the search for a MINI :)
Discussion
hi all,
i'm quite a newbie on PH, i have posted a few times before but generally i just lurk
anyway, i'm starting the search for an early'ish MINI for my wife. i don't think i/we are too concerned with model/age/mileage but we want a really, really mint example with a comprehensive history and maintenance record.
so if anybody know of any good ones for sale soon on a budget of £4.5-5k'ish(probably seriously looking within 2-3 weeks but i though i'd start the search early so i'm not going in totally blind
secondly, is there any particular thing we should be looking for? or not looking for?
lastly, what is the primary forum for MINI? PH?
thanks in advance.
i'm quite a newbie on PH, i have posted a few times before but generally i just lurk
anyway, i'm starting the search for an early'ish MINI for my wife. i don't think i/we are too concerned with model/age/mileage but we want a really, really mint example with a comprehensive history and maintenance record.so if anybody know of any good ones for sale soon on a budget of £4.5-5k'ish(probably seriously looking within 2-3 weeks but i though i'd start the search early so i'm not going in totally blind
secondly, is there any particular thing we should be looking for? or not looking for?
lastly, what is the primary forum for MINI? PH?
thanks in advance.
Hi Brimble,
The Mini forum on PH is not that active. I have used Mini2.com, but I am led to believe this is a little quiet now and the amount of adverts is off putting. Minitorque is supposed to be good - but I have no personal experience.
I would have a quick look on Mini cherished (mini.co.uk) because you will get a decent Mini direct from the dealer plus a warranty to back up any problems. (There are a couple near your price range.....)
With regards to spec - it depends what you want. The models go from One, Cooper to Cooper S (at the age of cars you will be looking at). The main difference is the power output and drivetrain.
There are various 'packs; available - but the Chilli pack is 'almost' a must have. It included aircon, alloys, part leather etc. There are loads of other options, but we found the stereo upgrades were worthwhile getting - but anything else is personal preference (sunroof, leather, heated seats, satnav etc etc)
Not sure if this helps??
Mike
The Mini forum on PH is not that active. I have used Mini2.com, but I am led to believe this is a little quiet now and the amount of adverts is off putting. Minitorque is supposed to be good - but I have no personal experience.
I would have a quick look on Mini cherished (mini.co.uk) because you will get a decent Mini direct from the dealer plus a warranty to back up any problems. (There are a couple near your price range.....)
With regards to spec - it depends what you want. The models go from One, Cooper to Cooper S (at the age of cars you will be looking at). The main difference is the power output and drivetrain.
There are various 'packs; available - but the Chilli pack is 'almost' a must have. It included aircon, alloys, part leather etc. There are loads of other options, but we found the stereo upgrades were worthwhile getting - but anything else is personal preference (sunroof, leather, heated seats, satnav etc etc)
Not sure if this helps??
Mike
Power steering pumps are a common failure, they cost approximately £400 to sort. Prefacelift one's and coopers can have gearbox issues, Cooper S' have a different (stronger) box so don't suffer this issue.
I don't want to turn this into a forsale advert but I am looking to sell mine before the end of the month or it will be part ex'd into a garage. Send me a PM if you are interested.
I don't want to turn this into a forsale advert but I am looking to sell mine before the end of the month or it will be part ex'd into a garage. Send me a PM if you are interested.
brimble said:
lastly, what is the primary forum for MINI? PH?
http://totalmini.com/http://totalmini.com/forum/
kmpowell said:
I second that call. TotalMini is one of the better mini forums. I've had a R53 (52 plate Cooper S) now for nearly 8 years. In that time the main electronic module has been replaced and the alternator imploded a couple of years back but most of the cost has been tyres, brake discs/pads, oil and petrol. It's just ticked over 96k miles and still as sweet as a nut. You can get some very tasty examples for your budget. Look for ones with the chilli pack and get leather if you can. Oh and enjoy.
sorry for going quiet, guys. thanks so much for the replies they have been most helpful. plenty of food for thought
i don't know if i'm being a little naive here and may have got lost in internet stories but i'm i right to be scepticle regarding the reliability of them and general running costs? we've had our 2004 bmw 118d for nearly 2 years and apart from two services, it hasn't coat us a penny. i'm a little concerned about MINI noisy gearboxes, power steering pumps, window and wiper motors etc. or is it a small minority of cars that get the vast majority of cars tarnished?
thanks again.
i don't know if i'm being a little naive here and may have got lost in internet stories but i'm i right to be scepticle regarding the reliability of them and general running costs? we've had our 2004 bmw 118d for nearly 2 years and apart from two services, it hasn't coat us a penny. i'm a little concerned about MINI noisy gearboxes, power steering pumps, window and wiper motors etc. or is it a small minority of cars that get the vast majority of cars tarnished?
thanks again.
It is always difficult reliability from stories on the internet. In general, most people writing on forums are complaining or researching an issue. I don't think, I have read one post reporting how reliable a car is!!
Having said that, in 11 years of ownership of various Minis, we have had one power steering pump failure, two airbag lights come on and another few small issues (probably totalling about £900 in repairs over 11 years which is not too bad.....
The other source of information which I use is the JD Power surveys. For the yers you are looking at the 2007 survey is probably best. It put the Mini 5th in the SuperMini category and 28th overall. So not too bad, but not the best.
Linky here
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/jd-power-survey-20...
Does that help?
Mike
Having said that, in 11 years of ownership of various Minis, we have had one power steering pump failure, two airbag lights come on and another few small issues (probably totalling about £900 in repairs over 11 years which is not too bad.....
The other source of information which I use is the JD Power surveys. For the yers you are looking at the 2007 survey is probably best. It put the Mini 5th in the SuperMini category and 28th overall. So not too bad, but not the best.
Linky here
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/jd-power-survey-20...
Does that help?
Mike
the best ones are 05/06 in my own little opinion, Getrag gearbox, facelift car, tritec engine and tuneable
the later ones have prince or peugeot engines, which have numerous timing chain noises, and can rust from the inside out due to really nasty engine oil emulsification that rots the cam and wrecks heads in bad cases
saying that the 118 can have horror stories if you read about, coking, turbos, swirl flaps etc
so it shows yours has been ok, and that the Mini you like will probably be too.
to avoid the emulsified ones, dont get one that has been a local shopping cart, mileage prevents the problem or reduces it at least
the late diesel is a great car
only my 2p
the later ones have prince or peugeot engines, which have numerous timing chain noises, and can rust from the inside out due to really nasty engine oil emulsification that rots the cam and wrecks heads in bad cases
saying that the 118 can have horror stories if you read about, coking, turbos, swirl flaps etc
so it shows yours has been ok, and that the Mini you like will probably be too.
to avoid the emulsified ones, dont get one that has been a local shopping cart, mileage prevents the problem or reduces it at least
the late diesel is a great car
only my 2p
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