Hey guy new to the forums. New to mini cooper - always wanted one ........

Before I get going let me state my budget is tight.
I just bought a 06 dodge charger daytona and it literally lasted a day before developing engine trouble..... Turned out the car had dropped a valve seat and the previous owner patched it together.... Right after I purchased it cylinder 3 piston let go.....I don't have the cash to rebuild or replace.... So I'm now looking at other options.
I have found a 2009 mini type s...... They want 150p down ( I'm gonna offer 1000 ) and 375 a mth payments....
The vehicle appears really nice and we'll taken care of. (!so did the daytona - literally like new on the inside).....

What are common issues with these cars?
What are things to look for?
Are there any signs of warning flags these engines do before A issue develops...
The car shows to have 84k. One owner


I can rebuild a engine - I can handle engine and transmission swaps - iv been doing them for years but right now anything beyond spark plugs and oil in the tank with some gas in the motor - I can't afford it 🤣🤣😂😭😭.

What's the mileage life expectancy on these puppy's?

Not talking labor - how is parts pricing? Timing belt - water pump so on? Are the parts for these cars expensive?


I'm not sure what engine is in this car but I will post pics!


Thanks guys!

 

Sorry to be blunt, but if this is your situation, looking at an early R56 Mini is not the right car for you. The car will need attention, and if anything is missed, you’re looking at major repairs.

My suggestion is to start looking at Japanese cars. Engines are built much better, and will run forever as long as you change the oil and feed them gas.

 

Man I hate to break it to you but a Mini, especially an 09 is not the way you want to go. I have owned mine for a year now, had to do clutch about 1000 miles in to ownership $1400. 200 miles later coolant reservoir $200. 3k in to ownership $400 for tires, pesky road noises gone now. A turbo or supercharged motor takes premium gas, and do oil changes every 5k, not to forgot that you need to keep a qt of oil around because the n14 burns it, I’m not burning it as much with my last liqui moly treatment and I will most likely only use liqui moly oil, I was using castrol edge 5w-40. As you can see it adds up quick, but worth every penny. Just search the woes of n14 on here and that should help you make the decision. I was totally new to mini and I would have found an 05 or 06 or something with an n18. I’m lucky my n14 purrs, but I am really really @nal about keeping up on her.

 

The '09 "S" has the N14 engine. Common issues are:
Timing chain / tensioner failure at about 50K miles
Thermostat housing cracks and gasket leaks
Valve cover gasket leaks / PCV failure
Oil consumption / leaks --- 1 qt per 500 / 1K miles
Valve stem seal failure
Intake valve stem "crud" build-up, due to direct injection engine. Adding an oil-catch-can helps.
Turbo wastegate failure
Turbo DV failure
Other users may add to this list ---

Parts are not cheap, 'specially from dealership. DIY labor requires some special tools and knowledge, 'specially anything to do with timing --- totally different from conventional engines. With 5K mile oil changes, N14 cylinder wall / pistons / bearings, etc last anywhere from 100K - 150K, depending on usage.

If you can get copies of previous service records that show part replacements and 5K mile oil changes, your risk will be lower, but as stated above, you'll still be better off with a later model (N18 engine) or a different make / model known to have better reliability.

Yes, these cars can be a blast to drive, but it'll take a bundle of money to keep the older versions that way.

 

If you want a Mini, I'd look for a 2011 or later Cooper (not S). For the same money, you would have a more reliable car. Though in your position with money being tight, I'd look at a lease on a new car. Payments on my Volvo V60 lease were $280 a month, and that was a hell of a car for the money. Free servicing and new car warranty.

For a used car you would be better off focusing on the selling price, then negotiating the payments. Your focus on the payments is a common mistake, and it enables the dealer to get away with a higher selling price.

 

1500 (?) down and 375 a month for how long? One year of payments would make this a $6k car which might be ok, 2 years is over $10k which is nuts. Car prices are up at the moment though. I hope you're shopping around and comparing prices. CarGurus has a good car valuation section.

As Oldbrokenwind pointed out the N14 engine in 2007-2010 Cooper Ss have a lot of problems. Anyone in the know shouldn't pay a premium for this version.

I bought my 2011 MCS with the idea that if (when!) something goes wrong I'll have a crack at fixing it myself with the help of this forum. It's not the primary vehicle so can be out of action for a bit

You should be able to lease a new Civic for 375 a month

Good luck
MacMini34

 

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/...st-lease-deals

 

We pay 325 a month and that is for a brand new 2018 Ford Escape Sel full warranty for 5 years 100,000. Will be end of year 2 in January and hasn’t need anything, we just hit 50000 and I did a complete tune up and brakes for ***** and giggles, figured might as well keep up on it like I do the Mini.

 

BTW, I just paid $5700 for a 2011 Cooper (not S) with 77K miles. Has the sport option and radio with the big display and that's about it. But condition is tip top.

I thought it was an OK deal, not great, but as you say prices on economical used cars are up. And good cars are selling in no time.

I don't know if there's something about Minis, but the first 4 cars on which I ran a Carfax report came back with accidents. This one is clean. I typically won't even go and look at a car without a clean Carfax first.

 

09 Clubby S 137,xxx paid 5250 cash OTD. And treated way better than the wife’s 2018 escape.

 

Does your wife know this?

 

I think that's a great deal in this environment. I've seen some very optimistic asks for Justa's. Funniest is looking for JCWs on CarGurus and seeing a surprising number listed, but a lot that lack the hood scoop - either some serious ignorance or misplaced confidence from the listing dealer.

Unfortunately, our Barry the Cooper will now pop as an accident on Carfax I suspect. He got rammed by a hit and run at a traffic light in early Sept.. Busted bumper and bent up hatch and about $3.3k in repairs. Don't completely discount an accident on Carfax if you can assess the level of damage, although most often that won't be possible.

cheers
MacMini34

 

yep she calls her my mistress for a reason.