If this is the wrong area for this post I apologize. I am interested in buying a used Mini and based on the research I have done here, they can be pretty unreliable. Here is the specific one I am looking at:

http://heiser.com/Used-2007-MINI-Cooper-Milwaukee-WI/vd/17941237

Would have preferred manual, staying away from the S, but anything to look at with this specific version? Good price? The carfax looks good to me but realize that isn't the whole story. If I purchase it I will have it inspected by the Mini dealer or a mechanic that works on Mini's, but want to get some opinions here first.

This would be my commuter car, my commute is less than 10 miles, so won't put a ton of miles on it. What I really need is something reliable, but my love of Mini is pulling me towards this car. I like that they tend to hold their value well, it's just the maintenance issues that scare me, I will maintain the car well, but can't afford 2-3k mechanic bills popping up.

 

Short drives kill cars. A 30 mile commute would be better for everything except wear items.

The price is OK, but 2007 is the least reliable year for the R56 because it is the first. I personally would never buy a used mini.

How mechanically inclined are you? If you will not be doing the work yourself, it's a definite pass.

Remember, though, after all this negativity I do indeed own a Mini Cooper S.

 

I don't see any obvious red flags in the Cooper you're considering. The '07 and '09 rate "below average" for repairs overall by Consumer Reports. The "well below average" areas in the '07 are (minor) engine, engine cooling and brakes. Areas "below average" are fuel system and power equipment.

I have an '07 with the manual and 75K miles. It has been a good car. I have never kept a car before as long as I have kept this one. I have maintained it. I still like it. Everything works as it should. I would not feel guilty selling it to a close family member.

Shortly after delivery the heater quit working. It was fixed under warranty and it's been fine since. There was a recall for the catalytic converter. It was replaced under warranty. I had an issue with the waterpump / thermostat outside of the warranty period. I had it repaired by an independent. It was a several hundred dollar repair. That's all thats been done outside of routine scheduled maintenance. I still have original brakes and battery. I am on my third set of tires. Most of my driving has been long highway trips.

Have the car checked by a third party before purchase. If you get a good bill of health you are probably fine. Have them pay particular attention to the weak areas discussed above. Also check and operate the sunroof, climate control and cruise control. I do have concerns about your short commute driving plan. That's very hard on all cars and your MINI will not like it. You need to take it out and exercise it well regularly. Join a MINI club in your area.

 

Thanks for the reply. Didn't realize that about short trips, would definitely take it on some extended trips in that case. Are you aware of any big repairs or replacements that tend to show up at certain mileages? For example, some cars you know exactly when the timing belt needs to be replaced.

 

Ahhh… the timing belt. Just went through that. Two close relatives each have a Hyundai Accent. Not an easy do it yourself project.

Fortunately the MINI you are looking has has a timing chain. However, the chain tensioner has some potential issues to be aware of. Search the forum threads. I have not had this problem with my MINI.

But it also has a belt to run the accessories. I don't know the replacement interval for the serpentine belt. I had mine changed at 60K. That's when I had the waterpump / thermostat repair. During that repair I also had them replace the spark plugs. The Cooper calls for 100K spark plug changes (60K in the S). However, I immediately noticed a fuel economy improvement after mine were changed. The brake system should be flushed every two years.

I've been pretty religious about using only "top tier" 91 octane fuel. Occasionally I've been in a location where I couldn't and used best available. But that's been very rare. When I had my water pump / thermostat repair done at 60K I had the technician inspect the valves. He reported them to be clean.

I've changed oil about twice as often as the MINI service interval calls for. Even done some of those "mid-interval" changes a few times myself. Not hard on a Cooper.

Also, replaced the windshield once. Used aftermarket (Solar Lamisafe by AP Tech).

 

How reliable is the automatic? I've seen quotes of $6-8K for new ones with repairs not an option.

As for the short trips kills cars comment, I will challenge that, unless there's documented information specific to Minis. My commute, such as it is, is exactly 0.6 miles each way. While there will be long drives periodically I've been making that trip for decades. There are weekend trips that can be 1-4 hours but not every weekend and not on every vehicle. I'm not one to throw away a vehicle after XXX miles or XXX years. I just sold mi Miata after 8 years and my '01 Dakota 4WD pickup is still in the driveway with about 60K on the clock. OTOH, my Mini has almost 3K on her since getter it 3 months ago.

Regular maintenance is a key to longevity, but don't get insane either. Mini's, as all vehicles do, have specific issues over time that need to be addressed, but mechanically at least they should hold up.

The electrics/electronics, however can be another story. I already had to replace my passenger side wide motor because, get this, the top wouldn't go up, only down! This is documented, not a slipshod repair shop action. If the window motor being inoperable causes the top to not go up I have to wonder what other absurdity is interconnected. YOu get a flat and the engine won't start? You wear a shirt and pants that clash and the door won't open?

Don't get spooked. Do you research, absorb information on the forums, filter out the BS, and take the plunge.

 

I am interested in buying a used, 2005, mini, standard shift with 125K miles. I know I will enjoy the mini but worry about reliability on such a high millage machine. Minis are well made but looking for reliability history on the machines. I do not plan on keeping for ever but want reliability for a while. Would any of you consider buying Mini with miles. The car seems to be in very good condition. Thanks.

 

You will need to have it inspected by MINI mechanic or a MINI dealer, don't use just any mechanic the won't know what to look for.
Search for the most common 1st generation MINIs 05-06 were the best ones, not that the other years were bad but had some issues that were fixed somewhat on the las 2 years.

 

Just type "short trips and engine problems" into a search engine. You can decide for yourself which results have validity.

 

Best and only way I would get used MINI is a CPO , MINI NEXT they call it.

I got a 2011 demo with 25K for $16K , has full warranty for 2 more years and $100 deductible for 4 more years or 100K . Plus it still has a year of oil changes and maint items.

Plus BMW financial gave 1.9% for 6 yrs.


And that model your linked could need valve cleaning about now. I don't think I'd even consider buying a used MINI from anything but a MINI dealer, Just my opinion.

 

There is a shop about 15 minutes away from the dealership that specializes in Mini Cooper service. My plan is take the car there for inspection pre-purchase. Would you still advise against it or should they be able to find any potential issues?

 

I don't see any obvious red flags with the car. My opinion is take it to the shop you mention for inspection. If they specialize in MINI's they should know what to look for.

Is it possible to get in contact with the previous owner?

 

I'm not sure, I'm guessing the dealer probably won't give that info out. Would be helpful though.

Part of the Carfax that worries me is the end. The dealer received the car on 12/3, then offered for sale 12/4. Then 12/12 'pre-delivery inspection completed' along with 'front axle replaced' then back to offered for sale on 1/3. Not sure why that month long gap would be in there or why they did a per-delivery inspection if it wasn't sold.

 

Can you get the pre-delivery inspection report from the dealer?

In California, we would also ask for the smog-check certificate.

Have your inde mini mechanic check everything on that report + additional common mini issues.

Read the fine print for the Carfax buyback guarantee!

 

i just purchased last may 2003 mini cooper today while own the way to work i heard a big knock or someone hit my bumper back of my car …my gear won't work forward or reversed..is this part of a recall?

 

I'd for sure want the intake valves scoped because that mileage they could be all caked up, and depending on shop can cost $400-$1000 even I have heard.

But I'd still recomend a CPO from a dealer unless you can get a good warranty to cover it. Just my opinion. My son bought a MINI from a chevy dealership and the ext warranty cost him alot and the coverage is spotty.

 

The standard Mini does not have a Direct Injection system and therefore is relieved of excessive carbon build-up issues. And CPO is a nice idea, but it looked like OP was trying to spend < $10,000 in the first place.

 

It's actually illegal for the dealer to provide you with the previous owner's information intentionally.

 

Yes, under $10k. The ideal situation is I find a good deal on one that I can resell in a year or two for not much less than I paid without a big repair in the middle of it.

 

I'm assuming you're in the Milwaukee area since that's where the car is you're looking at.

There is a "Milwaukee MINIs" club. If you go to the bottom of this sites forum front page there is a listing of MINI clubs. Try contacting them. They may have some excellent leads and maybe even would help check out the car you're looking at. MINI enthusiasts are typically helpful by nature.