Hello everyone. I'm enjoying looking around your community as I try to make my first Mini purchase. You have a ton of great information and I look forward to seeing it and contributing to it in the future.

Today, I am considering buying a used 2008 Cooper S convertible. Black, every options I know of (including navigation) except for Bluetooth. It also has the sidewalk edition interior with the dark tan leather seats, two tone manual shift **** and two tone steering wheel (which I LOVE). It has almost 25k miles, maintenance warranty is up in November and other warranty is up Nov 2012. Current owner is second owner, has driven the car about 10k miles in 10 months according to public history report which is clean. The current negotiated price is $21k which with all the options appears to be a good deal.

Here is where it gets interesting: I have to drive about 100 miles to see the car, so on the phone I spoke with the seller and got as much info as possible. The seller was initially NOT willing to let me take the car to a mechanic for a used car inspection. I insisted but he had other buyers and didn't want to spend the time. He has now changed his mind and WILL let me get it inspected (other buyers must have fallen through). In the meantime, I discovered a few things about the car: it has had an engine mount replaced, a hydraulic engine mount (cracked?) replaced and the convertible top loose (fixed or replaced?). I do not know enough about these items to consider them a red flag or a sign to run away. Your site seems to have plenty of people who have had an engine mount to replace, but it does sound like a warning sign...

So, based on all the factors, I now need to decide if I want to go see/buy this car. Since it is under warranty, I wish the dealer would inspect for free, but they want $160. With the extra history I have discovered, maybe that is reasonable to ensure I have a Mini expert checking things out. So based on the whole package, price, car, seller, history, etc., I would love to hear some opinions for my decision. Walk away and wait for the right Mini or buy if the car is inspected and checks out.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

Sounds like a nice car, BUT, I personally would buy a 2009. You can get a pretty loaded one with lower miles for the same price, with a clean history. With Bluetooth, and better rearward visibility in the 2nd gen car. Better gas mileage, faster, more room in trunk. I have an 2009 and love it. My 2 cents! Good luck!

 

Thanks for your input! I agree with everything you are saying and they are reasons I am hesitant for the 2008. However, I'm not sure I can find a 2009 loaded like this below $25k. Even finding one at all right now is proving VERY difficult. The only 2009 manual convertible I have seen in my 6 weeks of looking has been a JCW that was just a little out of my price range at $27.

Am I missing anywhere I should be seeing 2009 or newer S convertibles for close to $21k?

Thanks again for your opinion, I'll take every insight I can get.

 

The '08 S Cabrio is still the Supercharged engine, not the Turbo engine with direct injection and the issues attendant with that technology.

I prefer the Supercharger over the Turbo. The Supercharged engine is a very reliable engine, but not without it's own quirks. But IMO, and you did ask for opinions, , I would take the Supercharger over a Turbo in a second.

Additionally, the Cabrio's top has had it's own separate issues with the left mechanism breaking/failing.

.....Les

 

Check auto trader.

 

I have heard this a few times. Seems this is a well exhausted debate between supercharged and turbo with no clear winner. I have driven both enough to say I like them both but not enough to have an opinion. One thing I know is I do like the MPG of the turbo... Thanks for taking the time to provide another viewpoint.

As for AutoTrader, nationwide I see 2009 MCS convertibles bottoming out at $23k with high miles and no sidewalk. And 2000 miles away to boot! I'd love to be mistaken, because if they were close in price and features I probably would take the extra MPG... But add the low inventory to the equation and I might be best off with this 2008...

I'll be calling a few Mini dealers and local Mini repair shops to ask their opinion of the history tomorrow and if I should walk away.

 

Skuzzlebutt, you know you may be right. A few mos ago I was thinking of selling my car (changed my mind) and looked to see what I could sell it for, and I thought private party market value was around 21-22. But checking now the lowest I saw was 23K also. I still prefer the 2nd gen convertibles improved in so many ways, but yes I guess you would have to spend more. Other option is to spend 18-19 on a low mileage 2006 or 2007?

 

I have a new gen mcs and we have an 05 justa and 07 mcs cabrios also. IMO, I like them both and the new gen cabrio does have better vis. That said, I like my wifes 07 cabrio because it is supercharged, plenty quick, and less problems than my new gen 07 mcs But as you can tell, we love MINIs. You are looking at a good price and the 160 to inspect is not bad. Also concider an extended warrenty. Good luck.

 

Thanks for everybody's inputs. I made quite a few calls this morning and was able to track down just a little more information on the car. The two repairs which have been done are the hydraulic engine mount and the convertible top lid strip. The person I spoke with thought those were no big deal at all. I also spoke with two mechanics who both thought those were no issue at all. One of the mechanics also had a BIG preference for the supercharged engine, but as we know we all have opinions.

The current owner pointed out that the previous owner left the car outside, and he had to replace the bonnet stripes. That could be why the lid strip had to be replaced as well. Any other major concerns which I should investigate because of signs of being left outside.

I will be taking the car to one of the two mechanics I spoke with and are Mini specialists. They are less expensive (about $100) than Mini dealer and I have a much better chance of getting in and out in an hour. They will also let me tag along on the inspection which I don't know if the dealer would do.

Any specific items you experts would ask the mechanic to look at/for? I'll be going tomorrow after lunch...

Might I really own a Mini tomorrow?!?

 

The R57 is a very desirable car (better gas mileage, better safety features, better rear visibility) ..... but the R52 is something special (the exterior and interior styling, the supercharger whine, that extra character) .... Good luck. You won't be disappointed.

 

I don't know about mechanical issues, but in looks, the R52 its more true to the original, more old shchool, more details, more apealing (in my opp) the new cabrio looks fantastic too but it's a little bit too smooth and rounded.

 

The deal is done. I am now the proud owner of a 2008 Sidewalk. Everything went smooth and easy with the sale. Mechanic found a couple things which I can point out for warranty repair, but for the most part the car is in great shape.

When I pulled into the driveway, my wife brought my kids out to see it. My 4 year old daughter couldn't stop yelling 'Daddy, you got a new car!' and my 3 year old son quickly put hand prints on every shinny inch of my new Mini. They can't stop putting their hands in the air and yelling 'wheeeeee' during our rides.

Only two items I will be searching for help on are:
- Any way to remove the faceplate from my climate controls? Someone spilled a drink (previous owner) and the buttons stick a lot when pressed. I think it will need more then an external cleaning.
- The small plastic chrome piece between the leather and button of the emergency break is cracked/chipped. Any way to replace or repair that part?

Thanks to everyone for their opinions. This was a VERY long car search which has ended with a happy family.

 

I've got an '06 JCW Cabriolet (same car, really, as the 08). Engine mount replacements are not uncommon on the 1st gen car. Mine was done under warranty and I haven't had any trouble since. I've heard of people having top problems but haven't had any yet except the usual 1st gen wear spots that occur when the top is down. In the 1st gen car, the top doesn't have a proper or well designed stop so then the top folds down, all the heavy bits rest on the fabric and the normal vibration from driving it seems to wear holes (eventually) in two spots. What I've found is that these two spots contact each other at the back corner of the car when the top is folded down. So, after getting a new top from Mini (they covered it), I now use a roughly 5"x5" folded piece of black felt that I insert at the two back corners of the car when the top is nearly down. They stay in place just fine, I don't see them when the top is down, and they've worked great at preventing wear. Yea, it's a pain, but I'd rather have my 1st gen with the supercharger then a 2nd gen car. To me, the 1st gen car is more visceral and more of a driver's car.

Also, really consider a full JCW car if you can find it. Yea, they're rare, and yea they'll cost a bit more, but man, a JCW car is sure fun. For comparison, I picked up mine 2 years ago, with 12,500 miles on it, for 25,000 from a private seller. It has every possible JCW option, including the front strut bar, JCW carbon shift ****, carbon hood scoop, mirror covers, license frame, JCW 18" wheels, and a full aero kit. It has all the other options as well like HK, leather, heated seats, etc. And the aero kit all around.

 

Superchargers FTW!!!!

....Les

 

Long live R52, congrats to the OP. Great choice. Post pictures or it did not happen. Martin you mention that you use a folded piece of black felt at the two back corners of the car when the top is nearly down. I would very much appreciate if you can post pics of the felt and the area where it wedges when the top is almost down. Thanks.

 

^x2!

Congrats on the Sidewalk!! You have the nicest interior on a Cabrio!

 

IF I were to tell you to get one thing for your car, absolutely, positively get shock tower reinforcement plates, if you don't have them already. Ditch the run-flats, and see about getting some additional frame braces to tighten things up. You won't be disappointed.

 

FYI: The failed hydraulic motor mount is just a rite of passage. If it goes again it's not that big of a DIY if you want to tackle it.

Ditch the run flats or at least get some wear out of them if there's any left and replace with a good all season and rotate them regularly to even out wear as much as possible because there is some negative camber on the rear wheels. I carry the tire repair kit from Griot's Garage and after 3 years of motoring have yet to use it.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...+repair+kit.do

I've used the compressor on my F150 and it works great.

Motor on - the best motoring is topless motoring!

 

Congrats! Enjoy your new MINI. x3 on posting pics. :D

 

Congratulations! Don' forget to stop by and say hello in the Official Sidewalk Owner's thread.