I have always been interested in buying a Mini, and the opportunity has risen where I can finally afford to own one! I have posted a link below with the MCS I am currently looking at.

http://www.auctiondirectusa.com/vehi...-ny-id-6804162

Some first time Mini questions, I apologize in advance as I assume you guys have probably heard and answered these a thousand times...but here we go.

1.) What should I be looking for when I go to test drive this? As a first time potential owner I am unaware of any tell-tale signs of issues.

2.) How is the reliability in this model and year? From what I have read so far from these forums, the 05 MCS are better and more reliable than the 03-04's, but was looking for more input. How about the supercharger? I have read a few things on here that, that might pose problems down the road?

3.)Is this a fair deal? I was hoping to try and get the dealer down to $8200.

I would like to thank everyone in advance for all of your time and help!!!

Thanks,

Mike

 

Hi Mike, welcome to NAM! '05 and '06 cars are generally considered to be the best years for the first generation Cooper Ss (02-06). Here is a link to the first gen buyer's guide on MotoringFile.

If there's any chance you could take the car for a pre-purchase inspection, I'd recommend it. A PPI may run $150, but IMO it's money well-spent, having the car examined by a MINI dealer or experienced MINI shop can uncover some things you might not see during a typical walk-around, and let you know what parts may need to be replaced now, or shortly.

The supercharger is a component that will inevitably need servicing and replacement, tho many owners have gotten well over 150K miles from the original.

Just a few random thoughts...keep in mind that gaskets and seals dry out and crack on any car (MINI, Dodge, Toyota, Ferrari) and will eventually need replacement. Also, be prepared to replace the clutch on a manual car. I bought my '06 with around 30K miles the Autumn of 2010 and had to replace the clutch in May at 55K. Many other owners have gotten well over 150K on the original clutch, and I'm pretty easy on the clutch & a manual transmission. My suspicion is that the previous driver was new to a stick and worked the components hard, hence it's shorter-than-expected life. Odds are you have no idea the condition or remaining life of the clutch when you buy it, so just another thing to be aware of.

Repairs on these cars can be expensive. Having a good, independent shop to work on your car is almost mandatory. If not that, a good set of tools and a fearless DIY attitude. In my opinion, if you can't drop $1200 tomorrow for repairs and be OK with it, these cars may not be for you. Unexpected repairs can occur, and you don't wanna break the bank or cause a coronary, so being somewhat financially prepared is a big plus in my book.

I can't comment on price, but maybe KBB or some other online pricing guides/tools can help, or someone else can chip in there.

No matter what, good luck! If you really love MINIs don't give up even if this one doesn't work out. Be smart, diligent, and the right one will come along.

 

I can't speak to the price, but it looks like they cleaned it up nicely. A MINI dealer should be able to give you the service history for the car with the VIN number; of course that's only going to be service done at a MINI dealer. Expect to have to replace the control arm bushings; they're a known weak point. Other likely trouble spots can be the cooling fans and the power steering. A pre-purchase inspection by a knowledgeable shop will be worth the money. You don't mention where you are, but there a number of good independent shops that folks here can recommend. Good luck!

 

don't buy a used MINI

I've owned two MINI bought new, and own a Mini, I love MiNi's but in the end a used MINI for most is a poor choice.

Are you young? First "real" car? Have another car to fall back on if the MINI is down? Know a local MINI mechanic?

if you want a reliable used SPORTY car .... go look for a used Miata

MUCH more reliable .... easier (cheaper) to service ....

when you have a bit of disposable income .... and a backup car, buy a used MINI or a Mini

**************
100,000 miles and moded?

you could have bought my 2007 S with 50,000 .. leather and wood interior and under 60,000 for $9000

 

I only buy used cars. For me it's silly to pay the depreciation on a new car.

My first MINI was a 2year old CPO MCS with 18k miles on it (2006 model year). That car now has over 130k miles and is still going strong.

My "new" MINI is a 2012 RoadsterS purchased with 8k miles on the odometer.

I have found MINIs as reliable as any of my other cars; including Toyota's, Lexus', Honda's, a Ford Escort, a Saturn, and even a first year Jeep Liberty (the one by Merc).

All of those vehicles, except the Escort, where kept in excess of 100k miles. That Jeep Liberty hit 265k miles before the engine threw a rod.

MINIs do cost more to maintain, but I haven't found the amount of maintenance needed to be unexpected.

Any car with 100k miles on it is going to need work, but once that work is completed you should have a reliable car.

As always, research the vehicle, identify the work most likely needed for that age, make sure you are able to cover the cost.

Factor that cost into the purchase price before making a decision.

For a 2005/2006 MCS with manual transmission assume 3-5k of service is coming. So if the purchase price is $8K, the total cost is closer to $13K, but you end up with a reliable daily driver.

Only you can decide if owning a MINI is worth it.

 

I'm sure you kept it nice, and it was a decent car when you sold it, but an 07 S is up there with an automatic R50 in terms of the worst used mini you could possibly buy....lol

 

Repairs at the dealer are super expensive...they charge BMW prices. Therefore, unless you've got a garage full of tools as well as the aptitude to work on cars don't buy a used MINI.

Also, avoid the 2007 - 2010 MINI Cooper S models.

 

my 7 had been inspected under the 'timing chain' tech bulletin (it is not a recall) and was fine and had been to repair ONCE ... to replace the thermostat housing

but in buying a car for a young one .. I bought a new SOUL for my daughter ..... much easier to get worked on AND a 100,000 mile warranty for a fraction of the cost of even most USED MINI

 

Kia does something that MINI will never do...back their product with a 10 year, 100,000 power-train warranty.

Good selection for your daughter.

 

so while you may have all scared me away from Mini's just a few months ago...somehting about them brought me to fall in love with them more and more...

so upon saving up some more cash, i started looking at newer mini's. this is the current mini I am looking at, and hopefully will buy this weekend.

http://www.kbbreport.com/rv36g?Ref=email

it is a 2007 MCS with 69K

So with all of that, I did just have a few questions:

1.) what type of transmission does the 07 have? I know the 05's had the Getrag transmissions, so what do the 07's have?

2.) Are there any major problem points with the 07's, or R56 Mini's??

thanks again for all of your responses, I hope to truly join this community by the weekend!!

thanks,

mike

 

The manual transmission will be a Getrag.

2007-2010 R56 MCS models have N14 engines which have lots of problems (timing chain tensioner, high pressure fuel pump, carbon build-up on intake valves).

 

Thanks for your response. are these problems that are experienced in a high majority of the r56's? or just ones that got pushed hard by their drivers? finally, lets say I would experience those problems, any rough estimates on costs?

 

Plus, a lot of cars have the excessive oil consumption problem with the N14 engine...not fun.

All I can say is if you don't have a thick wallet, a warranty, or the ability to perform your own repairs, then avoid:

2007 – 2010 R56 S model (N14 engine)
2009 – 2010 R57 S model convertible (N14 engine)
2008 – 2010 R55 S Clubman (N14 engine)
Also - the JCW used the N14 thru 2012

 

so avoid every MCS from 2007-2010? just seems excessive? i mean I am new to minis so I obviously do not know, but are these recurrent problems or just one time problems?

 

There are some people that have had good luck with their car; however, it seems to me that you're taking a big risk in considering the 2007 S with 67,000 miles.

For example, MINI says that one quart of oil consumption every 1,000 miles is normal...have you ever had a car that has burned that much oil?

Do you have the ability to perform a walnut shell blasting, or is this something that you're going to hire out?

Go with an S Model MINI that has the N18 engine.

Also, if it's a car that is covered under the MINI Next program...that's even better!

Good luck to you.

 

I did look at the Carfax...no record of the timing chain being replaced. It sounds like you want to buy the car...therefore, call MINI USA tomorrow and give them the VIN to see what outstanding items the car has that are covered under a campaign.

 

what do you mean covered under a campaign?

 

A recall.

Otherwise to have the timing chain replaced will cost you $2,000.

Also, when you look at the car, closely examine the tire condition. They were last replaced at 53,000 miles and they should still be good. I say this because four new run flat tires at the dealer will cost you in excess of $1,200. This is not the type of car that you can take to the Walmart tire shop.

 

Ok, yea I did some more research and it looks like they will replace the timing tensioner chain in any R56? Or is it just R56's that havent had the chain replaced previously?

And I know this isnt that type of car, but I felt from most of the threads I have read on here, people avoid the dealer when it comes to tires?

appreciate all of your input!

 

Keep in mind some posters here tend to spread a bunch of fud about MINI. I'd be suspicious of anyone who warns you off of MINI because you'll have to pay $1200 for tires at the dealer. Your own research shows there are many options and sources for tires with price tags in line with any other vehicle on the road. Likewise, claiming MINI's 1 qt of oil per 1,000 miles is somehow different from the entire rest of the automotive industry is disingenuous and refuted with about 30 seconds of searching on Google.

You'll find the complaints are misrepresented on any forum for any vehicle because people often post seeking help. They don't come around posting every day "no problems".

Buying a used MINI is like buying any other used vehicle. There are risks to not knowing how the car was maintained and used. Do your best to check it out mechanically.

 

If it helps any I just bought a 2009 R56 Mini JCW with 60k on it. JCWs don't seem to be included in the campaign/recall with the S's so one might assume they don't have the problems but I'm still going to get it checked anyway. Also it seems almost no maintenance was done with dealers (at least MINI dealers) so either it was well maintained privately or... But so far it has run strong far as I can tell and looks clean. It's not as early a model but it is the first year of the factory JCWs. So far it's not bothering me that I took a chance, and if it goes bad oh well.

Just remember to do your homework, figure out where you can get things if needed (in my opinion I'd never get tires from a dealer regardless of brand, all are drastically over-priced in my experience), and find a good indie mechanic to check it out for you that you could then use after if needed. I found one just after I bought it (I know, backwards) who seems to do a lot of MINI work (they had 4-5 in lot for various things and one of their own), did a visual and OBD check for free and was amiable about discussing future possible checkouts/options. It's nice to know I don't have to drive an hour or two and won't likely spend near as much as at a dealership.

Other than that go with your gut. It may end up being wrong but like others have said the majority of car owners don't generally have major issues. Otherwise brands go out of business. So most of the verbal ones are those who have with their current and/or a previous one. Be educated, haggle well, and enjoy the drive.

 

My 2008 MINI Cooper S is the only car that I've ever owned that has consumed large amounts of oil. I bought the car new and the oil consumption problem started at around 30,000 miles. It's a real hassle, especially if you're taking it on a long trip.

Yes, I feel that it's different from the rest of the automotive industry.

 

So if the 2007-2010 MCS's are that worrisome, are the 2006MCS's better or worse?

 

My 2010 Mini justa has been stone reliable with 56,000 miles on her.

 

The 2005 and 2006 S models are better, but those cars are almost 10-years old now.