Hi everyone,
I'm NEW to Mini and need your advice. I'm an owner of old Alfa and newer Duc, but don't know anything about Mini...

I've been looking for GTI, RabbitS, or Mini.

I just found 2005 145K miles(a bit scary number to me) Coopers S. I'm planning to offer $5500-6500. Is it better to pay more to find newer and lower mileage one? How many miles can it make without major OH?

Should I look or ask the owner anything particular? It seems to be OK and is good running condition, but I'd like to know what is coming...

Please advise on following topics.

1) Timing belt (or there is none)?
2) Transmission issues?
3) Water pump issues?
4) He said he installed High performance clutch (heavey to step), any comments?
5) Any electrics issues?
6) I've been dealing with Italians, so I'm a good friend of Tony's garage, but how about Mini in general? Is it reliable?

thank you very much!
Honomatsu

 

Seems like a fair price for the mileage

1) Timing belt (or there is none)?Serpetine belt, changed about 60,000 miles-cheap and easy
2) Transmission issues? Depends on how it was driven but the Getrag in the S is pretty reliable.
3) Water pump issues? Like any car they usually last about 70.000 miles, labor is from 4 to 7 hours depending on the shop.
4) He said he installed High performance clutch (heavey to step), any comments? Any details on the brand of clutch, paperwork?
5) Any electrics issues? Window switches, airbag light, wheel speed sensors,was the alternator replaced? Same as any other European car.
6) I've been dealing with Italians, so I'm a good friend of Tony's garage, but how about Mini in general? Is it reliable

Biggest issues I know of is:

Power Steering Pump/Fan
Motor Mounts leak-upgrade available
Strut Tower Mushrooming
Rear Hatch Hinges snapping due to lack of lubricants

Lower control Arm Bushings-with thatmilage I would expect to replace all the rubber suspension parts and struts if it was not already done.

Power Steering hoses leak
Coolant should be changed every 4 years.
Super chargers can leak and run dry, most last to 100K, some longer if it is removed and refilled.
Crank Sensor gasket can weep oil
Oil pan gaskets weep oil, nota big deal.
Oil Dipstick can snap and fall into the oil pan
Low speed resister can fail on the radiator fan
Crank Pulley can seperate-I think it was upgraded in 05
Rust on the door sills underneath the molding.

05 has the revised gearing and supercharger (teflon coated fins).

Sorry for the long list...

Other than they, they are fun cars

Do you plan on servicing the car yourself?

The MINI can run for a long time with the proper maintenance.

 

Exactly what he said.

 

Good news is the 05/06 tend to be the better year of the 1st generation of the new MINI.

 

The above list is dead on,
'05 / '06, you can plan on getting at least 250,000 out of the internals if well maintained.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...h-mileage.html

Cheers,

Charlie

 

I cannot reply?

 

Hi GoThingNC,
Thank you very much for your detailed info!! This is huge help!!

 

Thank you urbancynic, BlwnAway, and cmt52663!
cmt52663, This thread is great for high mileage Mini owner, but haven’t updated about a year. It means they are all gone?

The owner hasn’t replied to my message. It may be too low for him…
I really want to get this one at $6,000ish since people sale near or over 100K Minis for close or over $10K.

 

No problem, good luck on your quest

 

GoThing really has put out the definitive list. It covers virtually everything that has cropped up on the Gen1's. Nice job.

- Mark

 

Thank you again GoThingNC and markjenn!
I will let you know how it goes.

 

I personally would spend a bit more for a lower mileage one. You might be spending $5500-6500 but it will add up if there are repairs. My is a '04 with less than 40k miles, that's over 100k miles less than the one you're looking at.

 

Hi and thank you A4Some,
I know exactly what your point is, and I'm still going back and forth. The owner hasn't replied yet.

My wife said that let's get it quick and enjoy it for a while, then it dies it dies...

I will let you know!

 

I think the mileage is too high, though the Mini can take high mileage, many of the components will be near the end of their life, My advice pay a little more, even 100K miles should be fine.

 

Honomatsu,
I have learned from owning many, many cars not to let your emotions take over. Why would you put yourself in a predicament knowing the car will die soon. Instead of enjoying the Mini you are left with a bad experience. I suggest to take your time, find a nice one and have fun!

 

x2

 

Thank you for your great suggestions, drozd, A4Some, and GoThingNC,
The owner said let’s talk last night, but now I'm leaning toward the one with fewer miles...

My new question: S or non-S?

 

Hello GoThingNC,
I'm also from the VW scene. My last was a '06 Golf TDI and plenty other VW's (including '77 Rabbit, '90 GTI 16V, '96 GTI VR6, '99 Beetle) one Audi A4, BMW 318is e30 and now the '04 Mini.

 

Cool A4Some !

Non-S Cooper is fine.

I have a friend with an 04 Non-S Cooper and after a chip and exhaust upgrade it is about as quick as an S.

 

Hi everyone, and again thank you for your advice.

I was ready to give him a offer, but he never replied to my questions that you guys suggested to ask. I think I'm actually happy that I didn't get the high mile Mini. He just wanted to sell to somebody who don't ask too much quickly...

Now I have to move on.
I'm flexible and need some advice.

Any particular year or model to avoid (S or non-S).
Is 2005 the best year for S and non-S models?

Take care,
Honomatsu

 

2005/2006 are definitely the years to look for regarding the S. Some things changed such as Teflon coated rotors for the S/C, different gearing ratios, etc. So far they have proven to be more reliable too.

 

Thank you Baker555!
OK, I'll look for 2005 or 2006. My budget is 10K-12K.

Any suggestion for non-S models?

Thanks!

 

05-06 Non-S models are just as good.

Try them both out.

Where are you located?

 

Thank you　GoThingNC!
I'm in Ct.