I've only bought a used car once (a two year old car for a new teenage driver) and it was via a dealer with some recourse post sale. But now I have the mini bug after a test drive the end of January (yes I don't know how I still haven't pulled the trigger).

So while I've been coming to terms with what this will cost the way I want it equipped, I have come across a very well equipped 2007 MCS with around 11K miles for a price may justify not buying new. I haven't gone to see it in person yet, but I have seen lots of pictures and talked to the owner who sounds young (early 20's). He is not the original owner, having bought it from a friend when the $ were too much. I'll run Carfax if it gets serious, but my questions are as follows:

1) Do I need to have a mechanic evaluate it, or if there have been no accident repairs and it runs ok is the balance of the warranty good enough coverage?
2) If I wanted a mechanic inspection, can I pay a mini dealer for this?
3) How badly can you beat up a manual MCS during break-in such that its going to be trouble down the road?
4) Any advice on what to look for, or any other useful info?

At this point its likely only a matter of time as to when I will become a mini owner and whether it will be new or used - not if I will become one...

 

Read this as part of your research; http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/02/...issue-exposed/

 

Now don't scare him like that... my MCS makes the death rattle, but I'd buy him all over again.
Like any used car, it's a good idea to have it looked over before you buy it. A MINI dealer would be the best place, but it'll cost you ($120/hr at mine). At the very least a dealer should be able to pull service records and tell you if it's had any problems.
That said, I'm sure I would just buy it and hope the warranty covered me.

 

Wow -- can't say I'm scared off, but some of the embedded videos at that site make the engine sound like a little mixer going rat-tat-tat with the "rattle". Sounds like if it is an issue with this particular car I would never know it because any wise owner simply would run the car before I showed up (the seller is an hour away from me).

Anyway, I'm definitely going to have to check out this car next weekend (no mutual evening works for me or the seller until then) and see what happens. Meanwhile, any and all comments are welcome.

Thanks.

Charlie

 

That is normal for a 2007- MCS.

 

Normally for a one year old car with 11K and plenty of warrentee left I would forgo the inspection by mechanic and just get a maintenance report from your nearby Mini dealer.

But two owners already and two young owners might tip me into spending the $100 for a mechanic to take a look - rule out any abuse (ie track use) and body work. On your own check the tires - original? -condition? as well as the brakes and rotors for signs of abuse.

Only 6K on my '07 and no death rattle yet - hopefully never.

 

You are thinking along the line I was in terms of it might need a second look. But with the maintenance warranty included is there a way a mini dealer can deny new brakes based upon abuse if they are needed in the maintenance window?

The car is being sold with 18" rims and tires AND the original 17" rims and tires that were taken off right after purchase, so I figure tires are a non issue.

It's an interesting situation where some of the price leverage I plan on trying to exert might be lost should it get a glowing mechanics report. I'm looking for an aggressive price or I will just buy new, and I plan to convey that thought. Not a steal of a price, but one more reflective of what a dealer will pay on trade in. Things are slowing down economy wise here, so I figure my cash deal might look good by this weekend...

There are no mods other than the rims, and I've verbally been told no racing or off-street stuff, quote "the car has been babied". I've been reading here on the forums since late December, so I know a fair amount about issues that can arise. I'm just a little uncertain as to how much I might be blown off on any issues as the third owner when the car is under warranty.

I think I'll get permission to call the service department since the car was there a couple of weeks ago getting a brand new navigation system put in under warranty.

 

My comments on the brakes and tires were not concerned with the cost of replacement - but as evidence of heavy (excessive) use to be taken into consideration before purchase.

 

Ditto on all accounts. I definitely see a red flag with 2 owners in less than a year. And as for your question, "How badly can you beat up a manual MCS during break-in such that its going to be trouble down the road?", well, let me mention this. At the play session all the MAs had before the R56 was released, they blew clutches on brand new cars! Anything can happen during break-in, and beyond. That's why a lot of people buy new, especially if the cost is similar.

I haven't had the cold-start problem, either, with 18,000 on the clock.

 

I agree with Daffodildeb. Two owners in a year and one a guy in his 20s. I think I'd buy new. Maybe look around and see if someone a dealer has a new 07 on the lot he is discounting.

 

i would definitely get a dealer report on the service history...you'll be able to see if it's a lemon

 

Get a dealer report and have them add an extended warrenty.

 

FWIW, the dealers near me wouldn't give me the service records of a used MINI that I was looking to buy. Apparantly it was their policy (not sure if it was MINI's policy or the Vehicle Group's policy) to only allow the vehicle owner to view these records (not even to have a print out copy of them). Sounded like total BS, but they wouldn't budge on that.

2 previous owners isn't necessarily a bad thing, the montly payments or size of the car can overwhelm people to sell it off if needed. It wouldn't hurt to just go look at it and see what feel you have for it. You may want to drive a new one first so that you have a good comparison, though. You'll never know if the clutch feels worn or the suspension is weak if you don't know how it should drive new. These engines have such high compression that they sound funny too, so you may want to be prepared for that as a normal issue (someone on here described it as sounding like an old tractor).

 

What's wrong with guys in their 20's

 

I did drive a new MC and MCS in late Jan 2008. I will closely inspect the car this Saturday (hopefully with a "car nerd" friend of mine) and figure out whether it makes sense to proceed used or buy new. Trust me when I say both the condition and price will have to be right to buy this vehicle with its unknown past.

Its still uncertain to me whether dealers have denied warranty repairs or the included first 36 month maintenance items because of "owner abuse or neglect". Obviously, repairs from an collision would not be covered, but I'm looking for some level of assurance of any possible future issues during the warranty not being denied because of the vehicle being driven hard or aggressively. Has anyone had issues with denied coverage during warranty when there has not been collision damage? Or is there a black box that would have a record of previous red-line incidents that would be used to deny future warranty coverage?

 

Nothing personally, they just tend to push their cars to the limit more than someone in their 40s. A fact well observed by the insurance industry as reflected in insurance rates.

 

True, and I wouldn't argue with that at all. I would venture a guess and say certain cars (ex. MCS) bring out the "20-something" in most people

I will say this though: I've never gotten a ticket. But you're right, as a majority we drive silly