[MiniFoot]

Hi all!

New to the forum and hoping to become an active member. In the meantime Im looking into purchasing a used MC in 2003-04 year range. Been looking at several cars and test driving them but I realized aside from the obvious neglect or visible damage I didn't know what issues I should be considering in purchasing a used MC. I want to purchase a MC with automatic transmission and the panaroof but could forgo both if these two were known issues....are they? Should I be leaning away from cars with more than 40k miles? Are Mini's reliable in general? Are extended warranties a mush? Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch.

[humph]

Don't know much about the CVT auto box myself, try a forum search like the one below

http://www.mini2.com/forum/search.php?searchid=3707364

More general advice on buying a used Cooper here.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-coop...ce-please.html

http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-coop...-question.html

Best of luck with your search.

[MiniFoot]

Hey Humph, thanks for the heads up. After doing a bit of research I am leaning away from the auto tranny due to the CVT failure rate I have read about. I am not sure whether cvt failure rates are high because this is a mini forum or high period. Coupled with the fact that a new auto tranny would set one back anywhere from $4-10k, I think Im going to lean towards a manual transmission. Hence, the question arises whether pre 2004 MCs have manual tranny issues?

[humph]

The manual midlands box fitted to pre July 04 cars (I think) does have a reputation for problems. If your budget stretches to it go for a car that is late 04 onwards, but generally go as new as poss. The Getrag box fitted post July 04 is a much more reliable unit.