Really hoping that you kind Mini Owners can please share your words of wisdom with regard to help in chosing a Mini for my daughter whose just past her test.
I was looking at a 2005 Mini Cooper but then read that in 2006 the Mini was revised to the Mk2. Is the Mk2 a 'better' car than the MK1 as I'd read the MK1's were prone to power steering problems? Does anyone know what Reg the Mk2 came in at, was it a 56 plate or an 07 plate (UK)?
I just need some advice on what to look for and what to avoid. I have dedicated this weekend going around as many local garages as possible here in the West Midlands looking at Mini's at around the £2500 price mark in the hope to find the best one for the money.
Should I concentrate on getting one with as low a milleage as possible as anything over 100k miles seems to be a turn off (should it be?) or should I concentrate on getting as new a car as possible instead?
Seriously guys, I'd be indebted to you if you can make a post with your thoughts as I need to get my skates on and get hunting and anything you can post here to help my search would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks so much for reading and hope to hear your thoughts.
Stay away from the generation 2 (2007 - 20010) With a budget of £2500 you will be looking at a generation 1 mini anyway. The generation 1's are pretty much bulletproof.
the gen 1 minis 02 to early 06 were the better cars but the 5spd midlands and cvt auto were weak points if left poorly maintained and or thrashed. But the petrol engines are bullet proof up until 2006 the toyota diesels in the gen 1 however are prone to HG problems. in july 04 the gen 1 got a minor facelift including in the one and cooper a getrag 5spd which is an improvement from the 5spd midlands.
all cooper s cars came with a 6spd getrag from 02-06
when the gen 2 came out it had revised styling and a new psa petrol which is ***** prone to..
timing chain guide rails wearing
carbon build up
excessive oil consumption
vanos solenoid issues.
the gen 2 is the least reliable unless you go for a 2010 upwards
with the n18 engine which is
slightly better.
But there is a good motor in the gen 2 line the psa diesel which unlike its petrol cousin is bullet proof.
Go for a Gen 1 Cooper (not a Cooper S if this is her 1st car as its to powerful for a young inexperienced driver). Mileage isn't the issue, its how its been maintained and the triton motors are reasonably robust even after workshop servicing only.
The power steering has been an issue in the past but if your a reasonable DIY home mechanic, its at best a 2 hour job to swap the pump over and re-bleed the power steering so no big issue.
Check for rust and pay attention to the bottom the tailgate seal and both lower door seals (pull the rubber off and inspect). The rest is normal roadworthiness and be prepared to do some oil changes after purchase as part of your maintenance program.
MINI is not reliable. Ignore the fan boys but get a good one and you'll be smiling. Pick of the range is 04-06. Most reliable.
First gen = watch out for (especially on early ones): PAS PUMP, GEAR BOX, AIRBAG LIGHTS, CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEMS, ENGINE MOUNTS, STEERING RACKS, BACK BOXES etc. These are weak points and most of them will go and probably would've gone at some point in the cars life and would've been replaced.
Just make sure its been looked after. But honestly, the first gens...they're badly over-engineered cars from factory. Fortunately though the engines are solid.
However -the second gen 56' plate 2007-2010 petrols have ENGINE PROBLEMS- AVOID unless work have been carried out.
Don't worry about 100k mileage+ on first gen, the engines can take way more. Just check out suspension, electrics, seat mechanisms on high milers and look through history.
You can buy a car with 30k miles with all the issues above. Just do some research, plenty of "out of warranty" period horror stories about these cars when they were new but the oldest first gens are hitting 15 years + now.
One more thing: these cars are usually lady-driver cars..Most the drivers of Mini One and Coopers are either young girls or middle aged mums. So they're not "thrashed" which is a common excuse for those who claim the faults are down to bad maintenance or abusive drivers. Just keep an eye out and personally i'd recommend spending £100 on a RAC car check up.
First gen = watch out for PAS PUMP, GEAR BOX, AIRBAG LIGHTS, CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEMS, ENGINE MOUNTS, STEERING RACKS etc. These are weak points and most of them will go and probably would've gone at some point in the cars life and would've been replaced.
Just make sure its been looked after. But honestly, the first gens...they're badly over-engineered cars from factory. Fortunately though the engines are solid.
However - 2007-2010 petrols have ENGINE PROBLEMS- AVOID unless work have been carried out.
Don't worry about 100k mileage+ on first gen, the engines can take way more. Just check out suspension, electrics, seat mechanisms on high milers and look through history.
You can buy a car with 30k miles with all the issues above. Just do some research, plenty of "out of warranty" period horror stories about these cars when they were new but the oldest first gens are hitting 15 years + now.
One more thing: these cars are usually lady-driver cars..Most the drivers of Mini One and Coopers are either young girls or middle aged mums. So they're not "thrashed" which is a common excuse for those who claim the faults are down to bad maintenance or abusive drivers. Just keep an eye out and personally i'd recommend spending £100 on a RAC car check up.
Sorry Caveman was that comment aimed at me - if so I'm after a manual Mini, Mk1 petrol for my 17 year old daughter.
There seem to be more 'Coopers' around than 'Ones' but the insurance on a Cooper S is out of the question and yet a 'Cooper' is only £20 a year more expensive than a 'One' so i think she'd prefer a standard Cooper.
She loves the car haven driven quite a few today so like any father I just want her to have one in as good as possible condition and road safe etc.
Budget around £2,500 and ideally an 05 or 55 plate.
Just a thought - can you get a Mark1 on an 06,56 plate or were they all Mark 2's by that year?
I need to know the plate reg for the very last Mk1 they made!
Thanks for the info guys, it's good to know the good and bad points and I really appreciate it.
I drove a few Mini's today, the first was a 2007 Mini Cooper with 99k on the clock and I thought it was okay but was disappointed that it lacked the 'feeling' and handling that my original 1983 Mini I'd owned back in the day gave me.
Simply put there was no fun in driving it and it just felt like driving any other small car. A real let down
I then saw a late 2005 Mini Cooper which was very tidy inside and out and had 80k on the clock. I wasn't expecting anything special as the newer car I'd just driven had left me bitterly disappointed.
WOW - what a difference, the 2005 Mini Cooper brought the feeling of the original Mini back home in an instant. Not only did it sound 'throaty' like I remember them being but it was so much easier to drive and more importantly it made me smile as it stuck to the road like glue when going around roundabouts etc
I also couldn't believe how much nicer the Mk1 Mini looks like compared to the Mk2 - both inside and out!
The garage selling the car wanted £2995 for it. They'd only just had it in and it needed a new battery. It's done 80K on the clock, had two former owners and had been sat around hardly used and has only done 2000 miles in the past 5 years. Full service history and was very nice both inside and out.
When we got out of the car and turned the engine off the engine fan remained on for quite a while and it sounded quite loud. Is this normal behaviour or could it be something more serious? I wondered if it maybe had something to do with a spare battery being in and out of it so quickly in order for us to test drive it as I'd noticed the in-car stereo also didn't stay on after the power button had been pressed but there were no warning lights on the dash and the electric windows and lights all worked fine.
The garage would only sell the car after the electrics had been checked in the garage next door to them and a new battery was fitted and they were happy that everything was working which I guess is somewhat commendable.
If I'm paying in cash with nothing to PX etc what sort of offer would you guys be tempted to make when it's marked up at £2995?
Thanks again, the comments that you guys are giving have been extremely useful so my most sincere thanks to you all
That's great news! I cant comment on the fan thing but its definitely not normal I wouldn't have thought.. I mean my brother had a Toyota Supra but that had a turbo timer which meant the engine and fans ran for a while after the key was taken out and then it turned itself off after it cooled its turbos down..
However I must say a 2 owner car is fab! Have you seen any history that came with it?
If things don't wrong out: as a rule of thumb, private cars tend to be better cared for and is usually in better nick and you can negotiate a far better deal as they don't have to deal with dealership mark ups. So have a look on the private sale market, the previous owners aren't trying to make a mark-up on MINIs like garages are.
As Caveman said, most of the MINI he saw up for sale in garages were in appalling state which is down to simple economics really..trade in prices are far lower than market prices since garages need a hefty margin to make a profit. So usually cars that are knackered or have issues and cant be flogged get traded in or are bought at auction.
If he still has the receipts and papers why didn't he supply them with the car? Also considering I'm on my original gearbox and power steering pump at 110k that car must of been thrashed.
Btw did he tell you the problems over the phone or did he tell you in person.
And if he said it hasn't been thrashed well he's lied through his front teeth..
He sold the car through auction and only received £450 for it. He didn't put his papers and receipts in out of choice. The car wasn't thrashed, just because yours has original box and pump doesn't mean that all of them are like that and quite clearly a little research proves this on the internet. Just look at the forums ffs lol..Its hilarious how you'll defend this to the ground when theres 3 posts in past couple of weeks on boxes failing.
Simple fact is..the gearbox is not adequate. The cars are really heavy (best part of 1500kg) and the engines are really torquey which increases wear and tear. You get 140lb/ft at 3000rpm for perspective a type R gets 132lb/ft at 5600rpm..So normal driving puts a lot of strain on the box.
How do you know your PAS and gearbox are original?? Did you phone BMW up? Did you buy it when it came out in 2002?
@The Bini, looks like you bought a lemon. It does happen buddy and its always a gamble when buying a used car. I've spent over £1400 on my 2004 R50 in 2 years and that's without it seeing a garage except for 2 MOT tests and that was in a sorry state when I bought it but I bought it to rescue it and now it looks and drives like a brand new car. I was gonna sell it when I bought my R55 Cooper D last year but decided to keep it and use it as a loan out car to people I can trust when I'm working on their Minis and I get nothing but compliments when the car is handed back
Thanks buddy, none of us are experts but by combining our knowledge we can usually acheave results.
Forums are a great source of information and full of great people as well as complete and utter bellends!
Just at the weekend I personally had to turn to a Citroën forum for help on a gearbox. I couldn't find the information or diagrams I needed online so I clearly explained everything I had done and checked in my first post and my enquiry was resolved in 2 responses by a forum member within 30 minutes! My point is, we all need each other and this is where forums come alive to share information and knowledge.
Mr Bini had a bad experience and every now and then he pops his head up to say how shyte the brand is based on "his experience" and when guys like myself say that it's actually not all that bad we're classed as "fanboys". If giving fellow mini enthusiasts FREE help and advice and local members a top class service (which im sure local members in here can testify to) is me being a fanboy then I think it's just sour grapes on his part. What we do have to remember that the generation 1 minis are now 15 years old so they are going to wear out but also previous problems like power steering pumps etc have usually been ironed out, if not then the parts are out there and aren't too expensive and with a basic tool kit most jobs are doable on the driveway by the average diy/ weekend mechanic.
People often ask me about minis and what ones to go for and my answer is always the same. Anything 2001-2006 in petrol format (generation 1) anything from 2007+ in diesel format (avoid petrols) any format from March 2010.
I've got a r50 Cooper 2002 and she's on 115k miles. Engine is still a trooper. Still pulls nicely. Body work is still spot on with no rust.
Thought the gearbox was done in a few months back but it turned out the clutch bearing had welded it's self to the fingers on the clutch plate. Just waiting for the gearbox to blow up since its a Midlands one. Fingers crossed though.
Still drives a treat had no dramas with any of the suspension components.
How ever the wiper motor stop working last year. I'm not sure if this is a common problem or not but I never want to change that again. It wasn't expensive for a new motor but it's awkward and it's a nightmare imo.
Rest of the stuff is run of the mill things like you will get with any car.
That's my experience anyways. Hope it helps a little.
You'll have to let us know what you go for anyways.
Okay guys, think my daughter is going to very happy as I think I found a real beauty
It's had a new gearbox, clutch, brakes, starter motor, battery, tyres and exhaust. It's also had full LED light replacements all round, a Cooper S rear roof spoiler and fuel cap fitted and has the Chiili interior pack. It's done 85k miles and is in really good condition.
The only negative I could find was the driver's seat piping around the edge was badly worn in places as you can probably see on the last photo. Does anyone know if this sort of thing is fixable or are your only options to get seat covers or replace the seat?
Thanks again for all your help guys, been a really enjoyable journey and really looking forward to picking it up at the weekend.
Oh and I really can't wait to see my daughters face when I pull on the drive with it
Yes this was very interesting, however. Looking through the MOT history this car was a bit of a dog, did it bite?
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