Older Mini's and things to be aware of?
Discussion
Did ask in Car Buying but there's also a Mini specific question here I guess 
Contemplating a "cheap" runaround and found myself looking at new Mini's among others and may go out and have a look locally at the weekend so I'm trying to very quickly understand if there's much "need to know" stuff?
I don't do loads of miles but I'm fussy so my ideal would be the one or two owner car where even if it's a bit older you'd hope it's been well looked after.
For let's say up to £5-6K is there much I need to know or does it just come down to obvious things like condition and history and cross your fingers a bit as it's the lower end of the market?
I'm not mechanical so I won't be in a position to really check anything other than the bloody obvious
Couple of examples within an hour of me that don't seem to be in a back street lock up in Birmingham and that seem to be actual garages you can just turn up at without an appointment.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14476827
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13982592
Contemplating a "cheap" runaround and found myself looking at new Mini's among others and may go out and have a look locally at the weekend so I'm trying to very quickly understand if there's much "need to know" stuff?
I don't do loads of miles but I'm fussy so my ideal would be the one or two owner car where even if it's a bit older you'd hope it's been well looked after.
For let's say up to £5-6K is there much I need to know or does it just come down to obvious things like condition and history and cross your fingers a bit as it's the lower end of the market?
I'm not mechanical so I won't be in a position to really check anything other than the bloody obvious
Couple of examples within an hour of me that don't seem to be in a back street lock up in Birmingham and that seem to be actual garages you can just turn up at without an appointment.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14476827
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13982592
mike9009 said:
From my basic knowledge those two Minis are pretty bombproof with only the 'usual' stuff to worry about.
Timing chains and oil consumption on that gen Cooper S are an issue.
Previous gen Minis were littered with gearbox issues, power steering issues etc.
They were & they weren't. Gen 1 Minis had a midlife upgrade around July 2004 from internal designation R50 to R53. R50's have a fragile legacy Rover gearbox, post upgrade they got a six speed Getrag box which is more or less bulletproof. The power steering on both types is a bit flaky. It's electrical rather thn hydraulic & can overheat & fail if the cooling fan goes but that is not as common as forums would have you believe.Timing chains and oil consumption on that gen Cooper S are an issue.
Previous gen Minis were littered with gearbox issues, power steering issues etc.
The ones on the OP are R56 cars, from 2007 on. They have Peugeot Prince engines that come with brittle timing chain guides, relatively high oil consumtption as standard, leaky turbo oil seals if fitted & a propensity to coking up on the inlet valves that is resolved by blasting with walnut shells. Some of those issues were resolved post 2010 cars with a change from N14 to N18 engine designations. There's more depth on all that here:
https://www.lohen.co.uk/blog/how-do-the-n14-n18-mi...
Worth noting threads like these for old bangers inevitably focus on the pitfalls but Minis are a hoot to drive. BMW definitely captured the go kart feel of the original car, particularly with the gen 1 cars, Subsequent iterations have softened the driving experience which comes down to a matter of taste. R5x cars can feel harsh by todays standards, especially on run flat tyres. I run a 2004 Cooper S which has given me plenty of headaches but I love the thing & will probably keep it long term. If I was buying again, I would aim either for a late R53 or a post 2010 R56, ducking the 2007-10 cars.
Edited by President Merkin on Saturday 28th January 09:02
b
hstewie said:
hstewie said: Did ask in Car Buying but there's also a Mini specific question here I guess
Contemplating a "cheap" runaround and found myself looking at new Mini's among others and may go out and have a look locally at the weekend so I'm trying to very quickly understand if there's much "need to know" stuff?
I don't do loads of miles but I'm fussy so my ideal would be the one or two owner car where even if it's a bit older you'd hope it's been well looked after.
For let's say up to £5-6K is there much I need to know or does it just come down to obvious things like condition and history and cross your fingers a bit as it's the lower end of the market?
I'm not mechanical so I won't be in a position to really check anything other than the bloody obvious
Couple of examples within an hour of me that don't seem to be in a back street lock up in Birmingham and that seem to be actual garages you can just turn up at without an appointment.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14476827
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13982592
The single biggest problem with them remains the greengrocer's apostrophe.Contemplating a "cheap" runaround and found myself looking at new Mini's among others and may go out and have a look locally at the weekend so I'm trying to very quickly understand if there's much "need to know" stuff?
I don't do loads of miles but I'm fussy so my ideal would be the one or two owner car where even if it's a bit older you'd hope it's been well looked after.
For let's say up to £5-6K is there much I need to know or does it just come down to obvious things like condition and history and cross your fingers a bit as it's the lower end of the market?
I'm not mechanical so I won't be in a position to really check anything other than the bloody obvious
Couple of examples within an hour of me that don't seem to be in a back street lock up in Birmingham and that seem to be actual garages you can just turn up at without an appointment.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14476827
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/13982592
President Merkin said:
mike9009 said:
From my basic knowledge those two Minis are pretty bombproof with only the 'usual' stuff to worry about.
Timing chains and oil consumption on that gen Cooper S are an issue.
Previous gen Minis were littered with gearbox issues, power steering issues etc.
The power steering on both types is a bit flaky. It's electrical rather than hydraulic & can overheat & fail if the cooling fan goes but that is not as common as forums would have you believe.Timing chains and oil consumption on that gen Cooper S are an issue.
Previous gen Minis were littered with gearbox issues, power steering issues etc.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273793098747?fits=Car+M...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384683152333?fits=Car+M...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275334903942?fits=Car+M...
Having looked at loads before I bought my 2011 Cooper avoid the pre 2010 cars as they all had oil leaks. Paid 6k for mine with a good spec, auto xenon lights and wipers, heated seats, heated front screen. Shop about as there are a few good cars so out there. Worth noting only a couple more grand would get you newer gen which to be fair drives like a far more grown up car
President Merkin said:
Gen 1 Minis had a midlife upgrade around July 2004 from internal designation R50 to R53. R50's have a fragile legacy Rover gearbox, post upgrade they got a six speed Getrag box which is more or less bulletproof. [/footnote]
2003 R53 Cooper S has a Getrag box in it. Mini Cooper was designated R50 and R53 was the Cooper S.Edit, I’m probably wrong on the above lol
Edited by MightyBadger on Friday 24th February 16:15
President Merkin said:
They were & they weren't. Gen 1 Minis had a midlife upgrade around July 2004 from internal designation R50 to R53. R50's have a fragile legacy Rover gearbox, post upgrade they got a six speed Getrag box which is more or less bulletproof. The power steering on both types is a bit flaky. It's electrical rather thn hydraulic & can overheat & fail if the cooling fan goes but that is not as common as forums would have you believe.
The ones on the OP are R56 cars, from 2007 on. They have Peugeot Prince engines that come with brittle timing chain guides, relatively high oil consumtption as standard, leaky turbo oil seals if fitted & a propensity to coking up on the inlet valves that is resolved by blasting with walnut shells. Some of those issues were resolved post 2010 cars with a change from N14 to N18 engine designations. There's more depth on all that here:
https://www.lohen.co.uk/blog/how-do-the-n14-n18-mi...
Worth noting threads like these for old bangers inevitably focus on the pitfalls but Minis are a hoot to drive. BMW definitely captured the go kart feel of the original car, particularly with the gen 1 cars, Subsequent iterations have softened the driving experience which comes down to a matter of taste. R5x cars can feel harsh by todays standards, especially on run flat tyres. I run a 2004 Cooper S which has given me plenty of headaches but I love the thing & will probably keep it long term. If I was buying again, I would aim either for a late R53 or a post 2010 R56, ducking the 2007-10 cars.
Do I need to consider all this for a non-Cooper? I'm trying to source a Mini for my wife - auto only - atm and am in the 5-6k budget. It's really spec and condition we care about, performance isn't really important (appreciate I'm on Pistonheads ;-) )The ones on the OP are R56 cars, from 2007 on. They have Peugeot Prince engines that come with brittle timing chain guides, relatively high oil consumtption as standard, leaky turbo oil seals if fitted & a propensity to coking up on the inlet valves that is resolved by blasting with walnut shells. Some of those issues were resolved post 2010 cars with a change from N14 to N18 engine designations. There's more depth on all that here:
https://www.lohen.co.uk/blog/how-do-the-n14-n18-mi...
Worth noting threads like these for old bangers inevitably focus on the pitfalls but Minis are a hoot to drive. BMW definitely captured the go kart feel of the original car, particularly with the gen 1 cars, Subsequent iterations have softened the driving experience which comes down to a matter of taste. R5x cars can feel harsh by todays standards, especially on run flat tyres. I run a 2004 Cooper S which has given me plenty of headaches but I love the thing & will probably keep it long term. If I was buying again, I would aim either for a late R53 or a post 2010 R56, ducking the 2007-10 cars.
Edited by President Merkin on Saturday 28th January 09:02
AIUI the automatic Minis have a ZF CVT transmission but I'm shaky on that as I've only ever had an interest in manual cars, so don't know much about them. In general though, you're looking at wear & tear with any Gen 1 Mini since the youngest models are now 17 years old. Buy on condition. If a car has been well looked after, it should show on inspection but you are still looking at a car that will need more care than average.
Just jumping in here rather than create a new one.
What’s the Mini’s like 1.6 petrol with high mileage ala over 120k.
Choice of 2 a 2004 model with 115bhp fully loaded. 2011 model less spec similar mileage £1k less.
Both MOT history show no real issues. 2004 one has been looked after well new clutch and gearbox is good, suspension and brakes all fine the car is used daily for work so they haven’t skimped on service.
MOT up in a month though. Both have pretty cheap tyres so I’d have to change these for All seasons from October.
Timing chain was done in 2016 18k miles ago, again is this to be changed based on age or would it be ok ? I’m sure it’s been garaged too.
What’s the Mini’s like 1.6 petrol with high mileage ala over 120k.
Choice of 2 a 2004 model with 115bhp fully loaded. 2011 model less spec similar mileage £1k less.
Both MOT history show no real issues. 2004 one has been looked after well new clutch and gearbox is good, suspension and brakes all fine the car is used daily for work so they haven’t skimped on service.
MOT up in a month though. Both have pretty cheap tyres so I’d have to change these for All seasons from October.
Timing chain was done in 2016 18k miles ago, again is this to be changed based on age or would it be ok ? I’m sure it’s been garaged too.
I ran a Cooper 2005 from 120k to 150k. it was fine but mechanical things just start to wear and need replacing, Water pump, rads etc. None of it was a particular problem and you don't get depreciation, so i always thought the (probably) £350 per year ave on parts was worth it. Biggest issue was a leaking oil pressure switch that dumped oil over the starter and eventually cause that to fry.
It was a great car.
It was a great car.
E-bmw said:
2004 & 2011 minis are both completely different cars, I would say drive both as they will feel like the completely different cars that they are.
Both take their miles Ok, which (I think) is what you are asking.
Yeah thanks.Both take their miles Ok, which (I think) is what you are asking.
Maybe folk on FB Marketplace will actually respond sometimes.
Out of 5 just 2 responses.
exgtt said:
R53 or F56. Do not buy R56 lol
They're fine, if you go in with your eyes open.I ran an L322 Range Rover for four years and it was utterly faultless with some very minor niggles easily fixed.
The trouble is, these cars were marketed as very cheap to run, with the TLC scheme and CBS meaning they actually didn't get the attention they ought to have.
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