Girlfriend has her heart set on a mini

dean_ham

dean_ham

dean_ham

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No matter what i suggest she keeps on saying about a mini so im not gonna even try and make her consider other cars.

Anyway, she is looking at spending £6000.

What do you guys think about spending £6k on a mini thats 4-6 years old with roughly 40-60k on the clock.

Im thinking this is a lot of money for a smallish car of this age with this milleage on the clock.

I havent driven one before so i cant comment, but im just worrying that she will buy a 5 year old and have problems after problems after spending £6k on the thing. I know its built by BMW and should be good quality but what are your experiences guys? When are the big services gonna come i.e belt changes etc. Whats the costs like to run the thing, to fix it etc.

Opinions please guys!
 
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Power steering and gearboxes seem problematic on earlier models, but apart from that, I know a few people with that age of Mini, and they are relatively problem free, still hold onto their value, and are pretty reasonable to drive..
 
Pre 04 reg = Problems such gearbox.
Think the steering rack/pump is a common fault on all Minis (It went on mine, cost £1500 to replace).

To drive they are great fun, although i can't comment on non S models - however im sure they are still fun.

Will hold its money, probably one of the best hatches around still.
 
Poor visibility, plasticy interior, stupid dials. But hey, they look chic so chicks love em!

No offence intended btw, I'm sure they're perfect for her needs.
 
dean_ham said:
Ha ha im sure too, i see the model changed in 2004, what actually changed as they look the same haha?
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Though the Mk II has a familiar look, every panel on the new car has been changed from the old model. New safety requirements mean that the overall length has increased by 60 mm (2.4 in), the front end raised and the indicators have been repositioned inside the headlights. The headlights themselves are now fixed to the front quarter panels rather than being housed within the bonnet so that they are not raised up with it when the bonnet opens. The car features a restyled grille and larger rear light clusters. The Cooper S retains the bonnet scoop in order to keep an association with the outgoing model — although the relocation of the intercooler to the front of the engine means that the scoop is now purely decorative. In addition, the Cooper S no longer has the battery located under the boot floor, instead being found in the more conventional place. The C pillars are no longer encased in glass and have been shaped to improve aerodynamics and to reduce the tendency for dirt to accumulate on the back of the car. Much criticized for the lack of rear legroom, Mini added more space for rear passengers by creating sculpted cut-outs in the rear of the front seats. An engine start button replaces the conventional ignition key and, with the optional 'convenience package', the car unlocks itself automatically when the key is brought close to the car.
 
Robbie G said:
Poor visibility, plasticy interior, stupid dials. But hey, they look chic so chicks love em!

No offence intended btw, I'm sure they're perfect for her needs.
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No offence but you’ve not owned the New BMW version have you or you’d know that what you’ve said is nothing short of funny :D in a sad way. Plastics are not cheap to look at or feel, Visibility is not a problem anyone who have been or driven one would know and the Dials are some of the best I’ve used. Then again people looking at them and not driving with them might not know that the MPH is in the digital rev counter and not only in the centre.

Build quality,the R50 and R53 models are more or less built proof by now. There is an issue with Power Steering Pumps but on the whole Solid built compared to the original and better looking and great fun to drive. If your girlfriend appreciates cars she’ll love it and best of all she can go a Mini run.
Motoring expert Mark Brown is surprised the Mini's power steering pumps are failing so early in the car's life, and is concerned by the risks the failure can cause: "I'd expect power steering pumps to last virtually the lifetime of the car, with a few exceptions. I think that because of the number of reported incidents, and the potentially dangerous situation it can leave a driver in when the failure does occur, that we're getting into the realms now where a safety recall ought to be seriously considered."

BMW say that they're aware of an electrical issue which has the potential to affect the Electro Hydraulic Power Assisted Steering system fitted to more than 223,000 petrol-powered Minis sold between 2001 and 2007. This includes 175,000 Mini one, Mini Cooper and Cooper S cars sold between 2001 and 2005, 9,000 convertibles and 32,000 Mini Hatch cars sold in 2006 and 7,800 Mini Convertibles sold in 2007. BMW say that in January 2005 a modification was made to the pump supplied with all new Minis which virtually eradicated the issue.



I’m a Member of NewMiniScotland, we love old and new……The Coopers are fast enough.
 
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scott212 said:
Though the Mk II has a familiar look, every panel on the new car has been changed from the old model. New safety requirements mean that the overall length has increased by 60 mm (2.4 in), the front end raised and the indicators have been repositioned inside the headlights. The headlights themselves are now fixed to the front quarter panels rather than being housed within the bonnet so that they are not raised up with it when the bonnet opens. The car features a restyled grille and larger rear light clusters. The Cooper S retains the bonnet scoop in order to keep an association with the outgoing model — although the relocation of the intercooler to the front of the engine means that the scoop is now purely decorative. In addition, the Cooper S no longer has the battery located under the boot floor, instead being found in the more conventional place. The C pillars are no longer encased in glass and have been shaped to improve aerodynamics and to reduce the tendency for dirt to accumulate on the back of the car. Much criticized for the lack of rear legroom, Mini added more space for rear passengers by creating sculpted cut-outs in the rear of the front seats. An engine start button replaces the conventional ignition key and, with the optional 'convenience package', the car unlocks itself automatically when the key is brought close to the car.
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No, that happened in 2006.

The 2004 update was new style headlights/rear lights, different gearbox, slightly revised interior etc.
 
Ive never been impressed by the BINI. i always keep an open mind regardless of the scean im not that kind of person.

But half an hour of driving one was enough for me. The new ford transit is better to drive in my honest opinion.
 
I agree with you and think that MINI's are very overpriced.

If it is her cash, then it's probably quite a good call as in a couple of years it will probably still be worth nearly 5k.

If she's thinking of taking finance, tell her to spend less on something cheaper, like a Fiesta.
 
Ok flyinggears, you say buy a "better class" of car. The Polo is not a better class, it is a similar class but looks worse. If you want better looking and maybe similar in girly appeal, the MX5 is an obvious route but is more likely to crash and less room for shopping.

Women don't, in general, buy cars on the same level as men. They want pretty. Form over function.
 
Behave folks, been lenient so far but am on me hols in morning so don't have time to deal with this, thread deletions and suspensions are much quicker than tidying up after folks :p
 
[TW]Fox;13563675 said:
I think its a great girls car. I'd much rather my GF had one instead of the stupid Corsa she has.
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lol, after all your hatred for that car your gf still manages to own one!
 
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