I found an 2005 MCS for 18K from a private party, and wanted to know what you guys thought, good deal or bad deal? the problems mentioned are they normal on a MCS, or is there a bigger problem and I should pass on it?

Any help will be great, I am very new at this. Thanks!

year: 2005
style / color: MCS black with white top, and white wheels that are dual spoked..like these.. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/pts/774208617.html
Mi: 27,500
price: 18000
needs, new tires..
called the service dept at SF MINI, and they mentioned they changed the o2 sensor twice on the thing, and also the control on the AC that did not allow the condensor to turn on..has not had major service #2 done yet..

still have maintenance until 9/30/2008
and has mechanical warranty until 9/30/2009

how do i tell if the car has the sports package on it?

-warren

 

well imho, 18k is not a terribly great deal. but given that demand for these cars is high right now, maybe it's ok

sports package on r53 consisted of s-lites (or other 17" rims) and dsc; the *sport suspension* is standard. since this one has the x-lites, it probably doesn't have the sports package. but it might have dsc individually optioned

i'd try to talk the price down a bit

 

Not a bad deal actually for what they are going for right now

It probably does not have sport package because of the wheels, though it might have been switched to 16" for personal preference, it should have came with S-Lites or Webspokes (R98) if it had the sports package, the package on the S would have consisted of, Xenon lights, front fogs, 17" wheels (either two above) and DSC.

 

does this maintenance report look like a sign of a LEMON? Seems to be alot of problems and the guy might be just trying to get rid of it before the warranty runs out in Sept...thoughts?

12000 miles: o2 sensor replaced
nov 21 2007 - oil change
25000 miles: brake fluid flushed - coolant leak (thermostat housing changed)
25500 miles: faulty oxygen sensor, faulty control on AC that did not allow condensor to turn on
6/17/2008 at 26500 mi - oil pan gasket leaking, replace oil pan gasket

 

oh, and is it possible for someone to switch to the 16 x-lites during ordering? i see that there are fog lights on the bad boy, and the guy says it does have the sports package..

http://view.admission.net/abc/carsad...JPG?t=tr/w:640

 

but I've heard of all the rest on other cars.

Matt

 

Sports package on an S always included the xexon (how do you spell it?) HID headlights and DSC right? If you don't see the pop-up headlight washers & DSC vs ASC on the toggles....BOTH....no sports package.

But Sports did nothing to the engine or suspension on an S (which was why I never missed it)

 

not capitalized. It's on the right edge of the periodic table, a few rows down.

Matt

 

just fyi leaky t-stat housing isn't all that uncommon. oil pan gasket i'm not so sure of; mine seeps a bit. the o2 sensor is a bit weird but doesn't necessarily mean it's a lemon

i've attached the spec deck for the '06 cars; '05 is basically the same for the most part

it's possible to have switched the wheels to the r84's, whether by dealer or by the owner. i think there's a place somewhere, maybe even posted on the forum here somewhere, where you can enter the vin and it basically tells you the window sticker content. or you can probably call miniusa and get them to tell you

 

Not a terrible price. You have to pay it, so if you're OK, we're OK.

 

so upon seeing the photo you attached, this car totally does not have the sport package, 'cuz it doesn't have the hid/xenon headlights

r53's have the *sport suspension* standard tho. maybe that's what he meant

it's a good-looking car tho

 

If after you drive it a few hundred miles think it "needs" better suspension you can always do a few mods and design it the way that best fits your needs and budget.

 

thanks for the replies folks..

going to take it for a spin this evening after work and see how it drives.. make sure it isn't mushrooming on the strut towers in the front.. and try to talk him down about 500 bucks..

how hard / what is the cost for xenon lights, it's a DIY, right?
anyone want to trade their s-lites for the sx-lites? =P

-warren

 

Even if it is mushrooming, you can fix that and add the plates to protect it.

 

I'm sure you could DIY, but probably not very simple and parts would likely be $2000+ from the dealership (although they were only $500 on new cars). And forget about the s-lites, they weigh about 24lbs. The 16" v-spokes that are on it only weigh about 17lbs and give a bit more protection from shroomage.

 

Xenons are not a typical DIY.
I haven't been shopping for a Mini recently, but $18k is what I paid for my 04 with 24k on the clock about 20 months ago. If this is the market I may have to sell mine just to say I drove it for two years and broke even!

 

thanks guys for all the help, but i decided to pass on the car. my first choice is the Dark Silver with a White roof, with the xenons, and DSC, since i make my way up to the snow in tahoe alot during the winter. i decided not to settle, and this car didn't have either the xenons nor the DSC, only the ASC...

let me know if y'all see a good deal on an 05/06 MCS! i'm still on the search to become one of y'all!

thanks again for all your help!

-warren

 

Warren: Almost always a good choice not to settle for what you don't want... note that DSC / ASC doesn't add traction, a more important option would be winter tires! Also, if you don't get a car with xenon lighting, you can add relays and upgrade the bulbs in the halogens to get whiter, brighter lighting for a ton less cash. If you're really wanting traction, look for a car with a limited slip differential and throw winter tires on it.

Good luck in your search!

 

IIRC, DSC helps with traction/control around corners (by use of brakes). The ASC helps with traction by pulling back the throttle when the wheels start spinning.

I was in my buddy's Merc (RWD) going up to a rental house in Killington, Vermont a few years back. I thought he had no business even trying to get up some the the steep, snow covered mountain roads leading up to the house, but with high performance H-rated snow tires and the traction control (ASC or similar?) going nuts to control wheel spin we actually made it.

 

My service history pretty much mirrors this one except for the service your's received at the 25,500 and 26,500 mile point. I did a brake fluid flush myself when switching to ATE Super Blue and at the 27,000 mile point had the thermostat housing start leaking. I received the 2nd maintenance and I have since switched my oil I use to AmsOil. Doing the mods below and having over 41,000 miles on her, she runs great!

I do not think you have a lemon based on your service record. I wouldn't feel ripped off paying $18k for this one. R53s are often considered desireable over the R56 (not trying to start anything, just mentioning lots of folks prefer the body and interior styling). 2005/2006 were the best years for the R53.

 

after market head light cause problems if you want xenons, look for another car

 

I'm glad you decided not to "settle" on that particular MINI.

I looked at the pic you provided and didn't see any foglights...I only saw headlights and the turn signal on the front bumper.

 

Damn thats a good *** deal. my 2004 had 25kmiles and it was 19.5k
good luck!

 

Traded my 07 Fit with 35k miles for $12500 for an 05 MCS with 40k miles, sport package, crono package and paid $18800........

 

Get the VIN number for the MINI you are looking at. Give it to the guy in this NAM thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=141429

He will get back to you in a few days with all info on what your MINI came with from factory.....

Good luck!