As one more accustomed to giving automotive advice than asking for it, I find this humbling:

Should I buy this 2012 All4 with just the options I would have selected or should I avoid it? At roughly a hundred miles ago this car was bought back from its owner by MINI.

It started life as a personal lease.Today it has 85000 miles on it and a factory warranty for 12 months or 12000 miles on any Check Engine related problems (as I understand). On the way to fixing the problem correctly many unneeded parts were replaced.Lots of new parts in this car. My concern is there are many other things that could go wrong and the cost to fix a few of them (head gaskets, clutch, timing chain related issues) are sometimes more than the value of the whole car it would appear.

My cars are usually parked in the garage and taken out only for enjoyment. I take care of them and expect they will take care of and please me. Expensive repair bills kill the joy.

I have seen the carfax which was not real helpful and am planning on contacting the local MINI dealer in the morning to see if I can get any more information.

Logically, I should run but my 05 JCW Cooper S convertible has been such a delight I am tempted to seek out a winter car that can be the same.

Any help, suggestions and/or educating are appreciated.

 

The local MINI dealer said there was no warranty on this car. If a problem developed it was mine to pay for. MINI corporate confirmed same. The selling dealer, Atlanta Best Used Cars,could not provide a copy of the warranty despite repeated requests and weeks of waiting.

Further discomfort stems from the question of whether a manufacturer has an obligation to honor any extended warranties on known issues and/or mandated recalls on cars they have bought back and resold with branded titles. This is potentially further complicated by at least three states being involved.

The car is now off market and I assume sold. I hope the new buyer has good luck with that pretty thing.