I am considering on buying a 2007 mini auto transmission with 50k miles on it.

i have heard a lot of contradicting statements made about how reliable they are and i need some honest opinions good and bad are welcome.

i heard the tranny goes as well as the timing chain tensioner... is there anyone on here that can confirm or deny these claims?

Or is there anything else you can tell me about the 07 mini that i should know?!?! no need to mention anything about pricing of parts and maintenance because i own a vw. Please give any advice you can!!

~K

 

Verify which repairs have already taken place. I love the auto in my 08 but can't tell you if it is the same as the 07. Dare I say no tranny issues with 81,000 miles on the odometer.

Tensioner/timing chain repairs ran approximately $2,700 for chain, crank sprocket, guides, etc. plus labor.

High pressure fuel pump is another issue, although mine was replaced under warranty at around 65,000 miles. Of course that was after the carbon cleaning and new fuel injectors, which i probably didn't need.

 

Thanks for the reply!! i really appriciate it!! from what i've read the 08 and 07 are similar.

When you said tensioner about what mileage was it performed and is it a re-occurring issue(meaning does it need to be replaced regularly)?

anything else you can think about?

 

My timing chain issue was diagnosed at about 76,000 miles. I purchased second hand so I can't say how the previous driver treated the car for the first 26,000 miles. I took a gamble because the car was still under the factory warranty.

No other problems to speak up, just routine maintenance which is outrageous at the dealer. I know you said you are aware of prices owning a VW. I think my Mini is more expensive to own than the Land Rover I traded in!

Also keep in mind that the Cooper s runs on run flat tires. Some hate run flats. There is no place for a spare.

 

its not a cooperS its just a cooper. so no worry about the run flats. I read about those too. Thanks velocityvic

Anyone else out there have anything to add to this thread?

 

Most issues I noted are S specific!

 

And you're welcome. Happy hunting!

 

Justa's are considerably more reliable than the s. make sure you can get the maintenance history just to be sure that its been regularly serviced, but again there are not nearly the number of issues on the naturally aspirated engine as compared to the turbo cars from MINI.

Good luck and I hope it works out!

 

The transmission was revised with the 07 models (except the convertibles, which were a couple of years later), and seem to be reliable.

The best thing that you can do is take the VIN number to the local MINI dealer. They can check the history of the vehicle (they probably won't give you a printout, since it will likely contain the previous owner's name), and tell you what service was done, and what parts were replaced under warranty.

You will want to start a relationship with the service advisor, he will be the one to give you the info. You can also get their opinion if this car would likely be due for any service work (like the timing chain or carbon cleaning). I'm assuming that the car is not being bought at a MINI dealer.

The car should be fun and reliable. Good luck,

Mike

 

Thanks everyone that replied!! all of your information will be noted and i will ask the dealer lots of questions!!!

NJ mini when you refer to a "justa" what does that mean? is that just slang for a mini cooper not a mini cooper "S"

Thanks again!

 

Yes, when people would buy a base Mini Cooper, they would say it is 'Just a Cooper' (you did it in post #5 above!). That got shortened to Justa.

If you are buying from a MINI dealer, then you can ask if it can be MINI Next certified, which should carry a warranty.

Good Luck.

Mike

 

Hi Kristina,

I own a 2007 non-S cooper, purchased used with around 39k miles on it, have owned it for over two years now and have had little to no problems with it. The only headache I had was the hood latch cable breaking, had to have it fixed three times before the mechanic finally got it right. I am approaching 60k and will do the recommended maintenance, which will probably cost a lot but I plan on doing it myself with the help of a mechanically minded friend and the Bentley manual, and of course the awesome help found here at NAM. Also should mention I am a girl and am now doing oil changes on my own, I feel like I'm really getting to know my car and loving it all the more. No regrets here!!

 

Thanks Somi and mbwicz i appreciate your input! thanks for clearing the air on the justa and thanks for giving your experience with your 07 justa i will keep everything in mind when i visit the dealer this weekend!

 

I purchased my 2007 base model new. I changed oil every 3K miles and still do at 108,400 miles. I had the hood latch cable drama when the car was 2 years old....a Mini guy replaced the cable....that is the ONLY issue I have ever had with my Mini. My over all fuel mileage to date is 42.9 mpg. It burn zero oil between changes. Only mod is a Hotchkiss sway bar....how can anybody live without one of them??

 

The base models are more reliable than the "s" models. I believe that each car is different. Timing belts and tensioners are a recommended repair for any car at about 75,000 miles. So, I don't think its specific to Mini's. Transmission issues for the CVT was more prevalent in first gen models and the earlier years of those. Driving a Mini will be a good experience and will have an average repair rate, although expensive.

 

I would also tell you to take the VIN to the dealership and have them tell you what services have been performed.

I would disagree with some of the negative comments above however. I have a Cooper S Automatic, 2007 with 90k on it. Bought it with 54k. I've needed a thermostat housing.

Regular maintenance is not ALL THAT BAD. Oil changes at the dealership are $88 or do it yourself, but they will usually give you free inspections every time they have your car so you will always know whats concerning w/ the vehicle. Front brakes are about $500 and so are rear brakes, which will last you about 40k if you drive your car right.

Put premium fuel in the car and change your oil religiously, top it off if needed, these cars to consume oil, MINI actually allows 1qt per 1000 miles of consumption and still considered within spec, so top off if needed.

At my dealership, the Timing chain - all in - will cost you about $1600.

Let us know if you have anymore specific questions, would be happy to help out.

 

I have an 07 Justa with auto. 116000 miles without a break down.
Still drives like new.

 

Just to clarify. I had a leaking valve cover gasket I fixed myself.
I changed the transmission fluid myself. There was an oil leak in the
oil pan gasket that I fixed by tightening all the bolts half a turn.
The alternator belt broke requiring a tow to the dealer but was fixed under
the extended maintenance plan at 88k miles.

 

We have a 2007 Cooper and just had the sunroof die. No warranty.
3000 dollars.


The timing chain issues is for the most part specific to the S.

The 07 and up S seems more temperamental with respect to tensioners, timing chains etc…this forum is FULL of issues.

 

My wife's '07 Justa Auto has 82k on it and the only non-routine work that we've done to it was due to the hood release cable. No thermostat, no timing chain, no valve cover leak, no oil pan leak, no sun roof problems. I replaced the serpentine belt, brake pads and rotors, and some other routine maintenance. Oil changed every 5k. Planning on some preventative maintenance in the next 15 to 20k like the thermostat, water pump, changing the automatic transmission fluid (apparently not an easy job), not sure what I'm going to do about the timing chain yet.

 

I have an 07 Copper S and when I first came to this forum I was scared to death with all the horror stories
I have found out (at least for me) that being proactive is the key to these Mini's.
I do not wait for each oil change to check my oil like I have with every other car I owned. For me every 1,000 miles I check the oil and clean out he oil catch can (not needed in a justa).
I love this car, only thing I wish is it was a Manual, well my next Mini will be

 

Thruxton you're one of the lucky ones. My intent was not to come across negative but to be honest! The threads speak for themselves regarding issues with the 2nd generation MCS. I also noted that I had no idea how the previous owner treated the car before I purchased it.

When all is said and done and with some of the trouble I have had, I should point out the MCS has never left me stranded. I will also point out that I am addicted to the car. Even though I have spent as much money as I have, probably due to over priced labor charges compared to what your dealer will do work for, I have no plans of selling the car. It's just that much fun!

In 18 months I have added 56,000 miles to this car, now sitting at 82,000 miles. Drove from Houston to Dallas and back yesterday. I don't even think twice about jumping in and driving long distances, however, I do grab a quart of oil for the trip

 

Someone else stated in this thread that a timing chain/tensioner needs to be replaced at 75,000 miles on any car. So do I need to count on that cost? If you do the extended warranty is that covered?

 

Timing chain needs to be replaced when it needs to be replaced. Timing chains can fail at 5,000 miles as another person posted and Thruxton a few posts up has 90,000 with out a failure. Check the oil often. Turn off the stereo once in a while and listen to your motor. Get familiar with how it sounds. I could here and feel the difference which caused me to take it in. The actual diagnosis was a broken guide rail, but once inside the motor you do it all because of the labor involved. It has to come apart to diagnose and that's time intensive.

Whether or not the extended warranty will cover it, probably better to ask the dealer and get it in writing.

 

Hi Kristina

Don't know if you've purchased the car yet, but I can add some bits to this discussion!

I have an '07 S model that I purchased at about 45k miles almost two years ago. Since then I've had a few issues. We replaced the back wiper motor at about $500 (we did other things like replacing the brake pads and rotors). I just replaced the timing chain and guides which ran me about $1200 after tax and a 15% coupon.

Better than the engine breaking due to the chain! There will always be issue with MINI's but since you have a VW you must be used to the slightly higher repair costs for seemingly simple things. I love my MINI enough to bite the bullet. It's worth it to me

Btw, mine is a manual so I was quoted that eventually I'd have to replace the clutch, of course.