Mini Coopers 54/55 Buying Advice
Discussion
Hi everyone
I tried my first Mini Cooper S yesterday: 54 plate and 91,000 miles on the clock. I did not buy the car because of several issues with it (body work mainly), but I could really use some advice.
1. The drive is described as exhilarating, but uncomfortable and twitchy; the sort of car that if you sneezed at speed you would be in someone's front garden. Are they all like this? I assume changing the tyres would help and/or wheel size? I can't imagine taking it on a motorway...
2. I have seen two cars (and driven one) both at motor dealers. Each has bad corrosion on the wheels on the spoke-style alloys. The corrosion is at the centre of the wheel where it bolts on to the car. Is this fatal due to its location (ie new wheels needed) or can it be repaired?
3. The clutch bit very low - I stalled it on my first attempt to move. Usually nothing to worry about, but in the Mini, again, is this normal?
Any advice to assist me with the process would be gratefully received, including a steer towards any good cars that might fit my bill: 54/55 plate car, up to 80,000 miles, no wacky colours, and not many options (the simpler the better in my book), up to £3k, in the South-east or London.
I tried my first Mini Cooper S yesterday: 54 plate and 91,000 miles on the clock. I did not buy the car because of several issues with it (body work mainly), but I could really use some advice.
1. The drive is described as exhilarating, but uncomfortable and twitchy; the sort of car that if you sneezed at speed you would be in someone's front garden. Are they all like this? I assume changing the tyres would help and/or wheel size? I can't imagine taking it on a motorway...
2. I have seen two cars (and driven one) both at motor dealers. Each has bad corrosion on the wheels on the spoke-style alloys. The corrosion is at the centre of the wheel where it bolts on to the car. Is this fatal due to its location (ie new wheels needed) or can it be repaired?
3. The clutch bit very low - I stalled it on my first attempt to move. Usually nothing to worry about, but in the Mini, again, is this normal?
Any advice to assist me with the process would be gratefully received, including a steer towards any good cars that might fit my bill: 54/55 plate car, up to 80,000 miles, no wacky colours, and not many options (the simpler the better in my book), up to £3k, in the South-east or London.
Unfortunately the budget is tight, so I need to get the best one I can for the money.
The car I saw was disappointing in many respects especially with the body issues (the rear bumper had clearly dropped, the offside rear was deeply scratched, the front bumper was scrapped and was a little loose, wheels corroded) and service history - the 'FSH' amounted to a book indicating oil services at various garages and no proper service for more than 40k.
I hope to see another this week for comparison.
The car I saw was disappointing in many respects especially with the body issues (the rear bumper had clearly dropped, the offside rear was deeply scratched, the front bumper was scrapped and was a little loose, wheels corroded) and service history - the 'FSH' amounted to a book indicating oil services at various garages and no proper service for more than 40k.
I hope to see another this week for comparison.
eatcustard said:
Would it not be better to save up a bit longer and get a much better mini?
Thank you, but I already have a mother.But seriously, the budget is the budget and it has taken a while to get this far; two teenagers mean that as fast as funds are accumulated something comes along to empty the bank. Also, when Mrs Brompty sees the new acquisition on the driveway there will be hell to pay.
I would be keen to buy a car from another PHer, so the offer above is interesting - let me know
Thanks for all your help with this. The white Cooper S is it; that is a cracking car.
The clutch I suspect is not really an issue, it just bit very quickly at the start of the clutch pedal travel. The reason I ask is the that 'full service history' amounted to the service book indicating a series of oil changes with the last proper service 41,000 miles ago: no receipts, no proper paperwork.
Thnaks for the advice with the wheels. I found that when dealing with private owners you get a better, more honest answer to my questions and I now enquire if the wheels are in a state. Most are not, I think dealers just take short cuts, paint over corrosion and hope that the next buyer does not notice or ask too many questions.
Finally, budget. Following my facetious reply above , I now think I am going to have to extend by about £1k which I don't have at present, so will wait a little longer so I have the money. But you never know, with a bit of luck and some negiotiation the right car is just around the corner.
The clutch I suspect is not really an issue, it just bit very quickly at the start of the clutch pedal travel. The reason I ask is the that 'full service history' amounted to the service book indicating a series of oil changes with the last proper service 41,000 miles ago: no receipts, no proper paperwork.
Thnaks for the advice with the wheels. I found that when dealing with private owners you get a better, more honest answer to my questions and I now enquire if the wheels are in a state. Most are not, I think dealers just take short cuts, paint over corrosion and hope that the next buyer does not notice or ask too many questions.
Finally, budget. Following my facetious reply above , I now think I am going to have to extend by about £1k which I don't have at present, so will wait a little longer so I have the money. But you never know, with a bit of luck and some negiotiation the right car is just around the corner.
Challo said:
On the servicing piece make sure you get as much receipts as possible. Stamps in the book don't really tell you anything.
You can be picky as there are lots of cars around, but remember the early cars are 12-13 years old now so wont be perfect. Ebay is perfect to pick up cheap bits to modify, repair cars for cheap so if the car does have a few niggles dont right it off as often they can be easy fixes or things that you can modify yourself.
The first point is true. I have spoken to numerous people now with 'full service history' cars and they do not have a single receipt for anything. So I shall be hanging on until I find a decent one. The second point is actually what I want to do. The car is for fun but also learn simple home mechanics - I can do oil changes but never learnt proper 'man skills' like spark plugs, brake pads and discs etc.You can be picky as there are lots of cars around, but remember the early cars are 12-13 years old now so wont be perfect. Ebay is perfect to pick up cheap bits to modify, repair cars for cheap so if the car does have a few niggles dont right it off as often they can be easy fixes or things that you can modify yourself.
The white car above is again excellent but above my budget once I add in tax and insurance. Put it on for £4k - it's worth it - and get back to me if it does not sell.
Since driving the first MCS I have since driven one at a fantastic Mini garage I discovered by accident not far from me. It was totally different, especially the ride. Non-run flat tyres at correct pressure made a massive difference, so much so I don't know why any Mini enthusiast has kept the run flats (except for the obvious finanical reason). The clutch was again very quick to bite, so I am assuming this is normal (I stalled it twice before moving off).
The car was a cat D write off the garage had fixed up, with 120k miles and a little old, so not for me. But it was good to find a business just around the corner that can assist when I do get one.
The search has norrowed to three cars - one local and two in West London. I hope to have this sorted by next week.
Again thanks for all the advice - keep it coming: it has proved very useful.
The car was a cat D write off the garage had fixed up, with 120k miles and a little old, so not for me. But it was good to find a business just around the corner that can assist when I do get one.
The search has norrowed to three cars - one local and two in West London. I hope to have this sorted by next week.
Again thanks for all the advice - keep it coming: it has proved very useful.
AAAAARGH. This is driving me mad (no pun intended). I have now seen several 'immaculate' cars - not immaculate unless the dictionary definition has changed to 'bits hanging off, missing, shabby and very old looking with moss on the outside'.
A two owner, full service history car turned out to be 6 owners and no service history at all.
Are there any good cars for sale or am I looking at an Audi TT instead?
A two owner, full service history car turned out to be 6 owners and no service history at all.
Are there any good cars for sale or am I looking at an Audi TT instead?
Done it - what a super car. The seller was genuine, knew everything about the car. Could show what he had done to it in terms of service. No outlandish claims about perfect bodywork etc, but by far the nicest and best condition I have seen.
And what a car it is. As an ex-owner of a 1997 Rover Mini (1.3i, all the headlights, 13" wheels leather seats, sun roof ie everything) it is very much like that car, only better - great handling, great on the motorway, fantastic once I got off the motorway, lovely interior. Pictures to follow...
And what a car it is. As an ex-owner of a 1997 Rover Mini (1.3i, all the headlights, 13" wheels leather seats, sun roof ie everything) it is very much like that car, only better - great handling, great on the motorway, fantastic once I got off the motorway, lovely interior. Pictures to follow...
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