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!

I would try to get one with low millage, service history and no previous modifications.

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

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"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....

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....

Yeah, you're right.......it is ugly.

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!

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 .

Thanks! will definitely have a look.

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

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

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).

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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1972 Leyland Mini Clubman
2000 Honda CBR929RR

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

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

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.

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