So my 04 Mini S is about to hit 100K. I still owe 8K.

I'm am fully capable of doing all the maintenance, but not sure if its worth shelling out all the cash.

Here's the list of things that needs to be done. Roughly $2k for all of it of which I can install myself, but it's still a lot of money. Should I just sell the car and maybe upgrade to something newer?

New Radiator (small leak)- $100
PS pump (works, but goes out every once and a while)- $400
Radiator Fan (low speed out)- $80
New headlights (cracked and look bad)- $150
Oil pan gasket/valve cover (leaks and is annoying if anything)- $40
Harmonic balancer ( worn out)- $300 w/ tools needed.
Gatorback belt (worn out)- $40
New tires (getting worn)- $400
New coil pack- $80
New wires- $50
Exhaust custom ( I want it bad!)- $400

 

Thing is if you trade up, other things go up too like auto insurance premiums and the term and amount of your loan debt.

And if you live in a state that has annual excise tax, it's amount is based upon the book value of your car.

I too just invested another $1,500 into my 03' MCS. And while some may say that is about 4 months worth of new car payments, I feel like I am ahead of the game. Some of those parts on your list should last you another 100K miles and also come with a warranty.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

Wow, can't remember the last time anyone wanted my opinion.
I say keep it.

 

Yep, I say keep it too!

Unless you plan on upgrading to a brand-new MCS with full warranty, but again, it will set you back big-time with all those taxes, insurance, and such and even with warranty, a late-model car does not necessarily mean trouble & expense free experience!

 

I say keep it. Many 1st-gen owners who went 2nd-gen regret that decision. When I totaled my '02 MCS in December '09, I went with an '06 MCS. Always glad about that choice.

If you're self conscious about maintenance, your engine should be good. When I had the oil pan gasket changed at 105K miles on my old '02 MCS, my mechanic friend said there was no grit, grime, sludge, etc. The inside of my engine looked brand new (and that was with 15K mile oil changes, which many despise doing). The dealership says you have to lift the engine to change the oil pan gasket, but my friend did it out without having to do so. That was with a lift, though.

Only other thing to sweat down the road is the supercharger. I was still on my original at 115K miles back then. You can always pick up a good used one along the way and keep it handy as a spare. Some have gone nearly 200K miles, and they are one their original.

 

It seems, based off your original post, the parts price is inflated, and all of them with the exception of a couple, are a quick weekend?i day/30min, type of job, What's the issue? If that is really 2K worth of work, than I don't have much to offer. . .

Weigh it like any financial/emotional investment: is it worth your return?

Is a couple grand cheaper in the intrum, than anther how ever many months for a new/used car payment?

 

problems. A good mechanic will find all those problems u listed and the prospective buyer will want u to fix it so whats the point. If u like the car, and its reliable and it doesn't need a paint job and bodywork, than fix and drive it for another 10 years. Plus, if you do the work yourself, the costs u posted are rather conservative and may be able to do it for less. If u have your eye on one of the new ones, then there's no point in convincing u otherwise; sell it, take your lumps and financial hit and move on. Don't be surprised however, when u get sticker shock.
Good luck and I admit those new mini's do look attractive indeed .

 

If you love the car then keep it. The R56s are not the same. Otherwise, you could go for something with generally less costly maintenance, as in parts and frequency (other than oil/filter, tires, tune-up) like a Corolla or Civic.