Wife wants a mini cooper. Probably not new but 1 or 2 yr old low mileage vehicle. Does anyone out there have any recommendations on this vehicle from personal experience? Please don't hammer me on this or recommend other vehicles because what wifey wants wifey usually gets. Any useful info would be appreciated.
Mini Cooper
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I've heard that a DIY oil change is almost impossible to do. Maybe I'm wrong, I just overheard someone speaking of this on a Local weekly TV Auto show.
They also mentioned that the Stealership lives up to it's name with a $300 oil change price at the dealer. I do live in Canada, so maybe you'd get a bargain discount of $200 in Iowa.
I hope you have deep pockets for maintenance.
Check this review on Edmunds.com
Mini reviews from Edmunds.com
the $252 oil change
Regards, JC.
They also mentioned that the Stealership lives up to it's name with a $300 oil change price at the dealer. I do live in Canada, so maybe you'd get a bargain discount of $200 in Iowa.
I hope you have deep pockets for maintenance.
Check this review on Edmunds.com
Mini reviews from Edmunds.com
the $252 oil change
Regards, JC.
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An engineer at work has an "S", I can ask him how its been. Also I would suggest you go to Edmunds town hall to see some owner reviews and get some pricing info. Also visit some Cooper forums and lurk a bit. The only thing that turned me off a bit when they came out was the interior is way over the top styling wise (for me) and the base model had a dodge neon engine orginally - though no longer, AFAIK. Have fun.
Heres a good oil change video on an "S", Doesnt look bad at all if you get the socket for the filter housing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TCUdiHDnUg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TCUdiHDnUg
Try to get an '06. If she wants a newer one, make it the newest possible. Try to avoid pre-'05 and '07-'09.
If she wants an S model, stick to '05-'06, and insist on a manual transmission.
These are excellent cars to drive. The non-S models are a bit slow in a straight line but are great otherwise. They all ride a bit firmly compared to some cars, but not uncomfortably so (at least IMO).
They do require more effort and money to maintain than most econoboxes. Do bear that in mind.
Contrary to popular assumptions, they are VERY safe.
Good luck!
If she wants an S model, stick to '05-'06, and insist on a manual transmission.
These are excellent cars to drive. The non-S models are a bit slow in a straight line but are great otherwise. They all ride a bit firmly compared to some cars, but not uncomfortably so (at least IMO).
They do require more effort and money to maintain than most econoboxes. Do bear that in mind.
Contrary to popular assumptions, they are VERY safe.
Good luck!
Lots of DI issues to be had with the newer ones. Family member had her engine completely apart under warranty for valve deposit issues. Also had the entire timing chain system replaced, apparently a common issue.
Originally Posted By: cchase
Lots of DI issues to be had with the newer ones. Family member had her engine completely apart under warranty for valve deposit issues. Also had the entire timing chain system replaced, apparently a common issue.
Yes indeed. That's one reason to go for an '05-'06 model.
Lots of DI issues to be had with the newer ones. Family member had her engine completely apart under warranty for valve deposit issues. Also had the entire timing chain system replaced, apparently a common issue.
Yes indeed. That's one reason to go for an '05-'06 model.
The MC S is a blast to drive with the 6spd manual! I can hardly believe a.FWD.car can handle so well, or that a 1.6L engine can be so quick... On top of that, they are much roomier than you would think, plus even the S gets fantastic economy.
A friend of mine loves them and has had 4, all S versions (2 supercharged, 2 turbocharged) including the one prior to the most recent which had the full John Cooper Works package that he got at 12k miles and sold at 33k for a profit of over five grand!
He has been modifying his current one, and having driven it many times myself, I must say... It is amazing what an intake, larger ceramic downpipe and test pipe (cat delete), full SS exhaust, 60% larger capacity intercooler w all new heat resistant piping, and a full tune can do... This one came with the JCW Track Pkg (adj suspension, awesome seats, LSD, bigger brakes, etc) and it is razor sharp but no harsher than my old KW Variant 3 coilovers set to their softest. Car is making about 240whp but is incredibly civil, not even loud below 3.5krpm, and fuel economy has improved by 12%...
It is not exactly your average Mini, but they are amazing, efficient, smile-every-drive cars.
Btw, in a total of over 100k miles he has put on 4, not one unscheduled repair...
A friend of mine loves them and has had 4, all S versions (2 supercharged, 2 turbocharged) including the one prior to the most recent which had the full John Cooper Works package that he got at 12k miles and sold at 33k for a profit of over five grand!
He has been modifying his current one, and having driven it many times myself, I must say... It is amazing what an intake, larger ceramic downpipe and test pipe (cat delete), full SS exhaust, 60% larger capacity intercooler w all new heat resistant piping, and a full tune can do... This one came with the JCW Track Pkg (adj suspension, awesome seats, LSD, bigger brakes, etc) and it is razor sharp but no harsher than my old KW Variant 3 coilovers set to their softest. Car is making about 240whp but is incredibly civil, not even loud below 3.5krpm, and fuel economy has improved by 12%...
It is not exactly your average Mini, but they are amazing, efficient, smile-every-drive cars.
Btw, in a total of over 100k miles he has put on 4, not one unscheduled repair...
My wife wanted a Mini too. We bought a new one in '09 and it is the standard base coupe with the MT. As far as I know, only the S models are DI and the standard ones use conventional FI.
In any case our has been flawless and the oil changes are a breeze once you acquire the oversized 36mm socket to remove the oil filter cover. The dealer will service the car every 15000 miles for free up to 3 years or 36000 miles so that is basically 2 free services.
Our Mini now has over 30k and I changed the oil myself at 7500 and 22500 miles in addition to the dealer OC's. I also use the Mini branded oil from the dealer, it's made by Castrol and the last time I bought some it was $6.99 a quart.
Since this will be your wife's car, I recommend avoiding the S model. She probably doesn't need the turbo or the extra hp from it and from what I have read, the standards are more reliable.
Although the Mini has a back seat I consider it a two seater because the back seat is just there for decoration IMO. But the front seats are very comfortable and at 6'-5" the Mini is one of the VERY few cars that I have driven that I actually set the seat up one notch from all the way back!!
Good luck.
In any case our has been flawless and the oil changes are a breeze once you acquire the oversized 36mm socket to remove the oil filter cover. The dealer will service the car every 15000 miles for free up to 3 years or 36000 miles so that is basically 2 free services.
Our Mini now has over 30k and I changed the oil myself at 7500 and 22500 miles in addition to the dealer OC's. I also use the Mini branded oil from the dealer, it's made by Castrol and the last time I bought some it was $6.99 a quart.
Since this will be your wife's car, I recommend avoiding the S model. She probably doesn't need the turbo or the extra hp from it and from what I have read, the standards are more reliable.
Although the Mini has a back seat I consider it a two seater because the back seat is just there for decoration IMO. But the front seats are very comfortable and at 6'-5" the Mini is one of the VERY few cars that I have driven that I actually set the seat up one notch from all the way back!!
Good luck.
Ah, I don't have anything to say about the Mini, but...
Originally Posted By: bruckus
...what wifey wants wifey usually gets....
You've apparently come to terms with that. That's probably good!
Originally Posted By: bruckus
...what wifey wants wifey usually gets....
You've apparently come to terms with that. That's probably good!
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Try to get an '06. If she wants a newer one, make it the newest possible. Try to avoid pre-'05 and '07-'09.
If she wants an S model, stick to '05-'06, and insist on a manual transmission.
These are excellent cars to drive. The non-S models are a bit slow in a straight line but are great otherwise. They all ride a bit firmly compared to some cars, but not uncomfortably so (at least IMO).
They do require more effort and money to maintain than most econoboxes. Do bear that in mind.
Contrary to popular assumptions, they are VERY safe.
Good luck!
This information is very helpful. Thanks for posting.
Try to get an '06. If she wants a newer one, make it the newest possible. Try to avoid pre-'05 and '07-'09.
If she wants an S model, stick to '05-'06, and insist on a manual transmission.
These are excellent cars to drive. The non-S models are a bit slow in a straight line but are great otherwise. They all ride a bit firmly compared to some cars, but not uncomfortably so (at least IMO).
They do require more effort and money to maintain than most econoboxes. Do bear that in mind.
Contrary to popular assumptions, they are VERY safe.
Good luck!
This information is very helpful. Thanks for posting.
One of my cube mates, who's also a former roommate, loves his. It's an S convertible with the 6 speed manual. He did have his fuel pump replaced at one point under warranty, but that's the only unscheduled repair that he's had. Says it gets great mileage and is a blast to drive.
very fun car in s model.
I had an '05 and it was a good car. I had an S convertible and wish I still had it. Didn't have mechanical issues with it but a niddle here and there with trim (always fixed). Sold it just before the warranty went out.
If you do get a 1-2 year old one I believe that the free maintenance may be transferable. That said, don't think maintenance is that hard. A lot of good information and great community over at north american motoring dot com.
If you do get a 1-2 year old one I believe that the free maintenance may be transferable. That said, don't think maintenance is that hard. A lot of good information and great community over at north american motoring dot com.
In the video I think he said "27mm or 1 & (SOMETHING) inch" 6-point socket...
Also, the coolant recovery tank contents looked about the same color as the used oil!
Do these engines used some special, dark colored (almost purple!) coolant?
Cheers!
p.s. BTW this was a 2008 in the video.
Also, the coolant recovery tank contents looked about the same color as the used oil!
Do these engines used some special, dark colored (almost purple!) coolant?
Cheers!
p.s. BTW this was a 2008 in the video.
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