MINI Cooper - Buying second hand | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Mon 18 Mar 2013 19:15

MINI Cooper - Buying second hand - herald

I have given up my company van and getting a company car, for this reason the family car is going and we are thinking of getting a Mini Cooper as a run about for my wife.
The price range is going to be around the 3-4k mark, looking around there seems plenty of choice with ages ranging from 2002-2005, obviously at this age Mileage is going to be a bit higher than I am used to.

My question is what do I look for are their problems associated with minis of this age, and are the engines good for higher mileage? I am going to try and get one with history, what else should I look out for.

Cheers
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Mon 18 Mar 2013 19:24

MINI Cooper - Buying second hand - Auristocrat

Have a look at: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=99977

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=99672

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=90800

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Mon 18 Mar 2013 19:29

MINI Cooper - Buying second hand - gordonbennet

Well i know its not an S that you're after but my mate has bought his wife her third one now.

First one needed a new supercharger, second one had 3 complete timing chain systems fitted plus two tensioners, the third one having now covered under 2k miles has so far had a set of valve lifters and is still rattling pending further investigation, all under warranty thankfully as none of them reached 30k miles, they daren't keep one longer.

I'm sure this isn't normal for the marque, or is it?

I'm also worried about my mate's state of mind, masochistic tendencies?..;)

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Mon 18 Mar 2013 20:41

MINI Cooper - Buying second hand - herald

I have read a few things about the cooper s , including all the above links I was after something more specific to the standard cooper. I cannot seem to find much about them.

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Mon 18 Mar 2013 20:50

MINI Cooper - Buying second hand - Auristocrat

'Whats bad' from the Honest John review on the R50 Cooper (2001-2007): http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mini/cooper-r50-2001/?section=bad

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Mon 18 Mar 2013 21:27

MINI Cooper - Buying second hand - john farrar

SHMBO has owned a (55 plate) Cooper convertible from new.
Watch out for rust underneath. RHS Engine mount failed producing a black oily mess. Thermostat housing leaked (common problem), check coolant level carefully. Lambda sensor failed producing intermitent alarm . Rear exhaust box failed. Seat sometimes locked in postion when released for rear seat access, very difficult to free so check this out. Cure involved me taking seat apart and carefully reassembling/lubricating.

Apart from that, it's been reliable if a bit gutless, good economy though at 38-40mpg.

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Mon 18 Mar 2013 21:48

MINI Cooper - Buying second hand - tony g

Power steering seems to be a common failure

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Tue 19 Mar 2013 09:28

MINI Cooper - Buying second hand - Collos25

The advice of Autobild unless you have very deep pockets lots of patience and do not need the car on a regual basis do not buy a Mini pre model change.At the model change they changed the engine and gearbox supplier I believe they now have a Getrag gearbox which is an improvement on the Midland Gear box but there advice do not buy one of any description unless it has a water tight gaurantee..

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Wed 20 Mar 2013 08:43

MINI Cooper - Buying second hand - herald

Thanks for the replies , the car is going to used for the school run and for my wife to go to work which is about an 8 mile round run, and general running about. I have found some info about the gearbox problem so will proceed with caution, I may need to up my budget and get a newer lower mileage model .
Thanks again

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