Hello all, I'm really interested in buying the non-s cooper as a daily driver.
I currently drive 80 miles a day to get to work and home. I was just wanting to know how the tranny and the clutch hold up over time and if there is anything else I should look out for.

Thanks for any info!

 

With the midlands tranny (02-early04), if you're lucky and take care of it, it may not break, if you're not lucky maybe 50k miles before it breaks. With the getrag 5spd, they are built pretty well. The clutch should last pretty well. I would recommend getting a late 04 to 06 build.

For more info on what to look out for, you could always go to a local book shop and look through the latest edition of road and track. They have a 4 page article on 1st gen mini's and the things you need to look for when buying a used one. It was a very interesting article. It seemed very accurate.

 

Inspect the windshield and drive it! if there is any clunking sounds from the transmission, leave. Also a good idea to look for one under 50k miles to retain a bit of warranty.

 

Thanks AliceCooperWA. I was thinking of buying one of the new ones thou. I should have specified that.... The newer ones haven't really been out long enough to get a good over all feel of possible durability.

What's with the windsheild, stress cracks? Does the body flex too much?

 

I don't know too much about the new ones, but the 07+ I think have a 6 spd getrag, which should hold up to plenty of abuse...The body does not flex much, but the windshield is prone to cracks because of the angle of it. Road debris doesn't deflect, it impacts. Very vertical windshield.