Hi everybody. Looking at buying my first Mini. Checking out an R53 (2004), 95k mile Mini and need advice on what to look out for. I've owned many German cars and currently have an e92 BMW. I'm pretty familiar with the issues on BMWs, but not sure if they're comparable. I'm looking at a used Mini for a daily driver, including highway miles, and plan to put a bunch more miles on it.

Any advice on what I should be looking for...or should be looking out for?

Thanks!

 

MOD Mini has some excellent info.

 

One thing I didn't do when I bought mine that I now wish I had was run a code scan on it; I might have saved myself some headaches because it turned out the PO had "removed" (murdered, with a soldering iron) the "trifecta" lights rather than fix them. I almost have it sorted out now - just a steering angle sensor calibration to go. I think.

My personal opinion now would be to buy the newest first gen Mini with the lowest miles that you can afford, and have it scanned for faults / codes.

 

Mostly normal stuff -
If you know the BMW stuff, use the same thought process to check on the Mini too.

1. Drive it a few miles "before" laying down the cash. Find some rougher roads to see how well it soaks up the roughness without squeaking too badly. Take a coupla faster corners, listen for noise's
2. Verify with the current owner about passing any "smog test" regulations you have. If you have "test only" smog stations, take it and have them give it an OBD electrical once over for any ugly "codes"
3. Pretty much plan on replacing the front control arm bushings. Depending on many things, could be as much as $750.00.
4. Check all four tires for odd wear,
5. Check all body seams for body shop repair (uneven sealer, non-factory paint). Rear hatch, front door jam areas, under hood. Make sure the front body extensions (don't know the technical name, that goes to the bumper) for repairs.
6. Odd engine and transmission noise.
7. Odd shifting, manual or automatic.
8. Plan on the 100k mile checkup sooner than later. Could be expensive (don't know my self).

That's a start.
Good luck.

Mike

 

There's a few of us who have purchased R53s as project or rescue candidates. We bought ours a little over 2 years ago with the sole purpose of using it as a fun learning experience to do with my kid.

I'm pretty familiar with BMWs (E46) so the MINI was not all that different, if anything, it is a simpler car to work on albeit a bit more cramped in the engine bay. The ModMINI videos are invaluable as we used many or nearly all of them on our quest to learn and fix all the usual suspects. This forum has also been a big asset as the members and sponsors here are supportive and have all been there and done that with this car.

The project is an ongoing adventure and my son who was not all that keen on cars, driving a manual, and generally not a car guy at all has become much more comfortable wrenching with me on 'his' car. So, if you're a car guy, likes to tinker, wrench and fix stuff, this little car will give you plenty of opportunities. If you're looking to drive one and have someone else do the work, you're missing out on half the fun, plus it's a helluva lot higher TCO.

So find a nice clean example without a ton of miles. The facelift cars have the better gearing along with a few other upgrades so if that's important to you, focus on the 2005 and up R53s. Of course, a clean straight body, lots of records, and with some of the known common problems addressed, you'll be ahead of the game. Show us this '04 with 95K miles, perhaps we can help with spotting any potential things to ask the seller.