So my buddy has a 2006 mini cooper one. 130 thousand miles. Its been sanded down and primed. I am a painter for a living, so i can paint it no problem. But it needs a new mirror, new tail lights, some plastic trim need to be replaced, new brake pads. It has brand new wheels and tires on it and a new clutch installed professionally. But when the engine is running, it sounds like a loud vacuum. Which I have no idea what it could be, you can heat it while driving as well, louder when the hood is open. But the price for it is 1500. So is it worth it, and what do you think is wrong with it with that noise?

 

Sounds like a can of worms. But if your handy and mechanically incline do it! Once you get it going its a fun little car.

 

This the non supercharger model?

 

Yes its the non super charged model. I just dont want to get screwed on a car if its not worth it

 

Can you post a video of the issue? Is the fan running on high?

 

OK non supercharged. Loud all the time? Coming from front or side, if side which side? If not front or side, inside motor? Is the header flex fitting broken?

 

I wouldn't do it. I've quickly found out these cars are not as easy or cheap to work on as Japanese and American cars I've owned in the past.

 

Don't do it, not a good deal at that price and condition.

 

I'd need to get a better deal on the ONE. Could you have a Tech look at the car? For the right price, rebuilt/fixed motor, paint, and a few mods and you'll have a great Mini!!

 

I too, think it is worth saving and I save many. I have 6 right now and I think gen 1s are worth saving.
I have seen many of the gen 1s that have 300K miles and still running. 130K is not high miles for these cars. being able to do some of your own wrenching is always a good thing, but I sell them all the time and have only had one give me more work that I wanted to put into it!
It sounds like it has a vacuum leak from hell and that needs sorting out. Also the electric hydraulic power steering can have a high pitched whine, especially, if the power steering fluid is low, or the wrong fluid was used. Also the cooling fan for the power steering can whine loudly! You should only use :
in the power steering system!

It is also important to only use full synthetic engine oil.
Manual trans should use:


The engine cooling fan is always loud and whines, whenever it is running.
A new clutch is an absolute plus, as it is a ***** to do!
These cars are kick *** fun to drive! keep us posted.

 

When you can buy a non s that doesnt need paint and isnt missing anything for not much over 2000 that seems kinda high