Looking for some guidance on my first mini purchase. Here is the scenario:

Been interested in Mini for years. Every time I buy a car it's at the top of my list and then I can't get over the lack of space/storage and buy something else (Audi, VW, and other turbo vehicles)

Last year I almost bought a 09 clubman JCW with 90k on it and bought a 11 sonata turbo because it was same mpg and had more space (i have a 2 yr old and it just seemed more logical) now I'm at the point where I am ready to buy a JCW clubman instead of kicking myself for not buying like I've done the last 4 cars.

My question is this:
Local private seller has a 09 clubman JCW that has been serviced religiously at mini dealer and has 160k on it. They won't move on the 10500 price.

What should I look for and are those miles crazy? I drive about 23k a year so I will rack them up quick and want to keep the car for 5 years.

Found some others that have around 80-90k on them for the 15k price range but are 250 miles away and in opposite directions.

I think I've rambled on enough any input would be appreciative.

 

Can you do your own repairs? If the answer to this question is no, then this is not the right car for you. Keep in mind that the 2007 - 2010 MINI Cooper S used the problematic N14 engine (this engine was also used in the JCW thru 2012).

...23,000 miles a year is a lot.

 

I wouldn't touch that 160k mile car with someone else's 10ft pole . With these cars just because it has a good service history doesn't mean you're not going to have problems. The HPFPs fail. The turbos fail. The water pumps fail. The thermostats fail. Even if these have all been replaced... they're all going to fail again.

If you have the extra funds to spend a few thousand a year in repairs then it's not a problem. Coming from other german cars (assumed used german cars) I'm sure you're well acquainted with repair costs.

For 15k it seems like you should be able to get a much newer than a 2009 car. That should get you into a 2011 with 60k miles. These cars don't hold their value particularly well. Are you stuck on a JCW car? That could be why the prices are higher.

 

I am stuck on the JCW, because I figure if I'm going to get a mini I want the most performance without investing a couple thousand on a s to get it there. I can probably do some minor repairs but I have a German shop I've been using for years that specializes in Mini. My other German cars have been used so I'm somewhat used to the 1k repair bills.