Hi -

I am thinking about picking up a 05-06 Cooper S for my next car. I found a couple local with less than 30k miles but they either aren't my favorite colors or have the right options. I am prepared to pay a bit more for low mileage but I'm curious if it's worth buying a car with 30k miles not the way I want vs. 60k miles the way I want. How do these cars hold with with the mileage situation? I routinely see R53's with over 100k miles but what does / did it take to get them there?

Any insight would be appreciated.

-S

 

Just watch out for SOME very low mile cars....as weekend only/track cars they may have had the crap driven out of them.....same could be true for higher mile cars ofcourse....so just inspect them and look for tell tale signs of abuse...
Sitting can be just as bad as overuse....heck cars do have "infant mortality"....a 30,000 mile used car could still have a factory defect that is not apparent yet.....but generly less wear...
Guess you just have to find the car you like....and weigh you options/risks vs $$.

 

On the r53 you won't get into any of the bigger maintenance issues (basicly S/C and/or Water Pump) until after 125k, and there are many that go well into the mid to upper 100k mark until problems with these things arise. Everything else is usually minor things, belts, tensioner, balancer and some of these have even been known to last well into the mid 100k's, just depends on how you want to look at PM things. As far as internal motor issues, as long as it was well maintained, usually no problems well into the high 100k's and even into the 200k's. Esp. In an '05 or '06. Zippy is correct though, sometimes after a certian amount of time, it's better to have a well tested high milage car, than an untested low milage one. (usually 50k & 2 years of everyday highway miles is better on a car than 15k of everyday, stop & go around a city)

 

I just bought an '05 Justa MC with 130k when I got it... now has 136k... and it is like new in every respect. I think the miles were highway, and it was well taken care of, esp the oil changes... I have never been afraid of higher mileage, and I am optimistic this car will last a long time.

I would definitely tell you that if its not got the features you want, you'll be sad... like, marrying the girl who you really arent' in-love with... you can make it work, but eventually you'll be sorry.

Good luck!

 

Not exactly true, depends more on the maintenance performed on the car. My SC died @ 70k because I had no clue you needed to watch the resoviour oil levels. PTO gear started to die. Wasnt till after i researched that I figured all of this out.

To the OP, I would say buy the car with the clearest maintenance records. Anything can go wrong with a car if its not maintained right.

 

Also, ALWAYS have your car inspected by an independant shop! It will cost around $100 give or take but it is well well worth it!