I am considering the purchase of a nice 05 MCS with 110K miles for around $10K.

http://www.sloanford.com/exton-cars/...E33555TL12965/

I am worried about the clutch as I have driven a few for sale and each clutch has been bad.

How can I determine if the clutch has been replaced?

I have read many of the high mileage topics and they seem to have a consensus that high mileage MCS's are fine as long as they are cared for. Problem is buying used with only Carfax leaves little to base the decision on.

I will most likely have a PPI done by a mechanic given the risk of such high mileage.

 

Make sure to check for strut tower mushrooming, as most seem to have it at higher mileage - especially in Exton, PA - I just picked up an '05 from Philly area, the car lived in NJ, and 106,000 I have mushrooming towers (I knew when buying it, I'm putting on re-enforcement plates to correct & prevent)

As for the clutch, any service records or service events on the carfax/car check to indicate clutch replacement?

Also, $10k seems steep for the mileage unless the car is absolutely flawless.

I picked up mine (well, the wife's actually) for $8100. It has brand new wheels & tires as well as a sunroof. It's a different color (electric blue), and the only other option it seems to have over this one is the pano-roof.

 

Carfax does show service work in NJ on a regular basis by the original owner up to 75K miles. Second owner has nothing.

I agree, the price is a bit high for the mileage.

From what I can see, it has a good deal of options. It does have the Pano roof - its just not clear in the pictures. My best guess is as follows:

-Heated seats
-Harman Kardon
-Zenon
-Premium Package
-Sport Package

cerksies, where did you find yours. I am struggling to find a 05/06 with the color/options at a reasonable price.

 

Believe it or not, I found ours on Ebay (was being sold by a dealer, I purchased it OUTSIDE of ebay). I drove down last Friday to look at the car with intentions of purchasing it if it was as described, and we ended up driving it home.

The dealer had stated in the auction that they'd sell it at a "no haggle" price of $8300, and when I pointed out the shock towers, I basically offered $8k and he countered with $8100 and included a set of steelies with good tires - I took the offer as the car was nice and all.

I had been looking on cars.com, autotrader.com, craigslist, etc. We basically wanted ours with Manual trans, Xenon, Pano Roof, heated seats, and it had to be '05 or '06 if it was an R53. We were also looking for Hyper Blue (preferred), electric blue (what we got), or alpine white

I had also been looking for a few weeks and we test drove quite a few.

Pete

 

Congrats

Love the Cayman too.

 

Can anyone tell me how to determine if a clutch has been replaced. This would be very helpful.

 

Without service records it will be next to impossible. Ask them to give you info on the last owner and try contacting them.

 

If you like, you can bring it to us in Philly for a PPI: we know what to look for on these cars. It'll arm you with a lot of information. GLWP!

 

I purchased this car for $9400. Best I could do.

It looks like a decent car but the clutch is original and is an issue I will need to consider for replacement in the future.

Pick it up Monday.

 

congrats! MINI's are great, especially the 05/06 vintage, but I'm biased. Keep us posted on your developments. I hope all works out for the best for you.

 

+ 1 take to HELIX for PPI Eric & Mike are great and know their stuff.