Help: just about to buy F56 JCW

[Kananga]

Hi all,

I’m just about to buy an F56 JCW. It is a high spec car with lots of options, including:

18" Cup Spoke alloy wheels in two-tone
Active Cruise Control
Chili Pack
Electric Folding Exterior Mirrors
Front Seat Heating
Harman Kardon
Heated front windscreen
LED headlights with cornering lights
Media Pack XL
MINI Head-up Display
Panoramic electric glass sunroof
Park Distance Control front and rear
Rear-view mirror. auto dimming
Variable Damper Control

It’s a low mileage car ( <10k miles), nice condition except:
- the current owner doesn’t use it much and the first service may have been missed [he is checking]
- the alloys are heavily kerbed
- warranty expires in sept 2018

So my questions are:
- would the missing warranty be a show stopper if the car was priced well ?
- is there anything I should get checked / fixed before the warranty expires ?
- anything to worry about in terms of alloy refurb, given they are a two-tone/polished finish?
- the car has the standard exhaust - I like the idea of getting the Bluetooth Pro version: worth it on a JCW ? And what’s a good deal, fitted?

Any help/guidance much appreciated.

Edited by Kananga on Saturday 11th August 23:35

[steve-5snwi]

If it’s low mileage then it would have had 1 service, get it booked in before the warranty expires for a check

[MrC986]

I'd check how far beyond the actual recommended service date the car gas gone as the effectiveness of the manufacturers warranty might be very limited as a result - it's not a good advert for how well the car has been looked after by the way (& the same applies to the badly kerbed wheels). Get a quote for a full wheel refurb as it sounds like they'll be diamond cut wheels and you'd better get a 4 wheel alignment quote for good measure whilst you're at it. The car will need to be priced to reflect such things (WBAC expect it to be serviced appropriately, have 2 keys etc etc & that a good number to work down from IMO).

As for the exhaust, there are plenty of choices for replacements and a Mini specialist such as Lohen may have one of their own cars with various exhaust systems fitted. Remus and Quicksilver seem to be popular and a friend has a Remus one on his F56 MCS which sounds epic (& still has the valve control to turn it to quiet mode if you really must) though YouTube is your friend for listening to the various systems initially.

[Wilmslowboy]

If you buy it, I'd get it booked in regardless and get them to go over it before the warranty runs out.

I assume is a Sept 2015 car ?? our is a June 2015 (similar spec, with 22k miles) we are probably sending ours to WBAC for £16k

Also don't have the Bluetooth exhaust - which is bit of regret (but as others have said, it can be fitted retrospectively for around £1,200)

Edited by Wilmslowboy on Sunday 12th August 10:01

[dc2rr07]

steve-5snwi said:

If it’s low mileage then it would have had 1 service, get it booked in before the warranty expires for a check

This really, when you switch the ignition on it should tell you when the service is due and as others have said get a quote for the alloys especially if they are diamond cut.

[woolybear]

Pricewise, for me it would depend on what you class, as a good price for it in the 1st instance?!

The servicing issue for me would be an issue - no offence to the OP.

The badly kerbed wheels: need a refurb for sure and I'd have the Geo / Alignment checked out too.

Good luck with the purchase, as there are too many low miler JCW's out there, seemingly!
I have one, but that's a different story &#128521;

[Trustmeimadoctor]

depends how well priced the wheels if they are really bad id replace them all as the standard wheels are a fking nightmare!

[Kananga]

Thanks for all the replies!

So the car was inspected my mini (including the engine oil) as part of a check given the service was overdue. Feedback from the mini dealership was that it’s a lovely example and they carried out the overdue items without any issues. (all under TLC too).

Upon second glance, the wheels aren’t actually too bad and tyre wear is even across the face, consistent with the damage being fairly light. I’m a bit OCD about these things so maybe I was too harsh when I first looked.

Car has been picked up, serviced, JCW Pro exhaust fitted and I’m dead pleased!!

[dc2rr07]

Congrats, photos