27 replies to this topic

[cagy]

you can bolt and unbolt nearly everything on a mini!! a bit like a giant set or mecano!! lol


Craig

[JackJack]

Nice one Cant wait to get my first Mini!!!

[Sir Cheat]

LOL, My 1990 mini 1000 has done nearly 140k

[JackJack]

Cheers guys for all the feedback / advice.

[ashby_steve]

my mini has got 76,000 miles on the clock, but my friends 106 has 82,000 most new cars have 50k or more so for a car that old the milage isnt too bad matey, get some service history on it, how much MOT has it got left?

[JackJack]

Unfortunately the advert does not say I'll have to E-mail the dealer asking about the MOT and service history.

[MiniMonty]

Looks tidy.
Actually looks quite smart.
90k is no big thing on a Mini - you can bolt on or off most easy or obvious engine bits for
small money and in short time. It's a 60's car that lived on through to the 90's - it's just Big Meccano.

But you MUST test drive it fully and properly - see how it handles (should feel like a big go-kart).
If it pulls left or right at 35 ish with no hands on the wheel shave the price. If it pulls left or right under
either moderate or extreme braking (both of which you should test on the drive) shave the price.
Open the bonnet and have someone turn the steering wheel - if you see the car move one way
and the engine stay still - walk away. (this means a whole lot of spending for you come the next MOT).
Take a magnet with you and touch it all over the lower body - where it sticks, it's metal. Where it doesn't, it's filler.
According to the amount of filler you find - shave the price.

Do the obvious stuff - tell the seller you want to see it start from COLD when you make the appointment.
(and make sure it IS cold when you arrive for your drive).
Then have a good old listen to the exhaust note. This means putting your hand an inch or two
from the exhaust pipe (which doubles the volume) and listening for "pops" or "splashes". It's no big thing but
it's not firing properly if it isn't a steady rhythmic note. Shave the price.

Take a big (A3) piece of paper with you. A quid from an art shop.
After your vigorous test drive (no point calling it a test drive unless you actually test it) put the big piece of paper
under the engine and hang around for 30 minutes. See what drips out of that 11 year old car. ALL minis leak oil but
no car salesman will be happy that you have evidence of it. Shave the price.

Last note - in this financial climate, for 2.5k you should get your hands on a pretty good Mini.
Have you checked through the "For Sale" section of this forum ?
The cars for sale here are priced more honestly because they are advertised to people "who know" so there's no nonsence.
You might be better off buying from here because not only will you get a car that's been loved and cared for
by a genuine Mini nut but also (possibly) a car that we've all known for a few years and can comment on.

Either way - good luck and welcome.
When your indicators stop working ask here before you bother asking Halfords.

Best wishes
Monty

[Ethel]

Minis tend to do less miles but also take more wear as they are mostly used as town cars doing shorter runs, more cold starts, gear changing etc. If it isn't too far away it's certainly worth a look even if it only improves your knowledge of what to look for. If you're still interested after you've seen it you could arrange an AA or RAC inspection.

[minicooper1.3i]

I don't want to put you off, but the last of the Mini's (Oct '96 onwards) didn't have the best quality build engines in them. Weakest parts are the gearbox and possibly, the camshaft (depending on how often it's been serviced). Without seeing it, I'd say that 2.5k, in the present climate is a tad on the steep side. I just sold my '97 Cooper which had done 98k and needed some minor bodywork attention. I sold it slightly underpriced at £1750. Could have got 2k for it, but i needed to get shot of it. Unless the bodywork is damn solid and the gearbox doens't crunch or jump when you put your foot down, I'd definately wouldn't offer the full amount.

But then as everyone says, it depends on when you see it and if you decide to buy with your heart or your head. The folks who bought mine fell in love with it the second they saw and coughed up the extra on top of their budget to get it, without having a thorough look all over / under it.

[daemonchild]

Monty, who commented above, also has a complete guide to buying a mini posted on this site somewhere.
Perhaps PM him for that link - it's very good.

[JackJack]

Yeah I know the price is pretty steep but seeing as I am hoping to get part exchange on my old car for around 13-700 pounds means I dont have an actual 2-2500 pounds to hand Plus there isint too many trade ones I can find..
and cheers daemonchild I'll give Monty a PM

Edited by JackJack, 15 May 2009 - 08:30 AM.

[Disco Dan]

Mines done 88,000 kms ...oh and by the way.. its been round the clock once already. These engines keep going for ever if you look after them.

[taffy1967]

Mines done 88,000 kms ...oh and by the way.. its been round the clock once already. These engines keep going for ever if you look after them.

Mines done over 99,000 miles and is still going strong, so I hope you're right Disco Dan.