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 Post subject: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 1:02 pm 
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848cc
848cc

Joined: Sat May 28, 2016 12:57 pm
Posts: 3
Hey guys,

New to the forum and new to mini's also!

I am in the process of looking for a small car that is quite economical but also reliable and enough fun to drive around in. I will be driving the car daily for work and will do a decent amount of city driving.

After a lot of googling, the new range of MINI keeps coming up as COMPACT, FUN & PERFORMANCE. I love the look and history related to the car, however, the reliability issue has me worried.

I am looking at an 03+ supercharged model.. my question is, are they really as unreliable as the internet would have me think? I know bad news spread a lot more then good so I am after an opinion from someone who may have more knowledge on this..

As for the car it stacks up to everything that I am looking for, Aftermarket mod availability, quite economical and most importantly that it handles like a go kart!


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 1:33 pm 
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1275cc
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Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 3:07 pm
Posts: 5069
Location: The Internet
I would try to get one with low millage, service history and no previous modifications.


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 3:00 pm 
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848cc
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Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2015 2:52 pm
Posts: 41
Location: Brisbane Northside
Also check condition of drivers seat, steering wheel and how much wear is on the pedals. Also a sign of a not-so-normal life even if never modified.

I was looking for a new mini a couple of years ago, but ended up buying a Pug 208 gti as my non-family car (along side my classic mini). It's a couple of years old now with not a single rattle or issue to be seen after 60,000 km. 5.3l/km or less highway or in the 6's city. Punt it and it all goes south ... :-)

Funnily enough i believe it shares some of its running gear (1.6l + 6 speed) with the Mini and some performance parts are shared. It is a bit ugly though ....

Of course depends on your budget and what you want.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

_________________
"Evil will always triumph over good - because good is dumb"

1961 Mini 850 - sold 1997
1965 Mini Deluxe - sold 2013
1977 Mini LS - in build....

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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 3:00 pm 
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848cc
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Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2015 2:52 pm
Posts: 41
Location: Brisbane Northside
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Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

_________________
"Evil will always triumph over good - because good is dumb"

1961 Mini 850 - sold 1997
1965 Mini Deluxe - sold 2013
1977 Mini LS - in build....

Image


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 3:56 pm 
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1098cc
1098cc

Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:17 am
Posts: 1964
Location: san remo nsw
Yeah, you're right.......it is ugly. :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 4:05 pm 
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848cc
848cc

Joined: Sat May 28, 2016 12:57 pm
Posts: 3
hrmm thanks for the info!

MINI definitely beats the peugeot in looks. I guess I will just have to be patient and find a clean one!


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 6:46 pm 
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1275cc
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Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:56 pm
Posts: 2651
Location: Muswellbrook -- NSW
Have a read through this section of Ausmini and try to pick up on opinions that have been expressed ,
this question has been asked plenty of times .

My daughter has had an 04 Cooper S (R53) now for about 4 yrs and it has been a great fun car , i do the servicing on it myself , but if you had to take it to a dealer it can be quite exxy .

As previously said , check the service history ,what repairs have been previously done , lower mileage the better .


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2016 10:28 pm 
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848cc
848cc

Joined: Sat May 28, 2016 12:57 pm
Posts: 3
Thanks! will definitely have a look.

As for expense, yeah I understand, am prepared to at least service it myself though!


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2016 6:27 am 
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998cc
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Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2012 5:22 pm
Posts: 780
Location: Quakers Hill
Can't beat a Golf, I've had a petrol and diesel both fantastic cars

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SPO41 Mk2 Cooper S very original
1993 R32 Nissan Skyline GTR


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Sun May 29, 2016 9:38 pm 
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1360cc
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Joined: Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:07 pm
Posts: 10650
Location: SE Melbourne
Buy a Swift Sport.

Your reliability will go out the window completely with an 03 model - particularly if you mod it (coming from somebody who owned one).


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Mon May 30, 2016 8:19 am 
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848cc
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Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2014 10:34 am
Posts: 330
Location: Williamstown, VIC
I'll second the Golf owned 5 and never had one go wrong. could even go Polo GIT if you wanted something a little smaller and still fun and fast.

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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:20 pm 
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848cc
848cc

Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:15 pm
Posts: 1
Location: Brisbane
Sorry to thread jack guys but I thought I'd post here instead of starting new one.
I'm completely new to Mini world and we are looking to buy
2012 MINI Countryman Cooper D Chilli Auto.
40,000 kms, full service history by BMW
3 keys,
Just wanted to know if there is anything I should look out for? (specially since it's a diesel engine?)

Lastly, Do any of you know/recommend an independent mechanic around Brisbane area?

TIA


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 11:57 am 
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848cc
848cc
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Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:32 am
Posts: 180
Location: Victoria
nafter wrote:
Hey guys,

New to the forum and new to mini's also!

I am in the process of looking for a small car that is quite economical but also reliable and enough fun to drive around in. I will be driving the car daily for work and will do a decent amount of city driving.

After a lot of googling, the new range of MINI keeps coming up as COMPACT, FUN & PERFORMANCE. I love the look and history related to the car, however, the reliability issue has me worried.

I am looking at an 03+ supercharged model.. my question is, are they really as unreliable as the internet would have me think? I know bad news spread a lot more then good so I am after an opinion from someone who may have more knowledge on this..

As for the car it stacks up to everything that I am looking for, Aftermarket mod availability, quite economical and most importantly that it handles like a go kart!


Hi
I bought a 2002 mini last year and apart from replacing the clutch (they do wear out) I have had no problems and my wife
prefers it over my classic mini's.
Greg


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 Post subject: Re: Newbie Question
PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:27 pm 
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1098cc
1098cc
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Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:59 pm
Posts: 1428
Location: Perth
I've had my 03 JCW since new and never had any reliability issues, heavily modified (240bhp) and driven like it was designed to be, frequently bounced off the rev limiter. Has always been serviced at the dealers and every modification done at the dealers too.

All service information is stored in the key so look for one that has a full dealers service history to see exactly what you are getting. Nothing against back yard mechanics, I'm one myself on my classics.

At around 100,000ks the clutch needs replacing. I took it to a "performance shop" who changed the clutch and flywheel (which generally needs doing at the same time) and it was horrible. The clutch was either in or out, no doubt great for the track but no quite so nice for a daily driver. Took the car back to the dealers and had the "performance" clutch removed and new factory one put in.

_________________
1965 Riley Elf
1974 Ex Army Moke
1997 Rover Cooper
2002 JCW Cooper
2003 JCW Cooper S


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