I am looking for a MINI or MCS as a 3rd car, mostly to save MPG also as a practical move as well (I have a 350Z with 2 kids, so currently we have to take my wifes car everywhere we go). I was originally looking at the non-S models but it looks like the S still gets good MPG because of the 6th gear. I plan on staying away from automatics. I am trying to keep it as cheap as possible (under $13k). Having not been familiar with what problems these cars have at certain miles, at what point/miles would you stay away from one of these cars?

Thanks

 

For Under $13K, your looking at 2002 MCS, make sure it had all the service bulletins done to it. Take either key or vin number to dealership to get cars service history. Some people on NAM will give you info if you provide vin. I'd stay away from cars with over 80k miles. Although, my previous one ran great with 107k miles on it and modded with S/C pulley and crank pulley. Last months car mag Road & Track or Car & Driver (forgot which) has a good Buyers Guide for R53 MINI Cooper S 2002-2006. Check the library and photocopy.

 

Thanks for the reply, I probably have that mag kicking around, I will have to find it.

 

I recently bought a 2003 MCS with 145K miles for well under $10K. It's a gamble, but my thinking was that any significant issues not related to normal wear and tear would have already manifest themselves. It had a new supercharger installed at 140K, so that was one known wear item already fixed. It had dealer service at the recommended (albeit long, in my opinion) intervals.

I've put almost 2K miles on it now and it has run fine. The clutch has the occasional "wookie" sound when cold but it's not slipping and has normal pedal. I did a compression test on it this week and the favorable numbers comforted me enough to order a 15% pulley last night.

I wouldn't necessarily be afraid of a higher mileage car, if the price is right of course.

 

may I suggest this thread, for your dining and dancing pleasure?

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=131986

 

I purchased my 04 S with 65,000 on the clock forr 13k. I have not had any problems with the exception of needing brakes but that is wear and tear.

 

u should out the MINI buyer/seller section on this forum... If only i have found this before i bought my MINI..cos i know its wel taken care of

 

Nice, that is a pretty good price, did it take you long to find it? I found one but it is slightly more and has a salvage title.

 

are you referring to this thread?


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=131986

 

It would be good to find out how many owners the car had and if possible, find out how the car was driven (hard, DD, tracked?).

 

have in mind that the usual replacement for the clutch and SC is about 100k miles

 

I would avoid salvage titled cars... it's a crap shoot. I spent a week looking on autotrader.com. Mine was purchased from Mcdavid honda here in houston. I got a 12 month warranty (og warranty was done) and a free tank of gas. There were quite a few for around the same price but I wanted another color (my ecplise was red)

 

This past February I bought my '03 MCS for $13000.00, and it had 67K miles on it. I was going to pass, but I'd been looking for sooooo long, and it had exactly the options I wanted, and the color, etc. I've been very pleased so far. I've had two issues: the bowden cable for the passenger door handle popped out (paid the dealer to fix it before I got my Bentley service manual), and the window motor in the passenger door went out (not unexpected - extended warranty covered it).
Overall, I have no problem with higher mileage cars IF you get it inspected first and IF you buy an extended warranty. Of course, YMMV
Good luck.

 

142000 mile 2002 MCS for less than 9000 with a runflats swapped out and a spare set of wheels and some other goodies. new SC belt/tens/crank pulley day before I bought it. Bilsteins, Alpine Ipod stereo, CAI, remap.

Car runs great.

Fixed an exhaust hanger so far.

Love it!!

Don't be afraid of mileage...esp if priced right and enthusiast maintained.

 

I wouldn't stay away from one at any mileage as long as its priced appropriately with regards to the mileage and condition of the car.

I recently purchased an '02 MCS from the original owner with 140K on the odo. It had a blown head gasket and I picked it up for pocket change. With the money I saved on the purchase, I was able to repair the vehicle, do some upgrades, and still come out with some equity.

 

Bought my 2003 Cooper S for $17,000 about a month ago with 13,600 miles on it, 1700 miles later there is no issues so far. Well other than the clattering clutch at idle, but that seems to be a normal occurence around here, so I try to ignore it.

 

Dang, The best I can find an 02-03 S for in the 60-90k mile range is $13-14k Of course that is the advertised price, I bet an individual would at least go 1,000 less and a dealer, maybe lower since that give so little for trade ins or at the auction.

I am in SoCalif so you would think there would be a lot out there. There is an 02 MCS with 60k miles for just under $14k, BUT has a salvage title (he says minor fender bender, so airbag went off, and is fixed and fine. He also says bluebook is $18k, of course he isn't taking into consideration that it is a salvage title, DUH).

Seems like I should beable to AT LEAST get one for $1,000 less than asking price, at least that is what I plan when I list a car, sometimes I build $1,500 into the asking price.

 

I would not pay that for a salvaged car. I would figure minimum of 25% reduced value for salvage. I would also be sure to get a PPI(prepurchase inspection) before buying. Minor fender bender will not cause airbag to go off. Prices for used cars seems to have risen in past months but I would think that your budget is correct. Be patient and look for car with good service records. This is important when buying high mileage.
Good luck with the search.
John

 

Ya, I would guess closer to $11k or less for a salvage, depending on why.