55 replies to this topic

[buckers]

Some of you may know about my recent attempts to buy a classic mini which ended in a bit of an expensive disaster.  

 

But my need for a second car remains, and I've been looking at spending my (now reduced) budget on something else. I've been thinking of getting a new Mini in the hope it will take less time to maintain and cost less to run.

 

I still want a fun small car, so I've been looking at a 2004-6 Cooper S, with sub 50k miles. It looks like I should be able to get one for 6k. But an internet search reveals the new Mini of this age to be a high potential money pit: PAS pump, clutch, gearboxes, suspension issues and all manner of other things which carry enormous main dealer bills as its quite a specialist vehicle to work on.

 

Does anyone have experience or knowledge of the typical relative costs and hassles of owning such a vehicle versus a classic? It seems to me that I would be no better off  - one decent sized job on a new mini can be £600-1500, and form what I've read, you can expect one of these per year. Add to this that insurance costs £250 more, tax £150 more, servicing probably £100 more - and new minis will only depreciate vs a classic mini potentially holding its value.

 

What do you reckon? Is a classic still more fragile and more expensive to run? Assume I will do no work myself.

 

I can't stand the thought of buying a 9-10k 1.2 Fiat or something like that with a bit of credit... but it might have to be done. 

 

 

 

 

[Minimad100]

Not really much help, but if you're sort of prepared to spend 10k on a fiat with some credit why not do that with a lower mileage or newer MINI cooper S surely that should reduce maintenance costs for a little while longer?

[mab01uk]

I own both a classic Mini (since 1974) and a New MINI (since 2006). The R50 MINI is 2002 and is my daily driver, it has done 70,000 miles with no major issues and is still on original, power steering pump, gearbox and clutch. The only major replacement has been brake discs and pads all round at 35,000 miles. Great fun to drive with excellent handling and is usually listed by Glass's trade guide as the lowest depreciating modern car from new. All MINI's from mid 2004 have the stronger Getrag gearbox.......earlier R50 MINI's like mine have a weaker Rover Midland gearbox but R53 S always had a fairly bullet proof 6-speed Getrag.

 

Also ask best to ask the same question over on the TotalMINI.com forum for other New MINI owner views, although there are also several other MINI owners here on TMF who will be able to add their ownership experiences good or bad.

http://www.totalmini.com/forum/

 

Note the 2004-6 R53 Cooper S is supercharged so there is a penalty for higher fuel consumption and road tax. (R50 & R53 were the project codes used by Rover when they developed the New MINI 2001-2006 under BMW Group ownership).

 

Couple of useful R50/53 buyers guides here:-

http://www.aronline....mini-2001-2007/

 

http://www.motoringf...3-buyers-guide/

 

Heres my 2002 R50 MINI One next to the Alec Issigonis Way road sign near the Oxford MINI Plant with S bumpers, side skirts, silver roof, chrome mirror caps, sidevents, Halo side lights, rear spoiler, 17" S-spokes with Goodyear F1 non runflats and part leather sports seats added. If you want better than Cooper performance just add this Lohen 'Bluefin' superchip 130bhp upgrade in link below but it could put more strain on an early type gearbox if you use it to full potential. Mine is really a 'daily driver' so I have opted to leave engine as standard for now.

http://www.lohen.co....il.php?prod=LO1

Edited by mab01uk, 11 March 2015 - 07:30 PM.

[racingbob]

I thought about buying a new mini cooper s a while ago and selling my classic

 

BUT when I saw how much things cost when go wrong it realy put me off

 

fortunately I can do most work on the classic. I have had the classic for 4 years

 

and spent about £4000 but most of that didn't have to be spend on it

 

just to enhance and make more race type mini. Im fortunate for my main car

 

I found a Hyundai accent 2005 19,000 miles for £1400 so little expense for that per year ( I hope )

[CityEPete]

We've had our 58 reg low mileage Cooper Clubman just over a year, spent £40 having the rear anti roll bar bushes done, that's supplied and fitted inc vat, 4 tyres and a service but that would be the same for any car.

[Miniminx71]

You're asking a question that's impossible to answer. If I were you, I'd hang on a couple of months and then go to a Mini meet and chat to as many people as you can. Most will be happy to walk you round their car and show you what to look for or answer any questions. You should get a pretty broad view that way (and it's a great day out).

[Dale_]

Just think for every pound you will spend on a newer MINI you will spend 20 on the older mini. There no where near the same ball park. And that's not all maintanance you will spend it on but modifications, etc.....

[buckers]

Not really much help, but if you're sort of prepared to spend 10k on a fiat with some credit why not do that with a lower mileage or newer MINI cooper S surely that should reduce maintenance costs for a little while longer?

I suppose I could. I normally buy 1-2 year old cars with <10k miles and they run trouble free for 5-6 years. From what I can gather, an R56 mini costing 10k would be 3-4 years old and potentially cost the same to run and maintain as a 2006 costing half the price. But my research could be skewed, I am searching the internet for problems...

[buckers]

You're asking a question that's impossible to answer. If I were you, I'd hang on a couple of months and then go to a Mini meet and chat to as many people as you can. Most will be happy to walk you round their car and show you what to look for or answer any questions. You should get a pretty broad view that way (and it's a great day out).

 

Good advice, but I need the car soon really. Only will use it 1-2 times a week but its a pain when I can't. Ended up with a 7am - 10pm day yesterday using public transport...

[buckers]

Just think for every pound you will spend on a newer MINI you will spend 20 on the older mini. There no where near the same ball park. And that's not all maintanance you will spend it on but modifications, etc.....

 

1:20, that's quite a gap eh? Interesting view.

[Dale_]

Not really much help, but if you're sort of prepared to spend 10k on a fiat with some credit why not do that with a lower mileage or newer MINI cooper S surely that should reduce maintenance costs for a little while longer?

I suppose I could. I normally buy 1-2 year old cars with <10k miles and they run trouble free for 5-6 years. From what I can gather, an R56 mini costing 10k would be 3-4 years old and potentially cost the same to run and maintain as a 2006 costing half the price. But my research could be skewed, I am searching the internet for problems...

From what I understand, a 2004 mini has a Chrysler made gearbox, and is also mega expensive! And the PAS are the biggest problems with these cars...

[Wigeon Incognito]

I have classics, and at one stage had a 2005 R53 S too.

Big costs on the R53 were exhaust (many pounds for an original), tyres, and discs/pads weren't cheap for quality items. Replacing wheel bearings wasn't too pricey. However, I only kept the darn thing for about four months and it drained me of about £1500. All of the R53s I looked at had various issues and that was the best. I was glad to see the back of it in the end.

My classics cost me a few pounds to run too but the big difference is I love the little blighters. Yes sometimes I curse them but when all is well the smile on my face is worth the hassle.

Matt.

Edited by Wigeon Incognito, 11 March 2015 - 07:33 PM.

[Dale_]

Just think for every pound you will spend on a newer MINI you will spend 20 on the older mini. There no where near the same ball park. And that's not all maintanance you will spend it on but modifications, etc.....

 
1:20, that's quite a gap eh? Interesting view.

Lol probably no where near accurate but you will always spend more money on a classic mini as aposed to a new one... And if a gearbox goes in a classic mini 9 times out of 10 you will just fork up the cash and replace it but if the gearbox goes on a new mini 9 times out of 10 you will just sell it on because you get no return for your investment.....

[Alex_B]

Wouldn't own a new mini unless it came with the 3 years guarantee from MINI, my mum owned a R56 Cooper S for 3 years from new and it was a very expensive car to run, we estimate about 6-7k in three years worth of repairs (all done under guarantee). She got rid just before the guarantee was up for that reason. From our experience they are a fun modern car that has "kitch" appeal but as a car they aren't that good, the coopers are better from what I can see, she had one of those without issues before the S. 

Personally I would have a good look at what you want. If its classic and fun then a classic mini is a good idea, but if its reliability and no requirement for maintenance then a classic car isn't for you.

But of the two I would prefer a classic over a modern as any issues can be fixed easier and often for less. (Also I would argue the £1:£20 ratio is the reverse as modern mini parts are more expensive and labour time would be increased due to tighter working conditions of the modern car engine bay) 

[Black.Ghost]

If you only need it as a spare car, I would look again at a classic as I honestly think it will put a bigger smile on your face when you get one. 

 

Another option is buy something else really cheap in the meantime. You can get so many cars for less than £1000 that are fine. Focus, Rovers, Peugeot - all there and will all be fine. 

 

You could also go for something like an MGF or MX-5 if you wanted the roof off. That will give you time to look for and buy the best mini you can.