyota Yaris (ugh!) rental car recently and I actually had a fun time driving it because it was so light and tossable.

Since it's a toy I'm looking to spend as little as I can get away with so a first generation Mini is probably my target. I'm wondering if there are any particular things to watch out for or significant known issues?

Thanks in advance!

 

CVT=bad. Some other things too, other people know better

 

Like every car they all have their unique quirks. Best best and how I got mine is to find a car with unprotected and flat strut towers. If you find that, then you know the car was not driven hard. Also, if you want a fun drivers car the 1st gen is the only way to go.

 

I would stay away from the 1st gen cars, specially the auto trans in them. Looking around here the 2nd gen 2007 (?) and up are better.
I am like you in that I have always had muscle cars (04 GTO right now) but like the Mini. If you want a cheap car that rides like a Mini and has a ton less issues to deal with, look at a MIATA. It is rwd and a blast to drive like a Mini and maint/cost is much lowing on them. I have had 3 of them, some of the best cars I have ever owned.
I wouls suggest staying away from the 90-93 models, smaller motors, 94 they went to a bigger motor. Find a M edition also, more goodies!
The Miata feels heavier and you do feel that you are more part of the road where I feel the Mini is lighter and a little less feel for the road.

 

I would stay away from the second gens, all I see is recalls and carbon buildup issues on this forum regarding r56s. I would go for a gen one 05-06 with good previous owners.

 

The blanket statement to avoid "all first gen cars" is ignorant, just short of patently stupid. IMO you're wise to avoid the first year of any refresh, but to avoid ALL cars in a given date range?

Here's a link to the first gen buyer's guide on Motoring File, which gives a good rundown of issues to look for in '02 - '06 cars: buyer's guide.

Best advice is to take your prospective car to a MINI dealer or experienced independent MINI shop for pre-purchase inspection to suss out what's what. It's $150'ish well spent. You can also call a MINI dealer with the VIN and get any/all service records for the car, as provided by a dealer.

Good luck in your search!

 

Your best bet is a 1st Gen supercharged. It gives you power throughout the powerband unlike the 2nd gen turbo.

 

I've only had my 05 MCS for 3 weeks, but it's one of the most fun rides I've ever owned. I've heard good things about the '05.

 

Only thing I have seen as a big issue with the 1st gen is the Auto trans was not very good.

 

Not all Mini dealers will give you main work done unless it is recall work. My Mini here in town did not tell me what maint work may have been done, aka, oil changes and the like from the dealer that took care of the car in another state. I had to track down the the dealer that serviced mine, luckily it was just one.

 

I'd suggest cruising through the 1st Gen Stock Problems/Issues and 2nd Gen Stock Problems/Issues to get an idea of the problems people have experienced.

 

Stay away from the "S" turbos and get a first gen supepercharged with a standard shift transmission.
The turbos will give you never ending problems with timing chains, carbon build up etc for as long as you own one.
I would also tend to agree that a Miata would also be a fun car and a lot cheaper to maintain.

 

Imagine the next gen of justas and S that will all come with turbos.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I've looked at the problem and things to watch out for thread but I figured there was more (and I was right!).

I'm only interested in a manual transmission.

Are later first generation cars better than earlier ones? I see a lot of 2003's for sale at reasonable prices (and with pretty low mileage).

I thought about a Miata but I really dislike convertibles so...

Thanks again!

 

I'm still learning. Which engine is the 05 supercharged and is it better than others? 6 speed manual. Love it so far. Now getting concerned about huge repair bills in the future...

 

Great post from jcausefyd. Nice posts on the gen 1 and 2. Were Xenon headlights standard on the '05 MCS. Love them at night.

 

I thought they were according to a guide I read before I bought my '05, but they are not. I don't have them, however, they did put the jcw chargers in the 05-06. Meaning, they have coated rotors. Also as the buyers guide states the gearing was changed. I've drove an 03 and my 05 and the gearing improvement is awesome.

 

I must have something like that. Trying to find out what the first owner did to it. I'm just the second owner. Now at 70K miles. Should I look into the thermostat thing everyone is having problems with. The tran box, clutch, etc are great.

 

I'm wondering if the JCW coated rotors make them more rugged and reliable.

 

Nah, just prettier after they get wet and sit.

 

Yeah, it's a case of "YMMV". My car was originally purchased & titled on the east coast of FL, but thankfully my local MINI dealer in Tampa Bay got me regular maintenance records (even wiper blade installs) in addition.

It all depends on the attitude of the local dealer franchise, but hopefully they're more helpful than not.

 

I meant the supercharger rotors...

 

We recently went through the thought process in deciding to purchase a MINI. The research got so exciting that in less than two weeks we joined the MINIacs with a 2011 R56, British Racing Green II.

A MINI is many different cars squeezed into one. It is a luxury car - leather seats, answers the phone for you, automatic climate control, and more. This appeals to many, as evidenced by the Goodwood owners. I do enjoy the luxury aspect of our MINI.

A MINI is a performance car. Any Cooper S is fast out of the box and handles like a Kart (sorry MINIUSA, a go kart is what you ran in your back yard as a kid or rent at an amusement park - the small racing vehicles are Karts). A JCW is even more so. This is an important aspect to most on this forum, as many are focused on how much more perfromance they can extract from this little machine. I do enjoy the performance of our MINI.

A MINI is a classic car with a rich history - similar to the Porsche 911. Being a part of that history and helping to carry on the tradition is an exciting feature for many MINI owners. It explains the enthusiasm with which owners gather in groups, join local clubs, participate in shows, and drive long distances to events, such as MINIs on the Dragon. We plan on going to the Dragon this next year.

A MINI is an easy customizable car. Seems almost every owner adds some personal touches and some owners customize as far as their wallets allow. Being able to drive a car that is different in design, and also different than all the other MINIs is appealing to many. Us included.

A MINI is not going to be the most reliable car. It is a British built car with German over-engineering. I understand this well. Owned an MG for 37 years and had an Audi that liked visiting the dealer, who often charged to repair things that weren't broken. I was disappointed when my Honda Accord only got 195,000 miles out of the original brakes - had hoped for 200,000. The dealer replaced the brake pads in our MINI for the second time at 26,600 miles. Seems you can't have high performance and absolute reliability. But, a read of the thread on this forum about the number of trouble-free miles people have experienced with their MINIs will give a quite different view than reading a thread on a problem someone experienced.

The suggestions often given on this forum releflect the experience and decisions of the poster, with a strong bias to their priorities. We are each different in how we use and enjoy our cars, even among a select group such as MINIers. I am puzzled as to why a number of posters who don't own MINIs are on the forum giving their opinon on these cars.

You have to decide what your priorities are and select based those. Buying used, you have to do your research on the car's history. Go drive some MINIs. You may find they add excitement and fun to your life, as we have.

 

Get an 06 MCS manual trans. You will not regret it.

Besides, turbos are for sissies!