things to look for on a mini one
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From: somerset
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
cheers
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Also, the rear boxes rot like anything too... Ours did!! Dont know if its 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.
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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.
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.
PassionFord Post Whore!!
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From: Surrey/Norfolk/Cambs
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.
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.
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PassionFord Post Whore!!
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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.
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.
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From: Northampton
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.
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.
Last edited by Fartblood; Jun 25, 2018 at 08:59 PM.
PassionFord Post Whore!!
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From: Surrey/Norfolk/Cambs
They do have lots of issues, the power steering issue was a recall.
Martin
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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.
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.
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Joined: May 2004
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From: Surrey/Norfolk/Cambs
And now get ready for your mum to keep saying:
Theres a rattling noise behind the dash some where and its driving me mad, because thats what the misses keeps asking me every bloody day, but I cant find it for the life of me.
In other words the interior trim rattles and creaks all the time.
Theres a rattling noise behind the dash some where and its driving me mad, because thats what the misses keeps asking me every bloody day, but I cant find it for the life of me.
In other words the interior trim rattles and creaks all the time.
Thread Starter
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From: somerset
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!
Erect Member
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From: Northampton
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.
Thread Starter
Advanced PassionFord User
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From: somerset
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.
i can see where your coming from though, you wouldn't really want one for comuting on the motorway etc
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From: Belgium (Brussels)
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.
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.
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