Buying advice

[TomR53MCS]

I am interested in buying a Mini Cooper S that happens to ne 374 miles from where i live (typical).
What is the best way of making sure it is a good one before spending a fortune on fuel going to look at it? For example should i be ringing Mini dealers and giving them the reg etc.

Thanks

[minicore]

Guessing from your username it's an R53?

If so, have you read the MINI R50/R53 Buyers Guide?

[minicore]

Oops, just noticed that MINIAC has already posted the link in another thread.

Welcome to the forum anyway! There's another article here which may be of interest.

[TomR53MCS]

Good guess

Yes i have thanks. I have probably missed a lot of things so i might give it another read. I have decided on a post facelift as this seems to make a much better second hand buy. I just wondered what the best way of checking the car out without being able to physically look it over is. (obviously i will check it out before i hand the money over) But i need to be reasonably happy it is a straight car before driving 400 miles.

[Number Six]

Quote: Originally Posted by TomR53MCS (original)

Good guess

Yes i have thanks. I have probably missed a lot of things so i might give it another read. I have decided on a post facelift as this seems to make a much better second hand buy. I just wondered what the best way of checking the car out without being able to physically look it over is. (obviously i will check it out before i hand the money over) But i need to be reasonably happy it is a straight car before driving 400 miles.

I went through a similar situation when looking at used cars (wasted too much time and too many miles seeing worthless cars in person).

I did find that owners and dealers would come forward with the finer details when pressed over the phone (like minor scratches, etc). The other thing I told them was I need as many hi-res photos as they can send me - interior and exterior.

If you explain the travel time involved and your seriousness in buying, you should get cooperation.

Plus I asked for the CarFax (not sure if you have that option where you live) to be sent (dealers usually had that on hand).

[TomR53MCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Number Six (original)

I went through a similar situation when looking at used cars (wasted too much time and too many miles seeing worthless cars in person).

I did find that owners and dealers would come forward with the finer details when pressed over the phone (like minor scratches, etc). The other thing I told them was I need as many hi-res photos as they can send me - interior and exterior.

If you explain the travel time involved and your seriousness in buying, you should get cooperation.

Plus I asked for the CarFax (not sure if you have that option where you live) to be sent (dealers usually had that on hand).

Thanks.
Yeah that is what i seem to be doing at the minute. I have been to see three so far, one was HPI insurance write off, the other was being sold by a very suspect man and had clearly had a front end respray and the other was perfect in every way but it was £800 over my budget. It is getting slightly frustrating now. And expensive.

I have requested details of service history and detailed pictures. I think i will ask for the vin number as well as the reg so i can fully HPI check it. See if i can get 4th time lucky

[mab01uk]

Without doubt get a full HPI before you make any long trips..........many sellers still fail to tell you about any ins. write-off history or the fact that they have outstanding finance on the car they are selling you!

[MINIAC]

Since you're considering buying a Cooper S there's no real reason to rule out a pre-facelift model ... the changes made weren't that significant.

[Number Six]

Quote: Originally Posted by TomR53MCS (original)

Thanks.
Yeah that is what i seem to be doing at the minute. I have been to see three so far, one was HPI insurance write off, the other was being sold by a very suspect man and had clearly had a front end respray and the other was perfect in every way but it was £800 over my budget. It is getting slightly frustrating now. And expensive.

I have requested details of service history and detailed pictures. I think i will ask for the vin number as well as the reg so i can fully HPI check it. See if i can get 4th time lucky

Good luck.

I recall one incident with a fellow selling his subaru. He had no photos online so I asked him for some good quality, well-lit, hi-res photos. Days went by and he said he'd get me some. Then more days go by.

Finally, nearly 2 weeks after the request he sends me 7 or 8 hi-res images, all taken at dusk with no flash. It was impossible to tell anything, not even the color of the car, let alone anything else.

He acted surprised when I told him I was no longer interested.

[TomR53MCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original)

Since you're considering buying a Cooper S there's no real reason to rule out a pre-facelift model ... the changes made weren't that significant.

I would rather have a Cooper S that wasn't the facelift than not have one at all but if im spending all the money i have saved up i would like it to be as close to perfect as i can manage.

[TomR53MCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Number Six (original)

Good luck.

I recall one incident with a fellow selling his subaru. He had no photos online so I asked him for some good quality, well-lit, hi-res photos. Days went by and he said he'd get me some. Then more days go by.

Finally, nearly 2 weeks after the request he sends me 7 or 8 hi-res images, all taken at dusk with no flash. It was impossible to tell anything, not even the color of the car, let alone anything else.

He acted surprised when I told him I was no longer interested.

Thanks a lot.

Haha thats rediculous. Lets hope this gentleman isnt like that.