OP (Original Poster) - How about some more details. There are a ton of opinions here, but ultimately, I don't think we have all the information.

1. What is your budget?
2. Where are you located?

I just purchased a 2011 R56 S still under warranty and maintenance (though maint is about to run out) for a song. Less than I could have purchased an older car for. At the price I paid I still have enough in the budget that an extended warranty is worth it for the piece of mind.

If we had a clue what your budget was and where you are located we could give some advice based on current market conditions, maybe help you find a newer model year car that has a warranty and will give you some piece of mind.

The Mini is a high-line auto and as such DOES carry a higher cost than a Honda Accord, that being said, you should plan on $1000-$2000 / year in repair and maintenance costs. Not counting tires. For some people, they buy a newer car with a payment and warranty and then do not worry about the repair budget, others like not having a payment and simply keep the "payment money" in a repair budget.

What I would do, were I you, is figure out which model you really like.

Set a budget, whatever that is. Subtract $1500 and put that into the MINI account.

Buy the car and add $100-$200/month to the MINI account.

At the end of the year take some or all of the balance in the account over $2000 and do with it as you will. Buy tires with it if they are needed, buy upgrades for the car, whatever it is that you want to do with it.

Keep adding to the account as though it were a payment.

If something happens to the car, you have the cash set aside to deal with it.

Chances are you will spend all $2000 per year, but a good portion of that will be on maintenance and upgrades.

 

You should also let us know how much work you are willing to do on your own. The R53 is much easier to work on yourself and all the Mini's have an excellent community of people happy to help with any issues you encounter, but if you are tied to a mechanic for anything that goes wrong the cost will increase quickly.

If, however, you have a good set of tools and some experience you will find that a lot of the issues (again, especially on the 1st gen) can be done yourself.

 

I bought my r53 05 mcs 6 spd about 6 months ago, and I'm on a budget. Paycheck to paycheck basically. I don't have an issue wrenching and for anything that's a pain I have a cheapish ($50/hour) but knowledgeable mechanic. So like others said, it depends on what your budget is. I don't make much but it's do-able.

 

Also note if you are going to DIY research what tools you need to buy right off the bat (N18 engine). Like the huge socket to unscrew the oil filter cap, or the thin walled spark plug socket, or the full set of torx bits you need to take things apart. Get a set of brake speed bleeder screws, bulk lot of oem oil filters and a case of royal purple (or equivalent) oil for engine/tranny.

 

Good post. The particular mini im looking at is 21,995. My budget is 22,000. So cutting it very close, and my monthly payments will be 400.00 and I can afford maybe 450. So I could only put 50 a month in a mini repair fund. That maybe cutting it to close, but the dealer would give me a 2 year warranty for 2K.

 

Your best bet is to get an N18 engine as they had solved a lot of problems that the N14! Look for a 2011 as they have an N18 engine, my N14 drinks a lot of oil when in city or traffic but not so much at highway speeds. The N18 doesn't suffer as much as the N14's. Find a 2011 Mini with an N18 engine with at least a 2k warranty!

 

Search for a GP1, the ultimate MINI. Your 22k budget might get you a low-mile one. They are out there!!!!

 

What? Recall on the timing chain? When I had my timing chain done I had to pay out of pocket and I was told that if there was ever a recall on the timing chain I would be informed.

 

You are too scared and will never love your Mini. Buy a Honda...

 

That's what I've been thinking myself.

 

I would keep looking. I took a guess and figured a 10% interest rate, 72 month term, adjust accordingly, but if you can get out for $18,000 you will be at $333 per month. That will leave you $100/mo for the MINI fund. I also see no value in the JCW over the S.

 

22k buys a lot of car. Bought our 09 Cooper S in January for $9500, very happy so far. Keep searching and good luck.

 

I can't agree more.

OP if you are hurting for money a MINI is not for you and this is why:

 

My first MINI experience was a used 09 Justa. I enjoyed the car a bunch, loved the way it handled and ran. I was comparing it to a new Focus or other commuter car.

After 3 months I traded it on an 08S, and have loved it. Probably put $1500 into maintenance and mods over the last 2.5 years, but still love the car.

My point is that you should drive a base MINI. You will be suprised how much fun a 120 hp car can be.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Jeez. Not sure where all these $1,000/$2,000 per year maintenance costs are coming from. Have a 2011 JCW Hatch with 28K miles, granted it's still under warranty. I'm the original owner. All I've had to do is bring it in once a year for my annual free oil change and wiper blades. Always check the oil, but it burns none, and I don't baby the car. Maybe I'm just lucky.

Dave
Houston

 

Take into account on some model/years on others MINIs are oil changes every 5K-7k miles(out of warranty) that's about $90. Tires are another source if maintenance. Alignment once a year depending on roads. Brake and coolant flush every two years. Intake filter(if not aftermarket). Brakes and rotors is another thought. Pretty much all I can think of right now.

 

Auto trans fluid drain/fills every 15k, tire rotation if not DIY...

 

N18 equals no timing chain issues, burn little to no oil enough said! I envy those with the N18 engines!

 

My MINIs N14 engine burns no oil between oil changes.

Automatic transmission changes every 15000 miles!? That's nuts! 50000 miles is more reasonable.

Also alignments should be done as necessary, check the tire wear patterns, not by mileage.

Dave

 

Not a full change every 15k, just the 2 quart drain/fill. So by 50k miles you changed most of the fluid.

 

I do mobil1 oil changes for about $30, and things like brakes and rotors should last for years. I would say maintenance is similar to most cars, it's just most parts have to be special ordered.

 

Yea not sure how a 5 quart oil change is $90...

 

If you are talking maintenance costs, it depends on what you do with your car. I am about to replace my clutch for the third time in 100k miles, I am about 2 replace my brakes for the second time, and I have to replace the axles. Why, you ask because I track my car and I beat the hell out of it when I drive on the street. I love it to death but, I am not gentle with it at all.

 

i have a 06 mc s auto with shift paddles. what foreseen problems are in my future?i heard that was a good year that alot of bugs where fixed

 

Have you ever changed the transmission fluid? "Lifetime" fluid means "length of warranty".