older MINI is there a sweet spot /good one

[steveo3002]

mrs keeps pestering for a MINI , in the £2-3k range

is there a certain age /engine thats the best option , dont really care if petrol /diesel if its bullet proof

were the gearboxs sorted on later gen 1 cars ? thinking maybe the late gen1 car and the petrol can be mapped easily ?

[addz86]

Avoid the R56 shape with the Peugeot 1.6 petrol at all costs, the Gen 1’s are pretty good apart from the early ones having gearbox issues but most should have been sorted by now

[steveo3002]

thanks whats the score with cambelt /chains

would be diy'ing most stuff is there any particular engine best suited

[addz86]

First gen the chains are bomb proof in my experience but I’ve only ever had the cooper S’s, the R56’s are terrible for chain stretching and loads of other issues.

The gen 1 one’s and coopers are the same engine bar a map, the diesels are pretty reliable too from what I’ve heard.

[steveo3002]

righto so basicly a late gen1 in either flavour ?

whats the score with heated screen and a/c , do i need a certain "pack" to get those ?

do the older ones suffer any rust issues ? where should i be checking for scabs?

thanks

Edited by steveo3002 on Thursday 23 August 09:47

[sad61t]

Heated screen might be listed as 'Visibility pack' (included screen and auto wipers)

A/C varied, it was available separately.

Pack contents depended on model year, but this is the 2002 list:
MINI COOPER CHILI
* Floor mats
* Passenger seat height adjustment
* Map pockets
* Fog lamps
* Interior lamp package
* Chrome bumper inserts
* 16" 5-Star Light Alloy Wheels
* Roof Spoiler
* Sports Suspension PLUS
* Brilliant silver interior trim
* Sports seats
* Cloth/leather upholstery
* Leather steering wheel & gearknob

MINI Cooper Pepper:
* Floor mats
* Passenger seat height adjustment
* Map pockets
* Fog lamps
* Interior lamp package
* Chrome bumper inserts
* 15" 8-Spoke Light Alloy Wheel
* Brilliant silver interior trim

[CrippsCorner]

steveo3002 said:

righto so basicly a late gen1 in either flavour ?

whats the score with heated screen and a/c , do i need a certain "pack" to get those ?

do the older ones suffer any rust issues ? where should i be checking for scabs?

thanks

Edited by steveo3002 on Thursday 23 August 09:47

As far as I'm aware... A/C came in every MINI? Well certainly Cooper S anyway. C/C however was a separate option.

I have the tiniest piece of rust on my rear, just below the light (on the left hand side) 2005 model.

Gearboxes are all awful in my opinion! But slightly better on the facelift models. Has been a very reliable car

[johnoz]

CrippsCorner said:

As far as I'm aware... A/C came in every MINI? Well certainly Cooper S anyway. C/C however was a separate option.

I have the tiniest piece of rust on my rear, just below the light (on the left hand side) 2005 model.

Gearboxes are all awful in my opinion! But slightly better on the facelift models. Has been a very reliable car

Rust on the later ones is a lot less apparently!, I have just had a whole new tailgate on out “S” due to rust in the lower seam along the bottom edge, car will be 12 on the 1st September, because it’s still the original owner and had a Full bmw service history, and on time never late, they had no option but to replace it 😊

The only down side to the first gen is the fuel economy, and VED, other than that it’s much more of a Mini than the second gen ( had a JCW) so know first hand.

[GiveItSomeWellie]

CrippsCorner said:

As far as I'm aware... A/C came in every MINI? Well certainly Cooper S anyway.

For the first gen MINIs - Nope, AC was an option even in the Cooper S. But since most Cooper S were optioned with the Chili Pack, they got AC included with that. The Cooper Chili pack didn't give you AC, you had to specify it separately.

For second gen MINIs - Air con was still an option on all models, but was included with any package apart from the Salt package on the One. AC bcame standard across the range along with DAB radio and a few other bits for the 2010 LCI.

[R53rider]

Yes very rare to find an S, R53, without AC. Yes, VED, fuel economy bad, fun factor big.
If you go for a Gen1, get a Facelift.
Generally they don't suffer from rust that much. Tailgate above boot opener and round tail lights. Sometimes bottom of doors.
They have their issues as do all older cars.

Earlier petrol R56s, Gen2, to be avoided at all costs - because there will likely be a lot of costs.
There is even a Group on Facebook called 'N14 Survivor Support Group (MINI)'
It has 1,565 members. Need one say more?