:confused:good morning all , would appreciate your veiws on what to buy. i have limited funds at the moment, and am going to buy a second hand mini desiel. i am a driving instructor. so do i buy the newest i can with higher miles or older with lower miles . i live in essex so if any one knows any good deals . thanks

I buy cars on condition of body 1st, then miles, as its often cheaper to fix mechanics than bodywork.

Also low miles is not always better, but high miles means things will soon wear out.
And I try not to buy a car from a woman owner, as they always see to ride the clutch :) (this bit is a joke)

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

MotoringFile Archive MotoringFile MINI R50/R53 US Buyers Guide (http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/10/29/motoringfile-mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/)

I buy cars on condition of body 1st, then miles, as its often cheaper to fix mechanics than bodywork.

Also low miles is not always better, but high miles means things will soon wear out.
And I try not to buy a car from a woman owner, as they always see to ride the clutch :) (this bit is a joke)

sorry i have only just got around to reading this , so thanks for you reply. what sort of miles would you expect from a mini one diesel ? i have done 178000 in my petrol micra reasonable trouble free , touch wood

If a Micra has done you that much sterling service and no problems then stick with one of those, 4 wheels, see through windows, 2 doors, theyve got nothing to go wrong with them anyway. MINIs are quite complicated bits of kit. I bet it wont do 178000 miles without touching it like your Micra did, taking into account its being used for learning as well.

Below is the highest recorded MINI mileage I have heard of (in USA) in this very long 25 page thread (with photos of speedo) that has been going on MINI2.com for some years now, recording only routine wear and tear replacement parts to be expected, such as tyres, brake pads, rotors/discs, alternator, steering pump, fuel pump and clutch with oil changes every 17-18,000 miles:
http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/145760-whos-driven-most-miles-hws-has-over-317-000-a-24.html#post3777797

Quote from 'HWS' (an 82 year old 2002 MINI Cooper owner from Milwaukee, Wisconsin) - Sep 25th, 2010 :
My 2002 MC just passed 400,000 miles today on its 8 Year 2 Month Birthday !

"Have you guessed I've been Very Impressed by this particular car?
What a joy to fill the tank, kick the tires - and take off on a 500 mile ride
through this beautiful world any time I'm not needed or expected somewhere
else. (Drove 470 miles yesterday in heavy rain and high winds - Beautiful!)

Have I ever mentioned it still has its original muffler, and shocks, and struts?
Not sure if it uses ball joints, control arms, etc. - but, if so, they're original too.
Still rides, steers and handles as tautly and precisely as the day I got it. FUN!
Not a squeak, or a rattle - or a spot on the garage floor.
Never had a knob, or a handle, or a piece of trim come loose.
Never had a switch anywhere that had to be jiggled or shook or coaxed to work.
Even that little 'window dance' still works perfectly every time a door is opened!

Excuse the car's appearance; -
that's how it looked when it hit 400,000 about 75 miles from home - and I do kill a lot of bugs!"

Last report from HWS was at 475,000 miles on Feb 20th, 2012........
http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/145760-whos-driven-most-miles-hws-has-over-317-000-a-27.html#post3824269

If a Micra has done you that much sterling service and no problems then stick with one of those, 4 wheels, see through windows, 2 doors, theyve got nothing to go wrong with them anyway. MINIs are quite complicated bits of kit. I bet it wont do 178000 miles without touching it like your Micra did, taking into account its being used for learning as well.

thanks for your responce , unfortunately another micra is not an option . it does not bring in enough younger people and i am miss out on a large part of the market. it does sound as if they can be ok with high mileage :puzzled:

thanks for your responce , unfortunately another micra is not an option . it does not bring in enough younger people and i am miss out on a large part of the market. it does sound as if they can be ok with high mileage :puzzled:

A friend of mine uses Mini Cooper diesels and he's on his third with no problems at all.

He reckons he gets plenty of business from the car alone despite the fact that he's a very good instructor.:cool:

A friend of mine uses Mini Cooper diesels and he's on his third with no problems at all.

He reckons he gets plenty of business from the car alone despite the fact that he's a very good instructor.:cool:

yes it's wierd we have to be check every 4years , and told to be as good as we can grade 6 the best . but at the end of the day is image that sells. thanks for your coments

Both my kids insisted on learning to drive in a Mini and would not have been seen dead learning in a Micra! :D

Yep, MINI's definitely sell themselves to learner drivers.

At the Goodwood motor circuit near me they have a whole fleet of them, all matching, where they run classes for young drivers who aren't allowed on the roads yet.

Mini Drivers | Young Driver Training | West Sussex, Goowood (http://www.goodwood.co.uk/motorsport/minidrivers/minidrivers.aspx)

Robert

if you are to buy a used mini. Get accompany from those guys who have expertise on checking the inside and out of a car.

good advise, i alway try to speak to the previous own if i can . saying that does any one live near Evering Ave Poole Dorset by any chance ?