Hey guys,
I have a 2004 MINI Cooper S w/110k miles. Xenons, Harmon Kardon, Navigation, Sport Pkg, and Cold Pkg. It has some issues but still runs strong.

A guy offered me what I owe on it - $7000 as is. I'm wondering if it's a reasonable deal. Kelly Blue Book fair condition lists as $9,333 private party and $7,275 trade-in. Edmunds average condition lists as $9,038 private paty and $7,637 trade-in.

It's been in two accidents - other people's fault. The right side was sideswiped and the front quarter, passenger door, and rear quarter were replaced and painted. A car backed into me in a parking lot so the hood and front bumper were replaced and painted as well.

Car still runs strong but:

1. Clutch lets out a little groan on the coldest SoCal mornings.
2. Car jerks/bumps if you apply/release accelerator too quickly above 2.5k RPM - bounces around like crazy in stop and go traffic.
3. Metal noise heard most when pressing ear against supercharger horn. (most likely s/c needs oil and/or rebuild or water pump gears are failing)
4. Front control arm bushings are shot and need replacing
5. Light strut tower mushrooming
6. Oil leak that techs can't pinpoint so I don't even know what to replace
7. Right rear brake light went out and will not work at all - Need to replace BCM and get reprogrammed at dealer (expensive and time consuming)
8. Driver side window stopped working (sometimes decides to work for a couple weeks and then quit again)
9. Drivers side lock won't unlock with remote
10. Drivers side inside door handle doesn't work
11. Black logo chipped off MINI wings emblem on rear
12. Lately the fan seems to be kicking on after the car is shut off more often than it used to.

I'd hate to part with it, but it is accumulating issues quickly and it may be in my best interest to part with it and look for something in better condition with lower mileage.

Let me know what you think.

 

Hmmm...I don't know. I will be interested to see what others have to say. I would be tempted based on the mileage but it really comes down to personal preference and/or attachment to the car. Maybe shop around a bit? See what you'd be looking at for another car and that might sway you one way or the other. If he's a solid buyer maybe you could talk him up a bit to help fund the next car? How does the body work look? Some people tweak over that stuff but personally I think if it's done well and you can't tell then who cares. It's metal after all, lol. Hopefully someone else chimes in soon and keeps this thread going-I'll be interested to see what you decide. Good luck!

 

I would take the 7K and walk away. It sounds like you could find something with less miles on it cheaper than the list of things you would have to fix on this one.

Just my opinion.

 

I personally would consider letting him buy it or trading it in to a dealer to help fund your next Mini buy. I can totally understand the attachment to your Mini (I couldn't dream of giving up my first Mini buy, I'll probably drive it until it stops running completely)! I might work in your favor to sell it a little cheaper now with the issues it has before anything super serious happens to kill the value all together...I wouldn't want to be in your position right now because of emotional attachment to your Mini! I'd cry if I had to sell mine.

 

Took it on maybe it's last joy ride throuogh rice canyon, couser canyon, and palomar mountain. I'm going to miss my MINI. =[

 

I feel ya! I'm going through the same thing with my mini right now!!!

 

Ok you guys are gonna make ME cry! PLEASE tell me you are gonna buy another one! You will be so excited and it will heal your heart. Keep us posted!

 

I do want a MINI, but I think I may hold out for a while and save up a nice down payment to get one that's a lot newer and lower mileage.

I'm thinking about picking up an '86 BMW 325es for something that's still decent around the turns and gets good gas mileage for my 90 mile round trip commute. Then I can keep it as my daily commuter and really trick out the MINI without racking up miles on it.

 

Sweet!

 

I'm totally keeping my mini. Best of luck to u neufusion

 

I'd take it, it sounds like a fair offer based on the laundry list of issues with it. Alternately you could bring it to Canada and sell it for ~60% more. I recently looked at an '04 R53 with about 50,000 miles at the dealership, they wanted $17k for it.