Hello all, need some input here. I'm looking at a 2010 Camden Edition and wondering if I this is a wise purchase. It is a one owner well maintained vehicle. 6 speed, Harmon, etc. the kicker is that it has 81k on it. It drives great, no weird noises and is in perfect condition. I was able to negotiate down to $14.8 out the door. Yes or no?

 

IF it looks good and everything checks out go for it. I would have a preinspection done by a MINI specialist 1st to make sure all is OK> I would also make sure any and all recalls and TSB's were done. Price seem good.

 

A Camden isn't anything really special. I mean, yes, my MINI is a Camden, but the Mission Control bs is 99.5% turned off all the time. 81k miles isn't a deal breaker, but just like Braminator said, be sure all the recalls were performed and any mechanical work was annotated in the sale. Good luck and enjoy!

 

You can check it out here.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...ion-quick-spin

 

personally, I wouldn't buy a used mini without a warranty. It seems to need higher than avg maintenance/ repairs. If you are sold on it, find out when timing chain was replaced (if ever) and like others have said, make sure recalls were done.
Good luck. They are definitely a blast to drive.

 

If he can get the maintenane records and such, I don't see the huge deal with buying a used Mini without warranty(as I did) from a reputable dealer.

Also, cars with timing CHAINS are typically lifetime no-replacement-needed. It's the tensioner that causes issues, but of course if you're in there doing that, yeah the chain might as well be done as well. But don't say it like it's a regular maintenance item like a timing belt, it usually is not.

 

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...-edition-video
omg this is hilarious, I did not know the Camden had this feature lol

 

It was a $3-4k option that I absolutely DID NOT want. But it was the last MINI on the lot with the optional LSD, so I couldn't turn away from that, nor did I want to sit around and wait a few months for it to arrive. It is what it is...

 

LSDs are hard to turn away from. Well, think of it this way, it's an added option that may make your car an easier sell down the road.

I for one think it would be hilarious if my car says "G'd Morn'in Govn'a" to me when I start it.

 

WOW, after watching the video, I'm very happy to not have that lol. Obviously, it can be deactivated, but that's outright annoying and silly lol.

 

Thanks for all the replies everyone. This is proving to be a difficult decision for me. I currently drive an 02 R53 with 55k on it, but it is on a personal loan due to the age of the vehicle. The R56 would allow me to get inot a conventional loan with a lower interest rate. I spoke to the dealer that has serviced the R56 and it has had all the normal wear and tear items replaced, brakes, rotors, filters etc.. but it also haad a clutch done at 45k which bothers me a bit. The service advisor knows the previous owner and said he was always up to date on maintinence but the service advisor himself prefered the R53 supercharged motor.

Still stuck on what to do here. Over the life of the loan on the R53 I would pay near 5k in interest (5 year term) and on the R56 it would be just under 2k.

 

I would be excited that the clutch had been done fairly recent in it's life. That much more life left in it for you. A clutch is not a quick or cheap job.

 

Playdough,
Look at it as a business decision first. It seems that you know who did the maintenance, and the car is in good shape. If the $$ make sense, then continue.

You didn't mention if you took it for a drive. Does it seem like an improvement over the R53, or just another car? Does it have the options that you want? Are you a stock guy, or do you plan for mods?

The big question: Is the R53 telling you it is time to let go, or is it just the loan? You can't just look at the interest cost (or else you would never buy a house), just look at the situation that you are in, and which car fits you better.

Have fun,
Mike

 

It seems everyone has a fear of purchasing an "out of warranty" vehicle regardless of whether it's a MINI or not, hence why we see so many people on NAM or any forum come and go with part outs and fs threads. It sounds like the maintenance has been proactive and the upkeep by the previous owner was good, so I don't think you should be afraid to jump into the R56.

And like injected said, a relatively new clutch is always a plus since you don't have to pony up to perform that install. It's fair to say that the particular Camden you're looking at is solid. My Camden has been solid too, so something about the Camden builds looks good.