Anything in particular I should look for?

What year and up would you guys recommend?

Any huge differences between model years?

I really want a new MINI but I can't justify paying MSRP. These things are selling like hotcakes.

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

 

if youre going to go used, get an 05-06. Their are little to no differences between 05 and 06, and most of the bugs have been worked out for these years. Theyre a little quicker off the line than the earlier years, as well as more efficient in cruise. Keep in mind also that the standard warranty is 4 years/50,000 miles, so search accordingly. Also, think about getting a CPO car, extended warranties are always nice! Good luck, I'm doing the same search right now!

 

Yeah - what HE said.

Also be careful of non-MINI dealers selling used ("pre-owned") MINIs...they list options that sound really cool and worth the "extra" price, and often they have no idea what they're talking about. Make sure you have a good mechanic on hand for advice / personal inspection if you're not a gear-head yourself. And there are MANY MANY threads on NAM here to help you "read" a pre-owned - and possibly roughly-owned/abused - MINI, gear-headedness-regardless.

Good luck, and wise choice!

 

A color you like.

'06

Not between '05 and '06. Plenty of differences before and after.

They are selling well, as are the used ones, which seem to hold their value fairly well.

Best of luck.

 

It's hard finding a MINI in California with the exact options I want.

I found an 05 out of state with practically EVERYTHING I wanted. The price is within my budget. I just hope mileage isn't too crazy.

 

I just completed my search for an 05/06 MCS last weekend, and pretty much everything that's been said so far in this thread is what I based my decision on.

Ended up with a mint condition 05 in my first color choice w/26k miles from a local seller with options I am happy with (though I wouldn't have minded leather) for $19.5k, including the recently-installed brand new factory rack w/2 bike trays (wouldn't be able to make a MINI work without a way to carry my bikes). One year left on the factory warranty.

Sure I would have preferred an 06 with 2 years left on the warranty and even lower miles, but the sellers I found with those cars were almost unanimously on their high horse about price and wanted $23-25k "firm". So an 05 at a price I could live with was just fine for me.

There are some neat cars in the Marketplace section here. Shipping might be cheaper than you think. I was quoted $700 Texas to CA. Only problem there is it's obviously harder to see it first-hand without committing, unless you're willing to pay to fly home empty handed.

 

Can you list the options you have? The car I found is an 05 MCS with the same mileage but priced around $22k.

 

No prob. Mine is a pretty stripped down MCS, which I figure I got for around $19k after factoring out what the the rack would have cost me new which is $500 for the rack/trays and $500 for dealer installation, according to the receipt.

Yes sport package (17" s-lite wheels)
Yes Xenons with powerwash
6spd manual
Heated front seats
DSC (think they all have this)
Roof and mirrors in body color (Dark Silver)

No sunroof (didn't want one after test-driving a friend's 06 Checkmate for two weeks during a recent CA heatwave)
No leather (this is the one I hope I don't regret down the road though the cloth seats are fine for now)
No chrome packages (would have been a nice touch)
No chrono package
No NAV or OBC
No H/K sound system (never really been a big audio geek)
No auto climate control (prefer the rotary dials of the non-auto anyway)

 

Check around with mini clubs as well - if you find a car in a non-local area, sometimes there are friendly Mini owners who will go check it out for you, or it'll belong to a Mini club member.

You can have the Seller take it to a Mini dealer for an evaluation as well, or to an independent mechanic (expect to pay for this, but shouldn't be too bad).

'05-'06 are the way to go, but the earlier ones typically have had any problem areas addressed anyway.

 

Are you looking for an MC or an MCS? I have an MC that I am considering selling

 

I need to sell my current car first but thanks for the tip with the Mini Clubs. I'll definitely look into that.

How much is the evaluation from the Mini dealer? That's something that HAS to be done. I won't purchase the car w/o it being inspected first. Do they just print out a report stating what passed and what didn't?

MCS

 

Not sure where in CA you are, but I just noticed this one just up the road from me...

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/758878152.html

 

I'm located in the Bay Area.

Saw that one too. It's the color I want but:

1) I want the black roof/mirrors/stripes
2) Has ~7k more miles than the out of state one
3) Has less options than the out of state one (convenience package, premium package, zenon lights, auto/paddle shifters and lojack)

 

Stay away from the automatics!

 

If the MINI you are looking at is a Cooper S an automatic that would be OK if that is what you want. However if it is a Cooper & not an S don't buy an automatic. The Cooper has a CVT automatic that have a habit of dieing early & I've read they they are an $8000 cost to replace.

I'd agree with buying an 05 or 06. I have an 06 that's been very reliable.

Good hunting.

 

Not sure what exactly you are looking for...
This is my car that I have for sale in S. Cal.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...0&rdpage=thumb

 

Yeah, the one I found is an 05 MCSa with paddle shifters. I'll probably test drive the manual to test it out but I have my eye on the paddle shifters.

Thanks but I'm actually looking for a 05/06 dark gray with black roof.

 

I'd have no fear in driving a MCS with an automatic. It's a conventional torque converter automatic & IMO has been proven reliable. Plus you get paddle shifters.

 

Just my $.02 but if you really want an "automatic" with a great tranny in this class of cars, drive a GTI as well. They even make one with 4 doors. Its a great car. I would buy a 6 speed Mini over a GTI for sure, but that SMG tranny is really great on the VW/Audi

-Michael

 

I really did consider getting the new GTI MkV but there's just too much I have to do to the car. I don't like how it looks stock. The black body panels are nasty. Stock wheels are ugly.