Looking to buy a Mini Cooper (quick question)

[smokey666]

Hi guys,

Im starting to look at buying a mini cooper i've got about £8500 to spend which should get me quite a nice one.

But i just wanted to get some advice as to which model i should get because i have heard that if you are buying a mini second hand go for one from 2003 and on woulds, because in the first two years off production the mini had quite a few problems.

Is this correct?

[marx87]

For that amount u should be able to get a 04/54 plate car, mine was 04 and i had no problems.

[CC07ERS]

welcome to mini2 , try get one with a chilli pack & 17" alloys ,the newer the better .

[humph]

Go for a post August 04 facelifted model. The facelift meant some of the earlier problems are resolved. happy hunting.

[smokey666]

Thanks guys,

Yeh i gona try and get the 17" wheels they look great.

[humph]

Yes make sure it has a chilli pack. Just a personal opinion here but if you get 17inch wheels, go for the bullets they are lighter. IMHO the S spokes are too heavy for a Cooper, but they do look nice.

[ScottyBoy]

Quote: Originally Posted by marx87 (original)

For that amount u should be able to get a 04/54 plate car, mine was 04 and i had no problems.

That will be hard hunting to get an 04/54 plate car for £8500

if you do it most probably be a very basic spec! and i doubt there will be any facelift MINI's for sale at that price as a facelift MINI is almost a 2005 car!

[smokey666]

I've been looking around autotrader and theres quite a few 2003 models with (chilli pack) plus other extras like half leather for around £8k.

[marx87]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yellow_Mini_Scott (original)

That will be hard hunting to get an 04/54 plate car for £8500

if you do it most probably be a very basic spec! and i doubt there will be any facelift MINI's for sale at that price as a facelift MINI is almost a 2005 car!

look on sites like ebay and autotrader and im positive my dealer had a cooper in with chilli pack for 8600 i think. 04 plate too!

[jamski]

I was going to say I thought you'd be lucky to find an 04 for that price. I would say mor like 02-03 really. I bough mine for 8.5k (trade) on a 51 plate 3 months ago. Well under milage, with a massive spec. Full heated leather, cd, climate control, chili pack (this really is a must!) panoramic roof, probably some more things too, and in great condition.

You may find something newer priveate though. Ooooo, and when I went to Mini with my wants and budget they said I'd only get a One with them!

[ScottyBoy]

i ddidnt say u wont get 1 but it will be hard to find it! with the little amount of 04 cars out there at that price he probably wont get the car he wants unless waiting a while, i think like jamski said maybe an 02 - 03 really will more realistic!

TBH i dont think id ever buy a car from ebay unless it was a car dealer actually selling it on there!

[jamski]

Someone agree with me, that's a first! I must be learning! I'd stay clear from e-bay too, there's classified ads too on there which are probably ok, wouldn't buy through an auction though.

[marx87]

Quote: Originally Posted by Yellow_Mini_Scott (original)

i ddidnt say u wont get 1 but it will be hard to find it! with the little amount of 04 cars out there at that price he probably wont get the car he wants unless waiting a while, i think like jamski said maybe an 02 - 03 really will more realistic!

TBH i dont think id ever buy a car from ebay unless it was a car dealer actually selling it on there!

I totally agree about ebay, i wouldnt even consider it....so why did i advise it

[envy]

Hmm the private market seems to have started up again! I guess its the time of year

[Josh27]

All depends on what sort of mileage you want on the car, and what sort of spec. £8500 will get you a resonable car, probably around 30k miles, 02/03 year, Chilli Pack etc.

I originally wanted to spend no more than £8500, though had to raise my budget a little for a low mile minter with the options I wanted. Picked up my Mini Cooper yesterday, was a private sale, Racing Green, 53 plate, 20k miles, one owner from new, white roof/mirrors/wheels, 17" S wheels, Chilli pack etc.

There are plenty that look nice on Autotrader, though always inspect the car fully before buying. One of the Cooper's I went to view was in poor nick, marks and scratches here and there, worn out tyres, just generally shabby. So be careful!
While looking in the Top Marques magazine at the weekend, I saw this one, might be worth a peak... Mini Cooper For Sale