2007 Mini Cooper S automatic, first car - some advice

2007 Mini Cooper S automatic, first car - some advice

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Discussion

richneedsacar

Original Poster:

45 posts

119 months

Friday 11th April 2014
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Hello! I passed my driving test in an automatic last month, and did my pass plus last week.

I'm 26 years old and I have a budget of about £8000 for a car. I've always liked the MCS, there seem to be nice ones for around my price ...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

The first one is a year older, less miles and much bigger spec! The second one is a year younger - would one car be more reliable than the other? Are there any questions I should be asking about these cars?

Also, is this car too fast for a new driver? I don't really want a one or cooper, but I'd really enjoy owning an S. I'm thinking I can drive it sensibly but I am willing to listen to reasons why it's not a good idea! I have a test drive booked for next monday!

Thanks guys! Help is really appreciated - this buying a car business is really really hard! Ideally, I don't want to spend my cash on something I find really boring. I'd actually love having the cooper s.

mike9009

6,918 posts

242 months

Saturday 12th April 2014
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Firstly, welcome to pistonheads.

Both look like nice cars. I would check the following

1. Insurance. How much will it cost you?
2. Timing chain rattle.
3. Tread depth on the tyres? Are they run-flats?

Personally I would go for the higher spec car, but that is a personal preference. Cars are not too fast for people, people are too fast for cars. Drive easily for several thousand miles to get used to the car, then take it to an organised airfield day to learn its limits in a safe environment.

A dangerous driver can right off a one litre corsa just as easily as a MINI Cooper S.

Have fun...

Mike

Maracus

4,229 posts

167 months

Sunday 13th April 2014
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Great choice.

We've got a facelift 2010 Cooper S auto. Very go-karty, and dodgem like with the auto!

mini turbo

303 posts

193 months

Sunday 13th April 2014
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Hi I'd definitely go for the higher spec car personally as it is by the sound of it more what you want and with either car they could have the same problems as each other anyway , as there is no reall reason why one would suffer more than the other.
Things to check.
As mentioned before check insurance, I'm 27 and it's very reasonable on my JCW.
As an auto it will be heavier on brakes so when were they last replaced / general condition.
Up until 2012 I believe the engines fitted to the cooper s did have a common fault with the timing chain. Bassically you could tell this as when you started they sounded very terrible with a loud rattle. So check it doesn't sound horrendous and ask if the timing chain, tensioner or guides have been replaced and if so when and ask for proof of this work carried out via an invoice for work carried out etc. My car has just had the updated tensions fitted for peace of mind.
The other thing to ask is has the car had a decoke. Another common fault with the minis is they suffering from what is know as coking up. It's nothing horendous but needs to be done of it hasn't been done already. It shouldn't cost more than £300 to have done at bmw but factor that in to the cost if it hasn't been done.

I know this probably sounds like the cars are awful but they really aren't. All cars have common faults just think with the mini you are walking in to ownership with open eyes.
With this information also you will seem knowledgable and informed to the seller which will also give you a strong position when negotiating the price.

Hope this helps and as mentioned above, no the car is not to fast for a new driver, they are actually really nice and easy just to cruise around in due to the turbo charged engine.

Oh and join www.minitorque.co.uk if you need any advice or help everyone is really nice and helpful


richneedsacar

Original Poster:

45 posts

119 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for the brilliant replies! I'm really pleased to hear you don't think it's too fast - makes me feel a bit more sane choosing this as a first car smile

I'm going for a test drive tomorrow of a Cooper S - so I will report back how I get on! Thanks for the pointers, I've just done a bit of reading about those issues you mentioned! I will make sure to ask the questions!

Insurance is £1200 - which isn't too bad - it's £900 for a 1.3l Yaris! That's for 26 year old as the named driver with my dad added onto the policy as an additional driver.

Thanks guys.

Maracus

4,229 posts

167 months

Monday 14th April 2014
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mini turbo said:
Up until 2012 I believe the engines fitted to the cooper s did have a common fault with the timing chain.
It was the N14 175BHP upto mid 2010.

Hopefully the N18 184BHP doesn't have the same issue.

mini turbo

303 posts

193 months

Monday 14th April 2014
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Yep agreed as above n14 engine is the one which suffers but I couldn't remember what year the n18 came into production.

richneedsacar

Original Poster:

45 posts

119 months

Monday 14th April 2014
quotequote all
Well I've been for a test drive in a mini cooper s and it was brilliant. I'm not going to buy the car I went to see though, cosmetically it was in poor condition.

I do want to buy the black one I posted above, I haven't been to see it yet as it's 150 miles away - so I'll be going there to buy it if i go! I called the dealer, it hasn't had the timing chain replaced, is this a deal breaker? It did have the turbo replaced under warranty though.

Please let me know your thoughts! Would be brill to get it bought!

Thanks!

uk66fastback

16,457 posts

270 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Take your time ... There ARE literally 1000s out there ...

richneedsacar

Original Poster:

45 posts

119 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Thanks to mini turbo - I've joined minitorque! - I'm almost certain I'm going to buy a car from a main dealer - will give them a call on Tuesday when they're back open! I've just posted this over at minitorque but thought I'd post here as well incase anyone has any advice for me!


I'm very serious considering buying a 2008 Mini Cooper S automatic from a main dealer.

The cost of the car is £9750 - which seems expensive - but the car has 31000 miles and a years warranty (which costs £800 separately, which I'd want) and on average automatic cars seem to cost about £1000 more used unfortunately ... So I don' think it's a bad deal.

The reason for this post is though, I want to turn an ok deal into a brilliant deal! I don't think I can get any money off the price (the dealer would be sourcing the car from somewhere else for me, they know the car was above my initial budget so I think they gave me their best price) but do you think I can get anything thrown in with the car for free? Is there anything I could be asking for?

I thought of asking for an extra years warranty (unlikely) or asking for a TLC servicing pack? Do either of those options sound possible? If anyone has any experience buying a used mini for a main dealer - please let me now if you were able to wangle anything!


Thanks guys!

mike9009

6,918 posts

242 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Hi

I have bought new and second hand from a main dealer. They did give me a good offer for my part ex - which swung the deal for me.

Be open and honest and you may get more warranty.

Mike

richneedsacar

Original Poster:

45 posts

119 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Thanks Mike, that's good to hear!

Yeah, I plan to just be honest and basically say, I do want the car - but I need something to twist my arm to make me it a better buy for me - the added warranty would make me feel very comfortable parting with the cash!

Honsta

110 posts

169 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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How did you get on in the end? Are you official a MINI owner?

Honsta

110 posts

169 months

Sunday 27th April 2014
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How did you get on in the end? Are you official a MINI owner?

richneedsacar

Original Poster:

45 posts

119 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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Not yet!! I'm close though - on the case, I will post here as soon as it happens!

uk66fastback

16,457 posts

270 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
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Don't think they'll put a tlc on for you with a 6yo car (not for free) - I don't think a tlc can be added on a used car anyway ... you're right about the warrantly though - it's expensive!

Maybe a full tank of petrol and six months tax or seomthing? Would that swing it for you?


Honsta

110 posts

169 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
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Have you looked around for another car that has roughly the same spec and mileage? Gauge what the price differences are and see if the one they are selling is really the cheapest/best value. If you find one cheaper, then it's easier to justify you wanting the car for less.

All cherished MINIs come with one year warranty so I doubt you'll get another year. Tax and a full tank of fuel is always a good one or see if there is any accessories you can add on that you want. My Wife had a used Suzuki Swift Sport and we asked them if they can fit the parking sensors for free. They did it for cost price instead, but we still saved over £100 - plus they were painted body colour!

Good luck.


richneedsacar

Original Poster:

45 posts

119 months

Wednesday 4th June 2014
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Bumping my thread! Nearly 2 months on, it looks like I've found my car. Going to pick it up tomorrow morning - sounds perfect! I 100% expect to buy it.

I'll post pics up on Friday morning (I really hope this doesn't fall through!)


0llie

3,006 posts

195 months

Thursday 5th June 2014
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Congratulations smile What year/colour/spec did you chose?

richneedsacar

Original Poster:

45 posts

119 months

Thursday 5th June 2014
quotequote all
0llie said:
Congratulations smile What year/colour/spec did you chose?
Hey 0llie! Thanks!

Just got back from picking it up now! Ended up being an 18 hour adventure!

It's a 2007, dark silver with black roof, lounge leather, 17 inch web spokes and Sat Nav, 28,000 miles. Pretty much my ideal car!

I'll take some photos tomorrow morning and upload them!