Opinions plz- best Mini under $20??

[RussianBlue]

Hey guys -

Looking to getting a Mini !

Looking to spend under $20k and want a cooper S or JWC.

Any opinions on best/better years??
Turbo VS Supercharged?
Avoid high mileage?
Known issues?

Will be a daily driver and no track time.
Knowing my habits I'll probably do minor bolt on mods - exhaust etc...

thanks!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The supercharged versions are the earlier ones, up through 05 or so. They will be older and tend to have more miles than the later cars.

The CVT automatic is just plain bad news. The early 5-speeds are evidently somewhat problematic as well. Watch for mushrooming suspension mounts. Watch for stripped spark plug holes.

I am more familiar with the issues the R56 cars (06+, the S and JCW versions are turbocharged) because I pay more attention to R56 issues. They include:
- High-pressure fuel pump, causes lots of driveability issues as well as not-running
- Thermostat housing, it's plastic and can leak
- Timing chain tensioning system, the tensioner is sensitive to low oil levels and can fail to keep tension even when the oil level is correct at times; this has caused problems up to and including engines jumping time and destroying themselves
- Turbo oil feed line, tends to leak or clog; should be inspected regularly
- Carbon buildup, the Direct Injection on these cars means the back of the valves do not get washed by fuel, so oil vapor can deposit on the valves and clog up the intake
- Premature clutch wear; there seems to be a higher than normal incidence of clutches wearing out quickly in the R56 (especially the Countryman version) than in other cars
- Safety recall in some cases for the turbo's aux water pump, which has in a handful of cases caught fire

They're not unreliable cars, but they're not as dependable as (for instance) most Hondas or Toyotas.

--DD

[RussianBlue]

Really appreciate the response!
Good info!

Should the earlier supercharged cars be avoided?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The earlier cars certainly have their fans. They will be older and tend to have more mileage than the newer cars, but that's true for everything.

There is nothing wrong with the supercharged cars. They are more easily modified than the later ones--a pulley change will get you more boost, for example. They are also regarded as more responsive and more go-kart-like.

They probably have their own issues, but I have only really paid attention to the later cars. Because that's what I have.

--DD

[RussianBlue]

Hey Dave - picked up a 2006 JCW today! 43k miles and no mods... couldn't pass it up.

I actually do not want to mod the car much past a cat back exhaust perhaps?
I have an old hot rod 911 that's all modded which I race around in.

Also moving to CA next week - can you give me any insight into:
- aftermarket exhaust recommendations?
- any issues with CA emissions?

Many thanks!