First I have to say I've been lurking on the forums for the past few weeks, reading and soaking up as much as I can. I only post this question as I feel my particular concern hasn't been brought up (or I just can't find it).

Just a very quick background on me. I have owned VWs (Mk2 16v, Mk3 VR6, Mk4 TDI) and BMWs (E30 325is, E36 M3, E34 540, E39 540), I thoroughly enjoy cars with soul and personality. I do ALL of my own maintenance and have done nearly every type of repair imaginable short of a full engine rebuild. I'm not afraid to turn some wrenches and get dirty.

I've recently had the itch to get something newer and nicer and feel the MCS is it! However, with my budget of $13-15k I'm looking at 05-06 MCS with 40-60k miles. The few that I've test driven feel so worn with relatively so little miles. They all have a wicked 50mph+ shimmy (control arm bushings I assume?) and just simply feel like an american car with 100k miles. Not at all what I expect from BMW and more importantly the price point.

I have also noticed most people will keep their MCS until the warranty runs out and trade them in for a new one... Is this in fear of some inevitable mechanical failure? Because they start to fall apart so quickly? Or do they just like dumping thousands down the drain every 3 years?

I plan to drive approx 20k miles a year, nearly all highway. Am I going down a path I'll regret getting a MCS with 40-60k miles and a 5 year car loan? Will I feel the need to dump this at 100k because it's falling apart at the seams? Can these cars go 150k plus with general wear maintenance (ie. clutch, suspension, brakes). I'm aware the control arm bushings are a known weak point, also the power steering pump is a common failure. I see that as a leisurely weekend repair and no more than $500, no big deal... I just cannot convince myself this is a smart move if everytime I fix something, another thing breaks. That simply makes me .

This isn't meant to be a bash fest on MINI, I really really want to own and drive a MCS but I feel I've seen enough caution signs recently to question my decision. Please MINI community, I beg for your opinions.

 

Hey ParsedOut,

I just bought an '06 MCS with 41,000 miles and I love it. I have also owned quite a few cars that I did all of my own work on (91 Honda CRX, 92 Integra GS, 2002 Honda S2000, & 2008 Audi A4 S-Line). I also have that same appreciation for a car with soul and a raw driving experience.

I have to say I did already replace the thermostat housing/ thermostat gasket on my MCS as I noticed a tiny coolant leak as soon as I got home from the dealership. This is however a very well documented issue with these cars. It took me about 70 bucks and an hour and a half to fix that issue. Other than that the car has been very good so far.

Take a look at the following stickies to get a better feel of what to look for with the R53's and what the known issues are:

How do I buy a Mini?
http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

************************************************** *********
KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEMS.
************************************************** *********
Be sure to check the ‘stickies’ found at the top of each forum.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...lems-issues-9/

PS Pump – There are many members having issues with their power steering, and power steering fan failing. If you find yourself needing to replace your fan and/or pump see here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...tructions.html

Thermostat housing – The thermostat housing is prone to warping and leaking. If you have a leak from this area, consider a new thermostat, gasket, and housing.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...lems-help.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...hermostat.html
Diagram - http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/h/n/153.png

Coolant expansion tank – This is another probable source for a coolant leak. The expansion tank sits right above the header. The newest version is an ugly yellow color, but it is a cheap (~$35) and easy fix. Most online vendors stock this part.

Oil pan gasket – The oil pan gaskets are a common area of oil leaks. If you’re dripping oil, check the gasket.
http://r53minicooper.wordpress.com/2...s-r53-summary/

Intermittent Headlights – If you have the stock xenon headlights, and you have one headlight that works intermittently, it is most likely the ballast, or control unit; item 1 in the picture below. http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...23&hg=63&fg=05

Mushrooming shock towers – Many Mini’s experience this, some just far worse than others. See this sticky for all the info.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ollection.html

Rust – Another sticky showing the most common problem spot for rust.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...-05-minis.html

IMO these are very solid cars and I don't think the known issues are that big of a deal. It is especially important however to be on top of the maintenance schedule with these cars. They aren't like Honda's where you can just fill them up with gas and drive them into the ground.

Good luck and I hope you get a MCS.

 

I bout my 04 a year ago with 47k on it. I got it for just above $12k down from $14k. I've had to replace the front brakes and now the front shocks. They are quirky cars, so you have to take the good with the bad. Other things are electric issues like the windows and locks. Like it currently won't unlock with the keyless entry. I test drove about 5 or 6 before finding the right one for me. This one felt just solid. It was a good deal too, but each one has it's quirks.

You're looking at buying a car that is 6+ years old. So, if you can do most of the work yourself, go for it. Just be prepared for some work, because they will have issues.

MINI's also hold their value better than any other car on the market. It is a good fun car.

I love it though, and would get another one, just a JCW next time.

 

I bought my 06 with 47k on it for 14.5k from a dealer. It is solid and didn't need a thing. I do all my own work and have owned several of the same or similar cars you have. My MCS is a lot more fun than any of them with the mk2 I built on a par. But again, the mk2 16v was far from stock.

Buy a bentley and you will be fine. They don't look hard to work on and they are a blast. Parts are readily available and not too costly if you know where to find them.

These are 6+ years old now so how they were, or werent, cared for can make a difference just like any other car. Take your time and find the best example for the money you want to spend and you will be fine.

What I've seen is loads of people buy these for whatever reason. The ones that truly love them and knew what they were buying keep them or trade for a newer model when they feel its time. The ones that bought them just because that's what they thought was cool or cute find out they don't like them for one reason or another and get rid of them when they can.

I haven't seen or heard anything that would suggest that they are bad cars or problem prone. That's not to say they don't have quirks. However they all seem to be pretty insignificant with the exception of the mushrooming which can be avoided pretty easily and inexpensively. But what car doesnt have quirks?

No one can tell you if its the right car for you. That's going to be up to you to decide. Obviously we all like or love them otherwise we wouldn't have bought them.

I have heard of examples with 248k with only routine servicing. Like I said before, its all about how they were cared for and driven.

 

I bought my '04S a couple of years ago with 55k miles on it for $14k from a VW dealer's used lot. Wanted a new Golf Tdi for the mileage but couldn't afford the nearly $30k they wanted. The Mini was in great shape and appeared to have been well looked after by the previous owner. I figured they traded it in since the warranty had just ended.

Like you, I do all my own work, including rebuilding engines. I've owned my '75 Scirocco from day one and have done just about everything possible to it at one time or the other.

So far, my Mini has performed very well. Only problems I had to fix were the typical low speed fan resistor problem and the corroded #3 coil terminal. I recently did my 60k service changing the belt and all fluids. I also had to repair a window cable that was banging around inside the driver door when I raised/lowered the window. Otherwise, smooth sailing. No highway shimmy with my S and I'm pretty sure it's on the original control arm bushings. Handles like a go cart with the summer tires and easily takes the snowy roads with my current winter tire/wheel setup.

I did remove and clean the brushes on my power steering pump when I was doing the 60k service as a precaution. Not much carbon dust in there but enough to warrant the cleaning.

As with any relatively high performance small car that has lots of character, there will be good and bad. I've chosen to live with the potential bad since all I'll be out will be the parts.

Eric

 

Your fears are realistic & warranted, but r53 flaws & quirks are all easily fixable. For me, the fun totally outweighs the worries & justifies ownership.

 

I'd say if you drove one, and your reaction wasn't "Wow! I love the way this car feels!" then you probably shouldn't buy one. It's the go-kart handling that makes the Mini worth owning. If for whatever reason you didn't have that reaction, then you're missing the main upside to the various Mini quirks and frustrations. And of course "go-kart handling" and "freeway driving" are two things you don't often see together like peanut butter and jelly. Salt and pepper. Tea and crumpets. "Go-kart" and "freeway" are more like "cats" and "sweaters". Minis feel kind of twitchy on the freeway compared to the traditional grand touring car that is made for the autobahn. It's the complement of how they neat feel in tight corners. The steering ratio is only 2.5 turns lock to lock, not 3.5.

I find my Mini amusing on the freeway, but I'm only on there for a few minutes at a time. The rest of the time I'm bobbing up and down hills and through alleyways and traffic circles. Sometimes I do the Wall of Death. (Not really.)

Without even knowing anything about the Mini's reliability history, what would you expect from a supercharged intercooled car with a sardine can-sized engine bay, and the battery in the back and no spare tire? A VW Golf it ain't. And you should expect that most people who owned it before you drove the hell out of it. Wouldn't you? So it probably will feel a little worn out. You have to hope to find one owned by a little old lady. I literally saw a little old lady driving a Fiat Abarth 500 to the grocery store today, so they do exist. But it takes time to find one, and you have to be ready to pounce when you do.

But really, if you've had a test drive and it didn't ignite a passion, I'd pass.

 

It just didn't ignite passion because there were so many glaring faults with relatively low mileage... I couldn't focus on the fun factor due to fear the wheels were going to fall off. I think I just need to drive a few more, hopefully less ratted out ones.

Thanks for all the tips everyone, I'll report back.

 

If you are dropping $14k, and the car is ratted out, run. Fast. My car was spotless when I bought it. A few scratches, but it had new Michelin sports, new speakers, fresh tint... You shouldn't be buying a car in crap shape for that much.

 

Yeah. Go find yourself one that isn't crapped out. Hell even got look at a new one at a dealer as they drive pretty similar. If you don't fall in love with it, then i suggest you dont waste your time looking at a mini.

If you do fall in love then take your time finding the right one. The right one for me just happened to be the first one I looked at. I was lucky though.

You will read a lot about the problems of course because that's what people complain about. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

I'd keep looking. I got mine with 36k on it, 05s fully loaded, about a year and a half ago, for 13k and it was SOLID. still is....just wait for the right deal. i love this thing!!!

 

If the ones your a driving shimmy at 50+ then they have all had suspension issues. Mine (06 MCS) sits flat and tight at 50+. In fact, mine grew up on the Autobahn and at 125+ the car was rock solid.

I recently added new struts (Koni FSD) and bushing for my sway bar and the handling has only gotten better.

As for the rest, you would be buying a car that is out of warranty and there are risks associated with that. However, the 04 - 06 is the best of the 1st Gen and should be less likely to have constant issues.

 

Just as an F.Y.I.

Mine, '05
Bought new 11/04
Currently 184,000
Over 200 whp, since 80,000

I honestly don't think I'm the exception as far as the longevity, just with the amount of miles driven.

And don't let my list of mods fool you, everything was done out of want, not need, hell my original factory brakes lasted till 93,000 miles, and I didn't touch the car till 68,000.

But I have to agree with everyine else, if the first time you drove one you didn't get "The Big Grin", the Mini might not be for you.

We are a strange and unusual breed....AND DAMN PROUD OF IT...

 

Couldn't have said it any better.

 

Well I have to say the acceleration and responsiveness was impressive. I had a smile and it was a blast. However I've owned enough cars and been around the block long enough to not buy a car based totally on emotion. My concerns are simply related to how well they hold up. I just find it disconcerting that the two that I've driven were less than 100k miles and felt like way more... With that said, all the responses I've received and other research I've done has soothed those concerns and am now actively looking for MY Cooper S.

 

I've noticed that people who expect the MINI to be like their former BMWs are always disappointed. I expect mine to be like a British car, and it's better than I expect. I'm also a former (and current) VW owner, and a former BMW owner. If you don't mind tinkering with your cars (which from the sounds of it, you don't), the MINI won't really be so bad.

 

The feeling of "I don't have to compensate for anything, when u drive a mini is priceless".

 

Just keep looking for the right car. I spent ~8 months looking for the right car for me. I bought my '02 MCS a little over 2 years ago with 73K on the clock. It came with documented service records and a clean CarFax. I use it as a daily driver and have had virtually no issues. In the 2 years I have spent more on personalizing my MINI than repairing it. To date other than maintenance, ie. tires, oil changes etc. the only repairs have been a leaking coolant tank ($50), a broken muffler hanger ($40) and front wheel bearings ($300). I replaced both even though only the rt side was bad. I will be needing control arm bushings soon. Two year using my MCS as a daily driver and I still look forward to the drive to work every morning. Who can ask for more than that?

 

Also a diehard VW fan here-VW's of the past
56 Beetle
68 Beetle
72 Super Beetle
74 Super Beetle
75 Beetle
63 Notchback
73 Thing
78 Scirocco
95 Jetta
04 Jetta TDI
05 Jetta GLI


I just sold my 05 VW GLI that I owned since new for an 06 MCS that was owned by an old lady.

Sometimes I look back and wonder if I have done the right thing but once I get in the MINI and turn the key It confirms that I made the right choice.

I looked at about 12 and inquired about a few more before picking the one that I felt comfortable with.

Good luck, the hunt is the best part

 

I have the feeling this is going to be a long search...

My color choices are limited as well. Sticking to dark gray, silver or astro black, anything lighter and I'd have a hard time convincing people it isn't my wife's car. Hopefully that doesn't offend anyone here, but I think the darker colors are a little easier to "pull off" especially to the dude friends.

 

Oh hey, your name is familiar! I bet you're either on AZBMW or R3vlimited ehh? My handle on those sites is GatoEnFuego. Anyway, I'm in Mesa hopefully once I get my MCS I'd like to pick your brain about some easy mods...

 

Hmmm...this comment leads me to believe that maybe you don't get it. It's a car you have fun with and that you make your own without really caring what other people may think. Mine (I'm a guy) is Spice Orange, blacked out, black racing stripes, black headlights and I chose the Spice Orange specifically because it was (IMO) the most fun color available for the MCS. I don't think anyone would mistake it for my wife's car, but if they do, so what? I don't care. I like it... a lot.

 

Truer words are seldom spoken.

I'm going to "side" with chaswyck here. This isn't really a car that's going to impress anyone, so definitely get what you want, without regard to others. If I were buying a car to boost my image, I'd get a Dodge Ram Quad cab. Oh wait, I have one.......... Personally, I do like the darker colors on most cars, and the MINI is no exception.

 

Maybe I don't get your way of thinking. I like a car that is dark and mean, not cute w/ unicorns and glitter (not saying yours is). Let me rephrase my original comment, I prefer dark paint colors and finding the right one for me will take some time because most of them were produced with the bright, fun, look at me I'm a MINI concept in mind.

 

All I will say is a MCS with a few standard modifications ( CAI,Pulley,header and catback) is the most ballsy and funnest 1.6 liter I have ever driven.