Looking to get an 06 mini, but it has 149000 typically wouldn't get a car with high mileage but its under 5k and clean. All servicee have been kept up and on time. Looks clean. Thoughts and opinions please. Worth it? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk
Welcome to M/A! I have 2 '06 R53s. One was a steal at 26k miles when I bought it used in 2012, but it's pushing 85k miles now. The other, I bought new in '06 and it has around 130k miles now. As long as you keep them maintained properly, they should last a good long while. BTW, at least one member here has one with over 200k miles. So, it's not really a typical high mileage car right now...I'd say it's hardly broken in...LOL The '06 R53 [aka MINI Cooper S] was the best Generation 1 ever made and many folk here will swear it was THE best ever made.
I won't even look at anything over an 06. So is it worth 5k with the high miles? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk
I do what I can. Cant do any major motor work or transmission. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk
See if the current owner will let you take it for a drive...You can tell a lot about the car that way. If there is a mechanic you know nearby [or even a MINI dealer], see if he could give it a once-over from underneath. Used '06 R53 Gen 1 MINIs are old cars now, but, IMHO, worth every penny as long as you do a little investigation before buying. That's what I did prior to buying my wife's R53.1n 2012. So far, it has been wonderful...nearly 60k miles later with no issues other than maintenance.
Take it to a MINI dealer and ask for a pre-purchase inspection and a compression test before you buy it. The '06 has a pretty bulletproof short block...but fixing the other parts can get expensive really quick. Make sure that rust hasn't started under the taillights. If you have the service records, you are a step ahead. AND, hang around here for the best advice available on the web. Welcome to the modness...
Just test drive it. Drives like a champ. Fast acceleration. Good response time on throttle. My concern is the clutch and super charger. How long do they last before needing to be replaced? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk
I did my clutch at around 150k. It was starting to slip. The superchargers last a good whale as long as they dont lose oil. I have a little more that 170k and the SC is still fine.
Pick a gear too high for the speed you are going and try to accelerate hard. If the RMP's come up but the car does not speed up then the clutch is slipping. I do this at around 30 MPH. It sounds like a nice car. If you can do some of the maintenance then I would get the car if you like it. Having a shop you trust do a pre-buy is a very good idea. Just pick one that knows Minis. A word of caution about pre-buys. I have seen some shops come back with a list of stuff that is not really bad yet. Some places do this to help you, other do it because they think they will get all the work. I had a friend trying to sale her mini and a local shop did a pre-buy for the people interested, they came back with a long list, one being a new clutch. I told them that was BS. She sold the car to someone els then bought the car back several years later with the same clutch still in it. The car you are looking at may need some small stuff like lower control arm bushings, belt and tensioner, etc. If you can do some of that stuff I would not worry too much as long as the engine is strong. You can tell if the car has been taken care of by looking at it.
I drove it pretty hard. Got into high rpms in all gears, except sixth. Didn't really have a chance to. And sum of the stuff you mentioned has already been replaced. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk
And there's no mini shop around me. And the BMW shop near me is kinda scandalous. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk
I'm pulling the trigger on my first mini will post pics soon Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk
Congratulations! I'm sure you will be happy with your new ride...heck, you'll be modding it soon...just like the rest of us! Sounds like a great deal. I'm in Ohio, so I can't be of help in advising you of a mechanic. However, we have a lot of West Coasters here in M/A, too, and, here's hoping some can help you.
Yea pretty stoked. Been wanting one for sum time now. And yep sure will be. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using Tapatalk