Hi all

Just signed up to the forum today as looking for some advice and this seems like the best Mini forum going!

So I am looking at potentially getting a 2nd Generation Cooper S probably around 07 / 57 plate depending on what deal I can find. One of the main questions I have around the Cooper S is what are they like for having parts stolen off them? My current car (a Fiesta ST) is shockingly renowned for having undesirables stealing the spoiler, bumpers, alloy caps, side skirts etc – you name it they take it and it is one of the main reasons I am looking to switch (you just don’t feel like you can leave it parked anywhere – sad state of affairs I know)!

What I don’t want to do is swap my current car for a Cooper S and then find that they face similar problems with people stealing parts off them when they can. I have done a quick google and doesn’t seem to be a major issue? What are peoples experiences? This question is more for the posters who are living in Britain (seems to be a lot of posters from all over the world on here – but coming from UK just want to see if there are any known issues).

Cheers

Not heard of this especially on the newer 2nd Gen MINI's..........maybe because the cheaper faster depreciating supermini's like Fiestas, Corsa's, etc fall more quickly into the hands of the type of owners willing to use stolen parts from the higher spec 'Hot Hatches' to upgrade their basic models on the cheap.

My cars have had a few bits stolen, a few months ago I posted here about my side indicator scuttles being taken. Previous to that a few strips of that chrome thing that goes around the windows was half taken and damaged, the badge in the middle of the wheels were taken on another occasion. My additional headlamps were attempted but were left and wires cut (presumably because they realised that they weren't about to come off easily). And I have had my car de-badged as well :(

This is over about 7 years of ownership, and I live on a road that is near to a main road and the car stands out. I don't live in a bad area but I believe people know where my car sits for the night and is targeted for that reason?

My cars have had a few bits stolen, a few months ago I posted here about my side indicator scuttles being taken. Previous to that a few strips of that chrome thing that goes around the windows was half taken and damaged, the badge in the middle of the wheels were taken on another occasion. My additional headlamps were attempted but were left and wires cut (presumably because they realised that they weren't about to come off easily). And I have had my car de-badged as well :(

This is over about 7 years of ownership, and I live on a road that is near to a main road and the car stands out. I don't live in a bad area but I believe people know where my car sits for the night and is targeted for that reason?

Hmmm, that isnt good news, is your Mini quite modified though from a normal Cooper S? if i got one i would keep it pretty much standard. This does make me think it may be a bad move to go for one now as this is really what i am looking to avoid. Dont want to be worrying all the time.

Hmmm, that isnt good news, is your Mini quite modified though from a normal Cooper S? if i got one i would keep it pretty much standard. This does make me think it may be a bad move to go for one now as this is really what i am looking to avoid. Dont want to be worrying all the time.

Though I have had bad luck with thieves, it still hasn't put me off buying MINI after MINI, and I dont think you should be put off either.
I have had 2 out of 4 cars modified with extra lamps and the JCW bodykits, but the theft was not only on those. As Mab01uk said with making cheaper variants look like the higher end models, I think it is an issue with any vehicle really and with the amount of MINI's out there it can never be an exemption, I mean now that you are looking around for a MINI you surely must have spotted some heavily modified MINI Ones with S bonnets and JCW wheels!
Also, if you find a vehicle that is slightly more modified than standard then don't let it put you off buying just because it will stand out. Provided it is modified with genuine bits of course!

...And lets not forget, your thinking of a MINI because - well they are bloody great cars!

It sounds like this problem is more to do with where you live rather than what car you drive. Having said that, I'd imagine the Ford ST is more popular and more liable to modified amongst the thieving chav community than the Mini.

It sounds like this problem is more to do with where you live rather than what car you drive. Having said that, I'd imagine the Ford ST is more popular and more liable to modified amongst the thieving chav community than the Mini.

Probably right, the MINI is a very popular car where I live. And funny you should mention the Ford, a chap a few doors down from me has an RS and it has never been touched in the few years he has had it!

It sounds like this problem is more to do with where you live rather than what car you drive. Having said that, I'd imagine the Ford ST is more popular and more liable to modified amongst the thieving chav community than the Mini.


It isn't the area - the issues have happened to me personally when been away from my home, and then from reading other peoples issues with teh ST they have been sadly all too common.

Does seem though like it hopefully won't be too much of an issue with the Cooper S though. Think like Deep_27a says, as with any higher end model there are always chances - Golf and then Golf GTi etc etc. Well i am test driving a few on Sunday all been well in addition to my other choice a BMW 1 Series, so will see what happens.

If anyone else has any experiences to share of stolen or no issues at all, please still post as interested to get as many views as possible. Cheers for those that have already. :)

Yup, I can add to this. Had the bonnet scoop stolen, god knows how, they've not damaged the bonnet as far as I can see in the dark and for some reason the left hand headlight washer has been pulled out.

Am absolutely fuming right now. It's my own fault for parking in Manchester in a dodgy area. I park there everyday and someone is obviously selling the bits to order. If anyone seen these parts on gumtre / ebay please let me know.

Mini cooper S r56 in Dark silver.

thanks

Hmmm this isnt good - may be better off for me to get a less obvious car - dont want the same problems.