Hello there, long time reader, first time poster, and I'm in need of some advice.

I have been obsessed with MINIs ever since high school, and now that I'm an adult (sort of), I have to the chance to buy one and I am STOKED. I have found a drop dead GORGEOUS '06 MCSc with 27,000 miles on it, but I fear I am blinded by how beautiful and fun the car is. I have scoured these forums for reviews, tips, advice, etc. you name it, and I still cannot decide if it will be truly be worth it (monetarily speaking, that is). I know a lot of people say that it really depends on the previous owners of the cars, and the guy selling it told me that he basically bought it as a weekend fun car and it sat in his garage most of the time, and the guy he bought it from bought it for the same purpose and ended up doing the same thing. So as far as I can tell, this car hasn't been driven much at all. He also informed me that the only major maintenance that has been performed has been new brakes and a fixed oil leak.

So my question is, does anyone think I could trust it if I myself babied it given that it's hardly been driven at all with only two (slightly) major maintenance issues? Or will I be drowning in MINI maintenance debt?

The main thing I'll use it for will be commuting to work 45 miles at least four days a week, so I myself don't even drive that much, but I need to know that I can trust it. Based on your own experiences and what you have heard, do you think I could trust it? Or am I being blinded by the ridiculous charm of the car?

 

I can't give you the reassurance you're looking for, but I can tell you how my '06 MCSc has been used and how it's held up.

I live in Michigan, and the Cabrio is a 3 season car. It's in a garage with a cover on it from late December to mid-April. I mainly use it for making the daily 40 mile round trip to work, and it's fantastic. Even in the cool months I drop the top because the heated seats do their job so well.

Maintenance has been the usual: oil and filter changes. But I have done some modification work that includes brake pads, a JCW air cleaner, a few bolt on items like TSW underbody brace and rear lower control arms. Things I consider to be beyond my comfort level I leave to my local pro, Chad Miller at Detroit Tuned. (Pulley, springs, camber plates, windshield.)

There have been a couple problems rectified during the warranty period: roof interior liner tearing, leaky engine thermostat housing. And I expect there to be a few things that will need to be addressed (i.e., "paid for") by me, now that the warranty period is over. But I see these as cosmetic kinds of things. Mechanically, the car is reliable, does well what I believe it was designed to do, and doesn't need what I consider a great deal of attention.

My car is holding up great and I hope to be driving it for many years to come.

However, I believe the bottom line when buying any previously owned car is this: have a person that a) you trust, and b) knows lots more than you do about cars, look the car over for some important signs. Signs that say 1) the car has been in an accident or flood, or 2) it has been driven hard and NOT maintained properly. (IMO, this car was designed to be driven hard, or at the very least, WITHSTAND hard driving WITH proper attention.

Here are some facts to keep in mind: MINIs are good cars. All cars require maintenance. Maintenance costs money. If you can do some of the work yourself, you will pay less.

 

Two things:

1. Take the VIN number down and go to the Dealership.

2. Mechanic (BMW/MINI/European Technician) you trust.

 

The mileage is low for an 06...

 

Indeed. I just hit 40,000 last week, and I'm only driving it 4.5 months of the year.

 

Excellent advice! Only a qualified Tech can tell you how well the car has been cared for. This is money well spent, and no reasonable seller would object. Good luck!

 

You have already received good advice above...I'll give my point of view being that I was in your shoes just a few months ago....

I purchased an 05 S Cabrio in Dec-10, and so far I am loving it 110% I had a few concerns as I got the car at a very low price (under 17K) with 27K miles on it. My concern came under the hood as I could see some of the yellow paint faded into the gray under paint. After a bit of reading online while at the dealer, it seems that under the hood, Mini's are not clear coated so the may seems odd at first. I was skeptical of price given the low miles, but as it turns out the dealer I bought it from (Carmax) apparently rotate their cars every 3 months, as to give another dealer and a new set of customers a chance to see the car. My car was on the last week at that particular dealer, coupled with the fact that was year end (Dec 27, 2010), They dropped $800 a few days before (I found the original price sheet crumpled on the floor).

So a few things to keep in mind:

Gas mileage might not be as good as you think....I'm getting about 18-20 in mostly city driving, but I drive it pretty hard, ususally above 3K rpm.

I find that the car behaves best between 3K and 4.5K so keeping it there through 3rd gear really makes the car come to live.

Oil changes are usually more expensive than your average car in the $100 - to $140 range, but the car tells you when you need it so basically you end up only getting about 3 to 4 per year.

You don't have a spare tire...that they come with Run Flats...the biggest POS and expensive tires I have ever driven....don't even consider replacing with these... So in terms of maintenance costs....dont consider the run flat as they can run you about $250 each.

Overall, they are way too much fun to drive. I grin all the time when I drive it. My family loves, especially my almost 2 year old....she calls it the weeeeee!!!! (and actually makes the sound when we drive)

These cars are a joy to drive, they are fun, exhilarating, and SAFE!!!! You will not regret your decision to go with one of these!

Cheers!