Hi guys

My girlfriend is after a MCS at the moment and we are torn between whether it is worth spending an extra 1-2k on a facelift model in terms of reliability.

My sister had a 2002 Mini One with 20k miles and it gave horrendous trouble, cost over a grand to sort out an electrical problem and was back to the dealers countless times, that's at 4 years old! She has now got an 2005 facelift One and it hasn't given a single bit of bother in over 2 years.

My girlfriend is quite strapped for cash and ideally a pre facelift would suit a lot better, but not at the cost of reliability.

So, in your opinions, is facelift worth it?

Rob

101 views but no replies? A little help here people!

2002 & 2005 are the same 1st generation. 2007 and newer are the second generation. If you have the option go for the second generation!

These MINI Buyers Guides may help:
MotoringFile MINI R50/R53 Buyers Guide (http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/)

Buying guide : MINI 2001-2007 | AROnline (http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/08/19/buying-guide-mini-2001-2007/)

2002 & 2005 are the same 1st generation. 2007 and newer are the second generation. If you have the option go for the second generation!

I am well aware of that. Within the 1st Generation however there was a facelift in late 2004 where various parts were revised.

These MINI Buyers Guides may help:
MotoringFile MINI R50/R53 Buyers Guide (http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/)

Buying guide : MINI 2001-2007 | AROnline (http://www.aronline.co.uk/blogs/2011/08/19/buying-guide-mini-2001-2007/)

Thanks for the links.

As she's after a MCS then get a facelift for sure, thye have a revised 6 speed box, definately worth it. If you can, preferably get a 2005 onwards build. These have the LSD and from Feb they also had the screenwash level indicator too, very handy.

Mine's a Feb 05 and as for problems, only a leaking engine mount, common and easy fix.

This is a very interesting thread for me at the moment. I have recently sold a 2004 MINI COOPER with 94 000km, it was in great condition but because I was worried about the early series midland gearbox issues( thanks to this forum) and possible future problems.
I now plan to get a Cooper S in the future not specifically for the extra power mainly for the the great look and the stronger mechanicals. I now think I will be looking for an '05 or '06 Cooper S, thanks for all the valuable info,Tony

My 2002 Cooper S has been fine - it's an early one but given the full service history at BMW since new any "issues" have been ironed out - I'd say go for one on condition and evidence of service history - (plus mets your budget of course). Given 2005+ seems to be sought after they tend to hold thier value very well - hard to find a good one under AUD25,000!

Go for a facelift without a doubt!:cool:

Reliability, gearbox and performance increases aside, there were a bunch of other cool additions which came with the facelift. Here's a non-exhaustive of what I can remember from swapping my '02 for an '05 at the time:

New xenons, smooth front grille, new rear light clusters, different bumpers for One and Cooper, illuminated door handle pulls, puddle lights, new interior lighting console, new chrome interior bits, bigger rear view mirror, MP3 CD player, improved factory nav, optional anthracite headlining and colour coordinated dash, bigger door pockets, extra storage and cubby holes, side sun visor...

There were probably more, but that's all I can remember for now. :p

Someone said they are the same, yes in general mark, but they are very different in build quality. Facelifts are much superior, although they still go wrong, just not as much and are better made.

Only problem is they are overpriced (like all minis) you can get a 02-52 MCS for £4000-4500, a facelift with 100k at min start at £5k private, some scruffy garages. Mostly they are £5500-6000 upwards, some even laughably trying for £7k-8k for 05/06, which is pointless because that is close (and there are r56s for £7k sometimes) to r56 pricing and the r56 is better for say MPG and tax, far better.

I don't think they are worth the extra myself, in some cases it would be £2k more.

Also its COMPLETELY pointless your girlfriend getting a cooper s unless she wants to enjoy driving on country roads etc. A normal cooper is 0-60 in 8.9 seconds and it can do 40mpg, plus the tax is more than half the price. Bare in mind cooper s tax bracket is the same as a porsche 911 3.4 litre...

Youd be better off getting a cooper, then you could get a facelift one of those instead for much less. Be very aware of rip off prices in garages as they sometimes are insane.

This is a very interesting thread for me at the moment. I have recently sold a 2004 MINI COOPER with 94 000km, it was in great condition but because I was worried about the early series midland gearbox issues( thanks to this forum) and possible future problems.
I now plan to get a Cooper S in the future not specifically for the extra power mainly for the the great look and the stronger mechanicals. I now think I will be looking for an '05 or '06 Cooper S, thanks for all the valuable info,Tony

Personally I think its a waste of money getting an 05/06 as the price is too close to an r56 for basically the same car as a july 04/54 without LSD, which is hardly worth losing £2k. Which is what youll probably lose when you come to sell as the prices will drop on those quickly as the r56 comes down in price.

[QUOTE=solidsponge;381641Also its COMPLETELY pointless your girlfriend getting a cooper s unless she wants to enjoy driving on country roads etc[/QUOTE]

Eh :confused:?? Cooper S's are just at home on the motorway as they are on country roads & in town driving:biggrin:.

My '03 pre facelift has had the Hartge tuning package fitted since it was about a year old & has been one of the most reliable cars I've owned (& at 53 years old I've owned a few:wink:), I look after it very well & in return it's never let me down, nothing major has gone wrong & even after all these years of ownership it still brings a smile to my face :p. The milage has only just gone past 55k & it has seen over 50 laps of the Brands Hatch circuit & 20 runs at santa Pod drag strip this year:p.

R53's aren't the best cars mpg wise & yes the tax bracket is quite high, but I've had so many smiles per mile I don't intend to change any time soon:wink: