Buying used Mini

[blueST]

Having just posted in the gearbox thread thought I might need a quick PH Mini 101. I'm going to view a few Mini Ones over the coming days with the view to buying one for the Wife. Looking at models around 2006 vintage. Leaning towards a Cab at minute, but not ruled out a hatchback.

Can anyone give me a very quick run down on the most important Mini specific things I need to look out for?

[esuuv]

2006 cars should be pretty solid - the early ones and coopers (pre 2004) had midland gearboxes which are made of chocolate and cheese (maybe), these were facelifted to be the same as the S with much stronger getrag boxes in late 2004 so you're well beyond that.

In I believe early 2007 the R56 Hatch was launched (Mk 2 MINI), which is a completely different car - different engines etc.

Convertibles remained the same until late 2008.

The first gen cars - One and Cooper have the same engine, I think the one is 90hp and the cooper 115, but they are just software differences so a remap will get the extra power in a one.

Power steering pumps tend to fail so check its been done - they all make a lot of noise when manouvering good or bad so dont let that put you off.

Wheel dependant they all are supplied on runflats and the ride is firm to say the least - so rattles are common and very annoying to live with.

The options lists were as long as you're arm - a call with the reg no to a friendly BMW dealer should get you the spec list, some of which came in packs - chilli pack being the main one, tended to be bigger wheels, air con etc etc - the cooper was better equipped than a one but it was possible to spend crazy money on trinkets inside.

there are a good few mini forums out there - mini2 was the biggest but I believe its not so good anymore - its been years since I really went on MINI forums.

[blueST]

Thanks for that, most useful. Especially the gearbox stuff.

Going totally against what I said in my 1st post, ive seen a 2004 '04 plate convertible that looks cherished at decent price. Is that likely to have choco gearbox then? One to avoid?

Also, are they on variable service intervals? How do I check when the next service is due?

[Chr1sch]

Gearboxes arent half as bad as you read, why not take a look at our car? (its a 2005 55 Cooper S, but its my wife's car and makes a great girls car! Half leather, Sat Nav, Spot lamps etc) I'd take offers as our baby is about to turn up!!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3357904.htm

[blueST]

Chr1sch said:

Gearboxes arent half as bad as you read, why not take a look at our car? (its a 2005 55 Cooper S, but its my wife's car and makes a great girls car! Half leather, Sat Nav, Spot lamps etc) I'd take offers as our baby is about to turn up!!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3357904.htm

It looks very nice, but unfortunately it needs to be a One for the cheap insurance.

[Chr1sch]

Fair enough, just as a benchmark, this is £450 a yr for us, parked on the drive....(27yr old wife, 6yrs no claims)

[esuuv]

Actually having had a think about it last night - i dont think there were ever convertibles with the midland gearbox, the hatch was facelifted (and the gearbox changed) at the same time the convertible was launched - although that might not be gospel.

Facelifted cars - have slightly different headlights and the foglight / reversing light is slightly different on the rear - quick search on one of the MINI forums will show the difference, then you'll know what you're looking at.

[blueST]

Thanks, spent all day looking and driven a convertible today. Lots of tatty ones about.

I've seen one today that say -4800 miles when you turn the ign on. Does that mean it is 4800 over due a service or 4800 to go. The dealer didn't seem to know?

[AOK]

blueST said:

I've seen one today that say -4800 miles when you turn the ign on. Does that mean it is 4800 over due a service or 4800 to go. The dealer didn't seem to know?

4800 overdue. Could sometimes be that the car has been serviced (by non-approved dealerships) and so they couldn't reset the meter.
By the sounds of it, you were at a non=approved dealer?

[blueST]

AOK said:

blueST said:

I've seen one today that say -4800 miles when you turn the ign on. Does that mean it is 4800 over due a service or 4800 to go. The dealer didn't seem to know?

4800 overdue. Could sometimes be that the car has been serviced (by non-approved dealerships) and so they couldn't reset the meter.
By the sounds of it, you were at a non=approved dealer?

It was a little used car place, not a specialist. It's possible the car has been serviced but would be a pure guess. It's an 06 with just 23,000 miles. The last stamp was 15,000 ago, in June 07 at a main dealer. That's a big gap, but the rest of the car was really nice, I'm still tempted, which goes against all my principles! I think the reason I'm still tempted is the fact the mileage is so low, how much harm can have been done?...

[AOK]

blueST said:

It was a little used car place, not a specialist. It's possible the car has been serviced but would be a pure guess. It's an 06 with just 23,000 miles. The last stamp was 15,000 ago, in June 07 at a main dealer. That's a big gap, but the rest of the car was really nice, I'm still tempted, which goes against all my principles! I think the reason I'm still tempted is the fact the mileage is so low, how much harm can have been done?...

If the price is really good... i'd be concerned!
PM me the number plate and I'll have a look at work tomorrow to see if anything comes up on the bmw system / the hpi..

[blueST]

AOK said:

If the price is really good... i'd be concerned!
PM me the number plate and I'll have a look at work tomorrow to see if anything comes up on the bmw system / the hpi..

Thanks for the offer. Price seemed about right but I won't be buying now anyway. A quick Google brings up a recent news story of the dealership in question being raided for clocking and money laundering. The search continues. So...

Looking for a nice 2006 or later Mini One Convertible for less than 7k, if anyone spots anything. Nice spec, must be well looked after and within a reasonable distance of Manchester. Probably needs to be a dealer as want to p/x.

[AOK]

blueST said:

Thanks for the offer. Price seemed about right but I won't be buying now anyway. A quick Google brings up a recent news story of the dealership in question being raided for clocking and money laundering. The search continues. So...

Looking for a nice 2006 or later Mini One Convertible for less than 7k, if anyone spots anything. Nice spec, must be well looked after and within a reasonable distance of Manchester. Probably needs to be a dealer as want to p/x.

Two things:

- Please give me the number plate of the car in question so I can check up on it anyway Finding 'reverse' mileage on the BMW system always brings up excitement among the boys in the dealership!

- Please PM me what you want exactly + full details of your p/x... I'll take a gander at the stock list and keep an eye for something that works

[blueST]

AOK said:

Two things:

- Please give me the number plate of the car in question so I can check up on it anyway Finding 'reverse' mileage on the BMW system always brings up excitement among the boys in the dealership!

- Please PM me what you want exactly + full details of your p/x... I'll take a gander at the stock list and keep an eye for something that works

PM'd

[blueST]

fesuvious said:

If you'd like one with an immaculate history..
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3314558.htm

I'm selling a convertible

Lovely, but way out of our budget I'm afraid. If I come across some cash down the back of the sofa I'll be in touch