Minis...

londonbairn

londonbairn

londonbairn

Soldato
Joined
29 May 2005
Posts
5,622
Location
West London
I am not an avid driver, I average about 4 miles a week, which is a trip to Waitrose on Saturday morning. My g/f is about to pass her test finally at 28. She will drive more, maybe an impressive 20 miles a week. We have an old battered Yaris which I have no problems with, but she wants her own car. I see no logic in this since we live in London and don't drive much, the car spends the majority of the time parked outside the house.

A compromise I do not mind between her car preference (which is a streetka!) is to get rid of the Yaris and get a Mini 1.6 convertible. Looking to spend around £4k, which it looks like gets you sub 60k with FSH, 56/57 plate.

Anything to look out for or to completely avoid here?
 
I can't remember what year it was, but I know thousands of people had issues with the power steering pump. These would usually fail while you were driving!
 
That's like those people that spend 1.5k on a Mac Book Pro only to use it for Internet browsing. It's a fashion statement and a waste of money.

For your needs you could save bucks and get something cheaper.... The money you save could be used for a nice holiday or something...
 
tbf its only 4k and its a much cooler car than a yaris. Between two people as well, its hardly worth worrying about the cost unless you're strapped. Especially as OP's gf just passed her test. I bet she cant wait to be on the road and having a nice car that she likes will make it more enjoyable.
 
Last edited:
fastwunz said:
That's like those people that spend 1.5k on a Mac Book Pro only to use it for Internet browsing. It's a fashion statement and a waste of money.

For your needs you could save bucks and get something cheaper.... The money you save could be used for a nice holiday or something...
Click to expand...

Oh come on, it's 4k. What you're talking about is more like the guy in the audi thread who wants to spend 30k on a 1.4 A3
 
fastwunz said:
That's like those people that spend 1.5k on a Mac Book Pro only to use it for Internet browsing. It's a fashion statement and a waste of money.

For your needs you could save bucks and get something cheaper.... The money you save could be used for a nice holiday or something...
Click to expand...

OR they can spend the 4k on something they want :confused:
 
As above it's a £4k car, which to me seems like a decent amount of car for the money. We don't want a big car as we live in London. The Yaris whilst is built like a tank mechanically, it's unremarkable/"uncool" etc

Steering pump is sensible, presumably all were recalled and should be fixed, which I can get evidenced.

Anything specific to the convertible, or any owners out there with more info?
 
Check the top mounts. Open the bonnet and visually look at them to see if there are tears, these tend to fail. Also kick the front wheels, they there is any play it's the wishbone bushes, subframe off job, £400ish. Make sure the roof mechanism is perfect. That and all the usual things to look out for on cars.
 
I bought a Mini Cooper S about 2 months ago for £3k - 2005 with 83k on the clock.

It feels like I have gone from one extreme to the next.

Moved from a Mark 4 golf, 1.6. Possibly the most boring cars to own. Was my first car, and had it for 3 years.

Was glad to be rid of it.

The Cooper is a fun car to drive. Given the relatively low amount of mileage a year I wanted something I would look forward to driving.

The Mini ticked all the boxes for me and puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

Handles like a go kart, sticks to the road like glue.

Suspension can be a bit unforgiving, the S is quite stiff, and I've been told the standard cooper isn't much more forgiving especially if you go for one with larger wheels.

Be aware for some common faults:

suspension bushes - if there is any movement in the front wheels.
Steering wheel pump - Does it sound like it's struggling - any issues or resistance when going from full lock to lock that is greater than it should be.
Electric windows - make sure they dip slightly when you open the door, and then pop back up when the door closes. Anything sluggish in the decent and ascent of them.
Dampness in the footwells - possible leaks.

Hope this helps.
 
I don't think a 10 year old Mini is worth the trouble personally. Small cars with big running costs. Parts and servicing aren't particularly cheap and there's a longer than normal list of recurring faults.
 
How about £1,500 on a Mk1 BMW Mini Cooper, but with the Aero body kit, panoramic sunroof, full leather interior and climate control? In blue, with white roof, wheels and stripes. And FSH?

Ticks the Mini fashion statement box, while also being cheap.

Janesy B said:
I don't think a 10 year old Mini is worth the trouble personally. Small cars with big running costs. Parts and servicing aren't particularly cheap and there's a longer than normal list of recurring faults.
Click to expand...

I disagree. Parts are cheap and normal servicing is too. Its the BMW labour that will hammer you on anything that goes wrong, but that's easily avoided by going to an Indy.
 
Last edited:
Nonsense. My 10 year old Mini is a hoot to drive. Provided you look after them, they are great cars. Mine lives in Zone 2 and gets flung over speedbumps and driven like it's arse is on fire yet it never skips a beat. Just make sure you maintain them properly and they'll go for ages. You are right that they are very complicated (read: a bitch to maintain) cars, but that comes with wanting something that corners like s house fly.
 
Didn't doubt they weren't good handling. The hatchback is, not sure how chopping the roof off affects them.

Like you said you need to keep on top of them and are complicated to maintain, so is it worth the bother for 20 miles a week? Something like an MX-5 would be much less work to keep going and much more forgiving.
 
Says an old BMW Mini isn't worth the hassle because they are old and complicated, suggests an old MX-5 which will likely be 50% rust instead....

Ok.... :/
 
MK1 Minis rust too. All the plastic trim hides it ;) Fixing rust isn't particularly expensive or complicated either.

At least the MX-5 will be mechanically bombproof.
 
Any car, if not maintained well, will show signs of abuse. The Mini isn't unique to this.

Some cars can take a lot more abuse before they show signs of abuse, but it will show eventually.

The Mini is complicated because they have crammed a lot of stuff into a relatively small package. There is no space left under the bonnet that isn't being used for something.
 
I can't really add much to this. They're a hoot to drive quickly, any problems are already well documented, people seem to love their looks and I find they're a good all round car as long as you aren't looking for something that carries a decent load while using the backseat for people.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom