I am currentlydriving a Nissan X trail diesel and my wife has a old pug106 for work,the Nissan is parked up most of time and mainly used for towing with.I am thinking of selling Nissan it is worth around £9k and buying a Mini One around 2002 for my wife to use and a cheap diesel estate for towing.Anyway i don't know alot about the bmw Minis,what should i be looking for and what sort of fuel economy should i expect?Are the early mini much cop?
ta Andrew.
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I've just sold an 06 Mini One. Over 12,000 miles, mostly in 30 and 40 limits, it average 37 mpg. Mine was absolutely faultless over the 16 months I owned it, the CBCB will point out what to look out for.
I'd say that the Mini is style before substance though -we're replacing ours with a C1 or 107 - just as nimble, cheaper to run and insure and four and a half grand in the bank.
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Although you only use the X-Trail for occasional towing, one thing a tow car needs to be is reliable. Something that an old diesel estate is less likely to be.
Used Minis aren't cheap - you'll be paying a lot for a fashion car. Is this what you really want?
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I'm not a Mini fan. I think they are vastly overpriced for what they offer and I certainly would not buy a 2002 model - these had a number of gremlins. The phase 1 models I've driven were hard-riding and had a lot of creaks and rattles. You can do a lot better for your money than a Mini.
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MINI owned here from 2001 and sold recently run up to a mega mile (around 80k) Drove like new, cost little to service once the TLC pack expired. Total reliability, washed once a year (when serviced) and came up like a new penny, and actually worth something at the end of it. Don't listen to people who say that they are a fashion accessory, they've probably never driven one let alone owned one.
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Oooh I don't an to fight.....just the experience of one car owned by a very demanding driver who refused to sell even for tax reasons !
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Oooh I don't an to fight.....just the experience of one car owned by a very demanding driver who refused to sell even for tax reasons !
Her behind the doors??
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Indeed, as reported she now has GTi - totally inefficient in fiscal terms - but what a drive !
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I trust you mean the car Sir!
vvbr MD
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Yes. Now back to motoring !
Seriously, spoken to Mrs PU she says that the MINI was an excellent car, she used it more in an urban environment, easy to park, left unmolested eve in the less er...shiny bits of town, let out of junctions. The ride was harsh in "ours" and the power steering was a bit noisy, the fuel filler leaked (but was fixed) but it had character and never came to an involuntary halt - and strong residuals. They are good cars.
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They seem like poor value with their high list price, but you can get a good deal on a PCP as they hold their value so well: we did. The same applies to my daughter's 1.3 Yaris.
For the same reason a Mini may not be a very good buy used. Maybe Mrs AJ should try a 1.3 Yaris and find that it's almost as fun to drive as a Mini (yes, honestly) and she may get a newer one for the price.
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Must remember that the MINI is a car for the heart not the mind. You could do a lot worse, especially since residuals are pretty good.
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I can only echo what some have said.
My wife has a MINI ONE bought new 2003 (standard spec + Alloys/A-C/sports seats/revC/chrome pack) paid £11600. Value now if part/ex'd ?? 6K ??
Mileage now 45K
MPG dissappointing 32-ish (the car is used for a daily motorway commute 20 miles e/w - very few short runs). My wife drives economically and sticks to 70 on m/way.
The car has been very reliable, only 1 problem- replace rear wheel bearing at a cost of £190 at the dealer. The car is still on it's original pads & discs. I'm just about to replace the tyres for the second time. Insurance is cheap (Group 5) - we're paying £170 with full NCD (Gloucestershire).
It does handle very well - ours is on the "std" 15in alloys with "std" suspension. I would expect the sports suspension to be hard to the point of being VERY uncomfortable especially if you live in a speed hump area or have the 17in wheels.
Bad points - It does have some creaks and rattles, the engine is harsh & noisy to the point where the radio has to be turned right up in order to listen, and of course you cannot consider this car as practical, the rear seats are really for children only, the boot is tiny. And for a small city car the fuel economy is poor.
Our opinions are divided - my wife loves it & sees no reason to change.
I'm bored with it, I find it uncomfortable to drive for any distance, It's not practical and I'm fed up with people asking me how much their house is worth!!
If you want style with reasonable depreciation + good reliability - go for it
If you need the car to be in any way practical or want to drive long distances in a relaxing manner - don't.
Jacks
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