HEY ALL! I've wanted a MINI since I first watched the movie "The Italian Job". Long story short I've found an 02 MCS, 6 speed with 138,401 miles on it for roughly 7k. Is this a good buy? Your opinions please. Thanks guys and girls!

 

I would look into the cars history.
What maintanice has been done?
What has been replaced?
Lift up door weatherstrip on the bottom.
Early cars had rust issues there.

 

I'd steer clear of that one. When I was shopping for a used Mini last year, someone gave the opinion that if you can't afford a new one, then you can't afford a used one. I thought at the time it was classist snobbery, but in the year I've owned my 2003 R50, I see the wisdom in that sentiment.

I found mine with a clean car fax, one owner from Miami (no rust), 45,000 miles for $9,995.

I'm coming up on 12 months and 25k miles later and I'm about to cross the $5,000 mark in maintenance and repairs.

So if i were to do it again, I'd consider new or at least post-2007.

I found this guide to used Minis by model year quite helpful:
http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

The risk with these older cars (mine was built 11/2002), is that they were built using some cheap parts. I figure they directed resources to other aspects of production and marketing at the expense of the control arm bushings and throw-out bearing (for instance).

My 2003 R50 has a Brazilian motor and I think the gearbox is from the Netherlands. By the 2007 redesign (not a single compatible body panel BTW) it's my understanding that the cars were entirely BMW built; and better for it.

I think if you buy a 2002 with that many miles on it for $7k, by this time next year, you could be out another $4k + and still be driving something that seems frail and at the end of its life (because it will be).

I say avoid this by budgeting $15,000 in the first place and buy something newer, better built with lower miles. Minis just don't make good sub-$10k cars. Better off with a Honda or Toyota at that price point.


Just my $0.02

 

I think if he wanted a Honda or Toyota he would not be on NAM. A simple yes or no would have been fine. If you want it, get it. Just shop around. I have a 2004 with 104000 and have put 80000 on it myself. I have spent less than $1500 in 5 years I have had it(not counting mods).

 

Just to add a counterpoint to Mynewt's post, I have an '06 R50 and it's been very solid, although it has only been a year and about 12,000km. The 05/06 are generally regarded as very solid build years whether you are talking about a Cooper or a Cooper S, although you'd want to avoid the Auto trans in the early (pre-2007.) Coopers. Whatever you're pondering, just have it thoroughly checked out by a MINI tech.

 

I don't understand why the attitude. I thought the OP was asking for opinions. And if yes or no would have been fine, why did you offer more than that yourself?

IMO we're here to help and support each other. One way of doing that is sharing our experiences and what they've left us thinking. If you have a problem with us doing that, well, I don't know why you'd hang out here.

It's true many people have good luck with their gen 1 Minis, but it seems to me just as many, if not more people have experiences like mine. Most people I've come across don't say Minis are reliable or inexpensive to own. History proves that they have a higher-then-average cost of ownership and a lower-than-average reliability record. not only are these facts, --just look around NAM. More nightmare stories than love stories it seems.

I love my car and I don't have a single complaint about it. Sure, I'd rather have done something else with that $5k, but it's such a great car, I have no regrets. That said, (and as I said) if I were to do it again, I'd get new or newer.

 

Also to the OP, here is a good place to start for things to look at, the R50/R53 (Cooper/Cooper S 2002-2006.) Buyer's Guide:

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

 

I bought an 03 MCS w/ 132k miles and have done about $1500 maintenance in a year and a half, parts only. This could have been avoided if I knew what I was looking for when buying a used MINI. I recommend taking an experienced MINI owner with you to look over the things that are common problems, then when you point out all of the necessary maintenance items you have more leverage for a bargain.

 

My car may be the exception to the rule. I bought it last year with 109k on the clock and have put 40k miles on it in the year I have owned it. I have spent a good deal of money on it but of that, probably less than $750 was spent on required parts like the power steering pump and the front LCABs with me doing the labor. This car has probably been one of the more reliable cars I have owned at this mileage point- knock on wood

 

This is part of what scares me. The $5k I've put into maintenance and repairs have not included any of the known issues--they've been fine. It's all "other" problems that have arisen since I bought it. (It was 100% good for the first few months)

If the OP wants to do his or her own work, then the risk is lower for sure.

I mean you can buy new front control arm bushings for less than $100, but if you have to pay someone $80/hr to drop the front sub-chassis, then get an alignment after, it easily becomes a $700+ job.

 

someone earlier on posted the guide to R50-R53 used buying. it basically says to go with 05 and up. mine is on the cusp (7/04 build date, but technically an 05 says the vin) and has been great, 2 previous owners, came from colorado originally.

I suggest you drive it, get a PPI, and if you dont do your own work, look for a shop you can trust to really evaluate the value your getting.

 

I'm not against the early 02-04 cars (Mine's an 03), But I think 7K is steep for an 02 with that kind of miles. I must have gotten a steal on my 03 with 63K miles for $8K (granted look in my sig and start adding up receipts of my add ons since I bought it 7 months ago). With whatever MINI you end up getting, make sure you get the service records.

 

Also found this one, sounds WAYY too good to be true. Will be calling about it Monday morning- bright and early. Thank you for everyones input!
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
--

 

What options does it have?
Leather seats?
Sunroof?
17" wheels?

That year the leatherette and cloth seats were standard
Sunroof was extra
16" runflats were standard, 17" wheels extra

How were the miles done? Lots of long distance commuting or mixed driving?

What are the condition of each tire? Non runflats or runflats?
Check out the treadwear on the outer edges of the front tires especially.

Check the clutch pedal, how does it feel? Soft? Was the clutch plate changed already and at what mileage.

Usually by 80K miles the front lower control arm bushings are worn out- if these are stock orginal then they will be ready to change. Grab each front wheel and see if you can move them front to back- if not solid then bearings are worn out.

Check shocks for any leaking and when they were last replaced.

Kelly blue book
says for private sale in (*) condition with those miles-
Excellent- $6600
Good- $6065
Fair condition- $5140

 

I am always a little worried about any car that is over 100k miles on it, but would have it checked out well if you want it. I bought my Mini in February and haven't had any problems. I bought my 2003 Mini Cooper with 45k miles on it, one owner before me, clean car fax. She's a Chili Red/Black hard top, panoramic sunroof, convenience and sport packages and xenon headlamps...among other things. I plan on doing a really good tune up here in a week or so and in August taking it to the dealer to get my CVT tranny serviced.

I'd just be real careful and take a person that knows a lot about cars especially BMWs.

 

That does look interesting. If it really only has 10k miles on it (and not 100k -typo?), it could be worth going to drive. I found when I was going out to drive used Coopers, I needed to ask if they had been smoked in (I'm a non-smoker). i showed up to drive a gorgeous '08 for low money but had to pass b/c it was never going to smell right again.

The only caution with the one you linked to would be if it is a 10 year-old car with 10k miles, it may suffer from non-use. Various seals and linkages can dry out and fail with prolonged non-use. Also check it for rust and corrosion. If it's been in the Northeast for 10 years.

 

nah that's way too high, try and shoot for UNDER 100k

 

Went and checked out the silver car on Sunday. There appeared to be rust on the light coming out of the grill (fog lights) that was the only place I could tell. The seats don't look worn. The car was beautiful. Had a sticker on it that it wasn't allowed to be sold because it's missing a federal manual. Hopefully Wednesday I'll be going back for the test drive and bringing a mechanic with me