Just signing up to get some help with some customers cars, BMW/Mini tech at a shop in Sunnyvale, CA. I owned a E30 M3, M Coupe, 325is but sold them all for two Subaru's!

Looking forward to spreading knowledge and getting help from the experts.

 

Welcome from one newbie to another.

I came here to get some info as I may purchase a Mini for a dd, I'm looking at Subarus as well. I'm quite seriously looking at an '06 S with 92k miles, drives very well, looks OK, not terrific. Nice interior, leather, manual. Unfortunately the more I read the less enchanted I'm becoming. I too wrench for a living and dependability trumphs everything as far as I'm concerned. I don't know if I want to deal with having to do a clutch if it starts slipping. Aslo the power steering issue had got my attention. Wondering about supercharger life as well.

I have a '99 Cherokee that I bought in '00 and it has performed flawlessly, never a moments problem even miles form nowhere in the deserts of BFE. I replaced a radiator, water pump, all u joints in axles and drive lines, brake rotors and pads, belts recently all as preventive maintenence and it still runs fantastic. The reliability has spoiled me. I'll keep it for deep snow and desert duty but want a different dd.

I recently sold a Porsche 996 Carrera Cabriolet that I'd had for 7 years and decided to get an '04-'05 Turbo Cabriolet. I've been looking for a few months and it may take several more to land the car I want that will pass a stringent PPI. When I find the right Turbo, my then DD may go down the road. I ride motorcycles a lot in the spring and summer so my cars dont see a lot of miles.

So, your thoughts on a '06 Mini S w 92k miles? Will this have the reliability and be the bulletproof DD I'm looking for? TIA

 

Welcome to NAM!!
Wow you sold the cars I want!!
88-91 E30 M3
93-94 E36 325is
2002 E36 M coupe

 

I actually had a 88 M3, 00 Z3M Coupe, and 90 325is. Close though haha.

Nick, they are fun dont get me wrong. But working on the few I have, I will probably never own one. My mom wants one also, but I advised her against it. For the money I could find a few other cars that are more reliable. I have a friend who works at Groma in Los Angelas and all they do is Mini's so I hear a lot of horror stories. BUT if you have the time money and patients the car is very worth it. (dont mean to be bashing a car on its own forum)

I love my Subaru's though, no problems with my WRX at 100k and it pretty heavily modded. I also just bought a 06 STi and there is no funner car with 300hp and AWD that you can find for the price...reliable too.

 

I had a couple of Minis in the early '70s and was thinking one would bring back the fun factor. I also got rid of my Porsche Carrera 996 that I'd owned for 7 years, still have a Boxster that's not going away, so I understand the love/hate with anything German. My mother drives a '95 Subaru she bought new that has never seen the inside of a service bay. The thing has never quit and nothing ever goes wrong, unbelievable. Tires, batteries, oil and filters, thyat's all! Thanks for your reply