Hey guys, I'm looking for some advice/ opinions.

I've been eyeing the 1st gen since they hit the street and now the time has finally come to get one and start modding it out.
I'm looking at an 06 with 65k. It's a clean car and drives well. I've heard mostly good reviews but have heard some negatives about reliability. This will be a daily driver and I'm buying in Nevada (I'm based here with work for a few weeks) and then driving cross country to NC.

Are there any major issues I should consider/be aware?

Thanks in advance! Looking forward to finally having one

 

They're a joy to own but yes, their reliability is more than just a casual detail. I wouldn't own a Mini that didn't have a new car warranty, especially one going on 10 years old.

 

The 05 and 06 are the better cars to buy in the 1st Gen. Have a MINI mechanic do an inspection. Listen for a water pump going out and look at the coolant over flow tank to see if it is leaking. Having that few miles the water pump will probably still be good. Run a CarFax to see if you can get any info good and bad. Don't rely on it completely but use it as a tool.
Good luck

 

Automatic or manual gear box? I'd sure want to know when all the fluids and battery were last changed and how much stuff is left on the brake pads. At 65K it's time for a new serpentine belt too. The '06 W11 engine is the best of the lot, also the manual 6 speed Getrag gear box. Keep it well maintained and enjoy the heck out of it.
Things that have caused problems may have already been taken care of like the thermostat housing, PS hoses, knock sensor from using improper fuel. BTW, use ONLY 'Top Tier' 91 or better.

 

I bought a 2006 MCS about four months ago. It had 90K and was well maintained. It has been a great car, I love it. Just make sure you look it over closely. They are very fun cars to drive. Let us know how it goes.

 

i got an 04 and as long as you maintain it with the services and so did the previous owner the cars are built extremley well.

 

If you define reliability as "cheap to maintain", then the Mini is not reliable.

However if you define reliability as "it won't leave you stranded" then the Mini is no less reliable than any other car (not necessarily a popular opinion on this site).

Just keep in mind that the Mini is no Toyota or Honda. If you enjoy the act of driving then you will enjoy the Mini

But in exchange you also get the privilege of paying 2-3 times more in maintenance.

When you purchase a used Mini, regardless of how well it's been maintained, you must accept that you may have to spend up to an additional $5k to bring it up to "daily driver" status.

If you go in with that understanding, then I have found the Mini to be more than worth it.

While my signature has a Gen2 Roadster, I also have a 2006 R53 I purchased CPO in 2009. I liked the R53 so much I had no concerns getting the second Mini.

 

There is a wealth of info on this site....
My car was a 2005 s r53...
In 10 years it never spent the night at a dealer or shop...
Only real repairs that were not an upgrade was a t-map/map...about $200 for both, and a radiator fan(about $90, ) and a PS COOLING fan....
Some folks bought lemons....
Some got solid cars...
Much comes down to prior care of the car and how it was driven...
I bought mine new, did the inspections, not just the oil changes....and drove it in a responsible manner, with some fun twisties....
Some folks who drove their cars like boy racers or spent lots of time on the track are not so lucky...
Or in many cases, bought one that WAS....
Inspect the car...and get it looked at by a shop that KNOWS MINI's...
It is possible that $$$ repairs were needed, and the car was sold....but also possible the owner just moved on....
Good luck!!

 

My first R53 took me to 170,000 miles with nothing major as far as issues goes.
Serpentine belt snapped once while driving, but wear/tear part.

My current R53 on the other hand is giving me a jumbo-kit of issues.
ABS sensor corrosion & snapped, hatch wire short SOMEWHERE, hesitations, and a close-call overheat all within a month.

It's bound to happen, but if you're mechanically inclined and you're not afraid to drive a car that may or may not have issues, then this might be the car for you.

 

I operate our R53 like I operated the airplanes I flew- meaning I couldn't pull over to the side of the road and call for a tow and with respect. So I pay close attention to it. If you track it, race it or generally treat it like an appliance then your wallet may be dramtically lightened as with any auto. Check the fluids often, listen to the engine, feel for the handling. The R53 is one tough machine and tougher if you take care of it and don't mistreat it! Remember when you own an R53 you not only have a great automobile but also a great friend. Good Luck!

 

+1 on buzzsaw's comment.

Motor on!

 

Overheard once on a ATC channel:
"Cessna 07 tango, do you wish to declare an emergency?"
"Ft Worth Center, negative, but if I had two engines I'd sure as he!! feather this one!"
Don't be that guy.

 

I agree with what was stated, take care of it and keep up on the maintenance and the car will do just fine. If you're DIY inclined, it will help with the cost of things when issues do arise. Make sure you get it inspected by a MINI specialist before you purchase it just so you know what issues it may or may not have. It will give you peace of mind when you know you're purchasing a 1st gen that has been well maintained. And when issues do arise, this forum has a great support system. Good luck!

 

I was very skeptical when I first started looking into a Mini as I have never owned anything other than Japanese or American. This was because I had heard nothing but horror stories of ridiculously overpriced repairs on German built cars and I'm not exactly made of money. I've seen countless 3 series bimmers on the side of the road both here in California and in Idaho (where I used to live) and I didn't want to be that guy. I have had nothing but success with my Japanese go-fast toys that I had in the past with cheap parts and lots of fun.

I currently daily drive and track an 05 MCS. The engineering in the 05 & 06 R53s is really, a modern marvel. As long as it was taken care of prior to selling, buy it. You will love it.

 

Bought my 2002 last year with 90k miles on it.

10k miles later the list of repairs is long

Supercharger water pump gears bone dry. 800$
Wheel bearing, cheap and very easy to fix
Head gasket. Had water in the oil. Relatively cheap. Only spent about $200 on new gasket and bolts.
Clutch, $500.

I really enjoy my car, but if I had to pay someone for all those repairs Im not sure how happy i would be with the car

Of the things I've had to fix the clutch is the only thing caused by the previous owners. The one you get might be great, just remember it's not a Honda. If stuff starts going wrong and you can't fix it it's going to be expensive.

 

He has it right! If you can't do the repairs yourself, be prepared to spend a LOT of money and a LOT of time trying to figure things out.

The clutch only cost this guy $500, which is fantastic, but any reasonable shop will still charge over $1500 for a clutch job. It's ridiculous how much shops want for repairs on a Mini but at the same time it makes a lot of sense considering the cramping of the engine bay, difficulty of the smallest repairs, and even more so everything else.


But that's what makes them so fun.

 

As stated, the 06 is the best of the bunch. That being said,as also stated, its not a Honda. BUT, when you drive it you will be enjoying to time. I have a honda element that I use for work ( remodeling) , its a great car. but its a car. A MINI is a lifestyle.
You can spend money on repairs, I suggest finding a MINI specialist in you area. That will save you $. Also, if you can turn a wrench, thats in you favor.
I look at it like this: I don't play golf, hunt, fish, or do any of hundreds of hobbies,that others do, I drive a MINI. so if I need to spend a little more then the guy thats driving another type of car, so be it. Every time I'm in the MINI, I'm smiling. Can everyone else say that.

 

Well buy whatever you like with the options you buy.

But whatever you do before you buy have it inspected by a shop that knows MINIs. I've seen low mileage cars that were great and some that never had any work done needing a ton. Then high mileage cars that were actually better because the previous owner took care and put money into many repairs or upgrades. So you can't just go by miles.

And do NOT trust car fax seen too many cars that were clean that def have had serious incidents.

Also if your going to Charlotte we are in Atlanta and happy to help with anything we can.