Looking at Buying.
Discussion
Hello all,
Hopefully my current car (2006 Mustang GT) will soon be sold which is going to leave me looking for a replacement vehicle. My budget is up to £3000 and the MINI seems to fit into that category amongst others like the Alfa 147 (posted a thread in the Alfa forum a while back).
I’d be looking at a 2006 car as the stereo can be replaced (one of the key factors for a replacement is that I can use a USB stick with MP3’s on it which means replacing the stereo on most pre-2010 cars on the market (I’m unwilling to compromise with cradles for phones and mp3 players), sounds daft I know but I have become acustomed to the ease of the USB stick and its something I can sort in 30 minutes and with £50 with a replacement stereo. I know the slightly later cars had an AUX in but no USB.
Anyway, £3000 seems to get me a reasonable condition 1.4 or 1.6 MINI, I have heard that the timing chain tensioners are an issue on the earlier cars (Cooper and Cooper S) is there anything else I need to be mindful of and look out for.
It’s a huge step down in performance from the Mustang but I have a far more fun toy tucked away in an aircraft hangar so I am looking for something cheap and reliable to run around in, but can still have a bit of fun with on a twisty road (the PH in me isn't willing to roll over and die yet).
Hopefully my current car (2006 Mustang GT) will soon be sold which is going to leave me looking for a replacement vehicle. My budget is up to £3000 and the MINI seems to fit into that category amongst others like the Alfa 147 (posted a thread in the Alfa forum a while back).
I’d be looking at a 2006 car as the stereo can be replaced (one of the key factors for a replacement is that I can use a USB stick with MP3’s on it which means replacing the stereo on most pre-2010 cars on the market (I’m unwilling to compromise with cradles for phones and mp3 players), sounds daft I know but I have become acustomed to the ease of the USB stick and its something I can sort in 30 minutes and with £50 with a replacement stereo. I know the slightly later cars had an AUX in but no USB.
Anyway, £3000 seems to get me a reasonable condition 1.4 or 1.6 MINI, I have heard that the timing chain tensioners are an issue on the earlier cars (Cooper and Cooper S) is there anything else I need to be mindful of and look out for.
It’s a huge step down in performance from the Mustang but I have a far more fun toy tucked away in an aircraft hangar so I am looking for something cheap and reliable to run around in, but can still have a bit of fun with on a twisty road (the PH in me isn't willing to roll over and die yet).
I've had two R56s and 5 MINIs in total
I feel the R series arnt as well made as the newer F series (late 2013+)The R56 isn't a true BMW. But still had fun in them.
Buyers guide here
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...
I feel the R series arnt as well made as the newer F series (late 2013+)The R56 isn't a true BMW. But still had fun in them.
Buyers guide here
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-buying-guides/...
I have a 2012 R56 Cooper, which is a late facelifted "LCI" model with 122hp. Mine's got small wheels and some choice options short of the Chili pack.
I've been really pleased with it and I'm going to struggle to find such a good value replacement. It's now 6 years old, with approaching 20k on the clock and has just had an interim service with brake fluid at the local main dealer for £171.72. The tyres, brakes and general condition are all well above what I'd expect - and nothing has gone wrong since I bought it in 2016.
It's no ball of fire, but I think the performance figures are conservative and I've had a genuine 54mpg on long runs. It's entertaining enough for current needs and I imagine the S must be a hoot.
Apart from the fact it was smoked in by its first owner, it's been a great buy to run alongside our family van - although that might be because it's a late model with low miles. I think mine's reached a sweet spot where it's still reliable, desirable enough and has low depreciation and running costs, but it won't upset me if it picks up a few marks.
I do think it's worth mentioning something about who buys these cars and how they're used. I'm sure there's a mix of buyers, but I do think it's a pretty prevalent second car for well-to-do types judging by the specs and histories that you see in classifieds.
I've been really pleased with it and I'm going to struggle to find such a good value replacement. It's now 6 years old, with approaching 20k on the clock and has just had an interim service with brake fluid at the local main dealer for £171.72. The tyres, brakes and general condition are all well above what I'd expect - and nothing has gone wrong since I bought it in 2016.
It's no ball of fire, but I think the performance figures are conservative and I've had a genuine 54mpg on long runs. It's entertaining enough for current needs and I imagine the S must be a hoot.
Apart from the fact it was smoked in by its first owner, it's been a great buy to run alongside our family van - although that might be because it's a late model with low miles. I think mine's reached a sweet spot where it's still reliable, desirable enough and has low depreciation and running costs, but it won't upset me if it picks up a few marks.
I do think it's worth mentioning something about who buys these cars and how they're used. I'm sure there's a mix of buyers, but I do think it's a pretty prevalent second car for well-to-do types judging by the specs and histories that you see in classifieds.
Collecting this today, my first venture into Mini territory. Bought to do urban duties and prevent Mrs LFB getting any more car park/hedge dents on the Range Rover 
A '55 plate standard Cooper, clean as a whistle with 78k and a decent history. Felt a lot more solid than French equivalents so happy to give it a go. Convinced myself an S wasn't required for this job, I might regret that.
This was just sub £2k, the nicest I could find within a reasonable distance and in budget. Tons for sale, lots of rubbish out there and plenty with epic miles.
A '55 plate standard Cooper, clean as a whistle with 78k and a decent history. Felt a lot more solid than French equivalents so happy to give it a go. Convinced myself an S wasn't required for this job, I might regret that.
This was just sub £2k, the nicest I could find within a reasonable distance and in budget. Tons for sale, lots of rubbish out there and plenty with epic miles.
Edited by LFB531 on Wednesday 14th February 11:01
wlondoner said:
The MINI Diesel engine is very popular, especially in the new F series.
Autoexpress gave a MINI diesel 5 out of 5
The newer ones are very impressive
Definitely worth considering a diesel R56 too
I guess I will have to have a look around, though mostly it means travelling, which is a pain becuase I won't be in a position to buy until the Mustang is sold, which means I won't have a car.Autoexpress gave a MINI diesel 5 out of 5
The newer ones are very impressive
Definitely worth considering a diesel R56 too
Petrols seem more numerous and there are a few locally.
SpamCan said:
wlondoner said:
The MINI Diesel engine is very popular, especially in the new F series.
Autoexpress gave a MINI diesel 5 out of 5
The newer ones are very impressive
Definitely worth considering a diesel R56 too
I guess I will have to have a look around, though mostly it means travelling, which is a pain becuase I won't be in a position to buy until the Mustang is sold, which means I won't have a car.Autoexpress gave a MINI diesel 5 out of 5
The newer ones are very impressive
Definitely worth considering a diesel R56 too
Petrols seem more numerous and there are a few locally.
The R56 Cooper D has a 1.6 PSA engine. We’ve owned 2, an R56 and we now have an R55 Clubman Cooper D, road tax is £20 a year and it averages 50 mpg. With the current hysteria around diesel they’re now as cheap as the wheezy 1.6 petrol version.
I still think a Cooper D with the Chilli pack is the pick of the R56 range.
I still think a Cooper D with the Chilli pack is the pick of the R56 range.
Thanks for the responses.
However nice the free tax is on a 2014 diesel I don't think I'll get one of those for £3k. To be honest my main concern with the diesels is DPF issues, so it will probably be a petrol MINI One or Cooper that I buy.
That said I have to get rid of my current car (Mustang) first and as I have had two potential buyers cancel on me the MINI is going to have to wait a little bit longer
However nice the free tax is on a 2014 diesel I don't think I'll get one of those for £3k. To be honest my main concern with the diesels is DPF issues, so it will probably be a petrol MINI One or Cooper that I buy.
That said I have to get rid of my current car (Mustang) first and as I have had two potential buyers cancel on me the MINI is going to have to wait a little bit longer
Edited by SpamCan on Sunday 18th February 14:04
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