Inspecting and minding an older New Mini in Cork

cantdecide

A friend of mine is looking for an early New Mini. I'm just wondering wondering about who can inspect and/ or look after one of these in Cork apart from Keary's?

Any other advice on these cars?

toyotaavensis

where abouts in the city are you

cantdecide

The car, myself and my friend are all between Glanmire and Midleton.

corkgsxr

Make sure it dont burn oil or coolant

toyotaavensis

is it a private sale?

SleeperService

Have a look at miniclub.ie, plenty cork members, one of whom is an independent new and old mini specialist (in ballincollig). Knows them inside out and can sort some the common issues at much better prices than main dealer.

Some common issues, power steering, gearbox, window motors. Guess you are talking 02 ish? Lack of servicing and attention should be obvious but some are looked after better than any other car that age. Very nice to drive!

cantdecide

corkgsxr wrote: »

Make sure it dont burn oil or coolant

Will do.

toyotaavensis wrote: »

is it a private sale?

Yes indeed.

SleeperService wrote: »

Have a look at miniclub.ie, plenty cork members, one of whom is an independent new and old mini specialist (in ballincollig). Knows them inside out and can sort some the common issues at much better prices than main dealer.

Some common issues, power steering, gearbox, window motors. Guess you are talking 02 ish? Lack of servicing and attention should be obvious but some are looked after better than any other car that age. Very nice to drive!

I'm going to see if I can find that guy. He sounds like the kind of person I'm looking for.

It's a 2002. The car has a "new gearbox" but I can't say whether it's reconditioned, second hand etc. There was a clutch fitted at the same time.

It does have big mileage though. 140,000 miles. Is that something to worry about in itself? I don't know if there's service history but the seller is the second owner and has had the car 10 years.

SleeperService

cantdecide wrote: »

Will do.



Yes indeed.



I'm going to see if I can find that guy. He sounds like the kind of person I'm looking for.

It's a 2002. The car has a "new gearbox" but I can't say whether it's reconditioned, second hand etc. There was a clutch fitted at the same time.

It does have big mileage though. 140,000 miles. Is that something to worry about in itself? I don't know if there's service history but the seller is the second owner and has had the car 10 years.

Yeah, kinda leftover rover gearbox. Plastic.yokey around bearings wears (afaik) and a recon box should be fine. Not a super box on the best of days but otherwise good cars. Check both windows work and are dipping properly when you open close doors. Awkward yokes to fix considering its a just a problem with the motor brushes from what I've seen. 02 had crappy underseat connectors, can throw a lotta airbag faults. I bought a code resetter tool, but haven't tested it yet.

A power steering pump on the way out should give some warning im told - intermittent on startup, sometimes youll have assistance, sometimes you wont. Havent had gearbox or steering pump issues, she has the car now 5years - just general wear and tear apart from some DIY fixes.

Seems like a good sign that one owner has it that long. Good few around with that mileage, once it has been serviced right and gearbox is good there's life in it yet!

mgbgt1978

cantdecide wrote: »

I'm going to see if I can find that guy. He sounds like the kind of person I'm looking for.

Removed post. Will PM any recommendations to OP.

ofcork

Ive heard the guy in ballincollig always been recommended,know of people who use him no probs.

cantdecide

Thanks folks. I'm pretty sure I'd pick up most major faults or a long list of minor and potentially expensive minor faults. I definitely wouldn't trust myself to assess it from stem to stern.

Do you think I would be okay bringing it to a non specialist if I can't find someone suitable? I'm also thinking the seller may pull the 'bring a mechanic' thing which is only fine up to a point. I'm thinking bringing it to a nearby mechanic would be a fair compromise and there are several in Little Island.

burke027

We do a lot of minis
Check wheel bearings very common
Gearbox but u said this was done.
The cars can leak water through the front windscreen down into the car. The car ecu is in thst corner at the bonnet catch another common fault.
The timing chains give some trouble well only the tensioniers but I'd presume this has being done st this stage.
Oh the abs sensors ain't great either.
And the usual problem with the mini back boxes on the exhaust rotting also.
Not to scare u put there some common problems but in general the a good little car

burke027

We do a lot of minis
Check wheel bearings very common
Gearbox but u said this was done.
The cars can leak water through the front windscreen down into the car. The car ecu is in thst corner at the bonnet catch another common fault.
The timing chains give some trouble well only the tensioniers but I'd presume this has being done st this stage.
Oh the abs sensors ain't great either.
And the usual problem with the mini back boxes on the exhaust rotting also.
Not to scare u put there some common problems but in general the a good little car

SleeperService

Yeah sure, any good mechanic could give it a once over. No major mystery to them, only someone who has seen a lot of them would have knacks for fixing certain things. Power steering pumps are quite loud, thats normal. Gearbox will be whining if it needs work. Always a bit "crunchy" into reverse.

Im struggling to think of any other major things, but lets face it - an almost 12yr old car with 140k, a few run of the mill jobs would add a good chunk of the purchase price on. 1 owner for 10 years should be able to give a good account of servicing.

cantdecide

Quick update. I had a look and found the following issues.

-Coolant was below minimum (although heated and cooled fine)
-Developed what seems like a misfire on one cylinder after about 15 mins
-Back box was rusty here and there and seems to be banging about excessively.

The car was quite honest in general and is nice and tight to drive. Gearbox appears bang on. I've told my friend at this stage that if she likes this one, it's going to need a thorough look over if she wants to proceed and it may still have to be bypassed.

SleeperService

There is a metal strap/bracket that supports the exhaust. Common for it to have rusted through. Double skin box, can look rusty on outside but still have life in it for a while.
Got a nice replacement in ballincollig (pipe tip suits mini, sounds good), cant remember the price but it was reasonable.

Coolant thats bang on the level for the rest of the year can drop a little this weather. But in conjunction with misfire... Definitely get a mechanic before you proceed. There must be a good few 02 out there, with less mileage, is there specific trim/colour that this one has?

cabb8ge

SleeperService wrote: »

--
Coolant thats bang on the level for the rest of the year can drop a little this weather. --

for what reason?

SleeperService

cabb8ge wrote: »

for what reason?

Im guessing its to do with water density over temperature (i know coolant isnt pure water but...) http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/de/physics20/heat/heat_images/water_graph.gif

Although there's a lotta cheap BMW spec plastic in that engine bay, could be a leak from thermostat or expansion bottle.
Airbox clips, battery cover clips, are laughably weak, seen better plastic in a Christmas cracker.

testicle

cabb8ge wrote: »

for what reason?

It's cold, things shrink in the cold.

cabb8ge

testicle wrote: »

It's cold, things shrink in the cold.

Water will "shrink" down to 4 deg C, not to extent that level in reservoir will drop. After 4 deg C water expand.

mgbgt1978

testicle wrote: »

It's cold, things shrink in the cold.

This guy should know.....most apt username for a post in a while.:D