Forgive my newbie-ness, but I am just beginning a search for a nice used Cooper S and would like the Forum's advice on what to look out for- common wear items, initial quality problems that dealers have trouble with, bad paint colors, squeaks and rattles, navigation system pros and cons (versus having the speedo in the center), cool options, will I be able to get kids or a golf bag in the back or whatever. Any advice is welcome.

TIA,
Miloblitz

 

I would suggest reading carefully each topic discussed in the Beneath the Bonnet forum. Some MINI's are great, some have bad luck.

 

miloblitz,

Aloha and welcome to NAM.
For many of your questions just look through or search the many many posts we have on the various forums. Searching is always good.

Quick answers-
common wear items?: Everything wears out with use and time- Of note are leather seats, rear brake pads and rotors, PCV valves and hoses, easy scratches on the silver finish of the door pulls and center console downtubes

initial quality problems that dealers have trouble with?: Sure. Besides three recalls, there are windshields that crack or pit easily, Xenon lights that go out, power door windows that quit, PCV valves that go bad, hatchback locks that quit, and coolant bottles that leak. Some MCS suffer from stumble and yo-yo but a few are doing better with the latest ECU software versions.

bad paint colors: While there are no truely bad colors, the darker colors usually show more dirt and waterspots while the light colors do rather well.
Metallic colors tend to scratch easily so be gentle when washing the car.

squeaks and rattles?: Eventually all cars will have some noises that are unwanted. The sunroof had some rattles that can be fixed by the dealership. Some speaker and door rattles are likewise fixed with a velcro tape.

navigation system pros and cons (versus having the speedo in the center)?:
An expensive option it isn't really the most popular but it can be useful. The speedo and tach are above the steering column which some people like. The functions on the NAV system are neat and some owners hook up a DVD player and TV tuner to the NAV screen for some in dash movies or TV but it is expensive to do so- few $1000.

cool options?: Hmm, Here are a few from the dealership which you can option for in a used MINI- Xenon lights, sunroof, trip computer, Multi-function steering wheel, Harmon kardon audio upgrade, rally lights, roof rack, and ,more. Other options that might be on a used MINI- euro parcel shelf, center console and glove box organizers, aftermarket rims and non runflat tires, lowering springs, cold air intake, cat-back exhaust, adjustable rear sway bar, and after market whalen shift **** are all worth a look.

will I be able to get kids or a golf bag in the back?: Two kids up to teenage sized will fit in the back as long as the front seats are not all the way back. With seats down a golf bag or two will fit, but be sure to take out the rear hatch shelf/lid. The boot area esp with seats down like other hatchbacks has quite a bit of space.

 

Welcome to NAM, miloblitz! You'll find all the info you need via the Search function. :smile:

For the record:

• my leather sport seats are doing just fine
• no problems with my Xenon lights
• the anthracite interior of my current MCS is definitely superior, wear-wise, to the silver interior of my first MINI - no scratches whatsoever
• a major dash rattle was repaired by installation of a rubber washer by the dealership under warranty
• no sunroof problems (noises, leaks, nor rattles)
• love the 16-inch Dunlop performance runflats
• love the Harmon/Kardon stereo and the Multi Function Steering Wheel (MFSW)
• love the center Speedo, prefer after-market nav systems
• love the euro parcel shelf and glovebox organizer
• love the heated seats (great for long distance roadtrips...keeps my back limber)
• love the aftermarket PIAA rally lights
• love the K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake
• LOVE the performance and handling of the MCS

Good luck in your search for a MINI. Be sure to check out the Marketplace forum here on NAM for listings!

Clover

 

Cool options to make sure the car has:

Multi function Steering Wheel
Rain sensing wipers. They are packaged with an auto dimming rear view mirror.
If the car does not have Xenon's (like mine) at least get fog lights.


Seats fold individualy, so golf clubs should not be a problem.

My car has almost 40 k on it. Only problems were a frozen door handle and a faulty rear brake caliper. Replaced under warranty.

And for the record. I love the center mounted speedo.