Buying advice.....

[Farky]

Well hopefully our next car will be a Cooper S and we were looking for some info.
Is there any problems to look out for? Any common issues?
Its all low mileage cars we are looking at, with FSH.
Our budget wont go newer than 53/04 plate cars so this model specific please.
Any info and tips will be greatly appreciated!!

Ian & Laura

[Supermega]

Im sure the the MINI range was face lifted during 04. I think the S got more power and different gear ratios. Mini2.com may be your best bet for all the answers :-) Things you should know are they're not the most fuel sipping MINIs about, and thanks to Mr Brown you will be left £300 a year lighter in Road tax. The most important things are, they go like the clappers, will embarrass most cars in the twistys....oh and dont forget the supercharger whine...its ace! ;-)

[riwiho]

Farky said:

Well hopefully our next car will be a Cooper S and we were looking for some info.
Is there any problems to look out for? Any common issues?
Its all low mileage cars we are looking at, with FSH.
Our budget wont go newer than 53/04 plate cars so this model specific please.
Any info and tips will be greatly appreciated!!

Ian & Laura

You will will love it!

As the poster mentioned above the Cooper S was revised and power was increased to 170hp in July 2004 (see history here : http://www.mini2.com/2006/11/04/the-new-mini-a-bri... and it will be well within your budget, go for this.

If the origional owner bought the TLC pack (most did) then it will have about 1yr left of its warrenty, after 5 years its possible to upgrade this for an additional 3 years (you may want to haggle this into the purchase if you're buying it from a dealer)

[Farky]

What is the usual daily driving MPG in the MCS??
I know itll be down to everyones dif driving style but whats the rough figures??

[riwiho]

Farky said:

What is the usual daily driving MPG in the MCS??
I know itll be down to everyones dif driving style but whats the rough figures??

The claimed MPG figures for a Mini Cooper S (MCS) do heavily depend on how you drive it.

I have a 22 mile commute each way with around 17 of those on the motorway, driving it gently and without been too much of a heavy handed tit with my right foot my 05 (face lift 170hp version) MCS will return 37-40mpg averaged out over a whole tank. This is been VERY gentle with her though.

Real world day to day spirited driving you will see between 33-28. Push it hard over the tank and you can get it well down.

I promise you if you have an ounce of petrol in your veins all your able to do is keep the car on gear so when you plant your right foot the supercharger whine kicks in. Brilliant cars.

Keep us posted how you get on

[Farky]

Thats scary, my trip to work is exactly 22mls with about 17 done on the Mway!!! The problem is, i'm coming from a 150bhp Diesel returning 50mpg!!
I know its gonna take some getting use to but i've always liked them.
Now though, unfortunatley my budget has just came down to £7.2K so doubt i'll get the later spec 170bhp engine.
Are the earlier engines any good??
My local VW dealer has a 53 plate 2004 one in at the moment for £6900, only 34k from new. Salesman siad its mint so may go look at it 2moro.
Thanks for all the help so far!!

Ian

[Supermega]

Dont rule out the Cooper, you may get a better/younger spec for your money. Also the ONEs can be chipped to cooper power for about £200 try them out and see what you think.

[riwiho]

Farky said:

Thats scary, my trip to work is exactly 22mls with about 17 done on the Mway!!! The problem is, i'm coming from a 150bhp Diesel returning 50mpg!!
I know its gonna take some getting use to but i've always liked them.
Now though, unfortunatley my budget has just came down to £7.2K so doubt i'll get the later spec 170bhp engine.
Are the earlier engines any good??
My local VW dealer has a 53 plate 2004 one in at the moment for £6900, only 34k from new. Salesman siad its mint so may go look at it 2moro.
Thanks for all the help so far!!

Ian

I use to have a 306 HDI dturbo that could stretch 50GBP worth of fuel for 650 miles !!

Believe me this is going to be a kick in the balls but its so worth it. If you are going to worry about the money look elsewhere as this is going to cost you more than your current steed. More tax, more insurance, more fuel etc but it is totally worth it.

Nothing wrong with the mark 1 engine. Check it over for wear, establish how much TLC (servicing + warrenty) there is left, consider adding an additional 3 years to the car for 300 at a main dealer.

[Supermega]

Well my last Cooper was one of the last first gen MINIs, out of a 50 litre tank I would get about 320 miles to tank. This was all town driving really. I know people who have the S,and struggle to get much more than 200 mile range.

[Farky]

Supermega said:

Dont rule out the Cooper, you may get a better/younger spec for your money. Also the ONEs can be chipped to cooper power for about £200 try them out and see what you think.

Had a Cooper b4 mate. Too slow for my liking!! LOVED the handling though!!!