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things to look for on a mini one

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Old 24-06-2018, 05:11 PM
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st220kyle
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Default things to look for on a mini one

Potentially going to look at a 2005 mini cooper tomorrow for my mum, what things should i look out for? It's on 97k with full service history
cheers
Old 24-06-2018, 07:57 PM
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Glenn_
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The exhaust back box bracket snaps so the back box hangs low. Check to make sure the electric power steering works properly too.
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Old 24-06-2018, 08:15 PM
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gearbox is a big weak point as are electrical gremlins
Old 24-06-2018, 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Glenn_
The exhaust back box bracket snaps so the back box hangs low. Check to make sure the electric power steering works properly too.
Also, the rear boxes rot like anything too... Ours did!! Don’t know if it’s just the Cooper S, but have a listen out for timing chain rattle. The front strut top (where the three bolts are) are prone to mushroom too.
Old 24-06-2018, 09:04 PM
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Over heating problems also
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Old 24-06-2018, 11:15 PM
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I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. If I see 10 in for MOT usually over half of the minis are low on oil, clearly neglected or just battered piles of crap.

Power steering issues, from pumps to hoses.
Gearbox noises.
The front suspension arm bushes are a pain in the arse to change and are often fecked.

A lot of them have been owned by the type of owner that would rather have a new handbag than maintain their car.

A lot we service only get the basic service to turn the light/indicator off. None of the remedial work often required.
Old 24-06-2018, 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by studabear
I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. If I see 10 in for MOT usually over half of the minis are low on oil, clearly neglected or just battered piles of crap.

Power steering issues, from pumps to hoses.
Gearbox noises.
The front suspension arm bushes are a pain in the arse to change and are often fecked.

A lot of them have been owned by the type of owner that would rather have a new handbag than maintain their car.

A lot we service only get the basic service to turn the light/indicator off. None of the remedial work often required.
Got a knock on the front of ours, god knows where from?!

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Old 25-06-2018, 06:12 AM
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Originally Posted by studabear
I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole. If I see 10 in for MOT usually over half of the minis are low on oil, clearly neglected or just battered piles of crap.

Power steering issues, from pumps to hoses.
Gearbox noises.
The front suspension arm bushes are a pain in the arse to change and are often fecked.

A lot of them have been owned by the type of owner that would rather have a new handbag than maintain their car.

A lot we service only get the basic service to turn the light/indicator off. None of the remedial work often required.
This for defo!
Old 25-06-2018, 09:19 AM
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These and new mercedes are the only cars you seem to see on a breakdown truck!
Old 25-06-2018, 08:57 PM
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Check the reverse lights work. Switches commonly disintegrate.

The engines are derived from a relatively olde Brazillian design, so don't expect the last word in refinement or economy, even if it's running well.

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Old 25-06-2018, 09:22 PM
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Well, it was bought!
all seemed ok, it certainly has been looked after throughout it's life. Its very good condition for its age. i guess time will tell!
Old 25-06-2018, 09:24 PM
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Forgot to say, thanks for replies chaps
Old 26-06-2018, 09:08 AM
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You should of watched wheeler dealers last night..

That Ant serviced one.
Old 26-06-2018, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Glenn_
You should of watched wheeler dealers last night..

That Ant serviced one.
What with, a bucket of water and a sponge?!
Old 26-06-2018, 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by st220kyle
Well, it was bought!
all seemed ok, it certainly has been looked after throughout it's life. Its very good condition for its age. i guess time will tell!
Is it a Cooper S?
Old 26-06-2018, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by cossiestu
Is it a Cooper S?
no just a cooper chap
Old 26-06-2018, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Fartblood
Check the reverse lights work. Switches commonly disintegrate.

The engines are derived from a relatively olde Brazillian design, so don't expect the last word in refinement or economy, even if it's running well.
Correct, the Tritec engine and they sound weird!

They do have lots of issues, the power steering issue was a recall.

Martin
Old 26-06-2018, 09:03 PM
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And now get ready for your mum to keep saying:
There’s a rattling noise behind the dash some where and it’s driving me mad, because that’s what the misses keeps asking me every bloody day, but I can’t find it for the life of me.

In other words the interior trim rattles and creaks all the time.
Old 27-06-2018, 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by tosh
And now get ready for your mum to keep saying:
There’s a rattling noise behind the dash some where and it’s driving me mad, because that’s what the misses keeps asking me every bloody day, but I can’t find it for the life of me.

In other words the interior trim rattles and creaks all the time.
Quite lucky with ours, all the rattles are outside, mainly from the front suspension...!
Old 27-06-2018, 07:03 PM
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The car its replacing is a 2003 ford ka, with the lowest spec possible! So the mini is quite an upgrade, the mini won't do many miles so fi gets crossed it will be ok!
Old 27-06-2018, 07:18 PM
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With the horrible 1.3 Enduro engine? A wheelie bin would be better than that. I once had to drive one back from Leeds for a mate - apart from squeezing my 6'5" frame in painfully, it had so little power the kids on BMXs and milk floats were lining up to overtake. I'd have given my left nut for an engine with more power than a starter motor. A MINI of any type, mileage or condition would be an improvement for her.
Old 27-06-2018, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Fartblood
With the horrible 1.3 Enduro engine? A wheelie bin would be better than that. I once had to drive one back from Leeds for a mate - apart from squeezing my 6'5" frame in painfully, it had so little power the kids on BMXs and milk floats were lining up to overtake. I'd have given my left nut for an engine with more power than a starter motor. A MINI of any type, mileage or condition would be an improvement for her.
its the slightly later model with the 1.3 but badged as a duratec i think. Its only got 40k on it. again not seen much use, but its served its purpose well and done what it was bought for.
i can see where your coming from though, you wouldn't really want one for comuting on the motorway etc
Old 28-06-2018, 07:46 AM
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Good news that you found a good one mate
Old 28-06-2018, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Fartblood
horrible 1.3 Enduro engine?
Best piece of shit my missus ever driven, lol. and low maintenance, never misses a beat, only needed to replace a plastic piece going to the heater matrix. Bought new cheap 10 years ago when the new model was coming. Now 50k miles and still going (never been very) strong.
Likes to drink when I try to drive it as you'd be on the loud pedal whole the fucking time, I can't stand how slow it is, only driven it twice in 10 years, lol. But the missus likes it and I don't care where or how she leaves it in the city.
Old 28-06-2018, 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by st220kyle
The car its replacing is a 2003 ford ka, with the lowest spec possible! So the mini is quite an upgrade, the mini won't do many miles so fi gets crossed it will be ok!
lol this was a ford dealer in colindale london a few weeks back


Old 28-06-2018, 04:32 PM
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My Missus would kill me if I bought her a 1.3 Kak. She'd leave it on the driveway and take her Fireblade to work instead.
Old 28-06-2018, 07:53 PM
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I think kas are great little cars for the city/town user. Just a shame they rust so badly
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