55 replies to this topic

[buckers]

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) 

 

I am seriously considering a Cooper. It sounds like you can still have fun in them despite the reduced power. And the reduced power puts a lot less stress on clutches, flywheels, gearboxes, suspension etc etc. They are also softer spring and I think the kids would prefer the ride of a Cooper.

 

At the end of the day, there is no such thing as a cheap fun, quick car. I suppose that's why bikes are brilliant value -  they cost very little to run apart from tyres, and speeding fines, and providing you don't bin them of course!

[robminibcy]

I personally find that general day to day maintenance and wear parts are far cheaper for my classic mini than my daily vw golf. I do all the work myself so don't factor in labour costs and I will only use genuine oem (or oem suppliers to vw) parts. The difference is that a classic mini will have aged so parts will need replacing that a 10 year or so old car wont have yet. That's not down to them being classic minis but just because they are old, any car getting to 20+ years old will need some parts replacing!

 

The other issue of sorts is that most mini owners are like magpies. They see shiny bits and are forced to buy them which makes the cost of ownership a lot higher than it need be if you just want a car for general use and enjoyment!! I myself have a very bad case of magpie syndrome!

[buckers]

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. 

 

I need 4 seats so sadly they are out, otherwise I would consider an Mx5 or an Mr2 (had 2 MR2's they were mint). Good shout on getting a stop gap. But I do know of a couple of classics for sale, vouched for by specialists as they have looked after them or know where they have come from. My heart wants a mini, but I'm time poor, skills poor and the wife is currently shooting me a look like  you used to get from stern French teachers... better go and make some tea eh?

[Black.Ghost]

The good thing about getting a stop gap is you'll likely be able to sell it on for a similar price to what you pay for it. 

[Wigeon Incognito]

If you do fancy an R50 Cooper try to go for a facelifted car as they have the better more reliable gearbox. The R53 S never suffered gearbox issues.

Matt.

[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) 

 

I am seriously considering a Cooper. It sounds like you can still have fun in them despite the reduced power. And the reduced power puts a lot less stress on clutches, flywheels, gearboxes, suspension etc etc. They are also softer spring and I think the kids would prefer the ride of a Cooper.

 

At the end of the day, there is no such thing as a cheap fun, quick car. I suppose that's why bikes are brilliant value -  they cost very little to run apart from tyres, and speeding fines, and providing you don't bin them of course!

 

Yeah my mum was very happy with her Cooper, but she preferred the pokeyness of the Cooper S. 

Another one to consider is the One, you can get it mapped to Cooper spec (they use the same engine just with a different ECU map) so that may be a more affordable option.

 

[mab01uk]

 

 

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...

 

 

As said in my post the gearbox in R50 Cooper and One is Rover Midland 5-speed to mid 2004 and stronger Getrag 5-speed from mid 2004. R53 Cooper S has always been 6-speed Getrag. PAS pump is £200 exchange and an easy diy fit or 2 hours garage labour.

[Ben_O]

i think i said to you before about this.

 

Please don't be put off by one bad Mini. It is not all that difficult to find a good classic. You just need to be really picky and don't assume that more money will buy you a better car.

 

I like the idea of a stopgap car while the search for a decent classic continues.

 

Personally i don't think you can compare the classic Mini and the new MINI in any way other than a few styling similarities and the fact that the MINI is supposed to handle well, but then there are probably less troublesome better cars than the MINI out there that will satisfy you for less money.

 

Ben

[carthorse]

I've run two SD Clubman spec turbo diesel R56 minis from new and never had an issue with either, fast efficient comfortable transport but they don't put a grin on my face like driving a classic does. However, knowing it's going to start every morning and just work is a real bonus on a cold dark winter day! ( the heated screen is nice too )

I think at the age and price your looking at any second hand car is a bit of a calculated risk, thers so many lemons about and if something goes wrong it's always mega bucks to fix with a modern car and your at the mercy of dealers and garages for parts and servicing unless your very handy with spanners and have £££££ worth of diagnostic gear. I'll happily tackle anything on a classic but I'd hate to try and do anything more than put screen wash in the BMW Mini!

You've got some good mini specialists within reach of Stockport, The North West Mini Center in Glossop are good (I've bought a car through them and had some work done there and they won't rip you off), Minimine down the motorway in Stoke are good also and I've heard good things about Minidivison in Stockport itself but never used them personally.

I'd give the classic another go, but either buy through a local specialist or get them to inspect any potential car before buying, then get it throughly serviced by them to avoid issues. If you're not confident doing work yourself find a specialist garage or one that knows it's way round older cars and can still tune a S.U. Carb and build a relationship with them so they get to know you and your car and are willing to help you out if it all goes pear shaped again.

Good luck!

[buckers]

If you do fancy an R50 Cooper try to go for a facelifted car as they have the better more reliable gearbox. The R53 S never suffered gearbox issues.

Matt.

 

That's ironic. The r53 I am looking at on saturday has just had a recon gearbox at only 30k miles. Something to do with a lay bearing or gear or something like that. Dealer said it was a cost of £500 to them, obviously more to joe public. Car is only worth 5900 - he must not have any profit left in it if he is telling the truth

[Wigeon Incognito]

If you do fancy an R50 Cooper try to go for a facelifted car as they have the better more reliable gearbox. The R53 S never suffered gearbox issues.

Matt.

 
That's ironic. The r53 I am looking at on saturday has just had a recon gearbox at only 30k miles. Something to do with a lay bearing or gear or something like that. Dealer said it was a cost of £500 to them, obviously more to joe public. Car is only worth 5900 - he must not have any profit left in it if he is telling the truth

Oh he will. I picked up my 2005 R53 for £3900 just over a year ago with similar mileage. I would imagine he paid similar or less.

Matt.

[buckers]

i think i said to you before about this.

 

Please don't be put off by one bad Mini. It is not all that difficult to find a good classic. You just need to be really picky and don't assume that more money will buy you a better car.

 

I like the idea of a stopgap car while the search for a decent classic continues.

 

Personally i don't think you can compare the classic Mini and the new MINI in any way other than a few styling similarities and the fact that the MINI is supposed to handle well, but then there are probably less troublesome better cars than the MINI out there that will satisfy you for less money.

 

Ben

 

I must have been looking in the wrong places (trader, eBay) but I had not seen a decent MPI in the ads in 3-6m of searching that wasn't priced at 8k+, and to be honest the ones I saw under 5k were tatty sheds that even I could tell needed many hundreds spending on them. 

 

It's a big problem for a buyer when price is no longer a way of being able to trust what you're buying. You need to be a mechanic / expert or lucky not to get fleeced. That's what's putting me off, the lack of being able to trust.

 

I am only thinking new Mini because I want a small, nippy car - it's not a patch on the original. I drove a 59 plate Cooper S at the weekend. I could have been driving a Ford, Vauxhall, VW. It was a nice, quick, small car but no character. I should have filled my boots driving more minis 25 years ago!

Edited by buckers, 11 March 2015 - 10:27 PM.

[buckers]

 

 

If you do fancy an R50 Cooper try to go for a facelifted car as they have the better more reliable gearbox. The R53 S never suffered gearbox issues.

Matt.

 
That's ironic. The r53 I am looking at on saturday has just had a recon gearbox at only 30k miles. Something to do with a lay bearing or gear or something like that. Dealer said it was a cost of £500 to them, obviously more to joe public. Car is only worth 5900 - he must not have any profit left in it if he is telling the truth

Oh he will. I picked up my 2005 R53 for £3900 just over a year ago with similar mileage. I would imagine he paid similar or less.

Matt.

 

Bargain. I can't find one in that bracket on the trader or eBay. He apparently got this from the main dealer, presumably a PX they didn't want on their forecourt

[Wigeon Incognito]

Quick tip - if you must go modern just give a Panda 100hp a try. They're the closest in feel to a classic Mini I've felt in a modern car, just make sure you press the 'Sport' button.

I found one for my sister after enjoying a couple myself and she loves it. It has been faultless too. I always steal it when she visits.

Matt.

[buckers]

Quick tip - if you must go modern just give a Panda 100hp a try. They're the closest in feel to a classic Mini I've felt in a modern car, just make sure you press the 'Sport' button.

I found one for my sister after enjoying a couple myself and she loves it. It has been faultless too. I always steal it when she visits.

Matt.

Cheers Matt, will do. I think Fiat 500s are Pandas underneath so I might try them too. Nice interior on a 500 but premium priced over the Panda