Hi all,

I am strongly considering buying a Mini Cooper Coupe, JCW engine (manual). I have been waiting to test drive a Cooper S Roadster automatic, but the one I went to test drive broke during the drive, and the one I initially wanted to test drive STILL isn't ready to test drive after being told it was in the shop getting fixed.

I had a VW TDI that they had to buy back. I work from home and don't need a car right now immediately, can get by ubering till my Tesla Model 3 is ready... but prefer buying a used car.

So, I test drove the Mini Cooper Coupe JCW (since it was the only car there available to test drive) and WOW! It was amazing! Still haven't got to get a test drive in a Roadster S yet.

One of my big concerns is re-sale value. The one I am looking at is a 2012 JCW coupe. 40,XXX miles on it. $16k is current list price. I feel it's too high. What is reasonable? Should I expect this car to be only $12k next year or year after? (I currently drive $7k miles a year but planning more road trips camping/hiking).

One of my other concerns is how much will this car cost me over the next few years? (I can see myself falling in love with the car and not trading it in for a Tesla, just get a Tesla on top of this. So, long term good? Long term re-sale?) I see how they discontinued these models (which is why I was attracted to come back to mini, smaller cars! Looks like the mini I loved).

So... considering re-sale value of JCW Coupe, (or Roadster S or JCW if I find one), reliability of these cars, safety, living in the city with potholes... any advise is appreciated. I used to own a Mini Cooper base model... I made mistake of driving JCW to re-spark my love for mini. So now, do I buy a fun car like a mini, or look at other fun cars? (or uber, or buy something more practical).

Much love to anyone who has read and will respond. :-)

 

I think the 2012 JCW has the n14 engine, which seems to be a problem engine..

 

These cars are an evil addiction. They are sweet to look at, fun to drive and have a very well appointed interior, if a tad small. However, they have a nasty side as you have already noticed with the two broken units that you've already encountered. They can and do break more frequently that the average car and these breakdowns can be quite costly. This is why a maintenance history is critical to have when considering the purchase of any used Mini. Then you need to know what to look for in that history. The two key things to be aware of with the N14 are oil consumption issues that can end in engine failure and the timing chain and tensioner which fail frequently and can also destroy the engine. There is also the need to do a carbon blast on the intake valves every so often as they coke up with carbon and oil residue coming from the PCV system. The later cars have an N18 engine which has been shown to be more reliable but it still needs to be properly maintained as with any engine I suppose.

So yes, they are fun and pretty things but before you buy, read some of the stories on here and educate yourself on the issues so you can shop smart and find the right one for you.
Good luck and keep us in the loop as the members here can really help you as you enter the world of the Mini Cooper. That should help save you some headaches and improve your motoring experience.

Something to bear in mind as you read the posts here, people not having issues tend to not post because there isn't much to say when all is well. So you will see loads of horror stories embedded in these pages but for each one of these stories there are hundreds, possibly thousands of other owners who have had a great day with their mini.

 

A Mini is an acquired taste and when you throw in maintenance cost and other design issues (engines, transmissions etc), if you buy one you better know what you are getting yourself into. I can turn a wrench so there is not too much I am worrying about. If you cannot do your own work, it is only suggested that you have rainy day fund. In order to change out an $8 crank sensor o-ring on the Gen 1 car you must remove the entire front end. The thermostat in the Gen 2 cars is not a separate part but rather part of the housing itself. With direct injection cars you will need to clean the valves as noted above (not an issue on the Gen 1)

IMO you don't buy a Mini based upon its resale value, you buy it because you enjoy what it offers and willing to maintain it.

 

Wait for the face lift , and get a Gen 3 (2014+) at a bargain

 

I have a 12 R58 JCW with 41k on it (N14), it has been trouble free with the exception
of one coil going bad. The car has many mods both engine and suspension including
a RMW tune. The big thing is you have to keep on top of the oil level, I check mine
after every drive which is usually on a weekend.

 

IokuA:

Please buy the lowest mileage, best condition JCW you can find and immediately store it for 8-12 yrs at which time I will pay you handsomely for it.

We've had our secondhand 2013 R58 JCW since Sept. One trip to the dealer for a warning light (loose oil cap) and another for a lost key (supposedly covered by supplemental insurance - but haven't seen a check for $360 yet). 10k miles when purchased, 1.5k since. No problems except for some nasty woman who clipped my wife in lower Manhattan and then jumped out of her car to scream at my wife before she drove away. The cheap Chinese rubber door protectors I had stuck on for a temporary solution actually minimized the damage. A local BMW body shop was going to charge far too much to fix it at this point (it is NYC and it is very hard to see the damage).

I am working on the rear vision issue with some convex replacement mirrors. Viewing stoplights in traffice when you are first in line hasn't bother me (I'm 5'11"). I do wish the seat bottoms were longer (back to front) and could be angled even higher in the front (haven't found a solution for that). The run flats can be a drag. Some tramlining (I think that is a correct usage here) in corners at highway speed and not evading potholes may require trips to the dentist. Debating whether to trade then when worn though (maybe a better riding set), because . . .

this is the MOST responsive car I have ever driven. I've also heard that the portable tire repair/inflation kits that people suggest for non-runflats don't work well at all. I am considering stiffening it up more/adding pothole protection with a Strut Replacement kit [http://www.cravenspeed.com/strut-ali...cement-system/ ]. It has the 6 spd automatic. I was on the edge about this but at 65 yo and driving in the increasingly anti-auto terrain of lower Manhattan - it is quite satisfying.

I had been driving a $1400 1993 Camry commuter car (which was actually great basic transportation). Aside from the power and responsiveness, the one adjustment I didn't anticipate was the large increase in perceived vulnerability in the coupe. Although it is extremely solid, driving in virtually any traffic feels much more threatening (especially going out on LI or to the mainland (New Jersey)). It's not only the height - but the reduced distance between your shoulder and the large mass of metal passing by you 2-3 ft away, too often with some brain dead ******* on their cell phone. I'm still not used to it. The closeness problem may be conflated with age.

I park in a garage (I know that sounds like I am rich - but the discount is one of the benefits of my position) and my wife parks in an open lot at her college, so have been trying to find some armor that doesn't look too crazy. Did (http://www.bumpshox.com/front-bumper.../bumpshox-max/ ) in front. Thinking about rear now.

Because it had tended to get crappy auto mag reviews in the past and they decided to stop making it, I wasn't really considering getting one. Then one turned up nearby and I was in the mood to try out something, so my wife and I went . . . drove it . . . and bought it on the spot. Likely paid more than necessary (especially with dealer crap added on) and even though I am REALLY cheap . . . this purchase has not bothered me at all.

Hope that is of a little use. Best of luck with your decision.

PS: If you are mate hunting - this car (and last when tarted up like ours) draws a LOT of attention from a wide range of folks. I was really surprised at this.



gary

 

I have my R58 JCW and love it. It has the N14 engine and its been holding up. If you get the 2013 ou will have the N18 engine.

For a rare MINI its worth it as its too much fun and you dont see them everyday.