Shopping for a mini

[ash_greyfox]

Hi all,

I'm currently shopping for an oldish mini one with my girlfriend and I thought I'd ask around if there are any faults or common problems I can be looking out for. I've spoken to some friends who own them and one says they have a common gearbox fault (I haven't heard this elsewhere), and another says look out for paint slightly bubbling at the bottom of the door panel (he got his replaced under warranty). Is there anything else you can think of?

Thanks

[Streeters]

on the older cars, noisy PS pumps, they whine on full lock, and this gets louder over time

One's are great for engine mods tho

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

The gearbox fault that you are referring to is the Midlands 'box fitted to all petrol Ones and Coopers built before July 2004. It's quite nice to use, but it's prone to failure and new replacements are not available as the Midland Gears factory has been closed. Diesel Ones and Cooper S's were not affected.

Buy petrol Ones and Coopers post July '04 if at all possible, or buy low mileage pre July '04 and check that the gearbox is working as it should.

Rust is not normally a problem, but lift the rubber seal that sits above the seam on top of each sill and check for rust there.

Power steering pumps on petrol MINI's before September '06 were noisy from the day they were built. Rover rejected the system originally proposed by BMW has having too little feedback and designed their own system which, as a by product was noisy; especially on full lock. With the second series cars (and with Rover no longer involved), BMW got to fit the system that they originally wanted.

As Streeters says, the Ones built up to September '06 are a superb starting point for serious tuning, especially if fitted with the post July '04 gearbox

Tigger.

PS: An easy way to tell if it's a pre July '04 build car is that the interior clock is built into a pod by the rear view mirror, if it's post July '04 it's next to the mileometer in the speedo.

[Lurcher1]

Yes my 02 One had gearbox failure about 15k and persistent leaks which couldn"t b rectified , I got a new replacement car after putting up £500 , not bad for 21000 mls.

[supa-dupa-cooper]

I owned my 02 plate MINI ONE for a year, and in that time it only went back for a recall on the ABS wiring, the alternator belt to be tightened, and the seatbelt tensioner to be replaced as the airbag light came on.

Cracking little car

[ash_greyfox]

Cheers everyone. Going to look at another one tonight.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Good luck, please keep us posted

Tigger.

[Lurcher1]

As the thread title I went looking for a Mini last week and after test driving the new One am still awaiting a price on my p/x 6 days later , good or what ?

[Liz1966]

Quote:

am still awaiting a price on my p/x 6 days later

When I recently test drove a new mini the dealership gave me a p/x price on my car when I returned with the test drive car (which was only about half an hour later). They gave me a good price on my 2001 cooper hence they had my order for a new car a few minutes later.
No messing about - that's what I like

[Lurcher1]

Finally got a p/x price of 2K less than I was hoping for so no Mini purchase.

[ash_greyfox]

We bought a mini cooper last night. Thanks for your help all. I'll know who to ask if I have any questions about it, hah.