Hi,
I have a 2004 automatic cooper with 113,000 miles on it.
I've tried to keep up with it and have things replaced when my mechanic suggested it, but right now the estimate for the next round of repairs is pretty high. I wish I could tell you everthing that has been fixed in the past, but i dont have that info with me at the moment. So far 2015 has been the most expensive year by far. With some hose replacements and the axel boot replacement, something else i cant remember and a new oil pan i'm at about $1750. Now I need to replace the axle seal to the transmission ($285) three power steering hoses ($679) and they recommend new struts ($950) totaling close to $1950. Or a little over $300 a month for 2015.

Is this the beginning of the end for my cooper? or is it worth the gamble to get it all fixed and hope for the best in 2016?

The passenger side window sticks and the door doesnt unlock with the remote. That I can live with easily.

Its great not having a car payment but shhesh, its starting to equal one minus the down payment.

Thanks.

 

It's the age old dilemma about owning an older car: when do the repair costs outweigh the value of the car. That answer is different for any of us, and it mostly depends on what repairs you're able to do yourself. Minis are surprisingly easy to work on but if a person, you in this case, isn't able to do some of the intermediate-level repairs and maintenance themself, paying a mechanic will likely be cost prohibitive.

Parts aren't too expensive. A good set of tools won't set you back too much, and good tools are an investment worth making. On top of that, websites like this one and the Mini guy on YouTube are extremely helpful. I'd say either DIY most of that stuff, or let the car go. (Plus, that auto trans is likely a ticking time bomb.) Unless you want to be putting your mechanic's kids through college...

 

Great adive from filmy

None of that stuff needs to be fixed to sell it

I say sell it while the even more expensive parts still work, it can only get worse the longer you have it

 

I'd agree with Filmy on everything but the part about MINIS being relatively easy to work on. Compared to what, The Space Station? A Ford Falcon is easy to work on. Just kidding.
I have pulled the head for repairs and changed the clutch and the struts. The head and clutch jobs involved a lot of swearing at German Engineering but I got them done and saved myself thousands. I have always worked on my own cars though. I did these before I found out about ModMini's videos on YouTube which would have made them much easier.
Right now I am finishing up supercharger oil service, new water pump, new axles, and drive belt tensioner which means again spending hundreds instead of thousands.

 

Definitely a common theme with minis.

I also did head, cluthch,sc, tensioner , add wheel bearing to my list. Probably need struts too but that can wait along with the bad parking brake cable(one still kind of works)

Being your own mechanic on these cars certainly helps

 

I would sell it because you have the CVT transmission, which has a history of problems and is a risk at your mileage. If the CVT fails, it would total the car. Many owners have had it fail, and BMW settled a class action lawsuit over it.

 

+1
Cooper automatic = CVT....
that means it WILL fail ...that will cost you $5500-7500 to replace in most cases...
So if the car was perfect...you could make an argument for keeping it if you were saving $$ , then could decide on what to do when it fails....
But you are in the reverse of that...
You have some crap that needs to be fixed...and THEN you will still have a ticking bomb for a tranny...some folks do get many miles with regular fluid changes, and easy relaxed driving style.....but still...I would be very nervous...
Ask yourself...
If I spend this $$ now on the car, will I be happy if the tranny fails next year and it is worth salvage $, meaning about $1000...
Or would you be more happy, saving the $$ now, selling a moving car for $2500+, and getting a different car...

 

Yeah, I suppose "easy" is relative. My previous BMW E36, now THAT was difficult. My '68 Thunderbird with the 429, THAT was difficult. The Mini is pretty much like every other repair you haven't done before: it's daunting before you get into service mode, but once you do it you realize how simple it was in hindsight - and how easy each repair would be to do again now that you know how to do it. Sure it's close quarters, but everything is right there in your face.

And yeah, ModMINI on YouTube is a godsend! We owe that guy some money, beer, or both.

 

I owe ModMini a couple cases.

I have 2 other cars:
"63 Cadillac without A/C - easy to work on other than the fact that everything is big and heavy.
Sunbeam Tiger - everything is tight but I've had it apart so many times nothing worries me.
Also with '60's cars, they have about half as many parts as their modern counterparts.

I agree on getting the MINI into service mode - makes everything easier.