General MINI Talk Shared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Non-Running 2008 MCS - Worth it??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 06-29-2017, 08:07 AM
HillbillyChili's Avatar
HillbillyChili
HillbillyChili is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Ohio
Posts: 116
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Non-Running 2008 MCS - Worth it??

There is a non-running 2008 MCS for sale by me and the buyer is asking $2700.

Has 124k miles and the body/interior looks to be in really good shape, light blue. Has sunroof and sport package, automatic, aftermarkets wheels.

That's as much as I know about it and the seller doesn't know what is wrong with it but suspects "major engine repairs"

I'm wondering what would you guys pay for this and would you take the risk. I'm pretty handy so I know my way around a car but have never torn into the engine. If I can't get it fixed what would it be worth to part-out?

I'm not sure if it turns over or anything but some things I would check to go see it in person are if it is getting fuel, and if any of the engine "bolt-ons" are seized. Advice here would be helpful also.

Thanks for the help.
 
  #2  
Old 06-29-2017, 08:19 AM
Whine not Walnuts's Avatar
Whine not Walnuts
Whine not Walnuts is offline
OVERDRIVE
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Fuquay Varina, NC
Posts: 5,490
Received 625 Likes on 554 Posts
If I had the space I would not mind fixing up something like that. I see salvaged engines on ebay for $2,500 and did not look that hard for cheaper ones. Would think you could take the belt off and put something on the crank pulley to see if it turns.

On the price, I would not have an issue paying $2,000.
 
  #3  
Old 06-29-2017, 09:26 AM
iwashmycar's Avatar
iwashmycar
iwashmycar is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 3,313
Received 102 Likes on 92 Posts
2700 is a bit high. Maybe at 2G's it worth a gamble. Either way probably a lot of work and then in the end its still a sub-$10K car.
 
  #4  
Old 06-29-2017, 09:35 AM
MrBlah's Avatar
MrBlah
MrBlah is offline
6th Gear - AX Champion
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Pittsboro NC
Posts: 3,281
Received 264 Likes on 210 Posts
soon as I find one under 1500 I'll probably buy it just for something to do I've done this on bmw's and mini's in the past but I have yet to find an r56 S that cheap
 
  #5  
Old 06-29-2017, 10:03 AM
HillbillyChili's Avatar
HillbillyChili
HillbillyChili is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Ohio
Posts: 116
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Thanks for the insight!

I wish he was asking half that, I mean as a trade in at the dealer he would probably be lucky to get $1000. I might go check it out and see if it might be something as easy as a fuel pump (wouldn't that be nice).

I would like to tinker with it but the main goal would be flipping it or parting it out if I can't get it running. Not looking to have to drop a whole new engine in since that would basically bring the price above Blue Book value.

Not sure how much I would be able to get for it piece by piece but rims and tires alone might get me $400 along with some of the easily mailed pieces like HPFP and shift ****/steering wheel/mirrors might net another couple hundred.

Plus maybe it has a full tank of that premo gasoline!
 
  #6  
Old 06-29-2017, 11:37 AM
iwashmycar's Avatar
iwashmycar
iwashmycar is offline
6th Gear
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 3,313
Received 102 Likes on 92 Posts
Kind of the wrong transmission, but 70K miles for $5500. Runs and drives. Didn't realize how cheap these are lol https://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/6169310183.html

Granted, if you can poke around the engine before purchase and determine a salvageable car then sure its worth 2700.
 
  #7  
Old 06-29-2017, 11:47 AM
HillbillyChili's Avatar
HillbillyChili
HillbillyChili is offline
2nd Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Ohio
Posts: 116
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by iwashmycar
Kind of the wrong transmission, but 70K miles for $5500. Runs and drives. Didn't realize how cheap these are lol https://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/6169310183.html

Granted, if you can poke around the engine before purchase and determine a salvageable car then sure its worth 2700.
That's another point even if it running they aren't worth that much anymore. I might tell him I am looking for a parts car and offer half. If it turns out to be a total loss I can sell the good pieces and scrap the rest.

Definitely wouldn't be keeping the car to drive and will not be dropping a new engine in there.
 
  #8  
Old 06-29-2017, 07:09 PM
squawSkiBum's Avatar
squawSkiBum
squawSkiBum is offline
Moderator
Join Date: May 2012
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 1,736
Received 302 Likes on 223 Posts
Hmm - 2008 MCS with 124K? I suspect the owner knows exactly what's wrong with it and "major engine repairs" means "needs a new engine." Do your research on the N14 engine and it's problems, they are well documented. My guess? It either dropped the timing chain, or the vacuum pump seized, and then valves got intimate with pistons. (BTW, Mini isn't alone with this issue, just a few months back our 2008 Subaru dropped it's timing belt only 60K into the 100K service interval for the belt and it suffered a similar fate. I sold it to the mechanic for $500.)

What's it worth? Look up the average retail value, subtract the cost of a rebuilt engine plus labor to swap it and there you go.

So happy I have the N18...
 
The following users liked this post:
HillbillyChili (06-30-2017)
  #9  
Old 06-29-2017, 08:00 PM
Whine not Walnuts's Avatar
Whine not Walnuts
Whine not Walnuts is offline
OVERDRIVE
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Fuquay Varina, NC
Posts: 5,490
Received 625 Likes on 554 Posts
So happy I have my cast iron T16b4 Gen1

 
The following users liked this post:
mdaz75 (06-30-2017)




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:35 AM.