Buying a used Mini cooper Or mini S to Curacao with only 1 dealership. The cooper that are imported here are only new from EU direct.
I am looking to buy a used American import car. Mini cooper S what year should i start with and what to look for?
I have heard of issues with the cooper but not details.
Can any of my fellow members provide me good advise?

 

I'm not the most knowledgeable but I did some research before buying a Mini recently.

What year seems to mainly comes down to what you think of certain brands. 2014+ Mini's started using BMW motors. The MCS has a similar motor to a 3-series BMW (twin screw turbo charged but smaller, I believe). The previous generation (maybe 2007-2014) used Chrysler motors. I find people tend to be very split on BMW (love or hate). But know that if you buy a newer generation Mini, under the hood, it's all BMW parts. If that's a positive, look to 2014+; if that's a negative, look to older models.

But I'm sure more experienced owners can give more details. I've only had my Mini for less than a week.

Good luck!

 

Good to know 2014 on bmw took over. Thanks

 

Here's my oversimplification:

Gen 1 [01-06]: Street legal Go Karts. MCS is supercharged.
Gen 2 [07-13]: Somewhere in between. Not as pure (or compromised) as Gen1, but not as refined as Gen3. MCS is turbocharged.
Gen 3 [14-20]: Small, stylish BMWs. Base is I3, S is I4; all models are turbocharged.

My wife has owned two 2nd Gen MINIs. An '07 with the N14 Prince motor and a '15 with the N18. So far the the N18 has been a massively improved ownership experience compared to the N14 which I sold out of fear of my wallet floating away from being constantly lighter than air. (This is not everyone's experience.)

Don't discount the base engine Hardtops (commonly referred to as "Justa" MINIs). There is something very fun about wringing 100% out of the motor as you scoot around and they tend to be more reliable than their more high strung brethren.

Best of luck in your search. Let us know what you find!

 

Depends if you want supercharged or turbo.

 

Did you ever get one shifter?

 

I’d recommend a 2005 or 2006 S, it will have the TriTec “Unbreakable Lump” engine, and find one with the manual 6 speed gearbox.

Of the older Mini’s I think that one has the most reliable drive train. The automatic cars have transmission parts that aren’t commonly available (Mini only) as I understand, although I could be wrong.

Have a VAGUE memory of it being a modified Aisin transaxle... something different in the valve body. Someone please correct me if that’s not right.