Mini one as first car
Discussion
The original MINI One and Cooper had a very weak gearbox. I believe this was changed in mid 2004 - so check for this.
We owned a 2002 MINI One for six years and did not have an issue with the gearbox however! We did have some issues with airbag lights (solved under warranty) and easy to spot obviously. The other thing on early MINIs is the power steering pump failing. From recollection this seems to affect the Cooper S models with large alloys more prevalently. (We had a Cooper S too, which the power steering pump failed on too). This is impossible (?) to diagnose with inspection. All Gen 1 MINIs had whining steering as a matter of course. This is a sign of normal operation and nothing to be concerned about.
Just information I have gathered over time....
HTH
Mike
We owned a 2002 MINI One for six years and did not have an issue with the gearbox however! We did have some issues with airbag lights (solved under warranty) and easy to spot obviously. The other thing on early MINIs is the power steering pump failing. From recollection this seems to affect the Cooper S models with large alloys more prevalently. (We had a Cooper S too, which the power steering pump failed on too). This is impossible (?) to diagnose with inspection. All Gen 1 MINIs had whining steering as a matter of course. This is a sign of normal operation and nothing to be concerned about.
Just information I have gathered over time....
HTH
Mike
Customer of mine had one.
Brakes were seized - new calipers and pads / discs all round.
Brake lines were rotten, and burst on an inspection.
Burnt oil like it loved it.
Lights on all overt he dash.
Central locking didn't work on the button.
Boot would not open.
Can't remember anything else, but it was very expensive to keep running.
(2002 Mini 1.6)
Brakes were seized - new calipers and pads / discs all round.
Brake lines were rotten, and burst on an inspection.
Burnt oil like it loved it.
Lights on all overt he dash.
Central locking didn't work on the button.
Boot would not open.
Can't remember anything else, but it was very expensive to keep running.
(2002 Mini 1.6)
My daughter bought a 2003 Cooper and while she had a few teething troubles; it needed a replacement radiator, rear exhaust box and rear brake disc and pads - nothing major has gone wrong. I was able to do all the work for her and parts are easy to obtain from normal motor factors.
The previous owner had already replaced the gearbox and put in a new clutch.
The later cars seem to have some different weak points so it pays to do your research and know which model/year you are looking at.
I found these two forums to be quite active and helpful
http://www.mini2.com/
http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f26/
Having said all that she still loves driving it and is very happy with it. The owners tend to be enthusiastic and take care of their cars on the whole so compared to the other options out there I think they are a good buy.
The previous owner had already replaced the gearbox and put in a new clutch.
The later cars seem to have some different weak points so it pays to do your research and know which model/year you are looking at.
I found these two forums to be quite active and helpful
http://www.mini2.com/
http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f26/
Having said all that she still loves driving it and is very happy with it. The owners tend to be enthusiastic and take care of their cars on the whole so compared to the other options out there I think they are a good buy.
3k will get you into a facelifted one (June 2004 onwards).
These are generally better built with stronger gearboxes (though not bulletproof like some would have you believe), they rattle less, and they're more desirable when it comes to sell.
Air Con isn't standard, neither is a CD player, alloy wheels etc. so make sure the car spec works for you.
Electrics can be a weak point, common issues are door actuators (doors won't unlock on the button), missing dash pixels and a few other bits, none of which are expensive or too difficult to sort. Make sure all the bulbs on the dash light up too, some people have been known to remove airbag and engine management lights.
Mileage isn't a problem provided the car has been looked after, so don't be afraid of cars that have done 100k+.
These are generally better built with stronger gearboxes (though not bulletproof like some would have you believe), they rattle less, and they're more desirable when it comes to sell.
Air Con isn't standard, neither is a CD player, alloy wheels etc. so make sure the car spec works for you.
Electrics can be a weak point, common issues are door actuators (doors won't unlock on the button), missing dash pixels and a few other bits, none of which are expensive or too difficult to sort. Make sure all the bulbs on the dash light up too, some people have been known to remove airbag and engine management lights.
Mileage isn't a problem provided the car has been looked after, so don't be afraid of cars that have done 100k+.
As with any +10 year old car there can be issues, as all above, timing chain issues are common but a good history will certainly minimise the risk, on a whim I purchased a 04 mini one last year as a run around as I travel extensively so needed a local A to B car and not my gas guzzler Jeep and I have never looked back.
For your budget you probably won't find a better car, the will last for silly miles with care. Most expensive problem is a heavy clutch or noisy release bearing which is pretty common, if ignored they will trash the engine thrust washers as so many people sit with thei foot on the clutch at lights etc. The later cars with the French engine have timing chain woes and burn crazy amounts of oil, the firs car with the American engine rarely burns oil unless abused or neglected, but may well leak it, from rear main or sump gaskets. Minitorque forum love people that lower their cars, it appears like a clique of similar people, that just also argue with other car tuners not supporting that website. Mini2 is more for the U.S. it seems, but ok. They both are o.k.
The very early car, with the reverse light in the centre of the bumper, is the one with a Peugeot/rover/problematic gearbox, they're not very strong. The interior won't appeal as much as a facelift car perhaps. Your budget may not get you the best facelift car, but if you over service it when you get it, fix things one at a time as they are advised rather than fail, don't hold the steering on it's limit of travel, don't keep the clutch down, it'll be a better car for longer.
Don't forget these are commonly student cars, and students don't spend their money on their cars!!
The very early car, with the reverse light in the centre of the bumper, is the one with a Peugeot/rover/problematic gearbox, they're not very strong. The interior won't appeal as much as a facelift car perhaps. Your budget may not get you the best facelift car, but if you over service it when you get it, fix things one at a time as they are advised rather than fail, don't hold the steering on it's limit of travel, don't keep the clutch down, it'll be a better car for longer.
Don't forget these are commonly student cars, and students don't spend their money on their cars!!
Don't get a 2007 model.
I love our little Mini One but of the 30 or so cars I have used for any length of time it has been the worst for reliability.
It's a two owner car and, from memory, I have replaced
Engine
Radiator
Cat
Numerous sensors
Fog light
Aerial
Thermostat housing
I buy the expensive parts from a specialist Mini breaker in Manchester. He told me that, based on what they are asked to supply, 2007 was a bad year. The indie that services it refers to them as nasty cars.
I think things have got better as my daughter's BF worked in quality control at Cowley last year and I got the impression they were on top of things.
I love our little Mini One but of the 30 or so cars I have used for any length of time it has been the worst for reliability.
It's a two owner car and, from memory, I have replaced
Engine
Radiator
Cat
Numerous sensors
Fog light
Aerial
Thermostat housing
I buy the expensive parts from a specialist Mini breaker in Manchester. He told me that, based on what they are asked to supply, 2007 was a bad year. The indie that services it refers to them as nasty cars.
I think things have got better as my daughter's BF worked in quality control at Cowley last year and I got the impression they were on top of things.
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