Daughter wants a mini

[Tim O]

Help, seeking advice! Daughter's Mk4 Golf has finally come to the end of the road, clutch has failed and with its other issues it's beyond economic repair.

She'd like to replace it with a Mini, and likes the idea of a convertible. Fall back position would be a Mini hatchback..

We're going halves on the purchase, looking to spend £10k ish. I know little about them so asking for any advice on what to look out for, known faults etc etc.

City dweller (Bristol), won't use it for commuting, and not a speedy driver (she admitted recently that she'd never overtaken another car except when on a motorway!). Sometimes needs to carry a mountain bike, not sure if that's possible in a soft top.

So, what to look for, where to buy, what to avoid, all the usual stuff.

Thoughts (and prayers) please?

PS the lovely fellow who looks after our family fleet has told us he will refuse to do any work on it. Hates them. Said just get another Golf. Not helpful

Edited by Tim O on Friday 30th May 16:41

[thebraketester]

Check insurance. A friends daughter had a mini and the insurance was disproportionately high.

[un1eash]

Gen3 cars are pretty reliable with BMW engines. There's a lot of choice and spec on the used market so don't settle.

[nordboy]

F56 1.5 Cooper hatch would be my pick. The convertible, for me, was horrible to drive. That's if the insurance isn't a crazy price, which as we know, it could well be.

[21TonyK]

I have an R56 and F56, the F56 is definately the more user friendly option.

Thats why I took the R out all day today and why I am looking for a 3rd one now!

[Furbo]

21TonyK said:

I have an R56 and F56, the F56 is definately the more user friendly option.

Thats why I took the R out all day today and why I am looking for a 3rd one now!

+1

We've got one as a family runabout. My son has stolen the keys. It's great. HIS only complaint is that it's a late 2018 and the exhaust doesn't sound throaty enough!

[BOR]

Some F5x cars have a bike rack preparation option.

You can spot this quite easily as the rear bumper has 2 towing eye covers.

You then need a specific OEM rack.

[Tim O]

Thanks all. I’ll try and steer her towards a hatch, but first I’ll ask her to get some insurance quotes. What about known reliability issues, anything we should know in advance?

[stargazer30]

Wifey has an f56 1.5 petrol, son has her old f56 1.5 petrol. Over the last 3 to 4 years no faults or issues other than consumables. My only niggles are they tend to eat rear brake pads (stability control apparently) any the stupid bmw logical indicators. Other than that loads of fun to drive and a nice place to sit.

I liked them so much I got the electric SE on my company scheme. Considering bmw hacked the petrol f56 to make the electric version I’m amazed at how good this car is. Faster, smoother, handles almost as good, and really low running costs 😎.

[bern]

Avoid the 1.6 and 2.0 diesel BMW engines, N47's.

Absolute fking nail of an engine that will need a £1500+ timing chain replacement, if it hasn't been done already.

[nickfrog]

That's a bit weird about the mechanic not wanting to work on them, he must be talking about the older generations.

I can just about fit a 29' L mountain bike in a hatch so she might be OK with a smaller bike unless she is very tall.

The convertible will reduce practicallity and reliability and safety and security.

Gen3 are VERY reliable, particularly compared to a Golf. 1.5l triple is the pick of the bunch.

[21TonyK]

bern said:

Avoid the 1.6 and 2.0 diesel BMW engines, N47's.

Absolute fking nail of an engine that will need a £1500+ timing chain replacement, if it hasn't been done already.

This is often said but is true of any engine with a timing chain if its not properly maintained.

Touch wood... I have an F56 diesel on 90K and there was no evidence of chain wear when checked by a dealer a couple of months ago.

With petrol most seem to change the chain around 60K, same on the older diesels.

As for £1500+? Shop around, thats a main dealer price round my way, <600 at a proper indie.

[Tim O]

Thanks all. I’ll try and steer her towards a hatch, but first I’ll ask her to get some insurance quotes. What about known reliability issues, anything we should know in advance?

[Furbo]

Tim O said:

Thanks all. I ll try and steer her towards a hatch, but first I ll ask her to get some insurance quotes. What about known reliability issues, anything we should know in advance?

Go Girl is worth a try.

[Tim O]

Okay, increased budget a tad, narrowed it down, again seeking advice.

Two cars, same price, same spec:

a) 2016, 22000 miles, one owner, full main dealer history etc

or

b) 2018, 45000 miles, two owners, FSH (not all main dealer)

In the dark ages of my youth 9 year old cars were not long for this world but corrosion now a thing of the past? And 2500 miles a year is nothing mechanically with FSH. Can't see any reason not to buy option A.

Thoughts?

[Furbo]

Tim O said:

Okay, increased budget a tad, narrowed it down, again seeking advice.

Two cars, same price, same spec:

a) 2016, 22000 miles, one owner, full main dealer history etc

or

b) 2018, 45000 miles, two owners, FSH (not all main dealer)

In the dark ages of my youth 9 year old cars were not long for this world but corrosion now a thing of the past? And 2500 miles a year is nothing mechanically with FSH. Can't see any reason not to buy option A.

Thoughts?

Probably the older one if condition is identical.

[a340driver]

I'd tend to agree on the older one as long as body inside and out are similar.

[un1eash]

When you say same spec do you mean same trim level as there a lot of optional extras on a Mini

[nordboy]

For bodywork, look at the door bolster area, above where the door meets the main bodywork. The doors can often rub off the paint and cause some issues, i seem to be lucky with my 2018 model. You can buy correctly cut stickers, clear or coloured to stick in that area to protect it from happening.

Apart from that, I'd go with condition, 2500 miles a year isn't a lot, but some cars don't like being static for long periods. My mothers (2015) car does less than 1000 miles a year, fully main dealer serviced on the dot etc, but runs like an absolute dog and I think it's because it's lack of use.

I wouldn't worry about the mileage on the 2018 model, that's below average as well. Would be nice to know more about the service history though?

[21TonyK]

nordboy said:

For bodywork, look at the door bolster area, above where the door meets the main bodywork. The doors can often rub off the paint and cause some issues, i seem to be lucky with my 2018 model. You can buy correctly cut stickers, clear or coloured to stick in that area to protect it from happening.

I might be wrong but I think this was an issue with earlier Gen3's. My (2014) F56 certainly had paint wear from the door seals on both sides. Mini have honoured claims for paintwork according to a lot of reports but mine is at the point its beyond worth doing and I put a couple of vinyl patches on to solve the problem.

Does seem to be an issue with paint in general on some cars. Very soft and very easily marked. Mine took a lot of polishing to remove the dog scratches around the door shuts and rear panel.

Edited by 21TonyK on Saturday 21st June 10:31