Mini Cooper 2009 1.6 petrol - any issues?

[JQ]

My son passed his driving test yesterday and I've been looking at small cars / insurance quotes.

My head has been making me look at 2013 Citroen C1's, Toyota Aygo's and Peugeot 107's. Solid reliable little cars that would be the sensible choice that are cheap to insure - we live in an urban area so insurance costs are high. However for £200 more on the insurance he could get a Mini Cooper. I had a R53 JCW back in the day and absolutely loved it. I've seen one that looks well looked after, seems to be a genuine private sale (rare in this price bracket) and had the clutch replaced 5,000 miles ago, with the car having done 80,000 miles. Are there any other things I should be worried about? Should I go back to looking at C1's etc?

[georgeyboy12345]

Yes, many. Mainly the engine and timing chain failure

[Peter-e2535]

As well as the chocolate engines, beware of rusty subframes. A very common issue nowadays and an expensive job if you are paying somebody else to do it. The on line MOT history will give a good indication of issues, both past, present and pending.

[AliMc99]

I’d go back to C1’s etc. Mini’s of this age are riddled with problems- especially the engines (Peugeot). The newer model (post 2014) is reliable though.

[alfabeat]

I bought my daughter a 2010 Mini One 1.6 with 90,000 miles on it a few years ago. She still has it. Totally reliable and a great drive. It had full history (annual oil changes regardless of mileage) when we bought it and I have changed the oil every 6 months now (it is super easy to do).

They do have a bit of a bad reputation, but on this sample of one, it has been a great first car for her. No corrosion issues, and on the original clutch. I think we paid £1300 for this one 2 years ago.

[Deerfoot]

Have a look at an Up!/Citigo/Mii.

Great little cars that are cheap to run, my lad has had his for 2 years and we're going to pass it on to my daughter to learn in.

[JQ]

Cheers for the comments, think I'll steer clear.

Up / Mii / Citigo is definitely on the radar, my wife used to have an e-Up and it was awesome.

[ZX10R NIN]

Take a look at the Alfa Mito they normally come back with sensible numbers & the 1.4 N/A Astra in Energy/Excite spec as they also come back with sensible insurance numbers.

[21TonyK]

The minis are great as long as you are handy with a spanner. Had 3, still got 2 and getting another soon. Not cheap if a garage is involved in big jobs like clutch (550) or chain (850). Engine shared with smaller Citroens etc so same issues there.

[SZM]

How about a VW Polo?

Generally cheap and reliable unless it's an auto (still reliable but higher purchase price).

This looks like a decent manual for £1500 as a starter car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605092...

I found Mk4 2008 automatic with only 80k miles locally. Had it serviced by my mobile mechanic friend. The parts are very cheap and plentiful.

[GeniusOfLove]

I'll go against the grain and say while they are needier than most small cars that is because they are much more sophisticated, and the NASP ones aren't that bad and unlike the turbos they usually just need a pair of vanos solenoids and the odd camshaft position sensor and they're fine; Ms GoL took her last shed one up to 150,000 miles with plenty of neglect and my daughter has a '09 convertible to learn in that cost me £900 and just flew an MOT.

I've bought about 8 of them at trade auctions as WeBuyAnyCar turds and only one has been irredemably fked.

I would say that you want to be buying them for the square root of sod all though, the 2014 onwards F56 models are far better cars.

[biggbn]

Depending on budget, you might find a high mile f56 mini? I've had mine for many years now, its on 150k miles, mine since 40k, I'm second owner and it has just needed basic servicing and consumables. I'd guess its probably only worth a couple of grand, so there must be others out there...?

[JQ]

ZX10R NIN said:

Take a look at the Alfa Mito they normally come back with sensible numbers & the 1.4 N/A Astra in Energy/Excite spec as they also come back with sensible insurance numbers.

Great shout, got a quote and similar to insure to the mini. I'm absolutely certain he'd love a red Alfa Romeo. However, I'd be worried about the mechanicals - are they generally reliable, easy to work on and parts costs reasonable?

[ZX10R NIN]

JQ said:

Great shout, got a quote and similar to insure to the mini. I'm absolutely certain he'd love a red Alfa Romeo. However, I'd be worried about the mechanicals - are they generally reliable, easy to work on and parts costs reasonable?

They're actually very robust depending on your budget you should get a smart 1.4 NA for sensible money, they come in two spec 8V:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604251...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605102...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604111...

16v:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605012...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604081...

I've found this unit to be a good addition as it adds Android Auto/Carplay without much hassle & it'll connect to all the steering wheel controls.

[7 5 7]

Ran a MINI 1.4 not 1.6 (2009), I presume it's the same prince engine, got it very cheap, had it for 6 months I think, had 146k on it once I sold it to WBAC, no real issues with it, just wear n tear, was a great car to drive.

It burnt oil though, it's piston rings needed doing I am sure, but it was happy enough with regular oil services and I put a timing chain on it also, as that had stretched and was causing running issues.

Was a great little car, only sold it as I permanently had my rear seats down carrying gear around the UK, it wasn't big enough!

So, don't be too put off by the reliability issues, they were very much maligned engines, but they just need servicing a little more especially oil regarding the chains...but most people really don't do this in the real world.

Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 10th May 23:04

[Mr Tidy]

They are great cars to throw about, but Mrs Tidy bought a new R56 Cooper in December 2006 and 2 years ago at about 70K miles it needed a new cam-chain despite always being serviced within the BMW specified intervals. She got a 4 figure bill.

She may not have bothered getting it fixed but having owned it from new it has earned a special place in her life!