Can any Mini fanatics answer a few questions?

normtrum · 03-18-2008, 12:17 PM

Just wondering if we have any Mini owners here that could help me out. I've been peeking over at www.mini2.com, but there is about 1 weeks worth of info that I really don't have time to sift through. I also hate being that "new guy" that asks stupid questions and gets slapped around

So here's the deal....I'm getting my wife a mini. I decided not to build and order a new one, since she is not the best driver in the world

and tends to treat her cars semi-poorly. So I'm looking at buying used.

After doing a ton of research on local minis (WA State) I found one about 2 hours away that seems to be pretty clean. It is a 2002 Cooper S, 35k miles, no mods (that I can see), silver body with a black top, ~$16000. There were many pictures online and the car looks looks good.

I'm going up within the next few days and give it the "what for". What should I look for to ensure I'm not getting ripped off? It's located in a fairly small town, with the closest mini dealership about 140 miles away. I'm trying to find a shop that knows at least a little something about the car....so I can get a pre-purchase inspection.

Is there anything in particular that I should be really carefull about? I already have a carfax...which came out clean. We all know carfax can be spotty sometimes, and "wrecked" cars can slip through. I don't really need any help with the body or interior....just the engine. I need to know if a 2002 mini with 35 k miles (which is very low miles compared to others) has had any issues....fuel pump, brakes, clutch...stuff like that. And during the inspection (if I can even find a guy) what should he be looking for?

Thanks in advance for any help Here's a pic of the car, and the link to all the info:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/car/605401948.html

Kiemyster · 03-18-2008, 07:48 PM

wrong forum bro. lol

normtrum · 03-18-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

wrong forum bro. lol

Read the op bro. I already alluded to that. Thanks for nothing though.

Gen_E92 · 03-18-2008, 08:44 PM

I would get a R56 (starts from 06 i think...not sure) since it uses turbo instead of supercharger on the R52 AFAIK...my buddy has a R52 and I just cant stand the supercharger whine.

asaulo1 · 03-19-2008, 11:56 PM

I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S with just 15k miles for sale. Premium package, xenon headlights, h & k stereo.... $21k
PM me if you're interested
here's a pic

MiniM3 · 03-21-2008, 12:22 PM

I belive its the R53 that you are talking about, and I would definitely look into the R56. The R56 is 2007+, I don't know that you will be able to find a used one as easily as the older Minis, considering the R56 has been out since Feb. 22, 2007. I would still look into it though, it is a much better car. From suspension to interior styling down to the turbo instead of the supercharger.

03-18-2008, 12:17 PM	#1
normtrum Colonel 52 Rep 2,225 Posts Drives: e90 335i, e46 330i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PNW iTrader: (1)	Can any Mini fanatics answer a few questions? Just wondering if we have any Mini owners here that could help me out. I've been peeking over at www.mini2.com, but there is about 1 weeks worth of info that I really don't have time to sift through. I also hate being that "new guy" that asks stupid questions and gets slapped around So here's the deal....I'm getting my wife a mini. I decided not to build and order a new one, since she is not the best driver in the world and tends to treat her cars semi-poorly. So I'm looking at buying used. After doing a ton of research on local minis (WA State) I found one about 2 hours away that seems to be pretty clean. It is a 2002 Cooper S, 35k miles, no mods (that I can see), silver body with a black top, ~$16000. There were many pictures online and the car looks looks good. I'm going up within the next few days and give it the "what for". What should I look for to ensure I'm not getting ripped off? It's located in a fairly small town, with the closest mini dealership about 140 miles away. I'm trying to find a shop that knows at least a little something about the car....so I can get a pre-purchase inspection. Is there anything in particular that I should be really carefull about? I already have a carfax...which came out clean. We all know carfax can be spotty sometimes, and "wrecked" cars can slip through. I don't really need any help with the body or interior....just the engine. I need to know if a 2002 mini with 35 k miles (which is very low miles compared to others) has had any issues....fuel pump, brakes, clutch...stuff like that. And during the inspection (if I can even find a guy) what should he be looking for? Thanks in advance for any help Here's a pic of the car, and the link to all the info: http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/car/605401948.html Attached Images __________________ 07 335i sedan \| Steptronic \| Black saphire \| Terra \| ZPP \| ZSP \| Cold Weather \| CA \| PDC \| Nav \| OEM Alarm
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03-18-2008, 07:48 PM	#2
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant 455 Rep 3,197 Posts Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	wrong forum bro. lol __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi
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03-18-2008, 08:44 PM	#4
Gen_E92 Brigadier General 118 Rep 3,432 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (17) Garage List 2007 335i [7.80]	I would get a R56 (starts from 06 i think...not sure) since it uses turbo instead of supercharger on the R52 AFAIK...my buddy has a R52 and I just cant stand the supercharger whine.
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03-19-2008, 11:56 PM	#5
asaulo1 Lieutenant 38 Rep 577 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Coupe, alp white Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Santa Clarita, CA. iTrader: (0)	I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S with just 15k miles for sale. Premium package, xenon headlights, h & k stereo.... $21k PM me if you're interested here's a pic
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03-21-2008, 12:22 PM	#6
MiniM3 Spooling 24/7 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2007 R56 Mini Cooper S Turbo Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: La Canada iTrader: (0)	I belive its the R53 that you are talking about, and I would definitely look into the R56. The R56 is 2007+, I don't know that you will be able to find a used one as easily as the older Minis, considering the R56 has been out since Feb. 22, 2007. I would still look into it though, it is a much better car. From suspension to interior styling down to the turbo instead of the supercharger. __________________ 2007 Mini Cooper S - Sport, Cold Weather, Premium, Convenience, LSD - K&N Intake, Alta Exhaust, Alta BOV Sponsored By: Big Daddy Racing (Greenberg Cheese Co.)
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