Good morning mini owners. This is my first post and sorry for the urgency of my post. I am getting ready to dive into Mini ownership. This is my first Mini, my specialty is in the Datusun and VW world and I need a little help from some of you seasoned Mini owners.

The dealer let me take the car home for two days before I sign any paperwork. This mornng I put the car up on jack stands and found some oil leaking near the steering rack. It looks like the pump is leaking but I can't really tell. My question, is this a common problem on a car this old (2006 Mini Cooper hatchback. Not the S) I have added a pic to help anyone try to understand what I am talking about.

There is a fan below the rack where the seeping is coming from. The dealer offered to add 1K to the price to replce the PS pump/reservoir. Is this a good deal or is the PS pump/reservoir easy to change?



Another one



One other concern I have with this car is I see seepage by the crank pully, is this a common problem with a Mini this age? I have attached a pic for this concern, the pic is not too clear.



Once again, I am sorry for the urgency but I have to make a decision in the next two hours if I am going to buy this car (10K) or keep looking until I find another.

I want to thank anyone in avance who helps me out with my concerns with the short notice I have given. Thanks

Andy
2006 Mini Cooper (soon to be new owner)

 

If you are getting 1k off for PS pump repair (cash back to you, not so they can repair it), and you are happy with the price of the car, that's more than fair. I really think what you are seeing there is just a little seepage from the hose going to the resovoir. My pump is at least that bad, and has been for the entire time I've had the car (about 20k miles). If it's not leaking on the ground, I'd just keep my eye on the fluid level, and drive it. BTW, I've never needed to add any fluid to mine. As far as the oil around the crank pulley, that's probably the crank position sensor o-ring, or possibly the oil pan gasket. Both very common. Just replacing those parts is not a big job in itself, but I believe it requires dropping the subframe for access. Again, if it's not dripping on the ground, I'd just live with it until you have the lower control arm bushings replaced. Then have the leaks fixed. These are common issues that affect all first generation MINIs, and doesn't indicate a bad, or poorly maintained car. Plus, it's pretty well regarded that a 2006 base Cooper manual trans is the most reliable MINI made. Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

 

Thanks for the quick response BB. You confirmed my toughts after doing some searching on the forum about the common problems. I am goin to go through with it and become a Mini owner in about an hour. Thanks again!

 

That's why I love this forum, literally less than 15 minutes for a response. That's why I'll post before buying my used MINI too. What a great community!