1st gen Mini one

1st gen Mini one

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Discussion

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Sunday 3rd December 2017
quotequote all
I had a brief look at a 2003 today (didnt have time for a long look) as a possible first car for my daughter. I am just trying to decide whether it's worth going back to have a closer look.

mileage is low, MOT history looks reasonable, body work seems straight, alloys not too bad, but shod with 4 different makes of tyre, all with reasonable tread. cosmetically, the rear quarter paint seemed to have something going on - a slightly rough whitish residue and the rear lights are a bit milky - one much worse than the other.

is paintwork known to be an issue on this vintage? can the lights be returned to clear one they have gone milky or are we looking at new units.

I am presuming this car would have the "midlands" gearbox, are there any particular weak areas aside from this on 1st gen Minis?

TTmonkey

20,911 posts

246 months

Sunday 3rd December 2017
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Bought my daughter one. As it was for my daughter, and she's pretty important to me, I replaced the disks and pads all round, and fitted a quality set of new run flats. Cost me £650 on top of purchase, but allows me Pearce of mind.

No paint issues with ours. Lights are cheap yo replace but would probably polish up is the residue is on the outside.

It's not cheap to insure though, despite being a One diesel.

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Sunday 3rd December 2017
quotequote all
I think with the mismatched tyres I would be swapping a full set of tyres at least

The rough/residue issue is paintwork, I guess it might polish up - with a bit of work
I wondered in the milky lights was inside - the outside seemed smooth. I thought it might be condensation but the pics on the dealers website when the car was inside are the same.

I was surprised that insurance for Minis seems to be less than fiat 500's

CarsOrBikes

1,135 posts

183 months

Sunday 3rd December 2017
quotequote all
Some Minis may have a corrosion spot or two, by the boot handle, some on the sill tops by the tread plates, but there are no paint issues, this issue you see I suspect is a poor paint repair. Putting it right can be more than just repainting if caused by some sort of reaction.

I think any car with all different makes of tyre indicates poor or no maintenance, and an anything will do attitude to keeping the car going. It's one thing having cheap tyres, but at least match them, they cost next to nothing in that size.

Change the oil in the gearbox. Check for oil leaks, they often have them but are not a problem engine, sump gaskets leak and are easy to renew. PAS pipes leak but it's more a seep over a long period and through cleaning and monitoring pays dividends, and prevents MOT failures if you keep on top of it.

The engine should be rattle free!!

Check the feel of the clutch, it should not feel heavy, if it is, have someone with you view the crank pulley when the engine is moving as the clutch is operated, you're looking for visible end float, if there walk away, it is what heavy clutches cause, and although repairable, you don't want the bill.

My view is try and find a 2005 or late '04 car which should be a facelift car. They still have similar lookouts but are a nicer car and will have the Getrag gearbox which feels entirely different. If looking at a One they have spare wheels under the car, make sure it and the tools are all there.

Often the battery has been renewed. Most by now will have a non genuine battery but the height is usually different and the battery may not be secure, this is usually easy to do with a piece of wood under the clamp but easy to check for.

Either smell for coolant on a hot engine or look for coolant staining left of the battery box/airbox on top of the gearbox, they leak from the thermostat housing, and easy job, and this time of year one to look for.

Can't answer the rear lights, may be affected by water ingress, check the boot, but by now maybe you've arranged to look at another haha.

The One may or may not have a/c, it's a nice option.

steve-5snwi

8,593 posts

92 months

Sunday 3rd December 2017
quotequote all
Check the heater works !

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Sunday 3rd December 2017
quotequote all
CarsOrBikes said:
Some Minis may have a corrosion spot or two, by the boot handle, some on the sill tops by the tread plates, but there are no paint issues, this issue you see I suspect is a poor paint repair. Putting it right can be more than just repainting if caused by some sort of reaction.

I think any car with all different makes of tyre indicates poor or no maintenance, and an anything will do attitude to keeping the car going. It's one thing having cheap tyres, but at least match them, they cost next to nothing in that size.

Change the oil in the gearbox. Check for oil leaks, they often have them but are not a problem engine, sump gaskets leak and are easy to renew. PAS pipes leak but it's more a seep over a long period and through cleaning and monitoring pays dividends, and prevents MOT failures if you keep on top of it.

The engine should be rattle free!!

Check the feel of the clutch, it should not feel heavy, if it is, have someone with you view the crank pulley when the engine is moving as the clutch is operated, you're looking for visible end float, if there walk away, it is what heavy clutches cause, and although repairable, you don't want the bill.

My view is try and find a 2005 or late '04 car which should be a facelift car. They still have similar lookouts but are a nicer car and will have the Getrag gearbox which feels entirely different. If looking at a One they have spare wheels under the car, make sure it and the tools are all there.

Often the battery has been renewed. Most by now will have a non genuine battery but the height is usually different and the battery may not be secure, this is usually easy to do with a piece of wood under the clamp but easy to check for.

Either smell for coolant on a hot engine or look for coolant staining left of the battery box/airbox on top of the gearbox, they leak from the thermostat housing, and easy job, and this time of year one to look for.

Can't answer the rear lights, may be affected by water ingress, check the boot, but by now maybe you've arranged to look at another haha.

The One may or may not have a/c, it's a nice option.
thanks for this, I may go and have a closer look at this car - it is fairly well at the bottom of the price range, there are lots about, so easy to walk away from if thres something amiss.
Regarding the facelift, are 54 plate cars likely to have the getrag box, or is it strictly the 05s and onwards

CarsOrBikes

1,135 posts

183 months

Monday 4th December 2017
quotequote all
54 plate could,

facelift cars have the fog light in the centre of the bumper rather than a reverse light, they have a three piece dash instead of 5, the gear knob and feel of gear selection are different with Getrag, a few things really, the build date is on a black label on the right side of the chassis when you open the bonnet and view the side of the car, later than July I think '04 is facelift.

MDifficult

2,019 posts

184 months

Monday 4th December 2017
quotequote all
Good lists from the guys above - only thing I would add is check for corrosion on the brake-lines throughout. Relatively common issue on early Minis at this stage in their life and big safety/MOT issue that's pretty expensive to replace.

With any luck, if they're on their way our it should be an advisory on most recent MOT... assuming a scrupulous tester.

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Monday 4th December 2017
quotequote all
Cheers, I did notice that brake lines crop up quite often on the mot histories i have seen. On that basis i guess seeing it mentioned a year or so ago, might be better than one where is hasnt yet appeared

steve-5snwi

8,593 posts

92 months

Monday 4th December 2017
quotequote all
Sticking rear calipers and rear bushes on the front arms, check the coolant too.

MDifficult

2,019 posts

184 months

Tuesday 5th December 2017
quotequote all
sawman said:
Cheers, I did notice that brake lines crop up quite often on the mot histories i have seen. On that basis i guess seeing it mentioned a year or so ago, might be better than one where is hasnt yet appeared
Yeah, absolutely - if they’ve been done then it’s big job off your list, plus helps if you want to sell it on later.

mattman

3,174 posts

221 months

Tuesday 19th December 2017
quotequote all
good timing on this thread - just starting to look for a Mini One 1.4 for my son as well

Looking at 07-09 cars with up to about 75k on them so will check the list above as well

seems to be loads around but prices are all over the place - should be a fun search

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Tuesday 19th December 2017
quotequote all
mattman said:
good timing on this thread - just starting to look for a Mini One 1.4 for my son as well

Looking at 07-09 cars with up to about 75k on them so will check the list above as well

seems to be loads around but prices are all over the place - should be a fun search
Most of the above isn't applicable to the generation of cars you're looking at - PAS pumps, gearboxes, rear calipers; none of these affect the newer models

Edited by mon the fish on Tuesday 19th December 16:26

sawman

Original Poster:

4,915 posts

229 months

Tuesday 19th December 2017
quotequote all
I think i have moved on to newer models now, hoping to get a testdrive in a 2010 1.6 One tomorrow.

Whats the story with the change from 1.6 and 1.4 engine versions, there is an 09 model also local which is a 1.4

sad61t

1,100 posts

209 months

Tuesday 19th December 2017
quotequote all
You're probably best looking at this list of MINI engines:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_(marque)#Engine...

My understanding is that BMW decided that a common engine in the 2010- First/One/Cooper made commercial sense as it reduced production and servicing costs. The variation is provided through engine maps.

Do check the insurance costs, the 1.4 might be easier to insure for a first car.

watchnut

1,163 posts

128 months

Thursday 4th January 2018
quotequote all
for me the power steering "whine" is a real put off....what sort of price is the "OP" going to pay? one in my neighbourhood recently up for £1500....which is getting into "first car" pricing......as these are very popular with 17 year olds.....how long before the insurance for all Mini's goes through the roof when they start crashing them all!!!!

TTmonkey

20,911 posts

246 months

Thursday 4th January 2018
quotequote all
Wheel bearings running out of life on the earliest cars now....

mattman

3,174 posts

221 months

Saturday 6th January 2018
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Purchased one today as a first car for my son - 09 1.4 One. 2 previous owners, 80k with FSH


Is there a web page I can find the original spec of the car as i don't know if it has any packs on it - does have air con and the colour changing lights, electric windows, aux etc but not sure if that was part of chilli or pepper packs

E-bmw

9,106 posts

151 months

Saturday 6th January 2018
quotequote all
google mini vin checker & put in the last 7 digits, it will tell you everything.

df76

3,615 posts

277 months

Sunday 7th January 2018
quotequote all
Can be checked through here: https://www.etkbmw.com