I have been looking at picking up a Mini. I have my ride for sale and have some what seem to be serious lookers.

I have found a few Mini/Mini S with 75-85K on them in the price I am looking at spending. My questions is with age mileage how is the reliability? Both of the ones I am looking at are very clean and maintance is up to date.

Any advice opinions from the vets?

I found a 02 with around 80K that is an S that I really want to pick up.

 

I would save a little more mulah for a 05 MCS.
1) shorter gearing (performance)
2) nicer 3 point steering wheel (aesthetics)
3) lighter oem "crank pulley" (performance)
4) pending clutch job (possible maintenance needed)
5) pending S/C swap (possible maintenance needed)
6) no passenger airbag issues (service repairs)
7) no fan relay issues (service repairs)
8) no coolant tank issues (service repairs)

If you do get 02-04 with 50-80K+ miles on it make sure that at least 4, 6, 7, 8 have been done at dealership. Ask them what kinda gas you have to put, if they say 91-93 thats good, but if they say 87 I'd stay away, seen several MINIs at dealership with COSTLY bills due to bad gas, thats what the tech said. (Universal MINI) Not really an expert but had an 04 MCS (03 build) that I put 112k miles on and 2 and 3 always bothered me so I spent the cash on aftermarket crank pulley and an oem 3 point steering wheel, then needed an airbag $$$ and new cc controls $$$. Then at around 96k miles the clutch needed to be changed luckily the shop gave me a used one for free but even then labor was $$$$. Then 6,7,8 came at that time those were issues to be resolved at dealership only since I was out of warranty they gave it to me with no KY $$$$. Never had to change the supercharger, but I hear people are changing them at 100K+ miles. With the key or the vin# you can find out the cars history at dealer or here on NAM or if owner has dealership receipts (or respected shops those in NAM Vendor Directory) for 4, 5 (optional), 6, 7, 8, if they have all their receipts car may have been better cared for. (or at least you can determine if it has)

 

The tranny and steering wheel are not that big of a deal to me as I mainly want it for a DD, just would prefer and S because the standard is so slow.

How much are the 05's going for? The 02 I am looking at might be had for around $11,000 give or take $500.

I found another with 106K and could probably snag it for around $9,000


Whatever I do, I will ask for all records and get the Vin to check with the dealer as well.

Thanks for the tips.

 

Actually the earlier transmission has closer ratios, but taller. The gaps between first, second and third were widened in the later transmissions and all ratios were lowered.

 

I really like this one.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=309

 

oops shorter gearing-edit


Shoot, thats a good price, with this [WMWRE33462TD51215] you can find more info on a thread here on NAM. Hmmm, if I find an 04 at that price might have to get it.

 

If the car is legit, seems like a good deal. I get back in town Friday and have someone coming to look at my car, if it sells I am going to drive and look at this one.

 

Here's a directory of high mileage threads

Cheers,

Charlie

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...leage+subforum

 

If you believe in or follow the Consumer Reports feedback (which I used to help my buying decision) it was not until the 05's that they started to improve on reliability. But you are probably looking at between 5k - 7k increase in price in going from an 02/03 to an 05 MCS depending on options and mileage. If you are a DIY'r then you might have fun fixing and tinkering with the stuff that may need to be fixed and replaced as you add mileage to it. When I bought my loaded 05 MCS 3 months ago I paid $19k w/ 36k miles including snows on alloys. Maybe now that the economy and stock market are in shambles maybe the prices are coming down considerably as a result??

I sold my wifes RAV 4 via Craigslist on a Thursday, the check cleared on Friday and I bought the Mini (via Craigslist) on Sat.

Good luck hunting.

 

I have found a few 01-03 for around 10-11K so that would be around 7-8K price diff, I am sure that the repairs would cost was less then that especially since I would do most myself.

Thanks for all the info guys.

 

I don't know about the states, I live in the UK and prices have dropped dramatically in a VERY short amount of time. I.E. just the last three months. I second the opinions of the folks here... buy a later car with less milages. I love that when I lived in the states the pricing guides would tell you that mileage doesn't matter on a used cars value, WHAT?? to me it is everything, I would not touch a mini with that sort of mileage but maybe i am biased, the problems I have had with my 2006 should not have happened at 16.5k miles let alone 80k.

thanks. Peter

 

I originally thought about a used MINI but then the worries of who was driving and maintaining the vehicle pushed me to take my cash and put it down on a new one that NO one else had their meat hooks on. I'm actually happy to be making car payments on my MINI.

 

I went the used route, but it was mainly the condition of the car and mileage. I picked up my 2003 MCS with only 13,600 miles on it for $17,000 back in June. Its nice having a low mileage car, plus I make out on insurance and excise taxes due to it not being new.