Better over 100k?

[A500leroy]

Just wondering with the MINI'S many engine faults if one thats done over 100k is a better buy than a low mileage one? Looking at R52 and R56.

[stevemcs]

Not really, its like every other car, if its been looked after it will be reliable.

Main things are

timing chains
clutch
thermostat -r56
front arm rear bushes
calipers - mostly rear
ball joints r50
exhaust hanger brackets - r50
radiators
water pump - r56
ac condenser - r56
buckled wheels on cars with runflats
power steering motor - r50
front shock absorbers r56
airbag lights r50
brake pipes - front r50
sunroofs
timing chains
HPFP on N14/18

Get one thats been looked after and they are great little cars, don't let the list above put you off




The list makes it sound

[un1eash]

Any car over 100k miles it's not just the engine you have to consider, suspension, brakes etc have all done 100k miles also.

[cologne2792]

I've seen plenty of R56 Cooper D with over 200k and not only still going but in really decent nic too.
Highest so far was 270k and even that didn't look like a shed.

As long as the history and MOT data is good and the shell, paint and interior is ok, I'd happily have a 100k+ example.

[Majorslow]

Mine has done 176k, 2012, and only had to change what you expect from a car that works hard. Tyres, pads and discs. Get it serviced when required, or sooner if you like cleaner oil in it. (still on first clutch too )

People still think a car is dying when it reaches 100k. Modern cars are so well engineered they should last to 300-500k these days. My V70 has 251k, still on first clutch.

Service history is important, without I wouldn't touch

[BIRMA]

I've seen a fair few Mini Clubvans with more than 150K miles for sale on Autotrader in fact one had 212K a year or so back. Gives me a glimmer of hope for my N47 engined Clubvan which is at 33k at the moment. I do change the oil regularly though.

[Majorslow]

BIRMA said:

I've seen a fair few Mini Clubvans with more than 150K miles for sale on Autotrader in fact one had 212K a year or so back. Gives me a glimmer of hope for my N47 engined Clubvan which is at 33k at the moment. I do change the oil regularly though.

Blimey, only 33k and oil changed regularly.....Must do very low miles a year.?

My service interval is 20 k or 2 years I think...(or when the computer says so) for me that's about every 9-10 months

Your car will be one someone wants in a few years

[BIRMA]

Majorslow said:

BIRMA said:

I've seen a fair few Mini Clubvans with more than 150K miles for sale on Autotrader in fact one had 212K a year or so back. Gives me a glimmer of hope for my N47 engined Clubvan which is at 33k at the moment. I do change the oil regularly though.

Blimey, only 33k and oil changed regularly.....Must do very low miles a year.?

My service interval is 20 k or 2 years I think...(or when the computer says so) for me that's about every 9-10 months

Your car will be one someone wants in a few years

Since discovering the cam chain guide issue with the N47 engine which I discovered after buying it I've been very careful. Fortunately I bought it (a 2014 van with 26k miles run by a cake maker so very carefully looked after) But I have had it modified with re-map, active suspension, big brake kit all round plus loads of other tweaks so it has an annual oil change with fully synthetic oil regardless of mileage.

Edited by BIRMA on Friday 26th February 18:33

[Majorslow]

BIRMA said:

Majorslow said:

BIRMA said:

I've seen a fair few Mini Clubvans with more than 150K miles for sale on Autotrader in fact one had 212K a year or so back. Gives me a glimmer of hope for my N47 engined Clubvan which is at 33k at the moment. I do change the oil regularly though.

Blimey, only 33k and oil changed regularly.....Must do very low miles a year.?

My service interval is 20 k or 2 years I think...(or when the computer says so) for me that's about every 9-10 months

Your car will be one someone wants in a few years

Since discovering the cam chain guide issue with the N47 engine which I discovered after buying it I've been very careful. Fortunately I bought it (a 2014 van with 26k miles run by a cake maker so very carefully looked after) But I have had it modified with re-map, active suspension, big brake kit all round plus loads of other tweaks so it has an annual oil change with fully synthetic oil regardless of mileage.

Edited by BIRMA on Friday 26th February 18:33

can't argue with new oil annually I do the same for my MX5 regardless of miles.

Is the Mini"van" down as a commercial vehicle? and has it rear seats? (just curious)

[BIRMA]

Majorslow said:

BIRMA said:

Majorslow said:

BIRMA said:

I've seen a fair few Mini Clubvans with more than 150K miles for sale on Autotrader in fact one had 212K a year or so back. Gives me a glimmer of hope for my N47 engined Clubvan which is at 33k at the moment. I do change the oil regularly though.

Blimey, only 33k and oil changed regularly.....Must do very low miles a year.?

My service interval is 20 k or 2 years I think...(or when the computer says so) for me that's about every 9-10 months

Your car will be one someone wants in a few years

Since discovering the cam chain guide issue with the N47 engine which I discovered after buying it I've been very careful. Fortunately I bought it (a 2014 van with 26k miles run by a cake maker so very carefully looked after) But I have had it modified with re-map, active suspension, big brake kit all round plus loads of other tweaks so it has an annual oil change with fully synthetic oil regardless of mileage.

Edited by BIRMA on Friday 26th February 18:33

can't argue with new oil annually I do the same for my MX5 regardless of miles.

Is the Mini"van" down as a commercial vehicle? and has it rear seats? (just curious)

Yes it has commercial vehicle status and no rear seats just a flat platform so it's a bit lighter, although I should add it is bloody useless as a load carrier. I bought it to extend the life of my Renault Traffic van so it is used to go to and from jobs once all our gear is on site. I can just about get my 1/6th scale model tank in the back so it does have some use as a load carrier occasionally.

[this is my username]

My Clubvan is on 105k and still going well. Previous owner changed the oil every 6k miles and I do the same (so 4 oil changes in a normal year!). Fortunately it’s very easy to change the oil as the filter is accessible from above and you can just slurp the old stuff out with a pump.

Mine has a remap and upgraded shocks to smooth out the ride.

Great personal transport but useless for carrying anything other than a toolbox and a few odds and ends.

[Stick Legs]

BIRMA said:

That's lovely!

[R53rider]

BIRMA said:

Since discovering the cam chain guide issue with the N47 engine which I discovered after buying it I've been very careful. Fortunately I bought it (a 2014 van with 26k miles run by a cake maker so very carefully looked after) But I have had it modified with re-map, active suspension, big brake kit all round plus loads of other tweaks so it has an annual oil change with fully synthetic oil regardless of mileage.

Edited by BIRMA on Friday 26th February 18:33

Lovely wheels - look great on your, very rare, van. Rota RBs.

[BIRMA]

R53rider said:

Lovely wheels - look great on your, very rare, van. Rota RBs.

Thanks, I read a comment on here from someone saying Rota RB's were cheap knock-offs, I have to say after a few years of being on the van they are perfect, no discolouration or any issues with the quality or finish of the wheels. I acknowledge they pay homage to the Minlites of yesteryear but apart from that I can't fault them.

[Majorslow]

BIRMA said:

Majorslow said:

BIRMA said:

Majorslow said:

BIRMA said:

I've seen a fair few Mini Clubvans with more than 150K miles for sale on Autotrader in fact one had 212K a year or so back. Gives me a glimmer of hope for my N47 engined Clubvan which is at 33k at the moment. I do change the oil regularly though.

Blimey, only 33k and oil changed regularly.....Must do very low miles a year.?

My service interval is 20 k or 2 years I think...(or when the computer says so) for me that's about every 9-10 months

Your car will be one someone wants in a few years

Since discovering the cam chain guide issue with the N47 engine which I discovered after buying it I've been very careful. Fortunately I bought it (a 2014 van with 26k miles run by a cake maker so very carefully looked after) But I have had it modified with re-map, active suspension, big brake kit all round plus loads of other tweaks so it has an annual oil change with fully synthetic oil regardless of mileage.

Edited by BIRMA on Friday 26th February 18:33

can't argue with new oil annually I do the same for my MX5 regardless of miles.

Is the Mini"van" down as a commercial vehicle? and has it rear seats? (just curious)

Yes it has commercial vehicle status and no rear seats just a flat platform so it's a bit lighter, although I should add it is bloody useless as a load carrier. I bought it to extend the life of my Renault Traffic van so it is used to go to and from jobs once all our gear is on site. I can just about get my 1/6th scale model tank in the back so it does have some use as a load carrier occasionally.

Can we see a photo of the Tank please

[BIRMA]

Majorslow said:

Can we see a photo of the Tank please

The reason I mentioned it was because it weighs about 100 kilo's and is a metre long so with the help of some aluminium ramps I had for my Quad I can just about drive it up and into the back of the Mini, only just and of course the ramps for taking it out at exhibitions/shows etc.
For those interested it is an Armortek 1/6th scale all metal Panzer 4 with full exhaust smoke, sound, rotating main gun with recoil and sound. I had the figures animated at great cost and the model depicts the enigma that is Panzer Lehr 333.

Edited by BIRMA on Monday 8th March 18:03

[Majorslow]

Very nice, but you just dug yourself a bigger hole.....video showing it working now

[BIRMA]

Majorslow said:

Very nice, but you just dug yourself a bigger hole.....video showing it working now

I think we have strayed far too off topic. But if you check out Churchill Creations Animatronics either their website or Youtube you'll see. My tank commander looks around moves his body and head then puts the binoculars up to his eyes. The Field Commnder looks around picks up the field phone etc.
When we exhibit our tanks at the Tank Museum kids of all ages look in wonder at the near realism.

Edited by BIRMA on Tuesday 9th March 19:18