@mini_wisconsin What I meant by expired tags was that the license registration is due today according to the Car Fax and he hasn't paid it. As to the warranty, the car has Mini's 6/100 extended maintenance agreement which covers oil changes, wiper blades and brakes rather than major repairs like the new car warranty. Since the car is 5 years old there's only a year of it left.

As far as problems go it's my belief that it's deeper than the machine. If we go about life focusing our thoughts on problems we'll attract them. I owned a 05 MCS for 3 or 4 years and the only problem I had was the clutch which was replaced under warranty I'm grateful for the advice too by the way.

 

@mini_wisconsin: The car has the 6/100 extended maintenance warranty. The tags expired means the registration was due yesterday and not paid though I'll have to speak with the guy to find out. One of the problems with any car that's used in SF is parking/driving is like being on a bumper car track. The bumpers are always nicked and scratched as are other parts of the car. And then there's the nasty streets, hills, pot holes etc. While the car only has 32K miles it's probably taken the beating a car with 60K miles has. That plus two minor cosmetic accidents on the Car Fax (non-structural/mechanical) and lazy maintenance make me wonder. I guess the good news is it has the N18 engine though.

 

Perhaps the owner didn't renew the tags because he is selling the car... A lot of your decision whether or not to buy depends on the price. It is a good sized car for SF driving.

 

Picture or Craiglist link?

 

I'd add the Craigs List link but the idiot that owns the car doesn't respond to any communications and the photos are all sideways and few in number. Obviously the guy is one sandwich short of a banquet so I think I'm going to let sleeping Mini's lie. Meanwhile I had a long chat with the local dealer Service Manager who said it's a good idea to invest in the inspection of the chain and tensioner. I'm not going to invest nearly $500 to have a car checked out that I may not end up buying that's for sure. I'm feeling like a Mini is not in the cards nor a machine I want to get involved with regardless of how much fun it is to drive.

"..and that's all I'm going to say about that.. " ~ Forrest Gump

 

I'd agree with you - it's stupid to invest $500 to have a car checked out, unless you're serious about buying it.

 

I have a 2010 R56 with the N14 Engine. I bought this car as a CPO with 45,000. This is, without a doubt, the WORST car purchase of my life. I have had over $8,000 worth of repairs done on this car, and it still has all sorts of gremlins.

The engine drinks oil like there is no tomorrow. About a quart every 1,000 miles. I have had the timing chain work done, the entire cylinder head and valves replaces, all sorts of electrical problems, suspension problems, oil leaks, suspension problems, you name it.

I was given a brand new F56 as a loaner car the other day, and the ride quality blew me away. It's not even the same car it felt so different. Driving the new MINI felt like the time I got to drive my buddy's M3.

Don't go near the N14. Don't do it.

 

After reading how they left OUT the 2010 MCS hardtop from the law suit and realizing these cars are built like tinker toys, I'm going with a 2010 VW Golf with 50K miles, which while not necessarily go kart handling is fun nonetheless. That plus a healthy 36 mpg average, German build quality and reliability that's FAR beyond a Mini I feel its a far better decision even if it isn't the coolest looking. At the end of the day it's about reliable transportation. I also like the fact that the storage areas is twice that of the Mini. Best of success to everyone here in the forum!

 

Good luck! You should enjoy the Golf, it is a great car. We have a 13 Golf and it handles like a go kart if you drive it that way. As to build quality and reliability, I don't think it is that much above the Mini, but at least the VW doesn't rattle like my Mini. Since we have a diesel it presents a whole set of issues with German engineering (cough, groan, grunt) as the reputation might not be so well deserved.

 

Hockeydad2000,

I assume that your 2010 Mini Cooper has run-flats, correct? Is that the reason for the poor ride?