Buying a mini - engine noise advice

[Paul O]

Hi folks, been to look at a mini. All looks spot on apart from one thing.

There is a slight noise coming from the engine at idle, which disappears when the clutch is engaged.

Hard to describe, it's a rattling type noise, only faint. Sort of a bearing or idly gear noise.

Is it common, expected, expensive?

Any advice much appreciated!

Thanks

Paul

[Paul O]

2004, convertible. Mini one.

Thanks.

[Paul O]

Thanks K, brand new to minis so know nothing of them. Google seems to return searches of being minor jobs like the release baring to major doom stories :-s. The car otherwise is absolutely great for it's age. Lots of history, well looked after.

What sort of cost, worst case scinareo, any ideas?

Gonna pull the trigger on Monday, depending what info I can find prior.

Thanks again.

[Paul O]

I are serious gearbox issues quite common, or could there be a more simple explanation?

Don't want to miss out on an otherwise good 'un, but equally if they are largely st then I'll head down a different car route.

What's worst case cost anyone? looking at gearbox replacements, perhaps £2k at worst?

Edited by Paul O on Saturday 29th November 21:07

[Paul O]

Thanks Fierny, how long is it likely to last currently if that is the fault, any idea? Test driving tomorrow, is there anything to look out for that would point one way or the other as to the fault?
Not sounding like modern minis are built too well though :-s

Thanks!

[Paul O]

Feirny said:

How did it go? Sorry for not getting back sooner. They can last a fair amount of time but it really is down to luck. The noise tends to get louder, the worse it is.

No worries mate, thanks for your input so far. We went for it in the end! I read some reports that say the noise is showing the gearbox is on it's way out, others saying some gearboxes are noisey with no issues and enough reports to suggest that all mini gearboxes are crap.

So I thought "what the hell" and took a gamble on a car that was otherwise perfect. Time will tell I guess but at about £1,500 for a worst case job, it's still less than half the price of the last service on my Porsche and I have to say I'm loving it so far.

It's a full on girls car by day to look at, but by night it's a lovely little mini Supercar. So revvy, noisy, brilliant handling little thing. It has all the qualities you want from a sporty little thing, except when you look at the digits and you are really not going fast at all. Like a go-kart.

Superb fun!!