As the title indicates, what would one expect to pay for a good condition, average KM's Cooper?
In the market for a smaller car, and the MINI has crossed my mind a couple of times.

Any help appreciated, like things to look out for.
I know the gearboxes are notoriously weak, which is a big problem the 5 speeds share.

Thanks. willy.

Depends on year and model variant.
Base model coopers with high usage start at around 15000. That's the cheapest you'd get out of it.

Depending on budget, a good buy would be an early cooper S. Aim for less than 70,000 kays if possible, if more than that make sure it's had the major service as that a full grand (as I found out today).
You should be able to score one of them for between 21000 and 24000.
Don't stress over the chilli pack, it was just big wheels, louder stereo and climate control.

If going the cooper s way, stay I'd stay away from the ones that have had supercharger pulleys and intakes and computers modified: sure sign the car was thrashed and the gearbox could be a problem later. Generally, it's the 5 speed and autos that die more than the 6 speed getrags on the S's.

Only the early coopers had the gearbox problems, later ones will be fine. I have not heard of any coopers with a gearbox problem in the last few years.

If you find one that takes your fancy take it into a BMW dealership and ask them to print you off a report from the computer. It will tell you everything that has been done to the car and any possible problems. Will cost you $100 or so but could save you a lot more.

As for cooper s just because it has been modified doesnt mean it has been thrashed. My old man has a JCW with a few mods and lucky if he ever takes it over the speed limit or even into the fun zone of 4500rpm upwards.

Mine is heavily modified and driven as it was designed to be driven. Still in perfect mechanical condition after 6 years of plenty of throttle.

You can pick up a cooper s in the low 20s and yeah dont worry about the chilli pack, means very little. A cooper can be got in the high teens again all this depends on the age obviously. I would suggest contacting your local clubMINI www.clubmini.com.au as members are often upgrading.

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

I am also considering a used MINI so am very interested in this topic. I still have my 1275 LS which I will be keeping although it doesn't get used too often, but would like to get a MINI to use daily.I have wanted one for years, but are they really worth the money. I have also considered a new Suzuki Swift Sports, what does everyone think, Tony

Early coopers and the S have problems with the airbag systems when you go to have a look at one move the front seats back and forth and check if the light comes on, this is what causes mine to come on. Also make sure the headlight adjustors work on both sides it is very costly the fix, the control unit for the headlights I got a quote to replace mine was just over a grand, But there are ways of disconnecting them and setting the adjust anyway. In my opinion they are a very nice and comfortable car to drive
hope this helps

_________________
Don't under estimate the power of a Mini

1975 Supercharged Blue Mokezilla
1976 Fudge Moke
1967 BRG & White 67 Morris Deluxe
1974 Clubman Mini S
2005 Red Mini Cooper S
2009 Mitsubishi Outlander VRX

I have a suzuki swift sports too and they perform nothing like a MINI. They do look quite sporty but you cant really mod them or personalise them like you can a MINI. They were designed as a direct competitor to the MINI, suzuki trying to capture some of the MINI market.

As I said earlier it is worth the money to get a computer check done at a BMW dealer, everything will be on the report. The entire history of the car is stored in the key.

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

I had a Swift S model before my MINI. It was a great car in that it was easy to drive and could seat five people and had a boot, but the MINI eats it alive for fun driving, handling and performance. Back seat and boot is useless though, so if you need to move something make sure you can borrow another car.

Good advice, my early example had this problem from about 12 months old. It would never repeat itself for the dealership, so they never acknowledged it as a warranty fault

Nobody's mentioned it yet, but the last time I checked (last year I think) MINI's held something like 70% of their new price after 3 years -- totally unprecedented. Things may have changed for the R50 since the release of the new one, but they still hold their value very, very well.

_________________
Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

i recently sold my 03 cooper s for $23k but saying that mine had done 115000 ks but totally emphasize what the others have said, very tuneable and pretty quick, (mine kept up with alot of cars, and crept on in front of them )

_________________
-jamie-
1963morris 850
1965 solid side van
1994 rover racecar

Thanks for the info on the swift guys I'm still thinking,Tony

When people talk about problems with early cooper gearboxes is 2004 classed as early. I am considering one with 75 000km on the clock, thanks for any help Tony

I think the revised model was around July 2004. If built after that it should be fine.
5 speed manuals and lots of early autos are problematic. If the car is 6 speed, it's got a getrag box in it, which is a good thing.

Basically, when you go to look at the car, start it up and let idle in neutral (duh!), and put your foot on and off the clutch. If any noises come and go then some of the bearings could be on the way out.

Yeah, the getrag 5 speed was added with the facelifted Mk1. So look for things:
- like reversing light integrated in tail lights as opposed to on its own down low in the middle of rear bumper
- different headlights
- smooth front grill surround (although they can be changed)
- in the engine bay, the air filter box is not quite rectangular (looks like corner cut off) to accommodate for different mounting for g'box / engine

Good Luck

Hi guys, thanks for the helpful info, I'll let you know how I get on, Tony

New Mini owner = ME!
2002 Cooper, with 6 speed gearbox.

I'll post pics up soon

RIght now I'm far too busy driving it!!