What's the Best Used MINI to Buy

[@Grateful-wv6ty]

I bought a 2013 mini about 2 years ago and have had no problems with it. I bought it with 57,000 miles and I love it!!!!

[@MikeMDs]

Awesome!

[@papacos4745]

My wife has a 2013 mini cooper s and has 80,000 miles and still running strong

[@brianbeaubien7371]

@@MikeMDs 7

[@WKRPinCINN]

Curious to know.. how is it running now?

[@stania3814]

​@@WKRPinCINNsame 😀

[@papatee972]

Bought a 2007 convertible mini sidewalk with 64k miles on it for $5000 and the wife loves it!!!

[@MikeMDs]

They are just too much fun! Enjoy

[@mohammedjinnah1714]

It's my dream car.............mini cooper lovers like here

[@MOUSEBOWEN]

Don’t get this garbage. Is nothing but problems expensive fixes. I owned one for over a year because they cool looking but is nothing but headache. Stay away from this garbage if you don’t want to deal with junk

[@gisela-lg5ym]

@@MOUSEBOWEN i own a 2013 mini roadster convertible and have to say i love it and it performs very well so i'm not sure why you call it garbage ? maybe you missed services ?

[@lizards1122]

Mouse Gipson shat up gay subaru Japanese car lover my convertible Mini is perfectly fine ;)

[@ababner317]

@FUN-TIME Very reliable. SMH

[@vasilisrroshi8642]

2005-06 cooper s perfect in every way......no problems at all shure is expensive services but all bmw are...

[@craighicks1407]

I've just purchased my first 2012 Mini Countryman Cooper S. I had done some reading and followed a few videos on this car. I have to say this video has been very helpful so far. It's been 1 month and 2 days and i love it. Thanks!

[@MikeMDs]

Congratulations! Fun times ahead for sure. Just keep an eye on the oil level.

[@dawnjohnson7626]

I just bought a first gen, 03 6 speed. It's in outstanding condition and drives like a champ! So glad I researched first.

[@MikeMDs]

Very nice!

[@azozmonem6845]

This is one of the best videos discussing a particular thing in which it’s aiming.

[@MikeMDs]

Thank you!

[@agingbjd]

This video is so clear and concise. Thank you for the images and the clarity. No annoying music is a plus. I'm looking to buy one that's been sitting for a month. according to the seller there's something wrong with the timing chain.

[@bobbyGnOly]

I retired after 35+ years in the Audio Visual Presentation Tools industry....and have watched LOTS of presentations. You are very good....kudo's to you.

[@MikeMDs]

Thank you Robert, you made my day.

[@source_NRG]

Best comment compliment ever right there!

[@Amtran727]

I owned a 2004 Mini Cooper that I purchased new from the dealer. I loved it! I later sold it as I lived in the city and did not drive often. However I just moved to California and just bought a 2014 Mini Countryman from a private seller. It has been kept in great shape. Once you own a Mini you kind of get hooked.

[@touchedouche8806]

Manual 2012 cooper hatch here. And as with most others…. If you take care of it, it will take care of you. 118k and going strong

[@marksharon251]

I’ve got a 2008 cooper diesel , owned it three years , serviced once a year , around 10k per year , doesn’t use any oil .It hasn’t missed a beat and I get 60 plus mpg , great to drive , a brill car

[@Madeofsongs]

Mine too!!!320.000km this week, I want that beauty forever 🥹💛

[@joellara65]

Just bought a 2018 Mini S and I am COMPLETELY in love with it!!! 🙏🏼💯

[@Losthopeforamerica]

Wait till the timing chain goes $3500, oh and the sunroof will leak and cause damage to the footwell module. Another $1000. The oil leaks after 50k will be pleasent have fun if ya have a flat. No spare!

[@jaylenwinchester]

@@Losthopeforamericapeople love you at parties don’t they

[@annmariehurley643]

Thanks for this. Bar a cracked radiator when I first bought it second hand, I have had no issues with my 2015mini CooperS. Get an oil filter change every 10,000km at my local garage in Cork and at 230, 000 km its going like a dream. Best car ever. Will never change!

[@rarazxra]

This video is so informative especially the part about the oil level and to look out for the engine rattling sounds. What a legend! Thanks

[@donaldsexton3501]

I posted a few months ago that my next Mini would be 2nd Gen 2011 to 2015. But the more I read and see that many of us Mini Lovers , love the R53 because it really does have a lot of character and so fun. Mine is a 2006 S, 6 speed, Electric Blue top and bottom, with 130,500 mi, and still going strong. Plan to stay with the R53. When this one is no more, I will hope to find another "one owner" like this one. Most fun vehicle I have ever owned, well accept my 2007 Harley Softail.

[@bbass5711]

I'm so glad I watched this video! I just got one and it happens to be the one you recommended. Low miles, no mods and the service records show it was well loved.

[@harveystokes3455]

My mini has been an endless money pitt.. looking to change it now

[@farrinmccahill6920]

K24!

[@RyanMilani]

Love my 2011 Cooper S (R56). 140,000 miles, with minimal work I've had to do. Had the hard plastic coolant hose break in the back of the engine which was kinda a pain to reach but was able to do it myself. Coils have failed a bit but probably an aftermarket quality issue with them. Replaced the thermostat at about 120,000. Purrs (and pops) like a kitten. Haven't noticed any irregular oil consumption but I'm usually on it with checking the oil.

[@pye5386]

I have a Mini Cooper hatchback s and I love it. Driving it makes my day. Great mileage, incredible handling. It’s really fun to drive. I’ve had it for 2 years and there are no issues so far. Hope it won’t get me a headache. I really want to have my mini forever.

[@1171]

We bought a 2017 mini automatic s7 so far it’s super peppy we love the gas mileage still under warranty My husband just loves it an we r retired and use it for lots of trips locally it’s so far a very good car .

[@xiaopoq3797]

how has your mini cooper held up so far?

[@scottmcgowan5861]

The importance of checking the oil cannot be overstated. Like many cars my ‘15 F55 has no dipstick. So EVERY time I start this car I bring up Vehicle Status and check the level. Then once a week or so I’ll take the time to have the system electronically measure the oil level. Time well spent.

[@barrydawg7544]

I have an R50 with only 84K miles on it and have ZERO major problems with it at all... its 13 years old and most of those years it was in the elements. only small area's or minor rust at the corners of the doors... I replaced the header as it was drooping after these years. It still looks amazing and drives perfect....People can't believe its a 13 year old car... Thank you for the awesome video and information on the Mini's, Mike....

[@LvninLA]

Enjoyed this video. I own a Mini Cooper (base hardtop) 6spd manual, 2013. Purchased at 18k miles... Mini dealer, Certified Pre-owned. Now at almost 60k miles. Only issue other than wear items like tires/brakes, was the ignition coils... which were covered by warranty and no problems since. It's fun to drive on mountain roads and comfortable on long highway drives... great fuel mileage and reliable as a commuter. Some oil consumption and the clutch may eventually need replacement. Never had buyer's regret on this car.

[@Feraz69420]

I’ve been looking at some Minis and if I buy a cooper and not the cooper s is it still fun to drive on a track? Does it drive like a go kart since it’s not an S?

[@janelmoore-hi2zb]

Have a 2013 - bought with 18,000 miles and now have 144,000. Love it. Standard repairs.

[@bernardbarbour]

Thanks Mike, this is great. I own an MC40. It's a 2004 R53. Just went over 189,000 miles and still looks great and runs strong. It's hard top with manual trans. I do most of my maintenance. Keeping it going for many more miles to come and having fun. Your video is spot on, thanks.

[@williamdavis9943]

If you are going to own a Mini Cooper you have to educate yourself as a mini Cooper owner in the operation & maintenance of your vehicle?

[@billallen8505]

Love driving our 2006 Mini S convertible. My wife and I have a great time taking it on day trips Bought it 5 years ago with 52,000 miles. Only drive it in good weather.

[@kosmiken]

What a great, honest, and thorough explanation. You have just saved a lotta people a hella lotta money.j Real experience (I can tell) and to the point of the talk. Well done bud - now I know what to get. Thank you.

[@xzqzq]

My 2005 'S' is still going strong. Just passed 100K miles. Dealer repairs super expensive - $1300 for alternator...Just paid $700 for p/s HOSES - the pump & labor covered under recall. You Tube invaluable for DIY. Metal & doors solid. If you want an ' S ', I recommend supercharged version, 2002-2005...Pulls through power band smooth & sweet. When I arrive at destination in my 2003 1.8 TDI New Beetle, I gotta let turbo wind down from 200K rpm w/ engine running, to keep turbo bearings lubed.

[@themitsudas]

My favorite is the R53 and I am currently on my 3rd one (all 3 are 2005s). The other two are still in the family. These cars have character and soul, and are so much fun to drive.

[@johnwick1289]

Purchased a 2007 Mini Cooper S as my 2nd car in May. Now it is my daily driver. They are fun to drive. I paid a tadit bit more at a dealership, but it was worth it. The thermostat housing, water pump, water pipe, and houses were fairly new, and we were surprised because we had to remove the air intake on top, amd the wheel liner below. I kept the new parts and we replaced the timing chain belt with a kit from Detroit Tuned.

[@MikeMDs]

right on !

[@PhilRounds]

Thanks! I bought a 2011 non "S" and it's been a great car so far with about 90k miles on it. Mine has the 6 speed Getrag trans and shifts like a pro! I used your advice and i got a good deal on a clean Cooper with only some very minor problems. The rear drop links were worn out but were relatively cheap to fix. The non turbo still has a reasonable amount of power and i don't have to worry about turbo burnout. One thing i would watch out for is the hood latch. If the car sits for too long and the latch isn't well lubricated it can stick in the latched position and the little plastic lever isn't strong enough to pop it. There isn't any way to open the hood save for getting under the car and trying to pop the latch by hand. So make sure you try the latch before buying and after make sure it's well greased!

[@MikeMDs]

Nice Phil. And great advice about the latch.

[@ivn-pL]

And what about minicoper clubman? 2009 manual 158k

[@miniaddict4534]

Bought an F56 Cooper S and I cannot be more happier! It has a lot of power, amazing handling, and I love the pop noises on the stock exhaust. My next goal is to get the JCW tune from the dealership so it doesn’t void my warranty!

[@MikeMDs]

Those are great cars. And the S model is the best too!. I have a video on the f56 ( 3rd gen ) MINI's you may enjoy. Appreciate your support in watching.

[@davidgutierrez1729]

Had an R53 with a stage 2 Dinan kit down pipe, supercharger pulley, air intake, sway bar, and CPU tune with a muffler delete, unfortunately I bought the car used and had it for just under 6 months before I found out the head gasket was blown, Miss that car so much I think I’m gonna buy an F56 and do a muffler delete/JB4 tune. One of the most fun cars to drive for the money, and no one expects how nimble and loud they can be. Great video.

[@shermananderson700]

Your diction is so clear and speech rate easy to understand. But the way you jump around to different features becomes confusing. Suggest you rewrite the outline and get an editor to cross-check your work. Then you get more Likes. Thank you for doing this video.

[@MikeMDs]

Thank you for real constructive criticism. It is what I really need. Mean comments just hurt. I will work on writing out my outline better. I'm lucky to be married to a teacher. I'll have her go over my other work. Best.

[@marten4436]

I recently fell in love with the mini cooper and this video was great helping me figuring out if i want to save up for one

[@SgtHooch]

Great video, very helpful. I still drive an '06 MCS and still love it. Thankfully, my MINI still has a dipstick and I check my oil regularly. Had lots of repairs, but there none were crazy expensive. Hope to own it for many, many more years.

[@freeffree4133]

About how much in repairs per year?

[@Bill-jt7ts]

My 2014 Mini Cooper s automatic with 172000 on the clock still going well but I always looking after the engine oil also I drive like a old men I don't drive on spot mode like I use to lol

[@redaguotas]

Just came back here to thank you Mike and everybody for this video and comments as it definitely pulled me towards purchasing my Cooper S R56 recently! 55k miles, end of 2013, black with brown leather interior. So far it's been nothing but amazeballs. Not too stiff, but grips tight and cornering is superb. Fuel economy is also pretty good considering what MINI is about. Initally I wanted to buy BMW 3 Series, checked upon plenty of those. But after test driving this little beast, all my questions were answered. If having 4 doors is not crucial for you, which is pretty often a case actually, seriously consider R56. Depends on the country, but at least in my country in Europe, I didn't manage to find any solid BMW 3 Series for my price range with preferred condition. MINI looks like a great deal because 'bros' and 'lads' are going for BMW mostly, therefore you have a higher chance to get a well maintained MINI instead. Worth to mention, I'm talking referring to a higher end of market price range, gives less headache haha

[@MikeMDs]

Congratulations on you purchase! I wish you many miles of driving joy.

[@alechardesty4135]

05 mini S. Love mine. My buddy had it and took great care of it. Sunk around 15k into it redid pretty much everything lol . 144k miles and running strong

[@wotcommander1234]

I have a 2004 mini base 5-speed and it is great! Wind out your gears between 4,500 rpm and 5,800 rpm or 6,000 rpm sometimes and it’s amazing. When I had the car stock as long as I was keeping my rpms up I can keep up with some muscle cars. I have about $2,800 into it in upgrades but the car now is perfect I have 5 upgrades as of now. Sprint booster remote, K&N Typhoon cool air intake system, Koni adjustable suspension, and a Borla Cat Back exhaust system. Stock the car was 100 horse power. Now I have it up to about 160 horse power. This car is not supercharged btw. It is not the S. Next I’m looking into a Chip for my car to increase horse power. Then 18” rims and tires. Just wanted to brag a little about how fun and awesome my little mini is (street legal go-kart). 1st gen minis around 2004 to 2006 are your best bet. Lots of fun to be had.

[@jasonwang3348]

2013 base cooper with 6 speed got it a year ago at 74000, got 103k now still running like a dream only had spark plugs and coils changed original clutch too

[@bluefletcher4340]

Just got my 2014. I love the 3 cylinder 1.5 turbo. Torque like crazy and up to 35 37 miles per gallon on green mode

[@johnharrisonschulz]

Why are there so many different names for these engines? R56, N14, N13, R55, Prince engine. I'm looking at purchasing a 2011 mini Cooper Clubman non-turbo but I was told to avoid the Prince engine. Does this Cooper have the Prince engine? I wish someone would explain in detail about the different types of engines and their nicknames because it is so confusing.

[@lavvbaby9824]

i recently bought a 2007 mini cooper s and let me tell you..120 mph never felt so easy. what he said about the oil is true. ive read somewhere about a oil catch can ..ill be buying that and see how it goes

[@KaelciTheuri]

how is it now

[@solymiller659]

How is it?

[@wetherby6774]

Thanks for the "heads up" on this one. I gave it a "like" because you spelled it out in non-technical speak, and everyone should beware of what they are getting into. I've seen 2 other videos on buying a used Mini and they're both nightmares: one shows a replacement of a clutch with having to take the front-end bodywork off to do it, and the other is trying to replace your main belt which is way underneath the car and certainly not easy [both of these videos are on YOU TUBE, just look for them]. Cute car, I'd love to own one, but after hearing all these warnings, I'd say stay away unless you are super-mechanically inclined.

[@floridascubadiver2212]

I absolutely loved my R52.. Nothing like the sound of that Supercharger whine.

[@corneliusporter8289]

O.M.G. I love my new lil friend I went as far as naming it Mr.Cooper and talking about performance on demand and I driven a lot of cars...but ive never had a vehicle that i couldn't wait til the next day to DRIVE. i learn something new every single day about Mr. cooper like now! gotta go an connect my sirius SO today picture us rollin to the beat of this pandamic ...so for now you and yours drive safe and may the force be with you and your cooper

[@MikeMDs]

Thanks for sharing

[@leagueofshadows5133]

Point is if you love to buy a mini go for the 2011 to 2013! If you have the paper go for a 2014 and up.

[@berk2797]

Hi it is a good video. I ll buy 2013 mini paceman S all4 İt is 80k mile. It is from first woman owner. Do you recommend? And which parts should have been changed in the engine. Whay should i pay attention to?

[@MikeMDs]

Congratulations. The main thing is keeping the oil clean and level up from here on out 😁

[@ScrapYardDog64]

I bought my wife an 04 Mini Cooper S second hand back in 2006 we still own it, drive it everyday as I bought her a new car in 2014, so far I have bought 2 front wheel bearings a battery, drivers door lock and changed the wheels to 15" Ultralite F1 alloys with more side taller wall to soak up the poor UK 'B' roads. Its not economical but fun and reliable. Grey with full glass roof , lovin it still.

[@MikeMDs]

Thats awesome!

[@antoma6844]

I've owned a Mini One R50 2002 for over 3 1/2 yrs.ok a little noise from a door seal,but it hasn't let me down once,started up every time great on fuel,handling and quick.I think you are making this up as you go.

[@scottmcgowan5861]

I bought a CPO '15 Cooper S 4dr HT automatic two years ago. I do 4 to 6 HPDE track days a year and wheel around the mountains east of San Diego. It is a FUN track car; not so much on the street. If I still had a daily commute I'd drive something else. The suspension is far tighter and firmer than the non-S and the steering is direct and somewhat heavy. Two reasons why I bought it. I drive it about three times a week so I've only put 9k mi on it. However, because of the track duty it does burn through brake pads. Every time I slide behind the wheel I get a smile on my face. I just make sure to steer around manhole covers and bumps that don't bother other cars. If you are considering buying one get a manual or the JCW steering wheel with the paddle shifters. DO NOT consider a non-S. It is too slow. After a session on the track I've had Porsche Cayman drivers come up to me and exclaim how hard it was to keep up with me. A fun car that rides very firm. Good luck.

[@guillermoyelamo5816]

Just bought a 2013 R56 Cooper Hatchback with a manual without knowing that these are the generation to buy so I’m glad! Only thing I’m getting at the moment is little oscillating idle that goes away when the a/c is turned on, I bet it is the VANOS solenoids that need a cleaning but other than that is really stout mechanically. Handling is the party piece of this car imho, build quality is still up there considering that it is a 10 year old car (prev owner took good care of it though) and also it’s fuel economy, getting low 40s at the moment which is amazing considering that I came from a Toyota 4cyl beater (34mpg on a good day). Looking forward to learn and know more about this little fun car, it’s appealing to everyone, specially girls 😎 You might be suprised on how good these are even in a “base” spec like mine (sunroof, cruise control, keyless entry, vinyl seats that look like leather, ambient led lighting and Bluetooth stereo). Thanks for this video even after 5 yrs! Lol. Keep them coming!

[@AndrewsArcade]

Already own a Mini and this video had great input.

[@MikeMDs]

Thank you!

[@johntighe6221]

I had a mini for 3 years and no problems. Never checked the oil but had the car serviced once a year. Best little car out there.

[@natsal2553]

John Tighe what year was yours?

[@MOUSEBOWEN]

John Tighe Hahahaha not positive. My self and everyone that I know hate them for the many mechanical problems. Garbage pieces of shit

[@gisela-lg5ym]

​@@MOUSEBOWEN You keep on saying Mini is Shit but we have not heard you specifie why you're saying that.Would you please specifie your complaint?

[@gingr4002]

Thanks a lots. This VDO is very helpful for me as I'm going to buy a used MINI Cooper.

[@MikeMDs]

I'm glad it was helpful. I also have another video like this one discussing newer MINI's.

[@gingr4002]

Thanks. I bought a 2011 MINI Cooper 3 dr. It seem strange this one doesn't has bluetooth bild in, no phone symbol to pairing bluetooth or I miss something?

[@traec1992]

Thanks for the info Mike. I just purchased a used 2012 Mini Cooper S with the manual transmission. The mileage was a bit high at 129,000 but I got a really good deal on it so I have set aside a repair/maintenance budget (which I'm sure I'll need... lol)

[@jaimejimenez8183]

Hey how much did you pay? I just bought a 2011 Mini cooper s with 127,000 for about $6,000 wondering if that was a good deal?

[@IffyMoonBeam]

I have a 2012 Mini Cooper S JCW Roadster with a manual transmission. It's a great car but the clutch failed after just 13K miles so the quality of clutch used in this model may not be robust. I agree that it's best to avoid a soft top unless you can garage the car.

[@sahmadi1000]

I did it. I bought a 2015 Countryman S , ALL4 automatics. Its a blast!. I hope you are right about the reliability. Thanks

[@Bertoblam1]

Bought a 2013 Mini Cooper five door manual Countryman from a friend and it’s a cool ‘big’ mini . 60,000 on the clock and drives beautifully. Some people knock it for being so big but, meh, I like it. It handles nicely, just like the smaller minis.

[@barefeats]

Bought a 2006 MINI JCW new. Still going strong after 12 years and 80K miles. Only mod is shock tower brace. Found a repair shop that specializes in the first generation "neo" MINI. In the words of my wife, "We're never getting rid of this car!"

[@worldrage619]

I’ve got a 2013 Cooper s. I’ve had the water pump failure around 155k. I’ve had it since 83k. I floor and abuse my car daily and drive it 120 miles a day usually. It’s been great. I currently need a turbo because the waste gates worn out which is typical for me having currently 176k. Pretty reliable car. Has its small quirks that need attention and basic maintenance. It’s lasted through my ridiculous abuse.

[@IamMagPie]

If you are looking for the most fun MINI to drive, the answer is easy: R53. The R56 does not have the same feel as the first generation. No soul, no personality. The R53 is great. But I would stay away from automatic transmissions and convertibles. I love my R53, but I have had to learn to do mechanic work (changing seals in the engine to stop oil leaks, timing chain tensioner, supercharger oil change, new exhaust due to rust, change hydraulic motor mount, worn out wheel hubs). If repairs and service is too expensive for you, I reccomend buying a Toyota. They are very reliable and cheap cars.

[@ModMINI]

R56 is a lot of fun and earns it soul if you modify it. R53 had soul out of the box.

[@Shuad.]

I've been considering a 2011-2012 Countryman S for a daily driver, would u recommend me doing this or do you have any suggestions in mind?

[@gjthedj7160]

Just picked up a 2012 Countryman S all 4 with turbo. Looking forward to videos on this model - thanks for the videos

[@_bupe425]

Have you had any major issues?

[@michaelwilson6806]

I have a 2008 clubman. Only things I've replaced on this vehicle in 123000 miles are as follows, Water pump Thermostat Timing tensioner H/P fuel pump ( under warranty) Brakes and rotors (once) I my opinion its one of the best vehicles i ever owned.

[@DonJetblack00]

Lol ony thing?

[@TitoHD24]

@@DonJetblack00 I mean after 100k+ miles is actually not that bad!

[@ColumbusII]

I was very apprehensive, but once we've took them for a spin we were sold. Full MINI /BMW serviced cars we have. A UK build '12 Cooper (non-S), white silver convertible and a Blazing Red, Austrian build '14 ONE Countryman. Both a joy to drive, the convertible is so much fun. However for a mid size "SUV" the Countryman has a lot going for too in terms of practicality and looks great in my opinion. Check your oil once in a while and stay well within manufacturers schedule. Better to change engine oil in half the adviced schedule than leaving it to the max or even longer. Happy motoring and stay safe. Best regards from the Netherlands.

[@iselili2]

I love my mini and this has been one of the best videos I have come across thank you!!

[@TunesofTransformation]

I have a 2014 used mini, manual, I took it to a meet messed up the belt and components, then later crashed it and fixed alot of body damage. I still drive it 140k and strong. I never used sport much usually mid and green.

[@busterrabbit]

Oil starvation? You mean not checking your oil level. How about actually checking your oil level with the dipstick?

[@antmax]

The latest models after 2014 don't have a dipstick lol. Bit of a pain if you want to change the oil yourself. They do have an oil sensor. You can go into the dash menus and check the oil after you have driven around. Has to be on a flat surface with a warm engine running.

[@anthonyangel3109]

Naahh, my girlfriend's R56 would go through oil like it was going out of style, and the dipstick was useless, it would say it still had decent oil levels, I was only able to tell it was oil because the engine started sounding like a lawn mower. All these cars are trash.

[@kevingraham927]

Aint no sergeants to enforce that!

[@svnbit8408]

R60, uneven sump, dealer chronically overfills it, dipstick design is trash and how hard is it to design one? On top of that the low oil pressure warning works when it's many quarts low. Shit engineering, planned obsolescence, all BMW engineers worth a damn left for huyandai in 2000

[@svnbit8408]

Anthony Angel sued them and the dealer for breach of warranty and unfair trade practices for trying to scam me. worst car ownership experience of any brand I've ever had, from the top down they suck ass and are crooks. Apple computers of the car world, spend more on brand and advertising than r&d. Total trash

[@cats4hir3]

I guess I am one of the luckiest person ever. Bought a 2004 R50 in 2014 with CVT and it is still fun to drive till today :) Everything is working fine but 4 months ago I had to replace the water pump due to leakage.

[@MikeMDs]

So glad to hear you are enjoying your MINI.

[@carlitos.593]

I was about to buy a 2008 mini but after this video I think is worth it to buy a newer version of mini. Thanks man!!!

[@tinamanley2875]

Carlitos S don’t do it they are terrible for gearboxes and weak camchains My mrs has had 3 gearboxes in seven years and she doesn’t crunch the gears and by the way hers has a manual gearbox

[@MOUSEBOWEN]

They are nothing but garbage caca to many issues. If you want to be broke for fixing this pieces of shit go for

[@LdoggyServices]

Honestly this is my best video ever. Very instructive. Am a fan of mini cooper don't have one yet and a bit confused on which one I want and can afford. But with this video I have a clear head on what am going for. Bless your heart.

[@MikeMDs]

Thank you. I make these videos for people like you!

[@athousandtinycobras4349]

Thanks for the video. In my opinion, manual transmission 2005-06 R53 and R50 MINIs are the best - all the bugs were worked out by then (e.g., Getrag instead of Midlands transmission), and the first-generation cars are the purest design. I also think the first generation 1.6L Tritec motor was far more reliable than the second-generation motors. If you get (got) a MINI in automatic - you're buying it (bought it) for its looks, not its driving dynamics, and that's fine, but you're missing out on a lot of the fun driving experience. I've owned a 2005 R50 (manual, of course) since new and don't think I'll ever get rid of it. I look forward to driving it. I smile almost every time I drive it. And it's plenty fast if you know how to drive and appreciate a naturally aspirated engine. I don't have anything against R53s, I just couldn't afford one back in 2005!

[@jay128k9]

I had a 2014 f56 mini cooper auto and put around 80000 miles on it without fault and still drove like the day I first got it

[@keirahirons3332]

I still have my r50 and it is awesome I love it

[@jamesdrichardson3447]

I've owned two R53 Mini Cooper S's and I can't rule out buying a 3rd. The first was a 2003 model with 82k miles, totally standard and I never had any problems with it. The second was a 2004 with the same mileage but modified from 163bhp up to around 230 and again no issues, both were great cars, so much so my daughter took over the ownership of the second car and kept it for 2 years. We both never lost a penny in depreciation as I bought it from an auction,.....a risk but I know my cars and what's good or bad. I'd say these cars are owned mostly by people who don't care or understand how a car needs to be looked after, they fuel it up time after time and drive it thinking it needs nothing else and then of course something breaks. CHECK YOUR OIL for goodness sake, yes you do need to take care inserting and removing the dipstick as it's fiddly but keep the level at its maximum or just below. Check your Coolant level too as that's another issue these cars can suffer with,.... head gasket failure due to overheating caused by low coolant level. The early Mini's were powered by engines jointly developed by BMW and Peugeot and they do need to be looked after and maintained. The moral of this story is you can't own and drive a Mini Cooper S as you would a Toyota Corolla,....those who do are the ones who run into trouble.

[@MikeMDs]

Couldn't of said it better myself. Thanks for watching

[@johnk815]

Very informative. I have a 2009, I checked the oil and it was running 2qts low. Hope it wasn’t damaged.

[@Tenr540]

Yo email me - [e-mail] I wanna talk to you about ur mini

[@ericeinar]

Have a 2004 Mini Cooper with a CVT transmission. After about a year the transmission would not shift. I parked it immediately and drained the transmission. It’s a sealed system so you have to tear it apart (not too bad thought). The transmission was two quarts short. I refilled it to proper levels. Still have it and no problems with the transmission after three years doing this. Great car, don’t buy one unless your a mechanic.

[@showtime951]

I had a 2009 Clubman S. I absolutely loved driving it. Quick, relatively fast, great on gas, and handled like a shifter cart. Unfortunately, I was on my 3rd engine in 14 months after I bought it in 2017, while taking excellent (by the Manual) care of it. Do not think of purchasing any 'S' model 2013 or older. If you do, you will never forget reading this... You will lose your mind, time, and a lot of f-ing money.

[@rayo1371]

thanks. ... was feeling nostalgic for the Clubman I enjoyed for a few years and sold trouble free ( non-S). Considering a stick S ... thanks for the warning ...

[@mexkdspEd44]

I had the exact same year and model. I share the same sentiment. LOVED the car when it wasn't broken but it just had too many problems. I'd love to get another mini if I could convince myself to trust in it's reliability again

[@freqenc]

05 Cooper S, Man. AC Compressor and Harmonic Balancer replaced $1500 plus total. 95% loss of power, driving at 10MPH after 2 days of noticing. I deliver pizza and "drive it like a stole it" but no other issues since(89K miles). I traded in my Audi A4 because of this "Pocket Rocket". "Racing is a sport, winning in a race is a feeling... Driving a Mini Cooper is a ... *_Feeling!_*

[@paulwalker5005]

Very informative, Thank you. I have the gen2 John Cooper Works,so much fun, one of the best cars I've ever had and that's comparing it to my Porsche 911.

[@Jeff-rm4uh]

Great video with the exception of one thing . . . . no mention whatsoever of the Mini Cooper D diesel for those of us chasing fantastic fuel mileage !! 11:10

[@anoukpoelmans2768]

I have a R55 One D Clubman from 2011, 1.6 BMW diesel engine (European version). I bought it new and has now 200 000 Km (125 000 Miles) still driving, only had a clutch replacement and exhaust problems. I disconnect the EGR-system and cleaned out the soot filter. I agree on bad plastics, mainly on the intake where the air filter is located. And my leaver for the bonnet has broken as well. For over seven years and high milage, it is actualy a good car with low maintaince. And about the dipstick, I think this is only a issue on the gasoline engines. I keep on driving it to the end.

[@zsoltpapp3363]

Its a Peugeot-Citroen (PSA) engine btw.

[@captainvector]

Wish we could have gotten the diesels in the states!

[@johnfell4140]

@@zsoltpapp3363 mid 2010 / 2011 the LCI models have a BMW N47 instead of the PSA unit. 👍

[@wesscotchdog9078]

I got the last year for the 4 cylinder JCW S, 2013. Great car, complete with grey union jack roof, mirrors, etc.

[@MikeMDs]

Nice! Enjoy

[@russellbushnell1965]

Thank you for your honesty...the world will appreciate it

[@businessjetguru1298]

I have a 2017 Mini Cooper S Clubman. It has 38,000 miles. Superb car. Both S and non-S have a twin-turbo engine. The 8-speed tiptronic is a superb transmission. Tires were just replaced. Average 34 mpg. Very good for longer trips. Wheels are 17” which allowed me to buy meaty second set of tires that are super-quiet. The steering and all four wheels needed serious re-alignment, and reduced tire life by at least 5,000 miles. I am 6’3” and 225 pounds, and the car is very, very comfortable. I have owned Porsche Boxsters, Porsche 911’s, up to the Turbo, and a Cayenne Turbo. The Mini has a 0-60 of 6.7 seconds, and is superb to drive, with lively steering and excellent handling at all speeds. I will change the lights to LED’s, as the headlights aren’t great. For just over $30,000 and 0.9% interest, the Mini is excellent value.

[@Xxkilluminati91xX]

Wow thanks Mike! Excellent video and great information. I looked at a 2010 S model today that was running pretty rough. The owner mentioned that it would eat oil and he would have to top it off from time to time. He said it might have overheated at one point and that he just had to replace the turbo. Watching this video just made everything click. Many thanks my dude.

[@captainvector]

James Goose Run away from that car!

[@Blueguitar007]

Can't you just check the dipstick for oil on mk2?

[@ridgoro]

Thanks for your recommendation! I was able to get a 2012 cooper S with only 30k miles on it!

[@lynncowan9864]

R56 (2nd Generation) has Valvetronic from at least mid 2007 - non-S also. Watch out for cooling system issues and change the oil every 3-4k miles - DO NOT wait for the instrument cluster reminder, that is a ridiculously long service interval, and it killed a lot of these engines. Do regular oil and cooling system service, and don't ignore any of the warning lights. If you see one, get it checked immediately. Very fun little cars. Packed with quirky personality.

[@MikeMDs]

Appreciate your input!

[@searaydrivingguy]

i own a 2005 s convertible i live in rainy vancouver bc i have no leaks inside at all i have no wind noise pretty tight been great i forget i am in convertible sometimes i beg to differ buy a convertible there super fun with the top down and handles even better these are the last of the real minis the super charged mini s convertible 2005/6 will be a collector car one day

[@MyMLC66]

searaydrivingguy I have the last of the supercharged mohicans- a 2008 Sidewalk edition convertible. Like you, I have no issues with the roof and it’s like having two cars in one when I put the roof down. Absolutely love it and it has been generally reliable except for the usual wear and tear parts.

[@cyndeemeyer4663]

Completely agree on the convertible. I own two. 2008 Non-S manual (which is actually 1st gen) and 2019 S manual. My older one needs a clutch and the power steering went out while awaiting delivery of my new one. Really though, for 190k miles and driving her as hard as I did, I'm surprised that's all that's broken/worn. I'll get her fixed up so she can come out and play again soon.

[@greyhamlogan2255]

If you own a car you should regularly check oil and water level, how is it even possible to run out.

[@free2chill727]

awesome video, all facts no filler, loved it

[@TheGreatUniterIsHere]

I own mini cooper s 2002 got brand new at that time still run fine at 250K miles. No issue. From time to time i do service full of car.

[@MikeMDs]

Nice!!

[@andrewdomenitzdmd]

I own a 2006 Mini Cooper S automatic at 73000 miles ordered with every option except NAV and the dealer installed body kit. I do mean everything. It cost 35000 out the door. You could get them for 25000 without the stuff I got. I have had it since June 2006 and have done a lot of research and a lot of preventive maintenance. I have never been broken down on the road. I have run this car back and forth FL to NY a few times, at high Mph and long durations. It is great in the snow, but you had better know how to handle front wheel drive understeer problems if you are going to push this car hard through corners. Take it to an empty lot if you want to learn about it safely. Otherwise, you are going to find out if the airbags work when you run it off the road one day. They have known engine cooling problems. The thermostat housings fail and the cooling fan resistor goes bad. I fixed the resistor by splicing in an external resistor and a metal aftermarket thermostat housing stops it from leaking. The idiots from BMW/MINI say that the automatic transmissions are lifetime lubricated. Anyone who believes that needs to think again. My opinion is changing it every 30 K. I replaced the transmission fluid with Mobil 1 synthetic at 45k, Which was turning brown but not burned,, even though they said it cant be done. Besides this, the upper motor mounts fail and so do the lower control arm bushings prematurely. Of course, if you have your foot to the floor all the time, you should not expect the best wear and tear out of it. They used these cars in a movie called "The Italian Job" not long ago and it made them really popular. Find out about the movie yourself. When they were stealing the gold, they made the cars look like fantastic, but there was no way they could actually put that kind of weight in them and do the maneuvers. This car is not for 0-60 acceleration primarily. It is all about the handling. I have heavy duty sway bars and Koni shocks all around. It is a blast. The six-speed Aisen automatic transmission with the paddle shifters works great for the control of power. This transmission is used on a lot of other manufactures cars in slight variation. The power or the supercharged motor can be increased with a slightly smaller pulley on it. It also reacts way faster than the turbo. of the next generation. I could go on an on about this car, believe me, there is more. Overall I have really enjoyed it and have it for sale to the right person. My mechanic hates me for knowing more about it than him.

[@wam44]

Mini's are very fun-I have owned 3. R60's if I remember. 2 new and the last (plug in hybrid) used. Always traded before warranty expired. They are quick and handle very well and made me smile every time I got in it. Very expensive to fix when the time comes. My last one was the plug in hybrid-What a piece of junk. Crappy mileage on battery or gas, kept throwing check engine codes and the dealer(s) couldn't figure out why. Eventually, they replaced the "regenerative charging system" on one (or both) of the back wheels. Out of curiosity I asked how much that would have costed me if the car wasn't under warranty. It was some ridiculous amount of money like $6 to $8 thousand dollars or higher-I don't remember exactly. I started planning my exit strategy right then and there and eventually traded it in for a 2020 Toyota Rav4 hybrid and I couldn't be happier. My RAV is worth almost $10K more now than when I bought it. Mini's were expensively fun while they lasted. Don't think I will ever buy Mini again.

[@MikeMDs]

Thanks for your input !

[@wam44]

@@MikeMDs Sure - thanks for the vid - I was looking the the all electric just for fun-it is competitive with other electrics and best of all: It a Mini! LOL I had a lot of fun in my Mini's-it was time to move on...

[@stevedickson5853]

Concerning the oil on the 2nd generation..have you ever tried just checking the oil level dip stick !

[@biodrummindieseler]

I know that Mercedes stopped having oil dipsticks on their engines around 2011, maybe that's the case with Minis.

[@dirtybeatzuk3292]

I brought a Mini cooper S R53, it has a Pro-werx Racing engine installed, probably the best engine upgrade you could do if you want power and reliability with better fuel economy. The car is a beast.

[@carlomagnoaguilar5559]

Very informative! I wish I would've seen this video back then. probably saved us a lot of money. hehe currently driving a 2004 non S (almost 300k on it) but did a lot of preventive maintenance on it though. looking forward to see more mini videos!

[@littlebird1065]

Hi🙋🏽‍♀️ i have a 2012 mini cooper luv it!!have had it for 4 yrs. only had to do brakes and battery,lots of power!!!👌👌

[@TheHeartsandcake90]

Thanks for this! I don’t know much about cars but I want to buy a mini soon.

[@MikeMDs]

Your welcome. Good luck!

[@randallstewart175]

Give yourself a break - don't buy a Mini used. The favorite of Mini buyers is to buy them new, let the dealer suck up all of the failures under the warranty, and sell them to someone like you at 70,000 miles, knowing that the drive train and electrical system is going to self-destruct in the next 20k miles. A total money pit.

[@stewp.3298]

@@randallstewart175 This is true for BMW products, I find they require major repairs at 100K. I'll never buy another BMW.

[@scottmcgowan5861]

I agree with R. Stewart to a degree. The higher the mileage on a car you're considering equals higher risk. I bought my '15 Mini Cooper S 4dr hardtop in 2018 as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle with only 21,000 miles on it. I believe it may be the best way to buy a used car. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened with my car but to be fair it only has 30,000 miles on it as of Nov/2020. I track my car, too, and still nothing wrong. Remember, whoever has no problems will like their car; whoever has problems will not. Regular maintenance!

[@markleaning107]

Belive me do not buy a mini there just total junk the engines destroy themselves after about 30.000

[@jimmcrae7198]

I have a 2006 with the auto cvt with 230k miles .. runs great..