High mileage early coopers

[redbullish]

I’m thinking of buying a Cooper with nearly 90,000 on the clock but with FSH. Are there any problems with high milers that I should aware of?. I am hoping that if well looked after, the engine and running gear should be capable of well over 100k, am I expecting a bit much?

Thx

[pbarlow0032]

Not sure, but i would say the fact that most people have the TLC pack, would mean that proportionately more Mini's will be better looked after than some other models, as the servicing is already paid for?

But maybe thats completely wrong

[matt21]

look out for gearboxes they have major problems on prefacelifts. not the most reliable out there but if its a well looked after motorway mileage car then go for it!

[rallycross]

should be ok if fsh have seen 140k on a couple of cooper mini's this year and they were fine, look for difficult to engage first gear and noisy power steering and check both windows and door locks working and no warning lights on dash as 2001 cars some have loom problems (v few though)

[redbullish]

Thanks for advice.

I've bought the breadknife a 51 plate cooper with 54,000. Think got a reasonable price touch wood; family owned since new, FBMWSH, full leather, sunroof and aircon for 6500, no ESP or traction tho.

The airbag light is on, which I knew about when bought. It had a new cable last year which the protective cover seems to have come off due to kids jumping in and out the back. may try get BMW to fix for free. Stiff to come out of reverse, steering pump a little noisy on full lock, brake fluid change due but other than that reasonable car for 6 years old and great fun when the Mrs let me nick it off her!

[buffly]

Rear wheel bearings, rear calipers sticking, creaking steering, water leaks down the A-pillar, rattling bootlids, rear exhaust brackets broken,.... not much really!!

[Workshy Fop]

Blatant plug! My Mrs' 01/51 Cooper is up for £6995 - only 22,500 miles!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/193205.htm

[redbullish]

Did look at that and looks good at the price, Mrs had heart set on sunroof tho.

Get that on autotrader go in no time

[matt21]

this is a common fault - make sure when it is fixed you are careful as a friend of mine had the whole of the bottom of his car wripped out when bmw tried to fix it making the car off the road for 1mth!!!

redbullish said:

Thanks for advice.

I've bought the breadknife a 51 plate cooper with 54,000. Think got a reasonable price touch wood; family owned since new, FBMWSH, full leather, sunroof and aircon for 6500, no ESP or traction tho.

The airbag light is on, which I knew about when bought. It had a new cable last year which the protective cover seems to have come off due to kids jumping in and out the back. may try get BMW to fix for free. Stiff to come out of reverse, steering pump a little noisy on full lock, brake fluid change due but other than that reasonable car for 6 years old and great fun when the Mrs let me nick it off her!

[redbullish]

The airbag is common fault? sure I read something bout that on another site

Bluffy, how did you get your sticking caliper fixed think i have one of those too! repair or replacement?

Thx

[Silent1]

go to somewhere with an OBD machine and just get it reset first and see if that sorts it otherwise BMW will be looking at, atleast 2 hours to diagnose and fix

[Workshy Fop]

The rear calipers stuck on ours for most of winter, but freed themselves off eventually and have been fine for ages. Calipers are only about £50 on europarts etc. if it does come to it.

p.s. Mini sold now - £6600 - one panel keyed, scratched bumper, noisy aircon. All faults disclosed to buyer. Better than 50% residuals, not bad for a near 6 year old

[Workshy Fop]

The rear calipers stuck on ours for most of winter, but freed themselves off eventually and have been fine for ages. Calipers are only about £50 on europarts etc. if it does come to it.

p.s. Mini sold now - £6600 - one panel keyed, scratched bumper, noisy aircon. All faults disclosed to buyer. Better than 50% residuals, not bad for a near 6 year old