190k miles on an 02 cooper ok?

[Pesty]

Disaster waiting to happen or many many more miles of motoring?


Just took a gamble on a high miler 02 plate for the daughters first car.

Did I done good or bad

pick it up tomorrow. Fsh one owner lots of work done new exhaust,clutch brakes etc.

Set my mind at ease

[NPI]

It'll be fine, just nicely run in.

What the heck did they use it for?

[Pesty]

Thanks guys.

was used as a motorway hack up and down the country. Looks in great condition was cheap enough to make it worth a risk we sort of know the owner so it's not being sold because it's knackered they just want something new after 12 years.

[0llie]

Absolutely, they stand up to miles very well if they're looked after (much like any car).

A couple of guys in the USA have got some mega miles on theirs, both owned from new.





(Yes, that is in miles!)

There are others well over 300k, but these are two that I know well. My '02 is only on 63.5k, but is currently sat in bits in my garage trying to sort a water leak.

[Pesty]

Cracking little car.

If not for the stone chips and gear lever/ seat bolster wear you could easily pass it off as 90 k miles let alone 190k.

Only problem is he lost the locking wheel nut key. But he filled the tank.

Steering is rick solid no slop at all.

Spoiled much? Mini Cooper with full leather and air con as a first car.

Double glazing and central heating. Don't know they're born do they.

So when she's done with it what engine can I stick in there

Oh and I have to repair the remote which should be easy. 2 keys but only one is remote and the switches has fallen off through wear.

Edited by Pesty on Thursday 24th April 14:15

[Pesty]

[Honsta]

Awesome first car, she's a lucky girl. I had to wait 14 years before I got my first MINI...lol

[Pesty]

Well it cost the same as my first car a 1.3l mk3 escort

£1200 and he filled the tank

I'm just so impressed with it, the idea of going high miler for a first car seemed like a good idea but still wasn't sure. Very happy I did so far.
Will see as time passes.

[watchnut]

That is one lucky girl........bargain. I just recently sold a Corsa SXI+ with 126k on the clock for £1500 with a full service history (main dealer) new clutch and turbo, and it is not a patch on the Mini. I doubt she will add more than 5-10k in a year (if she is still at home), and when she wants to change it.....and why would she?.....I bet she gets your money back. You still see old Nova's/Corsa's/106's etc.. still fetching around a grand with sky high miles on them.

again nice car lucky girl

[Pesty]

Thanks. Yes I agree she is very lucky. It's not normal that I drop on a bargain car wise but I think for once I have here

I've repaired the one remote soldering to new switches on and putting it in a new plastic case. Will look into the locking wheel nuts this weekend.
Only other thing is I'm not sure it has run flat tyres all around so I'll get a spare wheel and tyre for peace of mind.

[NormanD]

I've just purchased an '03 Cooper S with 149K on the clock, one owner

Got quite a few goodies on like windows in the roof so I can see the sunshine

Paid £2,300 didn't think to bad seeing what a lot of adds are asking



Thought it would make a change from the Jaguar XKR as a run-arround

Still got an Eaton supercharger !!

[Pesty]

I bet the s is a lot of fun.

[Rollcage]

Non pervy question - how old is your daughter? Mine is 17 next year, and adamant that she too wants a Mini. Is it not expensive to insure being a 1.6?

I haven't even bothered running it through a quote, as I just assumed it would be too dear.

[Pesty]

Rollcage said:

Non pervy question - how old is your daughter? Mine is 17 next year, and adamant that she too wants a Mini. Is it not expensive to insure being a 1.6?

I haven't even bothered running it through a quote, as I just assumed it would be too dear.

Yes and no...

She is 18

It's 1300 while she's on a provisional jumping up to 1800 when she passes.( we'll see hmm ) after one year no claim we were getting quotes of 900

We were surprised as well because it wasn't much different to quote she was getting in other cars.

I've just been in it for the first time as a passenger with her.

My lord that poor gearbox and clutch

[Rollcage]

Pesty said:

Rollcage said:

Non pervy question - how old is your daughter? Mine is 17 next year, and adamant that she too wants a Mini. Is it not expensive to insure being a 1.6?

I haven't even bothered running it through a quote, as I just assumed it would be too dear.

Yes and no...

She is 18

It's 1300 while she's on a provisional jumping up to 1800 when she passes.( we'll see hmm ) after one year no claim we were getting quotes of 900

We were surprised as well because it wasn't much different to quote she was getting in other cars.

I've just been in it for the first time as a passenger with her.

My lord that poor gearbox and clutch

Thanks.
I've just banged in some comparison site quotes as 17 year old, just passed.

02 Cooper £2800
05 KA £1800
59 KA £1600
54 407 HDi136 £2800
04 156 JTS £3100
I put the last two in there to see - surprised at the Alfa and Cooper quotes to be honest!

[Pesty]

You've got me worried now. The mrs organised all that.

Hmmmm

[NormanD]

As my first Mini Cooper was in the early '60s

This one costs me less than £200 for the insurance !!

[Honsta]

Pesty said:

Well it cost the same as my first car a 1.3l mk3 escort

£1200 and he filled the tank

I'm just so impressed with it, the idea of going high miler for a first car seemed like a good idea but still wasn't sure. Very happy I did so far.
Will see as time passes.

Ah, it's going to get battered and scratched I'm sure so the higher miles and cheaper cost seem like a good idea. The nice thing is that it's such a good handling car that she'll appreciate the need for great handling, chances are she'll be a MINI owner for life.

Only thing I would check is the brakes. I remember driving a mate's Cooper S and the brakes felt awful. When I bought my GP, the brakes were OK but I still upgraded them and now they feel great. I'm not saying your daughter will be driving fast but the knowledge that you have great stopping power must only be reassuring for yourself as a parent.

[Honsta]

Rollcage said:

Thanks.
I've just banged in some comparison site quotes as 17 year old, just passed.

02 Cooper £2800
05 KA £1800
59 KA £1600
54 407 HDi136 £2800
04 156 JTS £3100
I put the last two in there to see - surprised at the Alfa and Cooper quotes to be honest!

Does this include having one parent as a named driver? I'm 33 and I still add my old man onto it which knocks off £80 off the premium.

Not surprised the cooper is so much more. A KA is in a group 10, whilst the Cooper is in a group 21, totally different leagues.

[Pesty]

Hondsta group 21 now I'm really worried my mrs has fked up.

The brakes while not outstanding are ok nice feel, pretty good she's going to be driving like miss daisy anyway.

He has a stack of receipts that would choke a donkey he let the main dealer do most then switched to an independent. 2 bulbs 47 quid !!!!!

All brakes replaced , new radiator and water pump, front suspension and top mounts. All typical stuff like gators etc clutch done at 140k

The one thing I can't find is any mention of timing chain/ belt

She even paid me a compliment today apparently it's a lot better driving me me cos I don't panic and scream at her to brake every few feet lol.

Ollie sorry I missed that pic somehow. That's good going gives me a lot of confidence.

Edited by Pesty on Sunday 27th April 01:59