Hi guys!

I am buying my first car, and I have decided that a mini cooper is the car for me! However, I am having a lot of trouble finding the right one. So I am here to ask your advice.

First of all, I want a car with an automatic transmission, which I know makes things harder. My budget is around $6000

From the research that I have done, it seems that the main thing to look out for is the CVT transmission in the gen1 hardtops. Because of this it seems that I should try to find one of the following three cars:
1) a mini convertible from any year
2) a mini cooper s from any year
3) a mini cooper from 2007 or later

Am I correct that the three categories listed above are safe from the CVT transmission failures? Also, how many miles is it reasonable to expect a mini cooper to last? For instance, would it be reasonable to purchase a 2005 mini convertible with 129k miles on it?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

- Kat

 

Kat:

As you didn't receive any responses yet, I would offer the following:

I wouldn't recommend buying a used, high milage MINI Cooper if you only have $6000 to spend on your very first car.

If you read through this forum, MINIs are generally more expensive to maintain, are more difficult to work on, have well documented chronic problems in older models (not just CVT transmission). There are MINIs that are running well after 125K miles, but their owners have likely been meticulous in maintaining a car they purchased new, or spent $$$ repairing their autos. I'm assuming you don't have the ability to do all of the repairs and maintenance on your own, and don't have another mode of transportation when your MINI is being repaired (and it will be under repair more often than you would like).

They are definitely fun to drive, but if you need a dependable car with low maintenance and repair costs, I'd suggest you would be much better off looking at other models such as a Honda Civic, Toyota, etc.

 

...however a 2007 or 2008 R52 (convertible) the last of the supercharged cars, are pretty good, granted the draw back is you will find them with lower mileage which tends to increase the price a bit, but the rewards are pretty good.

Being a convertible they tend to have lower miles, more likely a garage kept car. My '07 R52 JCW is a great little rocket, and Miss Susan's '07 R52 with the automatic trans mission has over 100K miles on it now, and is still running great.

But I agree, it is easy to find a '04 or '05 for low prices but expect to face some hefty repair cost to get it top shelf again. But if you can afford the investment... the smile will be hard to pry off your face.

Motor on!

 

I would edit your categories as follows:
1) a mini convertible from any year
2) a mini cooper s hardtop from 2005 or 2006, convertible from 2005 to 2008
3) a mini cooper from any year

Basically any year Justa, but stick with the Gen1 Cooper S.

I found my Gen1 S to be very reliable, just pricey to maintain.

Figure any used Mini you buy may need $4-$5k in initial repairs, then budget another $200 per month for ongoing maintenance.

If you can afford that then go for it.

No one buys a Mini because they are affordable, that's what Hondas and Toyotas are for.

 

^this, and no one buys MINIs because they are maintenance free. Buy the best one you can afford. If you go for a 2007 or later hard top, be sure that it has been religiously maintained. Good luck!

 

Just be sure you have the $ to maintain and repair it!

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Not as far as a Convertible is concerned. 1st Gen Cooper (non-S) Convertible models (which were built through July 2008) will have a CVT.

 

All really good information here. If you're DIY capable that can help keep the costs down for repairs. We have great tech articles here that can help with repairs as well as provide some good information on why some of these components fail. Good luck with the search and the purchase!

-Luccia

 

I would never buy a sports car with that many miles on it, especially European. Owners of sports cars ABUSE their vehicles.

Honestly, if you are going to get a Mini, it's best to get a manual. One big reason I bought my 05 MCSa was because I didn't know how to drive manual and I thought it would be too much of a hassle to learn and drive in traffic... Until my Aunt gave me a '98 VW Beetle 5-speed. After I learned to drive it, it's an absolute blast and I enjoy driving it almost as much as my Cooper. I now wish I bought a manual Mini and the Getrags are some of the best manuals out there.

But if you just have to have an automatic, avoid the 05-06 MCS with the Aisin 6-speed. They tend to fail around 80k... There is a HUGE thread on it. i had the valve body in my 05 MCSa replaced for $1500 and the transmission still needs a $2000 rebuild. The Aisin in the '07+ last longer because around that time, Mini switched from supercharged to turbocharged. Heat is the enemy of everything mechanical and electrical and those superchargers produce a ton of heat in the small confines of the engine bay. So 2007+ MCS Auto and I would keep the base models 2004 or newer... And any year for manual.

I would buy a base model Cooper with the CVT... You just have to drive it the way Mini intended it to be driven. Don't lead foot the CVT and it'll be a good car for ya.

Also, make sure you have deep pockets because when something fails and needs replaced, parts generally run 3x's more expensive than they should... and that doesn't even buy you Mini Genuine.

 

I don't agree with the idea of buying a MINI Cooper with the CVT. The deadline for filing a claim under the class action lawsuit has passed. Owners had until April 2014 to file...it's too late now and the cost to replace a CVT is around $7,500.

These models had the CVT:
- 2002 - 2006, MINI Cooper w/auto trans (non S model)
- 2005 - 2008, MINI Cooper Convertible w/auto trans (non S model)

 

For graduation I bought my son an RS53 with 67K miles on it an although we love the car, the maintenance to get it in top shape is high. The previous owner took ok care of it but not tip top care. Now, it runs well and the smile is there but we're kind of waiting for the next item to happen.

 

I forgot about that lawsuit... I tried to get in on it cause the lawyers thought about including the Aisin crowd, but it never happened. Yeah, I'd stay away from them now considering that...

2007+ for the MCSa and 2009+ for the MC base... still any year for manuals...

 

Can you try someone's manual car? For me, it is so much more rewarding to be in charge of the gear changes than some engineers' idea of when they should be. Especially under breaking in my wife's Countryman - the down changes can be surprising sometimes. And breaking distance seems to be so much less in a manual.

 

Keep in mind, if the price is right, especially if it was a convertible...I would buy a MINI with a CVT and I would drive it as long as possible. However, it would have to be a low price.

 

Is the OP still reading this thread...haven't seen any responses.

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If I interpreted this thread correctly, used ones to consider:

1) manual justa mini cooper from any year
2) manual justa mini convertible from any year
3) auto justa mini cooper from any year except 02-06
4) auto justa mini convertible from any year except 05-08
5) mini cooper s hardtop from 2005 or 2006
6) mini cooper s convertible from 2005 to 2008

 

Watch the R50 and R52 Automatics in the " Just a cooper " form = CVT , they will have issues with the CVT with higher mileage. .

R53 and R52 Cooper S 2005+ good years also. P