buying a new MCS - advice please :)

[sarahpest]

Hi everyone - i am currently looking for a MCS and i have a budget of around 7k. i understand that i should be able to get around a 52 - 53 plate for this price with average to higher mileage. will a MCS still have a long life ahead of it as it is the older model and is getting on a bit? also i was wondering how much i would expect to spend on petrol a month as i undertstand fuel economy isnt good. i usually do around 350 - 400 miles a month mainly town driving. any advice comments would be greatly appreciated

[DrainTheSpuds]

sarahpest said:

Hi everyone - i am currently looking for a MCS and i have a budget of around 7k. i understand that i should be able to get around a 52 - 53 plate for this price with average to higher mileage. will a MCS still have a long life ahead of it as it is the older model and is getting on a bit? also i was wondering how much i would expect to spend on petrol a month as i undertstand fuel economy isnt good. i usually do around 350 - 400 miles a month mainly town driving. any advice comments would be greatly appreciated

Hi Sarah,

Your budget should get you at least a 2003 example, and I've even seen some 2004s at around that price too. Prices can vary wildly, so do your homework. The biggest reliability concern on cars of that age is the power steering pump, which is renowned for failure at any mileage. Many of the cars of 2003/04 age will have had it replaced by now - check with the previous owner. There's much more info on this over on MINI2 and MINItorque.

Clutches can be problematic too, so if you can find a car that's had a new one, so much the better. There are also many stories of dodgy electrics, such as electric window issues and central locking faults, although my 2004 model has had no such problems. Superchargers are meant to last around 100,000 miles.

As with any 6 or 7 year old car of significant mileage, things will now be wearing out and need replacing - I've recently had a top engine mount and a track rod end replaced, amongst other things, so it's reasonable to expect a few repair bills.

As for fuel, yes, they're a thirsty beast. I run mine on super-unleaded only, and reckon that at current prices, and with a mixture of town and motorway driving, every mile costs 20p, so your 400 miles per month will cost approximately £80.

Overall, they're a great car; I've owned mine since it was new in 2004 and nearly 60,000 miles later, I still think it's a fantastic little car. If you can live with the hard ride and the lack of space, you'll love it!

[Eviltad]

Do a search or scroll through a couple of pages as I feel we cover this subject regularly.

To summarise mine is a 2004, i've done 107,000 miles. Supercharger has just been switched not because of a sudden catastrophic failure but because it didnt sound quite right, like the bearings were going. I've also just switched my clutch. Again, not due to failure but more down to preventative maintenance on a 100,000 mile car.

£7k will get you a really nice one. There was a chap on with a £4k budget the other week and he was after an 03/04.

Autotrader will be your friend, just look for one thats been maintained by a specialist or BMW.

[sarahpest]

thanks guys thats brilliant do u think i would get a more reliable one if i went up to 8grand? i could borrow a bit more money but i would be stretching myself. i just wonder if i will be replacing alot more and end up worse off if i get the older one or do u think it wouldnt really matter? Also what do the original cd player sound systems sound like? i know some have the harmon kardon ones but i wondered if the normal ones are any good? im def gonna get one i cant wait

[Eviltad]

I started a reply then deleted by accident. £1000 wont make a difference so I wouldnt stretch yourself.

I've not got HK but kinda wish I had.

Where in country are you? We'll find some niceish examples.

such as:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1948501.htm

and http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1935865.htm as that looks enthusiast owned so well looked after.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1980254.htm

and finally a convertible with HK for a little extra.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1473702.htm

[Aidayboy]

Sarah

Hi, bought my gf a 2004 MCS Convertible, great little car, alot of fun and touch wood hasn't had any serious issues, only thing though is as per your concern it's really really thirsty and ridiculously expensive to road tax, just renewed it and think it was £245!!

A&P

[Aidayboy]

Forgot to say original CD player isn't great.

[sarahpest]

thanks guys - i really appreciate all your help. i think im gonna go 4 a grey or cream one i live in kent and have seen a few just need to get the right one. Are there any things i should avoid? My only concern is i am a bit worried about this power steering pump thing though i have been looking about it online. it seems really dangerous. Do all minis have this fault? i have a clio at the moment so not used to having a car like this. ah what a shame i thought it would have a good cd player as my clio one is quite bassy believe it or not x ps i wish my bf would buy my mini for me

[Eviltad]

Mine hasnt had a steering pump (yet).

I'm feeling like its the Triggers broom of Mini's atm as its in garage now having flywheel replaced...which was a nice surprise.

[sarahpest]

oh no i still cant resist getting one even though i am worried about the cost of fixing things. i take it you dont regret getting yours? what colour mini etc did you go for? i suppose all cars have their faults i mean the reviews on my clio are horrendous but its been fine for me

[Eviltad]

People only moan when things go wrong.

Mine is Dark Silver and Black. I've had it since Feb 2006.

[pembo]

I've loved mine for the last year and not had any problems so far although it's in for an MOT today so lets see how it goes.

I'm gutted that I'm going to have to let it go but I've just bought a motorbike and can't justify having two fun vehicles so I have to downgrade

It's a shame you're after silver or cream, mine's blue with 50k something miles on the clock, aero kit, full JCW exhaust and adjustable KW coilovers.

Good luck with your search, it will be worth it.

[RIP_puffsorted2]

sarahpest said:

oh no i still cant resist getting one even though i am worried about the cost of fixing things. i take it you dont regret getting yours? what colour mini etc did you go for? i suppose all cars have their faults i mean the reviews on my clio are horrendous but its been fine for me

PS Pump for a Cooper S isn't that horrid. Mine needed doing. MPG on Supercharged Cooper S's isn't good though - ran my Merc CLK 55 AMG close!! at times

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... Cooper - Power Steering failed



8k should get you a peach of a car. Sold my immaculate 54 Convertible Cooper S, 35000 miles with every option except Sat Nav for £8750 and I wasn't exactly swamped with offers in fact the phone was very quiet

Edited by RIP_puffsorted2 on Friday 27th August 17:54