MINI for both of us

[AndyT77]

My girlfriend passed her test yesterday, and would like a MINI. We're thinking about buying either a Cooper or a One for less than £3500.

Any tips or buying advice for what will be quite an old/leggy MINI?

[AndyT77]

Anyone?

[mlambere]

Andy my 2003 cooper S is now at 115500 and is still strong and in good nick its just the regular maintenance you need to check for ,so look for receipts evidence that the money has been spent .

Key things for me would be full Service history, replacement clutch /flywheel being done. (£600) Brake Discs and pad recently replaced)and if buying a cooper s the supercharger has been replaced, I had mine done at 92K.

Other than that they wear pretty well, the body work on mine is still good as is the interior and alloys. I have been offered 3500 in part ex for mine but the car I am buying is 25k.

If the car looks leggy then walk away.

[AndyT77]

Thanks for that.

[siwil1]

I assume you have checked the insurance quotes, They were horrific for my son on my cooper although he is 17.

About £9k was average !

Apart from that they are great little cars if looked after. Mine is my daily commute car, is 10yrs old and flew through its mot friday with no advisories.

[AndyT77]

I haven't checked yet, but i'm 34 and my other half is 28, so hopefully not too bad?

[RKDE]

minis before 2004 (one / cooper not S) you will need to consider the items which are going to fail,

• The Midlands gear box does fail at some point in a lot of cases, some do last but in general they don't this will cost you up to £1k if you don't do the job to get it fixed.
• Power steering pump will fail but at the price range you are looking at it will probably already have been done, the pump is about £300 but fitting is on top so call it £400 or there abouts

In general the cars are very reliable and while they are very high on the insurance and tax. I have spent many years working on them and clutches, and gearboxes are the items you will have issues with.

If you can get a face lifted cooper or one or even the diesel, the S is solid from day one

[Brite spark]

Slightly over budget and an s, but minis are getting cheap, £3500 should get you something better than you are thinking

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-02-BMW-MINI-COOPER-...