Mini. Sliding budget up to £11k

[Chicken Chaser]

I'm just back in the hunt for a 2nd car. Annual mileage 10k a year, 80 mile round trip occasional commute (main source of mileage). Looking for reasonable comfort (I know it's a small car).

Always liked Minis and Mrs is keen too. Small kids have been tested in the rear with approval. We have a family vehicle which we use for most of the time when as a 4 so this is less of a concern. It's mainly my work/station car park/runaround.

What should I be looking for? I've heard to stay away from the 1.6 which looks to rule out anything before 2014 therefore limiting options

Would like the performance of the S but it seems the standard hatch isn't too sluggish.

[CABC]

ideal cars for such usage. 1.5 is characterful, lots of low end torque and revs out more than other hatchback 3 pots. great engine for what it is. definitely get a 5 door, despite being ugly. 2017 saw many launch issues ironed out, that's well within budget. I'd recommend 15 or 16" wheels. big screen a lot nicer than the cheapo "slot" within a circle, esp with the rare nav option.

[Canon_Fodder]

Here you go OP, what about this little thing.

Mini One 1.5 with the all-important LED's and nice little alloys. '68 reg, just run-in really. F56 LCI so a nice sorted car. Not my fav colour but hey ho

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304116...

[GreatGranny]

OP, high spec Cooper 5 door in a great colour.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306218...

[Canon_Fodder]

^ yes that's nice if you want / can stand a 5dr.

The 'Sport' trim level there gives those lovely cloth sports seats although I'm personally not mad on the 'air-intake' malarky at the front

The wording of that ad doesn't match the picture - but hopefully just lazy copy & paste from the seller. (mentions silver 'Heli' wheels and also a 2 spoke plastic steering wheel)

[Chicken Chaser]

Thanks for the suggestions, the 5 door is definitely out, I just can't get away with the shape. I'd rather go and buy another small car over it.

I'm also looking at other marques but this end of the market (at least locally) seems to be swimming in a pool of sharks with a LOT of unloved ste. The likes of Evans Halshaw not even bothering to make them look half decent.

[bennno]

Chicken Chaser said:

I'm just back in the hunt for a 2nd car. Annual mileage 10k a year, 80 mile round trip occasional commute (main source of mileage). Looking for reasonable comfort (I know it's a small car).

Always liked Minis and Mrs is keen too. Small kids have been tested in the rear with approval. We have a family vehicle which we use for most of the time when as a 4 so this is less of a concern. It's mainly my work/station car park/runaround.

What should I be looking for? I've heard to stay away from the 1.6 which looks to rule out anything before 2014 therefore limiting options

Would like the performance of the S but it seems the standard hatch isn't too sluggish.

Diesels both cheap and chip well, either the 1.5 or 2.0 are both BMW engines in detuned form in the mini. I had a clubman one and it flew

[DaveyBoyWonder]

R55 Clubman John Cooper Works is that I'd be off for...

[CG2020UK]

My wife originally wanted a Mini S until she drove a Peugeot 208GTI Prestige.

Better value for money, more reliable, more efficient (+40mpg), better spec, better to drive and more room.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

Admittedly it’s hard to see past the mini badge especially for the wife.

[Chicken Chaser]

CG2020UK said:

My wife originally wanted a Mini S until she drove a Peugeot 208GTI Prestige.

Better value for money, more reliable, more efficient (+40mpg), better spec, better to drive and more room.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

Admittedly it’s hard to see past the mini badge especially for the wife.

That looks really good. I've seen several today and some have been ok but I'm not sure if Minis wear as well as the competition. There's a lot of rough ones about.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd suggest taking a look at the Clio RS200 Lux they're a cracking car & you'll get a very nice low mileage one for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306058...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305127...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306058...

DS3 Performance 210:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...

208 GTI Prestige (same car as the DS3 above) is a great choice & one I'd take over the Mini:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304306...

Your budget will also put you in a Peugeot Sport 208 GTI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305227...

[Chicken Chaser]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd suggest taking a look at the Clio RS200 Lux they're a cracking car & you'll get a very nice low mileage one for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306058...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305127...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306058...

DS3 Performance 210:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...

208 GTI Prestige (same car as the DS3 above) is a great choice & one I'd take over the Mini:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304306...

Your budget will also put you in a Peugeot Sport 208 GTI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305227...

Thanks for the heads up. Do you not usually recommend the Astra SRi too?

Just an aside, are Mini Diesels still worth going for? It would be the higher powered ones as I'm looking for overtake ability. I do use the car for local running but also for the longer commute. Are they the same diesels inside the BMW 320d?I did get told they have particularly large DPF so don't clog up as easily as some.

Edited by Chicken Chaser on Tuesday 27th June 10:48

[Canon_Fodder]

OP - here's a guide to BMW / Mini engines.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_B47

[bennno]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd suggest taking a look at the Clio RS200 Lux they're a cracking car & you'll get a very nice low mileage one for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306058...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305127...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306058...

DS3 Performance 210:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...

208 GTI Prestige (same car as the DS3 above) is a great choice & one I'd take over the Mini:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305197...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303185...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304306...

Your budget will also put you in a Peugeot Sport 208 GTI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305227...

Ive looked at all of those, however if you then go and sit in a mini its immediately noticeable that its different league in terms of comfort and quality.

[roca1976]

I have similar requirements, just waiting for the AMG to sell.

Apart from the 1.5 Mini Cooper I have also added the 2015 onwards LCI BMW 1 series 3 door to the list. Many of the same gubbins as the mini but more choice of examples with the 2.0d engine and nice auto box.

[Chicken Chaser]

roca1976 said:

I have similar requirements, just waiting for the AMG to sell.

Apart from the 1.5 Mini Cooper I have also added the 2015 onwards LCI BMW 1 series 3 door to the list. Many of the same gubbins as the mini but more choice of examples with the 2.0d engine and nice auto box.

I would, but I've already got one RWD and don't want a 2nd for middle of the winter driving.

[ZX10R NIN]

Chicken Chaser said:

Thanks for the heads up. Do you not usually recommend the Astra SRi too?

Just an aside, are Mini Diesels still worth going for? It would be the higher powered ones as I'm looking for overtake ability. I do use the car for local running but also for the longer commute. Are they the same diesels inside the BMW 320d?I did get told they have particularly large DPF so don't clog up as easily as some.

Edited by Chicken Chaser on Tuesday 27th June 10:48

I was sticking to the junior hot hatches but if you don't mind going up a size then yes the Astra GTC comes into play in either full fat VXR form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306258...

Or 1.6T Limited Edition 200 form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304236...

& there's also the 190bhp BiTDI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306018...

Also take a look at the Giulietta Cloverleaf:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305307...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305167...