I searched the forum for "used" and it didn't return anything. Would someone point me to a post or tell me directly what I need to look out for when buying used? I am wanting to go look at a 2011 with 26k miles.


I don't have a mini dealer in my town. Will that be an issue?

 

Yes, 2011 and newer with the n18 engine is good. Not having a Mini dealer nearby is not much of a problem if you have a good independent nearby that is Mini capable.

 

For a 6 year old, that is pretty low mileage. Ask if there is a service history available. These cars require regular attention as in checking under the bonnet at least weekly and a very good relationship with a dependable shop. They are NOT drive 'em and forget 'em grocery getter appliances.
The only reason to seek out a dealership would be for warranty service. Anything else, they aren't that good at analytical problem solving.
Use this link to find a reliable BMW/MINI indie shop near you.
http://www.minirepairshops.com/

 

THe closest shop that shows up is 80 miles away. Is this a problem? I mean, is this thing going to be breaking down on a regular basis?

 

The two big things are to keep an eye on the oil level, and to keep an eye out for leaks. Some cars use oil, and almost all cars will develop coolant or oil leaks.

The car won't leave you stranded without warnings

look at the car like any other used car. Check condition, collision history, and make sure you like the options.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Mini repair shops link is an advertisement. Look locally for a european car repair shop. 80 miles is a long haul for me. I'd want several choices within a decent distance to choose from, unless I was fully able to diy.

Where are you located, maybe someone has an actual suggestion on who to use.

 

Of course it's an advertisement, silly, how do you thing businesses let people know where they are? I'll bet you thought the super bowl ads were part of the half time entertainment too.
(sorry Mooch, couldn't resist.)

 

The site makes it seem like it is an unbiased source of service recommendations. "We’ll help you find a trusted Mini Cooper service professional." Trusted by whom?

Young folks new to MINI and car buying in general don't always know that it is purely an advert. You might want to add something to the link when you post it.

 

You make a sound point. I'll include that caveat henceforth. I've shared that link a multitude of times to those in search. A few times, when I think of it, I also suggest seeking out a club in their area for good direction.

 

Might want to search for independent BMW shops and ask them for advice. Many of those shops work on MINIs.

 

So I need to check the oil level weekly. Is there anything else I should do?

 

Well, it's not all about just checking the oil every week at 0945. Think of it more as getting into the zen of paying close attention to what your MINI is telling you via all of the normal wear indicators so you aren't inconveniently surprised by a system failure 100 miles from nowhere in the middle of the night.

 

If I could do it all over again I would just stay away from the Mini brand as a whole. Absolutely love my car but its been nothing but headaches from day 1

 

On the other hand, My 2010 MINI (N14 engine) has been trouble free, The only time is has been to the dealer was for the free oil changes (first three years) and the turbo cooling pump recall.

The turbocharger needs clean oil, change the oil every 5K miles.

 

My 2012 n14 JCW has been very good, I just change the oil and keep up on maintenance. My 2007 MCS n14 was good after I did the turbo oil line, oil filter housing gaskets thermostat housing, expansion tank, and water pump. Carbon blasted the intake and GTG.

Just make sure you have it looked at and check those thing out if you go with a 2007-2012 N14 engine.

 

I was facing kind of the same problem 6 months ago, when I was looking for a second hand MCS.

You need to pay attention to the following:

1. Service history. Check it thoroughly. Besides looking how frequently oil was changed, check whether the tensioner has been changed, any issues with the high pressure pump and thermostat. These are some of the most common issues that most cars are facing.

2. Oil leaks. Check for leaks at the valve cover. Quite easy and cheap to be replaced even on your own. No special tools required apart from a torque wrench. I used a small LED flash light to check for leaks throughout the engine bay.

3. Open the oil filler cap and with the LED light check the inner parts. No sludge should exist.

4. Drive the car and try NOT to avoid bumps and small holes. The MCS has a tradition with destroying the silent blocks. You will hear a strange sound when tarmac is not straight. Lift the car and check for any plays of the front wheels.

5. Even if the tensioner was changed (see point 1) try to start the engine when the car is cold. If you hear a rattling sound, then the car needs (at least) new chain and guides. Costly (at least in Europe where I am located).

6. Make the owner rev the engine, while you are looking at the exhaust. If blue smoke comes out, there is something wrong with the valve seats and/or the turbo. Use the LED light as well. Walk away if something like that exists.

6. Download the Torque pro app and purchase an OBD bluetooth reader. Check when was the CPU deleted last time. If it was deleted recently, most likely the owner is hiding something (or something was recently fixed. This should exist in the manual). Also, check the pressure of the fuel rail pressure. Finally, conduct a test to see whether the main systems operate without any faults.

7. You can use a MINI decoder and get the car's history online, only if the car was maintained by a BMW/MINI dealer. I paid something like 3 euros for that.

These are what I did when searching for my own MCS. After I checked the above, I sent the car to a MINI garage to get more information about any bodywork damages and repairs and get a written report by them.

Good luck with this task!