High mileage Mini Cooper = bad idea?
07-24-2013, 09:03 AM
#12
i've come to befriend 3 mini addicts with my search of a mini clubman s recently. They've all boughten hi-mileage mini's 04-06 with 100K+ and they've had no major issues. There might be a sensor or small stuff but nothing major failure. From what i gather, the 06's have been the best year mini before they went turbo.
07-24-2013, 09:06 AM
#13
Originally Posted by s.hasan546' timestamp='1374678059' post='22684405
[quote name='d1rtyc4r' timestamp='1374609347' post='22682887']
Of course, you're about to see posts from non-owners who's cousin or friend has one and it's always in the shop.
Of course, you're about to see posts from non-owners who's cousin or friend has one and it's always in the shop.
[/quote]
Of course and everyone who has problems just didn't take care of their minis.
07-24-2013, 10:27 AM
#15
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I'm also looking for a used three door hatch (and the selection in the US sucks), but the projected cost of ownership put me off a Mini. This is the same reason I bought an S2000 instead of something European.
It reminds me of an Audi I bought that came with a big stack of dealer service records. I was pleased so much had been replaced at the previous owner's expense, but not so much when it continued to be an ongoing and frequent requirement.
It reminds me of an Audi I bought that came with a big stack of dealer service records. I was pleased so much had been replaced at the previous owner's expense, but not so much when it continued to be an ongoing and frequent requirement.
07-24-2013, 10:38 AM
#16
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First, I'd only consider an S or a JCW. A base Mini - you might as well just get a Civic.
Second, any car with 100k mi is going to have its issues. Minis tend to get a lot of German-esque leaks, which are annoying but not critical.
Second, any car with 100k mi is going to have its issues. Minis tend to get a lot of German-esque leaks, which are annoying but not critical.
07-24-2013, 12:52 PM
#17
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Thanks for the advise
I think I am going to give it a look for a '06+ base with auto, my wife gotta drive it
I will start looking at alternatives like FIT or Mazda2
I think I am going to give it a look for a '06+ base with auto, my wife gotta drive it
I will start looking at alternatives like FIT or Mazda2
07-24-2013, 01:19 PM
#18
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You can get the 07 turbo models for under 15k, I'd also look into that. Like someone mentioned, almost every car with 100k miles will need a few things and will need more as time goes on. But the difference is the small parts for a Honda cost nothing where small parts for a Euro cost 50-100% more, before including labour.
People say the same about rotaries, and yet I've owned mine for 25,000kms and replaced spark plugs and wires, fuel filter, intake filer, clutch master and slave cylinder and the biggest thing was the front brake caliper seized, so I replaced them with 4 piston turbo calipers. All of those things are maintenance that any car will eventually need anyway and the engine has been flawless. It's difficult to judge by asking others about their experience because you'll always get a 50/50 response and unless someone you know had experience with the EXACT car you're buying, it won't change what that car will need or not need to be replaced. Buying any used car is a crap shoot.
People say the same about rotaries, and yet I've owned mine for 25,000kms and replaced spark plugs and wires, fuel filter, intake filer, clutch master and slave cylinder and the biggest thing was the front brake caliper seized, so I replaced them with 4 piston turbo calipers. All of those things are maintenance that any car will eventually need anyway and the engine has been flawless. It's difficult to judge by asking others about their experience because you'll always get a 50/50 response and unless someone you know had experience with the EXACT car you're buying, it won't change what that car will need or not need to be replaced. Buying any used car is a crap shoot.
07-24-2013, 01:40 PM
#19
Probably not a bad idea but there are better ideas for a 100K mile car purchase for sure. Your other alternatives look better (to me), are a bit more practical, and will be easier on the wallet if any issues arise.
07-29-2013, 10:41 AM
#20
I test drove a couple high mileage coopers (a base and a JCW) with my wife. They seemed pretty solid and a lot of fun, even the base model. These things still commanded a premium price, even at 100k miles. We couldn't pull the trigger on such hi mile cars. We landed a 60k mile 325ix instead. Naturally, the bmw had its share of standard problems (water pump, idle surge) within the following 20k miles. I could only imagine how a 100k mile bmw product would have fared.