I'm looking at a O7 mini Cooper S with 95,000 miles on it. Some performance modifications have been done not sure on which ones. I'm looking for information on if this is a good buy or not. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

That is a loaded question with no good answer other than additional questions. I have a 2007 MCS with 93K - original owner.

Are you skilled and plan to perform much of the routine maintenance as well as other common repairs? What repairs have already been done. At 95K you are likely to need soon, if not already done a number of expensive repairs: Clutch, Turbo, Water pump, HPFP (extended warranty), Leaky Oil Filter housing, Timing Chain Assembly (Had mine replaced under warranty @30K - never had another issue).

How the car was maintained by each previous owner, especially how often the oil was changed, goes a long way toward answering your question.

I just put as new Turbo on my 07 (myself $1100 for OEM parts from WMW.. a 3K job at dealer or shop) and mine 07 MCS frankly... looks and runs like new.

So the million dollar question is which of these typical maintenance items have already been done and how has the car been maintained - make them prove it. Good luck.

 

Thank you dan for the great info.

 

Good buy,without price how can anyone really help?

 

I was more asking about reliability and overall good year. But they are asking 6500

 

Gotta agree with dmyer --- get the maintenance history first. These models with the N14 engine are about the least reliable of the Mini series. Even if the previously mentioned parts have been replaced, they are still subject to failure again. I'd wait 'til a later year model comes available --- one with an N18 engine.

 

Modded N14's are even more prone to failure. If it was modded for power, chances are the previous owner was heavy on the loud pedal. I am in the "look for a lower-mileage N18" camp. May cost you more initially, but will pay off with fewer failures, as long as you take care of it properly. Don't get it in your mind that the N18's are trouble-free, either. They are not. These are not Hondas or Toyotas.

 

If you're seriously thinking of buying a car with an N14 engine, have a compression check and leakdown check done. That's more than you'd typically do on a car, but necessary. Dont' bother with some worthless pre-purchase inspection that tells you the car has 5k left on the brake pads, but leaves out checking the most expensive to replace component of the car.

 

07 MINI Cooper S convertible - good idea.
07 MINI Cooper S hardtop - not so much, because of the engine.

 

The N14 engine isn't as bad as the others are making it sound. If it has had frequent (5000 mile) oil changes and has been taken care of, a MINI with an N14 engine can last a long time.

The weakest part on the early ones was the timing chain, If it has had that replaced, it could be a good buy.

 

I would walk away if the history is not known. N14 not bad... yeah its terrible.. Just my opinion. ymmv

 

Caleb

$6500 seems a bit over priced to me. The 2007 model year was a year of transition and you literally have to know the build date of the car, as Mini was incorporating changes during the model year.
I had a 2007 MCS, with a late November build date. It was probably one of the last 07's to be shipped that year. I never had any issues with mine until a Ford Explorer totaled it at an intersection. Mine had 81,000 on it when it was totaled in 2011.
The N14 engine has known problems. Emphasis on the "known". If you know the issues, and you can find volumes of threads on them here, then you can make a more informed decision. Here's a list of the more "known" offenders;
The biggest issue, most expensive, was the clutch.( Some folks literally had infant failure, others are still driving on the OEM clutch. It seemed to be hit or miss.)
2nd was the timing chain/ tensioner issues.
3rd was the HPFP ( High Pressure Fuel Pump) It is now warranted out to 120K miles and I think 10 years.
4th is the thermostat housing.
5th is the Water Pump leakage issues.
If you can do most of the work yourself, it may be worth considering.
I have two Mini's, a 2009 MCS and a 2013 JCW. I like them both. Knock on wood, neither has given me any significant issues, but I stay on top of everything I can with both of them.

Like others, it is the "mods" that would make me leery. That could open a whole new set of unknown issues.

 

Better off to find a 05-06 R53.

 

I have an 07 MCS hardtop that I bought for $6500 about 6 months ago. I don't know much about the engine, which sounds like people are saying is an N14 (if there is a thread with the known issues with this engine that somebody could link it would be much appreciated). I bought it with 84k miles, 2 previous owners. It seems to have been well-maintained, but I have had some issues with it so far. The seal for the output shaft coming out of the transmission went bad (it's manual in case that makes a difference) and I also needed to replace the turbo oil feed line. Had it done at the dealership, so it cost a pretty penny (~$1700), but the parts themselves were not that expensive. The dealership also told me that the timing chain is getting loose and will need to be replaced soon (still on the original one), which from what others are saying is probably true. It does also burn some oil (little black puffs from the exhaust when I start from a stop), which the dealer says probably means the valve stem seals need to be replaced. From what I've seen so far, the reliability isn't terrible, but it's definitely not the cheapest car to maintain. I don't know how much of that was helpful, but that's my two cents.

ALSO: if you do buy it, one thing to look out for is a warning for the steering column lock, they are known to go bad on the '07s (mine had the light on when i bought it, had the dealership clear the code and it never came back, so I guess I got lucky) Here's a link to a thread about it: Mini Cooper 2007 to 2013 Why is the Steering Lock Malfunction Light On - Northamericanmotoring

 

A 2007 MINI Cooper S is a bad idea, unless the price is low.

 

Suggest you take the car to Mini dealer or a shop regularly working on Minis for a complete inspection including a scan. No one can assess the car sight unseen.

 

Good idea!!

 

I took the Mini I was looking at for a scan at the dealer. No issues. It died a year later after eating a spark plug tip, but it had head issues and some prior cylinder wall damage from the previous owner I found prior to that. I scan is nice. But if you don't get a compression check and a leakdown check on a N14 engine, you're betting a lot of money for no good reason. I recently found several 07-10 Mini's with dead engines by searching Craigslist. The only other car you'll find like that is an RX-8; a car which seldom goes more than about 130k without needing a new engine.

 

Go to an independent mechanic. leak down test, compression test... Listen to the engine - could have the death rattle, oil changes at 15K not a good sign, not running Mini oil and a mini filter -also not a good sign.

Have someone put it up on a rack and see if the rubber on the suspension is good and if there is any damage to the oil pan or if the oil filter housing leaks. Oil dripping down the front of the engine is a bad sign.

Take an accounting of what's been removed.

Good luck. Could be fun if it's in good shape.

DR

 

I bought mine 3 months ago with 96100 miles for $6500. Timing chain done, turbo rebuilt buy previous owner he had the paperwork so I was happy with that.
I changed oil, tranny fluid, belt, air intake, plugs,shocks/ struts as soon as I got it. Previous owner replace the brakes and rotors and put new wheels and tires on a week before I bought. I really like it.