Cooper buying advice

[raceboy]

Probably leaving it a little late as looked at a car tonight and the Mrs likes it, but anything I should check before pulling the trigger?
Car is an 05 Cooper, done 63k, quite nice spec, and in better condition than some of the others we've seen.
Not exactly over flowing with service history receipts but a stamped up book, and a few bits of paperwork, and as part of the deal a full service and brake fluid change, no bills for anything big in the file so assume nothing 'big' has gone wrong.....yet.

[jackh707]

Check engine mounts. Top left Mainly. It's very obvious.
Check back box for corrosion, I would expect the original to be blowing or have been replaced at that age on most cars.
Check PAS steering pump. They all whine.

[raceboy]

Cheers, back for another look tonight so will have a prod at those bits.

[sad61t]

"They all whine." The question to ask yourself is how much...

Here's a quote from a Mini specialist in Norfolk:
" The First generation Minis have an electric power steering pump which does make some noise, especially at slow speeds or when parking when you’re probably turning the steering to full lock. Although the Mini’s power steering pump has gained a bit of a reputation for failure, the noise is not necessarily anything to worry about. If the Mini power steering becomes heavy, if it is intermittently cutting out, or a lot noisier then there may be a problem."

So I'd suggest listening to a few before passing judgement. It's about £300 for a refurbished unit at an independent.

[raceboy]

Well it seemed fine, so it got bought.
It's a 10 year old car so I'd expect a few squeaks and rattles but its got less than the Boxster it's sort of replacing.

[jackh707]

If you've bought a MINI that dosnt rattle too much, you've done very well , they all seem to have individual rattles.