To buy or not to buy: Mini Cooper Convertible 05 plate

TrixiBuG

TrixiBuG

TrixiBuG

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Joined
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Manchester UK
Your probably all going to roll your eyes at me posting about another car but I would like some advice on the following:

Seen a 2005 Mini Cooper Convertable, 1.6 petrol, <22k miles for sale with Evens Halshaw for <£4,200

I would like to know:
  1. What to look and listen for when I go for a test drive?
  2. Common problems with this model of Mini
  3. Does the price seem reasonable?
  4. Any other hints, tips or thoughts about this car

I have had a nightmare this year with cars (see previous threads) but I eventually found and bought a 08 Fiesta back in September.

Unfortunately it has been written off in an accident in November (not my fault, someone ran into the back of me) so I am looking for my next car before the insurance money comes through and I have always wanted a Mini :(

Any help or information would be great

Thanks
 
I always get slapped down for criticising them but I really do think they are overpriced, overcomplicated and unreliable pieces of rubbish. I knew of someone that had a convertible and it was plagued by the usual Mini problem the PAS pump - the clutch went but that was probably down to her driving style, but that was an expensive job because:

ycRVZWxl.jpg

I'd also be slightly suspicious of a car that's only managed to do 22k miles in 11 years. Price is right at the top end.
 
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£4200 doesn't seem that bad as most 05 convertibles are about £4k - £4.5k on autotrader. It doesn't seem like a lot of car for the money but if you want then buy it. Most are about 100k miles. 32k miles is low however watch out that any rubber bits are looked at. Get someone to check it over who knows minis.
 
Do_Not_Buy_A_Mini!

(Well not unless it is one of the Leyland ones, they are fine)

I always get slapped down for criticising them but I really do think they are overpriced, overcomplicated and unreliable pieces of rubbish. I knew of someone that had a convertible and it was plagued by the usual Mini problem the PAS pump - the clutch went but that was probably down to her driving style, but that was an expensive job because:
Click to expand...

As a mechanic, I totally hate the ****ers.

Apart from the spark plugs. there is nothing that you can get at without without spending half a day and suffering skinned hands!

They are very pretty heaps of **** really!

And it isn't just me! My local BMW dealer has a special "Mini Mechanic specialist" because nobody else will go anywhere near them!

You have been warned! :eek:
 
had an 02 plate in the family from brand new. Had a problem with the steering rack from factory that got solved in a matter of weeks

needed 2 new exhausts throughout its life.

and 4 months ago the clutch went. got that replaced and then it started having problems cutting out. so we got rid

In 14 years ownership I don't think that's bad at all
 
My local Ford dealer principal was telling my other half (whom he's known for years) to avoid Mini's at all costs when she asked him about them, he won't retail one on his forecourt as they are a liability in his view and sends them straight to auction in the event of one being part exchanged, he does however retail other non Ford used cars...

My sister has a 15plate Mini one, she's had it from new and it's been back to Knights Mini in Stoke 12 times for numerous faults, they are pretty, yes, pretty awful!
 
Make absolutely no mistake: They are seriously expensive cars to own. We've had an 06 One for three years now and we've spent more fixing it than we spent buying it. Since ownership it's had:

New clutch. New wishbone bushes. New top mounts front. New discs and pads all round. New tyres. Full geometry done twice (some of these are normal service costs, but it's still asspensiff!)

Granted the loud pedal is basically an on / off switch and we live in an area with a hundred gazillion speed bumps but still, almost any work is a sub-frame off job.

I will say that it is immense fun to drive, I haven't managed to get it to let go once yet (granted this is London driving, so it rarely goes over 50mph). It's also a funky car to drive. The boot is nicknamed "token" because it's just there to tick a box. It's starting to get creaks and rattles and is gradually showing its age so it'll be chopped in at some point but my wife loves it so we spend whatever we need to keep it in perfect condition (I will say this: this car probably gets better looked after than most).

Would I buy another one? Not out of choice, no. She loves Minis however so I'll buy her a new one next year or so.
 
Firestar_3x said:
Seriously expensive? Stop buying used cars if you don't want to spend money on consumable items would be my advice, all those would need doing on any car, i can't see Mini parts being that expensive.
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No dude. You don't understand. I've owned a fair few cars in my life and even basic stuff like a service is much, much more expensive on a Mini than say a Fiesta.
 
Diddums said:
Make absolutely no mistake: They are seriously expensive cars to own. We've had an 06 One for three years now and we've spent more fixing it than we spent buying it. Since ownership it's had:

New clutch. New wishbone bushes. New top mounts front. New discs and pads all round. New tyres. Full geometry done twice (some of these are normal service costs, but it's still asspensiff!)

Granted the loud pedal is basically an on / off switch and we live in an area with a hundred gazillion speed bumps but still, almost any work is a sub-frame off job.

I will say that it is immense fun to drive, I haven't managed to get it to let go once yet (granted this is London driving, so it rarely goes over 50mph). It's also a funky car to drive. The boot is nicknamed "token" because it's just there to tick a box. It's starting to get creaks and rattles and is gradually showing its age so it'll be chopped in at some point but my wife loves it so we spend whatever we need to keep it in perfect condition (I will say this: this car probably gets better looked after than most).

Would I buy another one? Not out of choice, no. She loves Minis however so I'll buy her a new one next year or so.
Click to expand...

Have you had the oil leak from the failed O ring behind the oil filter housing yet? ;) Ten years old, you are about due! :D

I think I spent 8 hours over two days dealing with that!

****ing awful job!

(Looks simple enough from Haynes, but doesn't allow for the seized exhaust/turbo bolts/studs that you have to be really careful with otherwise you will be in a world of hurt! (It took an hour to undo one bolt, and then I had to rethread the hole because it had torn somewhat))

I H8 modern cars! :mad:
 
Had my F56 Mini Cooper for nearly 2 years now and had absolutely 0 problems with it, feels super solid. (Not really relevant but ya know..)

That said, just over £4k for a 11 year old Mini sounds a bit much, I would personally steer clear.
 
Firestar_3x said:
Seriously expensive? Stop buying used cars if you don't want to spend money on consumable items would be my advice, all those would need doing on any car, i can't see Mini parts being that expensive.
Click to expand...

They aren't expensive all

Girlfriend bought a 2005 Mini One just under 2 years ago on 60k and in 20k miles outside of general maintenance its needed a gear linkage cable and a clutch.

The clutch was only because she got some serious heat into it trying to drive it after the gear linkage failed and the heat cracked the friction disc and cause it to self dismantle

Think we paid £300 for the clutch supplied and fitted at a local indy
 
Diddums said:
No dude. You don't understand. I've owned a fair few cars in my life and even basic stuff like a service is much, much more expensive on a Mini than say a Fiesta.
Click to expand...

In the last 4 years my girlfriends Mini has cost a grand total of zero pounds for servicing and has broken down on just one occasion. From a total cost of ownership perspective it has been hilariously cheap to own.

I'm not saying that 10 year old ones are plain sailing but I would be amazed if a Fiesta had offered lower costs after accounting for servicing and depreciation.
 
[TW]Fox;30336633 said:
In the last 4 years my girlfriends Mini has cost a grand total of zero pounds for servicing and has broken down on just one occasion. From a total cost of ownership perspective it has been hilariously cheap to own.

I'm not saying that 10 year old ones are plain sailing but I would be amazed if a Fiesta had offered lower costs after accounting for servicing and depreciation.
Click to expand...

She's been lucky or my sister has been unlucky- something in between most likely - hers has been a dog, but, she still(!) likes it and I must say it's a hoot to drive....
 
Well, put it this way:

I had a Corsa for about 5 years which cost me at most £500 to keep on the road. Literally, no exaggeration.

I had a Fiesta which cost me about a grand total in 6 years of ownership, including services and consumables.

Granted the Mini we bought wasn't properly researched, it was an anniversary gift which meant that it was a case of "I like that one" and any reasoning was thrown in the bin. Personally, with my car history, I wouldn't recommend one unless you have deep pockets for repairs. YMMV of course.
 
Owned a 04 reg JCW for many years now. Only problem (touch wood...) I've had was a leaking header tank, which was a 15 min job that I did myself. It was in for its 90k service last month at a specialist. Best little car I've owned. However, I'm not sure if I'd chance a convertible, if only because I've had nothing but trouble with them in the past.
 
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