So Seller got back and says they followed the ~15k OIC, per BMW.

So far, they've not had one single issue with the car. I can probably call the local Mini service dept and verify.
His asking price is close to $16k vs. KBB at $15.6 and Edmunds at $14.4k. So he's not stupid high on his ask and I'd assume he'd be willing to knock at least $500 off.
Our local Mini dealer's stock of "S" style with CPO are newer versions in the $23k+ range. I’d like to stay at/around $15-$16k.
I can find, ~4hrs away another Mini dealer with 2012 Cooper S models in stock with just 25k miles vs. this car’s 40k. So a year newer and "less" OIC damage with any luck.
They have similar options, etc. and are ~$2k more with CPO Warranty.
So if he doesn’t budge on price, that’s the direction I’d likely go. Can you verify my ballpark prices are correct for repairs/replacements on these cars:

• Tires - $600
• Brakes - $300
• Timing chain - $1600
• HPFP - $1000 - $2000
• Turbo - $1000 - $2000
• Carbon cleaning - $800
• Water pump - $500
• Thermostat housing – $?
• Intake valve cleaning - $?
• Transmission oil – $?
• ?? - $

 

One obvious question that I hope you have thought of - Does your son realize how quick these cars are? They truly are fun to drive, I hope that he doesn't get in trouble....


Your prices are pretty reasonable, plan on $500 for thermostat. Carbon cleaning = intake valve cleaning, probably not required for your car. Trans fluid change is probably $300. Set of spark plugs would likely run $100 for someone to install.


when looking at the car, bring a good flashlight. Look for leaks of any kind. The coolant is blue, so if you see blue stains on the driver side of the engine, that is the thermostat area. Blue stains on the ground near the passenger front wheel is the water pump leaking. Look for any oil near the turbo in front of the engine, the oil line tends to leak after a while. Any drips or oily dirt on the bottom front of the engine (near where the exhaust goes under) is likely a leak at the oil filter housing.


Bottom line: These cars have maintenance issues. If you have the ability to work on them yourself, the costs are not outrageous. If you have to pay a mechanic, plan on $1000-2000 per year for maintenance headaches.


Also, learn how to read the dipstick. It sounds silly, but they are difficult to read properly, and some engines burn oil.


Have fun,
Mike




Any vinyl or graphics shop can make stripes. MINI has a 'black jack' set of accessories, which are the union jack style in gray and black. Horizon blue is a classy color, the cars look nice.

 

mbwicz...thanks a ton...and everybody else. I have enough knowledge to be dangerous now. Yeah, he'll know that if he screws up, it's on him.

He's a fairly cautious kid by nature. Hopefully drivers ed is still showing some gruesome videos of what can happen w/ 2-4 tons hits 2-4 tons going at high rates of speed still.

This or the Juke Nismo were his choices...his mom's been pushing Mustang/Camaros, so I think I've won on that point at least.

And if I find a non-S at a good price...he may just get that. I do have concerns...on the VW side, I would've preferred he start Golf before punching a GTI/R version.

 

Do one thing to determine the engines condition, have a leak-down test performed, this will tell you tons about how the engines health, ring and cylinder sealing ability as well as the valves sealing property.

 

Quick update:

Thanks again for all the suggestions herein. I’m glad I asked as it definitely moved me away from picking up a used, non-CPO “S” model to the car I bought this past week.

So it was 2011 Cooper S vs. 2013 Cooper Cabrio Highgate: $16k ask price for the S vs. $18.8 on the Cabrio from Mini/Ann Arbor.

I paid ~$2.8k more for the lesser engine but got a 2 year newer vehicle with ~38k less miles and a CPO Warranty.

Also got 17” wheels, interesting Highgate package (17” wheels, etc.), Navigation, streaming audio Bluetooth, Cold Weather Pkg, Technology Pkg, Convertible, xenons, anti-theft and MiniConnect.

To me, for my soon-to-be 16yr old, this was a great trade. I put 700+ miles on it in four days bringing her home and the “lesser engine” seems perfect for a new driver. She cruised great between 65-80mph and returned ~34mpg to boot.