Mini One advice
Discussion
Hi all
I am looking for a first car for my daughter and really like the Mini One (as opposed to the ore powerful Cooper variants). I'm looking for something vaguely sensible and that should survive a few years as the next kid is 15. Although they don't seem that cheap secondhand, I reckon that means I won't lose a huge amount over a few years and this seems a good choice. However, I know nothing about them so I'm interested in the usual questions - specific things to steer clear of or look for, are there facelift models which I should look for, must have extras etc. My budget is around £4k which seems to bring a good range of private cars up on the Trader. Am I right in thinking such a car shouldn't depreciate massively? Are the cars in 100k+miles asking for trouble?
Any thoughts appreciated. I've had a look around and there is so much info that it is hard to see the wood for the trees! Equally any dedicated sites, buying guides of interest.
Thanks in advance!
Stuart
I am looking for a first car for my daughter and really like the Mini One (as opposed to the ore powerful Cooper variants). I'm looking for something vaguely sensible and that should survive a few years as the next kid is 15. Although they don't seem that cheap secondhand, I reckon that means I won't lose a huge amount over a few years and this seems a good choice. However, I know nothing about them so I'm interested in the usual questions - specific things to steer clear of or look for, are there facelift models which I should look for, must have extras etc. My budget is around £4k which seems to bring a good range of private cars up on the Trader. Am I right in thinking such a car shouldn't depreciate massively? Are the cars in 100k+miles asking for trouble?
Any thoughts appreciated. I've had a look around and there is so much info that it is hard to see the wood for the trees! Equally any dedicated sites, buying guides of interest.
Thanks in advance!
Stuart
I guess for your budget you are looking at the earlier version, as an R56 if available in budget would likely be a bit leggy - but significantly less to insure (as they cost less to repair than the earlier cars).
I had a MINI One for 27,000 miles back in '05-'07 and (mostly) loved it. I was 21 when I got it and was coming from a 1.0 Polo so thought 90bhp was amazing, and it stood up very well to the abuse I generally gave it in day to day driving thrashing it up and down between Sheffield and Chesterfield at v-max!
Mechanical-wise they are pretty reliable - later cars (04/5) had a better gearbox IIRC. Issues I had with mine which were apparently very common were a leaking radiator and corrosion of the exhaust silencer.
Options-wise you want one with the Pepper pack (includes the rev counter with digital speedo and other desirable bits and bobs) and I had the chrome line interior which I thought gave the interior a bit of a lift. It looked much better with the rear spoiler as well I thought.
The only thing I would say is do not expect stellar economy from it - if driven gently 40mpg is possible but average more likely around 30 and motorway 36-38 at an indicated 80.
I had a MINI One for 27,000 miles back in '05-'07 and (mostly) loved it. I was 21 when I got it and was coming from a 1.0 Polo so thought 90bhp was amazing, and it stood up very well to the abuse I generally gave it in day to day driving thrashing it up and down between Sheffield and Chesterfield at v-max!
Mechanical-wise they are pretty reliable - later cars (04/5) had a better gearbox IIRC. Issues I had with mine which were apparently very common were a leaking radiator and corrosion of the exhaust silencer.
Options-wise you want one with the Pepper pack (includes the rev counter with digital speedo and other desirable bits and bobs) and I had the chrome line interior which I thought gave the interior a bit of a lift. It looked much better with the rear spoiler as well I thought.
The only thing I would say is do not expect stellar economy from it - if driven gently 40mpg is possible but average more likely around 30 and motorway 36-38 at an indicated 80.
Your money....but to spend 4k on a first car is a hell of a load of money....have you thought about how much it is going to insure?
I'm an ADI, and often talk to my customers about insurance, and the costs for young drivers is staggering. i would find out how much insurance is going to be before buying one of these cars, they are powerful, expensive, and for me not the ideal "first" car for a new/novice driver
I would be interested on what quotes you get.
No two Mini's are the same as the "extra's" list makes them all different, but as already stated the "pepper" packs do ofer a few more "toys", but does she need them?
For me the cost of insurance would be a major factor in deciding if a Mini is the right choice, i think any car that is towing a 100 tonne anchor would be the best choice so she does not plant it into the side of an other car/tree....good luck, she is a lucky girl
I'm an ADI, and often talk to my customers about insurance, and the costs for young drivers is staggering. i would find out how much insurance is going to be before buying one of these cars, they are powerful, expensive, and for me not the ideal "first" car for a new/novice driver
I would be interested on what quotes you get.
No two Mini's are the same as the "extra's" list makes them all different, but as already stated the "pepper" packs do ofer a few more "toys", but does she need them?
For me the cost of insurance would be a major factor in deciding if a Mini is the right choice, i think any car that is towing a 100 tonne anchor would be the best choice so she does not plant it into the side of an other car/tree....good luck, she is a lucky girl
Thanks chaps. To be honest, insurance is not a massive factor as I can insure it through my work fleet policy for a few hundred which is a massive help. I am concerned about not spending too much although on something that won't depreciate much then the upfront cost is less of an issue. This isn't the only car I am considering but it is quite a challenge to actually finding a sensible and reliable small car that will last a few years - certainly surprised me how expensive small cars are. Thanks again, need to go and look at a few cars in the flesh to see what I can get.
Some common faults include
1) gearbox on early cars are made from chocolate. Look to get the facelift from mid 2004 onwards. Easy way to tell if looking on line is the position of the fog light/ reverse light. I cannot remeber which way round they are but look at a 2001 version to get which is which.
2) power steering pumps can fail. Not easy to tell in advance as they have a 'characteristic ' whining noise anyway. From what I have read they tend to fail on cars with larger alloy wheels ( not completely fail safe getting one with small wheel though)
Having said that, we have owned two minis of that generation. First car was a One and then a Cooper S. we have owned Minis for over ten years now in various forms. We have had very few problems in the ten years and we would highly recommend one. Sounds like you have the insurance covered, which would be my first concern. Like you suggest the residuals should be strong. We lost about 40% on our One in six years ownership from new - at the time that could not be beaten for the class of car...we had a 52 plate.
HTH
Mike
1) gearbox on early cars are made from chocolate. Look to get the facelift from mid 2004 onwards. Easy way to tell if looking on line is the position of the fog light/ reverse light. I cannot remeber which way round they are but look at a 2001 version to get which is which.
2) power steering pumps can fail. Not easy to tell in advance as they have a 'characteristic ' whining noise anyway. From what I have read they tend to fail on cars with larger alloy wheels ( not completely fail safe getting one with small wheel though)
Having said that, we have owned two minis of that generation. First car was a One and then a Cooper S. we have owned Minis for over ten years now in various forms. We have had very few problems in the ten years and we would highly recommend one. Sounds like you have the insurance covered, which would be my first concern. Like you suggest the residuals should be strong. We lost about 40% on our One in six years ownership from new - at the time that could not be beaten for the class of car...we had a 52 plate.
HTH
Mike
The good thing in the older cars are most of the problems come quick and will have been delt with. But another one to add is Clicking from the bearing in the steering rack.
There is not a great deal of diffrance between the one and copper and you can chip the one to get the same power for about £200.
Getting a car with good history is important but as with the rest of life no garrenty.
They are nice to drive.
There is not a great deal of diffrance between the one and copper and you can chip the one to get the same power for about £200.
Getting a car with good history is important but as with the rest of life no garrenty.
They are nice to drive.
We have a 2007 Mini One. It's been the most expensive used car I have ever had. Engine blew at 66k and have had numerous sensors and coil pack replacements in the 3 years I have owned it. I reckon it's just bad luck. However I still enjoy driving it and will hang on to it. Ave MPG on the computer is 42.8.
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