[Eccles291]

Hi all,

I’m looking at getting my first Mini in the next week or two as they look great and running costs of the diesels seem like they’re pennies. ? My budget is between £2,000-3,000 and that appears to point to ‘07 to ‘10 plate cars.

What are the main things to watch out for when I go to look at them? Is a good/full service history vital on diesels? Or is it just good to have? Also, most of the cars I’ve seen in my price range seem to be around 90k to 130k miles. Does this affect what I need to look out for? Belt changes, water pumps etc?

Thanks in advance. ?

?

 

[Eccles291]

Thanks Mike, that’s great to know. ??

 

[Eccles291]

Thanks again. I’ve narrowed my choice down to a handful now, all between £2600-£3500. There’s one ‘09 plate Cooper D sitting on 87.5k miles with “extensive history” ?‍♂ for £3250; Another ‘09 with 99k miles with FSH for £2995 that looks very clean in the photos but no mention of previous owners and then there’s also a ‘58 plate on 111k miles with “service history” but has had cam belt & water pump done up for £2750. ?

Sounds like the DPF and EGR thing might be worth doing. What sort of costs are they to do? Also typical cost of turbos, timing belts, water pumps etc. to replace?

 

[Eccles291]

Yet more useful info, ta! ? ?‍♂

I’m happy to do some of the mechanical stuff myself so that’ll help but computer based stuff I don’t have the facility. ?

Hoping to pull the pin on a purchase within the next week. ?

 

[Eccles291]

Well, I finally got it! ?? A 2011 Cooper D in blue (with MFSW which was on my 'must have' requirements). I picked it up on Tuesday night and haven't driven it much yet but so far I'm really enjoying it. I'm already looking at ways to personalise it. ?


Here it is. ?