First car R56

[solo2]

Bit the bullet yesterday and helped Miss Solo2 buy her first car. We've bought a 2008 Mini 1.4 One.

At first glance the car appears ok, having been owned previously by a lady it is in dire need of a valet and will be done in the coming days. There's a few smart repairs to do if I wish to be fussy but Miss Solo2 I'm sure will add to those so I may not bother.

One thing that is bugging me is there is a noise coming from the rear of the car. I could be something in the boot but I suspect it could be more suspension related. Will have to have that checked out at some point, just hoping I haven't bought a dud car

It's got a can of tyre inflator in the boot and no spare. I hate not having an actual spare wheel

Anything else I need to be aware of?

[Elliot2000]

Have a look at the rear anti roll bar bushes, wear out quite often on that age mini and cheap and easy fix too. Sounds exactly like things knocking about in the boot when driving

[johnoz]

Elliot2000 said:

Have a look at the rear anti roll bar bushes, wear out quite often on that age mini and cheap and easy fix too. Sounds exactly like things knocking about in the boot when driving

+1 to that.

[sad61t]

Also consider the small rubber balls on the end of the parcel shelf ropes; they swing and hit the inner arches. Oh, the embarrassment when I took my new car back with a mystery noise when I steered sharply left and right.

[12TS]

Elliot2000 said:

Have a look at the rear anti roll bar bushes, wear out quite often on that age mini and cheap and easy fix too. Sounds exactly like things knocking about in the boot when driving

+2. We had them done too

[solo2]

Thanks for the suggestion, will take a look. The car drives pretty much how I expected it to so hoping nothing too serious.

It's all cleaned up now and I can finally see the bodywork and it's far better than I had expected. Some stone chips but overall pretty good. A ding on the OSF wing and another of the rear bumper, both of which will stay as not big enough to worry about.

The bonnet has peeling lacquer off the paint so that might get done at some point but mechanics are far more important at this stage than cosmetics