Guys I really need some quick help and sorry for not doing a thorough search.

Are there any problems inherent with 2009 MCS. My son wants to buy one with 60k miles. This will be his first car and will need to last him a long time, probably until he gets out of college (6 yrs).

Thoughts? Watch outs?

Really appreciate the help.

 

From my short time on this forum and ownership of an 07, I wouldn't buy this for my 3 kids in college as first vehicles. Repairs are eye popping expensive.

I'll find a nice Civic for him. He can pick up the Mini when he graduates and has a nice warm garage to work on a car.

PS: I'm not saying they are not nice cars, they are hence why I have one and looking to buy another, but they are not cars to keep on a skint if you have no place to work on them.

 

Thats the type of info I need. I am pushing him to a Nissan Sentra, Civic etc. He really likes my Mini. I tell him I have a job :-)

 

If that is the primary goal, hard to recommend any MINI unless you are willing to put in time and money for maintenance and repairs. 2009 MCS has inherent problems with carbon buildup and high pressure fuel pump. Non-S would be a better choice.

 

Thanks. Enough info. I did my due diligence for him.

Its a no go. Really appreciate the advise.

 

It's our job as parents to make those hard and unpopular decisions.

I baby my clutch and won't let friends drive my car. Not interested in facing a $3,500 job anytime soon.

I have no direct experience but I heard that USA is also making great progress in small cars like Ford Focus, etc

 

Find a 2011+ MINI instead. The pre-LCI MINIs can be... troublesome.

 

Avoid the N14 like the plague. Get him a Honda, runs on regular gas, cheap maint. That'd be the way to go.

 

yep will be my first and last Mini I have the 09' MCS...repair is constant...
water pump,water pump feed line,thermostat,valve cover, oil line to turbo replaced,
and the usual wear and brake pads rotors tune up and now blowin smoke needs valves cleaned walnut blast..Pass seat air bag light on PITA...all within 77,000 miles..
bought with 35,000 and now 112,000..all in how you look at it...I guess and I still need other things done which I need not to mention...N14 engine R56 09'MCS
All replacements done by myself..So I wonder how much I saved on labor alone...

 

Thanks for all the help.

 

If it's any help, I have an '09 MCS, and my total out of pocket in the years I've owned it, 5, has been less than a grand. I currently have ~135K miles on it.
But,,,, I do alot of my own work, own a second Mini, and previously owned a third, that was wrecked. I know the issues with the N14 and what to pay attention too.
A Mini is not a "gas and go" car. Sorry if I offended anyone. I love the Minis, but you have to stay on top of them.
Better off with a Honda, or maybe look at some of the recent "smallish" domestics. They may not be as reliable as somem imports, but when they do need repairs, it's pretty cheap.

A Mini for 6+ years of college. Uhmmm,,,, no.

 

... or in the words of the Car Talk guys, "What are you, NUTS?".

 

Don't but a MINI with the N14.

 

I like this...should help me get them for cheaps

 

If you get a N14 for a good price I suppose it's okay; however, I'm done with the N14 as the excessive oil consumption was too much of a hassle for me. My 2008 MCS is long gone and I am happy for that.

 

Picked up 2 runners (an 06 and 07) for $2k each on Craigs. Some lucky Dog beat me to an 06 with coilovers, 17 " aftermarkets wheels, brand new OBX exhaust for $2,200 a few weeks ago

But my background is from classic Minis, so not having to deal with rust is already a bonus and I do all my own work or farm out very little

 

It sounds like you know what you're doing....and that you got a good price....therefore I'm happy for you.

As you already know, the 2006 is a better car in my opinion.

Sorry for my bad attitude about the N14 engine...take care and good luck to you!