There's a nice 2004 MCS sitting in the local MINI dealer lot, very low mileage (13,500), it's loaded with cold weather, premium, convenience pkgs and has the navigation and Harmon-Kardon systems...around $19k.

What's the downside with the 2004 MCS? I see a lot of posts regarding the steering rack, fuel pumps, struts and assorted other very expensive repairs. Are the Gen I MINIs something to avoid and just find a Gen II?

 

Too expensive

Private sale <$14K

Dealer retail <$16K

If in outstanding condition and no visible wear

Check the driver's seat. Usually the leather is worn out or cracked.

Probably the car is OK but check the service records for problems with electronics and power equiptment.

 

I'm seriously considering purchasing this 2004 MCS but I need to know if there are some critical design flaws on the 2004s. The CarFax doesn't really tell me much other than one owner and they seemd to have followed the regular maintenance schedule.

Inquiring minds need to know!

 

Check www.motoringfile.com, they have a good buyer's guide for first gen MINIs. If you're mechanically inclined & know cars you might be able to spot some of the things to look out for. Otherwise find an independent MINI shop or a dealer & spend $100 or so for a PPI.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

 

My 2004 MCS just passed 100K this weekend and it has been the most reliable car I have ever owned.

 

19K for an 04?...That is high...

You probably can find an 06 around 14-16K.

 

Are you in California?

I searched for and bought a 2006, since I wanted the last of the R53 Coupe chassis.

 

Our 03 had a few more miles, but they were only asking $10K before we talked them down. And this was at a dealership.

For $19K, you could get an 07 with 15K miles. Shop around. That is too much money for an 04.

 

I agree that is too much money for a 2004. I bought my 2003 in January for $11,500 and it had 12k miles on it.

 

The GenI and GenII MINIs both have their share of common problems so there is no reason not to get a Gen1 if you like the style and it is in your price range.
Instead of an 2004 you might want to consider an 2005 or 2006. In 05 Mini changed the transmission for the better (closer gear ratios). Also in 05 Mini added adjustable lower rear control arms so that the rear camber could be adjusted. Also, look for a MCS that has a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) because it makes a big improvement in traction. However the 05/06 have the motor mount that tends to fail. Plus the thermostat housings/gasket tend to leak. Many times these two problems have been fixed under warranty.

 

I am a bit confused, the Kelly Blue Book puts it around the $18-$19 mark for retail and I've attached the link for the car to show the options...this appears to be loaded.

I would agree that the price is higher than I would want to pay but I didn't think the dealers negotiated on MINIs. Any thoughts would certainly help.

Link

 

I don't believe the 'convenience' package was available in 2004.

 

IMO you also have to consider what the local market will support price-wise. I bought my 06 ten days ago for $18k, 30k on the clock. The book dealer value was about $20500 for my car, but comparable cars were going for less, hence, the dealer (not a MINI or BMW dealer) priced it lower. Are other cars such as this particular one going for about the same in your area?

Don't be afraid to look outside your immediate local area for a car that you might be able to have transported or make a fun roadtrip out of for pickup, and use that car/price as leverage.

Finally, it seems that MINI dealers may not negotiate much in spec order cars, but for inventory that's been around a while or especially a used car, you can probably get them to move some. In the end it's all about what you can afford & what you feel a fair price is. Just my $0.02. Good luck!

 

We just got a 2009 MC with 18K miles from a MINI dealer for $18K. There was still a year left on the original warranty and another two years of 'MINI Next' warranty.

Granted, this wasn't an S, and had almost no options aside from sport seats and leather ($1750). But the car looks about as close to new as you can get, inside and out.

It sounds like our car wouldn't have worked for you, but I mention it just as another data point. I did watch online prices, both at several MINI dealers and on Craigslist. etc. for several months before buying, and I'd agree that the price you're being quoted sounds high.

One thing we discovered is that our local MINI dealer prices used cars unusually high when they first come in and then systematically lowers the price with time. I wouldn't be surprised if their web site includes an algorithm that automatically adjusts the price as certain intervals pass.

Our car was first listed at $22K, and we offered $18K. A month later (almost to the day), the price was lowered to $20K. Another month later (again, almost to the day) the price was lowered to $18K. We went in and paid that, although we probably could have negotiated a bit less.

Following the dealer's inventory online tells you a lot about the rate that they're selling cars and how anxious they might be to negotiate on any given car. Our salesman - excuse me, I mean MA - was at first asking for a $1200 premium over marked prices, even on used cars, but quietly dropped that after he realized we had been following the market for a while.

I think some of the old games are still being played. If they think you're hooked on a particular car, they're less likely to negotiate. We did find that here in northern California there are a lot of used MINI's available, both at dealers and privately, and that if you're patient the right car will come along at a fair price.

Good luck. Looking can be half the fun.

 

I have a 2004 and it has been generally reliable. The CR data doesn't really show the 2004 being any worse than any other year - they all have their weak spots.

- Mark

 

I agree too expensive. My 2009 MCSa with 23k on the clock was just over $20k. Auto, Auto Air, Cold Package, Sunroof, and a few smaller things. I would say there are better cars or at least better prices out there.

I would also be cautious of a car that was driven an average of 2,250 miles a year. I hope it was exercised enough.

 

This car presents a little bit of a challenge when trying to figure out what is a "fair" price. It has almost every option available (no anthracite interior, chrome interior), has very low mileage and appears to be in perfect shape. But, it's seven years old now and the price is pretty close to when it was new (probably stickered around 29K). So, it's up to potential buyers to determine the value of an almost new, fully loaded, seven year old car. If it's exactly what you are looking for then I would say have at it. You can get a brand new 2010 MCS with 0.9% financing that won't have all the options for not much more than this though....

 

....and a full warranty...that's the kicker in this situation.

 

That price reflects some wiggle room for the dealer but considering the options and super low mileage not unreasonable.

Afterall, it is the S model too.

Doesn't hurt to just stop in and get some figures and feel them out. Could be they have warranty transfer on the car which usually runs about 2K.

07's are ok but a first model year. As a rule I never buy a car new/used that was the first model year as it usually takes 2 yrs to work the bugs out. I prefer Brazil's Chrysler "S" Engines up to 06'. They are basically bullet proof in design.

If you can get them to come down on the price, say 17K tops, it would be a fair deal for all if that included 3 yrs of warranty service.

MFG year aside, there are not many European cars out there with all those options for 17K and only 13K miles on the ticker. You could purchase a new Mazda 3 or maybe a new Toyota for around 20K, but it's not a MINI, and you rarely ever hear the words, "classic Japanese automobiles".....besides, we have such cool MINI clubs too

 

That is way too much mate, got my 2005 MCS with 40k, every package you can think of except for sat nav ( chrono pack instead ) for 15k Canadian. I would imagine it wouldnt be unreasonable to expect 2-3 grand less in US.

 

It looks like a very nice Mini. I would definately try and haggle the price down. $19K is really high for an 04 MCS in South Florida. One like you have shown goes for the High $15k's to the Low $17k's. I have been searching for one just like that. $16k is my limit. I just have to be patient and wait for the right one to come along.