Looking for an early auto mini
Discussion
My girlfriend has a full license but hasn't driven for years. I'm looking to buy her an auto privately for around a couple of thousand depending on the normal things as I don't want her driving my cars until she's confident.
Are gearbox faults common in the auto and do the pan roofs cause more headache as they get older?
I'm in Richmond if anyone has a good car they are looking to sell please pm me.
Are gearbox faults common in the auto and do the pan roofs cause more headache as they get older?
I'm in Richmond if anyone has a good car they are looking to sell please pm me.
1st gen MINI One and Cooper came with a CVT, the Cooper S had a conventional 6 speed torque converter automatic.
The CVT is widely known for being quite problematic and very expensive to fix, expensive enough to write off the cars sat at the cheaper end of the market. Instead of buying a potential ticking time bomb, it might be worth finding one with an already damaged gearbox that's being sold cheap, put in a new gearbox and run it for 2 years without any issues. You should get most of your money back come resale.
In 2004 to co-incide with the facelift, the Cooper S got a 6 speed automatic gearbox as an option, but it was an option that was rarely ticked and these now command quite a premium second hand it would seem.
I've heard mixed things about the sunroof in the 1st Gen, mine have never been a problem and neither have any belonging to anyone I know. As long as they're greased, used regularly and the drains are unblocked once a year or so, it shouldn't be an issue (aside from perishing rubber).
The CVT is widely known for being quite problematic and very expensive to fix, expensive enough to write off the cars sat at the cheaper end of the market. Instead of buying a potential ticking time bomb, it might be worth finding one with an already damaged gearbox that's being sold cheap, put in a new gearbox and run it for 2 years without any issues. You should get most of your money back come resale.
In 2004 to co-incide with the facelift, the Cooper S got a 6 speed automatic gearbox as an option, but it was an option that was rarely ticked and these now command quite a premium second hand it would seem.
I've heard mixed things about the sunroof in the 1st Gen, mine have never been a problem and neither have any belonging to anyone I know. As long as they're greased, used regularly and the drains are unblocked once a year or so, it shouldn't be an issue (aside from perishing rubber).
Edited by 0llie on Friday 10th June 08:57
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