I'm looking at a 2006 R53 Mini Cooper S 6-spd, with just under 64,000 miles on it at a dealership that sells both new and used cars. Carfax shows 4 owners, clean history, no accidents, etc. Only a dealer repair for seat/upholstery (whatever that means). I cannot see the car locally but in pictures nothing appears out of normal.

Do you guys have any suggestions on what to look out for when buying or what scheduled service maintenance needs to have been performed on it?

What are the main maintenance service intervals for stuff like timing belt, water pump, etc?

Thanks!

 

many threads on this. do a search for a bit if you can. many things to look out for. too lazy to list them however! :P sorry.

 

No timing belt to worry about. The 2006 has proved to be one of the better MINI's. Although IMHO all MINI's require more care than your average appliance type of car. For me it has been worth it. I'm almost 10 years into ownership & I'm still in love with my MINI.

Like has been said search the answers out on here & other forums. Lots of good info for the taking.

Good luck.

 

As astro said do a search, there's a buyers guide and it's excellent.

 

This so called "Buyer's Guide" should be a sticky then, no?

Did a search, browsed 4 pages of results and got nothing but similar threads.

Care to share a link? Or is it the Motoringfile buyer's guide?

 

Motoring file

 

Yep, read through the 1st Gen Buyer's Guide on Motoring File. Consider getting a pre-purchase inspection done at a MINI dealer or experienced independent shop before signing on the dotted line & handing over your $$$. A PPI may reveal issues or upcoming maintenance needs not apparent to the naked eye during a walk-around. IMHO a PPI is $150'ish well-spent.

 

4 owners in 8 years? That would trouble me . . . See if the present selling dealer will give you the name and phone number of the most recent owner . . .

 

Owner history:

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...&partner=CDM_0

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...6854/overview/

Plus it turns out it was sold yesterday morning. Bach to searching.

 

Commercial owner?