so thinking of getting of my polo and get a second hand mini Cooper s. was just wondering how's the reliability of the mini, maintenance cost and ease of resale. anyone has/had one of these babies that can shed some light on this topic?
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mini Cooper s
- Thread starter SiLeN
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Fudzy
Guest
Assuming you're going for a later model it's going to be turbo charged meaning that turbo might decide to eat itself at the most unfortunate time. Make sure you get one with warranty/cover.
Though AFAIK this isn't as common of a problem with this car so you should be safe.
Though AFAIK this isn't as common of a problem with this car so you should be safe.
RandomGRK
Expert Member
Well, ive had my Mini for nearly 7 years and I couldnt have been happier. Still the most fun car to drive but the time has come to get something a little bigger.
The cooper S is a beautiful machine and no matter what anyone says about it being a gay or girl car you really cant go wrong. Coopers hold their value better than most cars. 7 years down the line I can still get about R85000 trade in and R100000 retail for it and considering it was bought for R180000, thats pretty good.
As for reliability, I have never had a problem with mine. Everything still works just as good as the day I got it (except for my passenger window but I blame PG Glass for that and not Mini). SInce mine was reliable maintenance has been fairly cheap. Probably spent no more than a few grand a year including tyres and brakes.
The one issue I do have with the vehicle is the 3yr/75000km maintenance plan. Its just too small! Most 2nd hand minis you pick up will have used the majority of the plan already.
Driving pleasure, you will have more fun in a mini than most cars anywhere near that price range. The new engine is 135kw and on a small car like that you really feel it.
All I can say is "DO IT". You wont regret the Cooper S. One of the best cars on the road. Im sure at some point in the future I will pick one up again. Im definitely a fan!
Recently, mini released a facelift (new mini being launched 2012) so if you go into a dealership and they source you the pre facelift you could probably pick it up for R260k new. Thats R30k cheaper. Not sure if there are any left.
Damn, thinking about my mini and the fun we had makes me want to scrap any thoughts of getting a Giulietta and just picking up a Mini again...No! Giulietta it is!
The cooper S is a beautiful machine and no matter what anyone says about it being a gay or girl car you really cant go wrong. Coopers hold their value better than most cars. 7 years down the line I can still get about R85000 trade in and R100000 retail for it and considering it was bought for R180000, thats pretty good.
As for reliability, I have never had a problem with mine. Everything still works just as good as the day I got it (except for my passenger window but I blame PG Glass for that and not Mini). SInce mine was reliable maintenance has been fairly cheap. Probably spent no more than a few grand a year including tyres and brakes.
The one issue I do have with the vehicle is the 3yr/75000km maintenance plan. Its just too small! Most 2nd hand minis you pick up will have used the majority of the plan already.
Driving pleasure, you will have more fun in a mini than most cars anywhere near that price range. The new engine is 135kw and on a small car like that you really feel it.
All I can say is "DO IT". You wont regret the Cooper S. One of the best cars on the road. Im sure at some point in the future I will pick one up again. Im definitely a fan!
Recently, mini released a facelift (new mini being launched 2012) so if you go into a dealership and they source you the pre facelift you could probably pick it up for R260k new. Thats R30k cheaper. Not sure if there are any left.
Damn, thinking about my mini and the fun we had makes me want to scrap any thoughts of getting a Giulietta and just picking up a Mini again...No! Giulietta it is!
RandomGRK
Expert Member
Thats damn cheap actually. Comparing that to what is on Autotrader and Carfind it seems a good deal. One thing though, I know they might charge a premium but I would only buy a second hand car from the original dealer. BMW backup the mini next vehicles with a 1year/25k maintenance plan which is a nice to have on a second hand car to make sure your arent sold a dud.
Have you driven one yet?
Have you driven one yet?
member2204
Senior Member
I traded my R53 2006 last year for R130k. It had 52000km with no motorplan left. Awesome little car but a bit bumpy at times, but that was due to it having had Eibach sport springs fitted. It was also chipped and had a smaller supercharger pulley fitted. Pushed around 146kw.
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NetDude
Expert Member
Get a Mini dude! You won't go wrong... Especially while your choice of car is not dictated by family size.
RandomGRK
Expert Member
hmmm...It is cheaper but still a pretty brand new car so finding discounted 2nd hand ones is near impossible.
As for Cooper S vs Mito, I have not driven the Mito but from all the research I have done, the Cooper S is expensive but the Mito does not offer the same driving fun. I might be wrong. Would actually love to drive one though.
I have done a lot of reading on it...and I have heard articles say completely contradictory things like:
Mito qv build quality lets it down vs this is the first alfa which feels solid and well put together
Mito qv performance is not "hot hatch" vs mito offers exceptional performance etc etc
Drive it and you will see....its important to note, all multi air engines have a limit on the ECU which reduces power on brand new vehicles until the engine is warn in (This is what I have read and seems to be the concensus)
The mini is an excellent vehicle...but it has a certain "chic" factor (much like the 206) and is getting on a bit. I found the mito very good fun to drive and it has all the gadgets you could possibly want as well. I just feel the journalists have been a bit harsh on this car...they often say it just doesnt have the performance etc etc..but compared to what? A Megane RS...well sure.
I found, out of the mini S, DS3 and the mito... the mito was the most entertaining of the 3 to drive.
Is it the smartest buy? probably not, but an alfa is never a car you buy with your head anyways. And out of the 3, its the one you are least likely to be mocked driving when yuo are with your mates at the pub
I drove a Cooper S and straight Cooper for a while, really fun, fuel efficiency isnt bad, comfort great (even for someone who is 6'3". The one issue with a mini, is that you deal with BWM, not everyone has the best stories about them.
The other real downer was the price of Run-Flat tyres, when you get 2 flats, be prepared to seriously COUGH.
Another bad example of BMW is the light bulb in the headlight, BMW wanted R850 incl labour to change it, Motolube replaced the light bulb for R15. Sort of a difference there.
But as mentioned, if you are cool with BMW service, go for it, Mini's are great fun, just dont expect to take 4 people in your car
The other real downer was the price of Run-Flat tyres, when you get 2 flats, be prepared to seriously COUGH.
Another bad example of BMW is the light bulb in the headlight, BMW wanted R850 incl labour to change it, Motolube replaced the light bulb for R15. Sort of a difference there.
But as mentioned, if you are cool with BMW service, go for it, Mini's are great fun, just dont expect to take 4 people in your car
Colin62
Executive Member
Get the Mini, I had one, did 135 000 km in it, and the only non-service items I to pay for was to replace two HT leads that rats chewed through, and new boot hinges, so the reliability was close to 100%.
Of course when the boot hinges died, the agents managed to drop the boot lid onto the roof, damaging the paint on both the roof and the boot. To their credit they didn't quibble, and got it respreayed at no cost to me.
Of course when the boot hinges died, the agents managed to drop the boot lid onto the roof, damaging the paint on both the roof and the boot. To their credit they didn't quibble, and got it respreayed at no cost to me.
RandomGRK
Expert Member
I drove a Cooper S and straight Cooper for a while, really fun, fuel efficiency isnt bad, comfort great (even for someone who is 6'3". The one issue with a mini, is that you deal with BWM, not everyone has the best stories about them.
The other real downer was the price of Run-Flat tyres, when you get 2 flats, be prepared to seriously COUGH.
Another bad example of BMW is the light bulb in the headlight, BMW wanted R850 incl labour to change it, Motolube replaced the light bulb for R15. Sort of a difference there.
But as mentioned, if you are cool with BMW service, go for it, Mini's are great fun, just dont expect to take 4 people in your car
You would be surprised what you can squeeze in a mini. We went down to Durbs 2 adults and 2 14years olds with luggage. How we did it I will never know.
I do agree with everything said above in the 2 previous posts though.
As for run flats, as soon as i needed a change I just bought Contis so that didnt bother me too much.
@tau1z, there are just so many Alfa haters out there. The only way to decide is to actually drive the car. When I announced to my friends and family that I was getting a Giulietta I had to dodge and duck the flying shoes and insults.
Once I was able to have them actually look past the fact that Alfa has a bad reputation I have nearly convinced 2 friends to get one.
As for the OP, the Mini has not been so successful because its average...It is one of the best cars, especially post 2007 models where any niggles and issues that existed were sorted. If you get one I would recommend you get 2008 and above specifically cause its newer.
Also, go to any BMW dealership and go see the Mini next sales person. They will let you test drive anything you want. I guarantee you will leave with a fat grin on your face.