In the hunt for a MCS.....
Discussion
My wife has wanted a MCS for years now (since we sold our Cooper 6yrs ago) so after me buying what i've wanted for the past 6yr i've decided to get her one!!
I know theyre not the best on petrol, doesnt really bother me, but what should i look out for when viewing any that i fancy?
Unfortunatley, my budget only allows for roughly £6250 at the moment, i've seen a few 53 plates at this money.
Apart from the whine when pulling away (clutch/flywheel) and the sunroof cassette (dont need to worry about that though if it hasnt got one!! lol!!) what else should i be wary off? I dont mind getting my hands dirty, crawling under the cars to check etc etc!!
And finally, will i LOVE it? I thought our old Cooper was fine, apart from being far too slow for my liking.
Thanks in advance, Ian
I know theyre not the best on petrol, doesnt really bother me, but what should i look out for when viewing any that i fancy?
Unfortunatley, my budget only allows for roughly £6250 at the moment, i've seen a few 53 plates at this money.
Apart from the whine when pulling away (clutch/flywheel) and the sunroof cassette (dont need to worry about that though if it hasnt got one!! lol!!) what else should i be wary off? I dont mind getting my hands dirty, crawling under the cars to check etc etc!!
And finally, will i LOVE it? I thought our old Cooper was fine, apart from being far too slow for my liking.
Thanks in advance, Ian
Farky said:
I'm slightly put off by what i read on that Mini2 forum, most say that if you can afford it you should always go for the late 04 cars (170bhp rather than 163bhp)
Surely the 53plates cant be that unreliable?????
I wouldnt say unreliable as the R53 S motor on the whole is a pretty bullit proof motor. Its just a 53 plate for 6 or so grand will probably have a fairly high mileage, but saying that theres a guy here with an S with 227,000 miles without any major problems. Surely the 53plates cant be that unreliable?????
http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/1457...
minimanAC said:
Farky said:
I'm slightly put off by what i read on that Mini2 forum, most say that if you can afford it you should always go for the late 04 cars (170bhp rather than 163bhp)
Surely the 53plates cant be that unreliable?????
I wouldnt say unreliable as the R53 S motor on the whole is a pretty bullit proof motor. Its just a 53 plate for 6 or so grand will probably have a fairly high mileage, but saying that theres a guy here with an S with 227,000 miles without any major problems. Surely the 53plates cant be that unreliable?????
http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/1457...
Hi Ian
Had a few internet probs so will pm later.
With regards to facelift being more reliable than pre facelift - my honest opinion is it doesn't make too much of a difference. Thge later model you buy the more problems will have been ironed out - so a 53 plate will have fewer problems than a 52 plate or 51 plate.
WE have owned Minis for the last 7 years - our 52 plate kept having the airbag warning light appearing (always fixed under warranty despite being over three years old). The 54 plate MCS we have now has had the power steering pump replaced under warranty - no other problems to date. I think most of the problems are minor - but everyone likes to have a moan about every small problem. I think if you research any car on the internet now you will find common probs. Not many people write on the internet 'today I drove to work and had no problems' ... it would be pretty boring reading!!
It would be nice for car manufacturers to be open and honest and publish the real % figures for each problem encountered - the owners forums tend to distort things.
Just my thoughts and ramblings...
Mike
Had a few internet probs so will pm later.
With regards to facelift being more reliable than pre facelift - my honest opinion is it doesn't make too much of a difference. Thge later model you buy the more problems will have been ironed out - so a 53 plate will have fewer problems than a 52 plate or 51 plate.
WE have owned Minis for the last 7 years - our 52 plate kept having the airbag warning light appearing (always fixed under warranty despite being over three years old). The 54 plate MCS we have now has had the power steering pump replaced under warranty - no other problems to date. I think most of the problems are minor - but everyone likes to have a moan about every small problem. I think if you research any car on the internet now you will find common probs. Not many people write on the internet 'today I drove to work and had no problems' ... it would be pretty boring reading!!
It would be nice for car manufacturers to be open and honest and publish the real % figures for each problem encountered - the owners forums tend to distort things.
Just my thoughts and ramblings...
Mike
mike9009 said:
Hi Ian
Had a few internet probs so will pm later.
With regards to facelift being more reliable than pre facelift - my honest opinion is it doesn't make too much of a difference. Thge later model you buy the more problems will have been ironed out - so a 53 plate will have fewer problems than a 52 plate or 51 plate.
WE have owned Minis for the last 7 years - our 52 plate kept having the airbag warning light appearing (always fixed under warranty despite being over three years old). The 54 plate MCS we have now has had the power steering pump replaced under warranty - no other problems to date. I think most of the problems are minor - but everyone likes to have a moan about every small problem. I think if you research any car on the internet now you will find common probs. Not many people write on the internet 'today I drove to work and had no problems' ... it would be pretty boring reading!!
It would be nice for car manufacturers to be open and honest and publish the real % figures for each problem encountered - the owners forums tend to distort things.
Just my thoughts and ramblings...
Mike
Thanks for that Mike!!Had a few internet probs so will pm later.
With regards to facelift being more reliable than pre facelift - my honest opinion is it doesn't make too much of a difference. Thge later model you buy the more problems will have been ironed out - so a 53 plate will have fewer problems than a 52 plate or 51 plate.
WE have owned Minis for the last 7 years - our 52 plate kept having the airbag warning light appearing (always fixed under warranty despite being over three years old). The 54 plate MCS we have now has had the power steering pump replaced under warranty - no other problems to date. I think most of the problems are minor - but everyone likes to have a moan about every small problem. I think if you research any car on the internet now you will find common probs. Not many people write on the internet 'today I drove to work and had no problems' ... it would be pretty boring reading!!
It would be nice for car manufacturers to be open and honest and publish the real % figures for each problem encountered - the owners forums tend to distort things.
Just my thoughts and ramblings...
Mike
MPG was slightly worrying as well as i do 230miles travelling to and from work all week but my wife will use the MCS when we get one, with her only doing half the mileage!!!
How much is the Used Mini warranty and how long does it last? Can you excahnge with owners?
mpg we get is 33mpg on 'B'roads with my wife driving the MCS - I tend to get around 29mpg. On a run (motorway) we get upto 36mpg - but more typically about 34mpg. I don't consider that to be too bad for a car with 170bhp!
Mike
Independent warranty companies http://www.autotrader.co.uk/CARS/buying/car_warran...
Will check how much the BMW warranty is to extend....
Mike
Independent warranty companies http://www.autotrader.co.uk/CARS/buying/car_warran...
Will check how much the BMW warranty is to extend....
Edited by mike9009 on Tuesday 26th May 20:32
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