Mini Cooper owners

Dana Norris · 03-29-2013, 07:00 AM

I guess that this has been asked before, but I could not find it.
Does the standard 1.6 engine have a cam belt or chain and is it
an interference engine or not? TIA.....

Rot 911 · 03-29-2013, 07:09 AM

It's a chain. So nothing to worry about there.

Dana Norris · 03-29-2013, 07:50 AM

Thanks Kurt, the wife is looking at an 09 Clubman with an auto trans.

Rot 911 · 03-29-2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dana Norris

Thanks Kurt, the wife is looking at an 09 Clubman with an auto trans.

You should be ok with the 2009 auto trans. The previous version, up to 2005, had some serious design and software flaws, but not many complaints after that.

Personally I'm not a fan of the Mini auto trans, but lots of people seem to like it.

onlycafe · 03-29-2013, 08:58 AM

they replaced my engine at 48,900 miles after a catastrophic failure.
2007 mini s.

Neilk · 03-29-2013, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlycafe

they replaced my engine at 48,900 miles after a catastrophic failure.
2007 mini s.

What happened?

onlycafe · 03-29-2013, 11:13 AM

timing chain snapped...adios valve train.
forgot to bring my cell phone, as a result had a six mile walk home at midnight, at least there was no rain.

Don Ro · 03-29-2013, 11:16 AM

I had a wild hair up my butt a few months ago - thought it would be a fun car to own/drive - I like small cars.
I got tired of looking for the yr. & model that would be the least trouble.
I bought a new Ducati Hypermotard EVO SP 1100 instead.

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

My friend with the 308 Ferrari and several old Saab turbos just bought a used Mini with 70 K on it as a daily driver. Replaces a BMW 3-Series hatchback.

Timing chain on that one too, forget the year. Non-S model.

Dana Norris · 03-29-2013, 03:15 PM

Hey thanks for all the replies guys, I seem to recall a thread about 2 years back, by someone
here having blown an auto trans. in the wives Mini, but could not find the thread. Anyway the wife had a head on in her Veloster last week ( she was not at fault and walked away from the
crash with a few bumps ) the Veloster gave its all. I will never bad mouth Hyundai ever, my wife
of 28 years is fine just pissed off a bit she really liked her Veloster. So a car hunting we shall go
choices so far are Mazda 3 Hatch, Hyundai Elantra Touring Wagon, Mini Clubman. I will keep you
all posted. Dana.....

Dana Norris · 03-29-2013, 03:23 PM

Kach22I, I also have a Saab Turbo Wagon 2000 9-5 Low Pressure Turbo 5 speed stick as my
daily driver 160,000 miles still going strong. Looking to replace it soon with a ML350 Mercedes
this may have to wait a bit longer I still have my wife the ML can wait.

scottmandue · 03-29-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dana Norris

choices so far are Mazda 3 Hatch, Hyundai Elantra Touring Wagon, Mini Clubman. I will keep you
all posted. Dana.....

I am a life long Hyundai fan... wanted a veloster but they had just came out so couldn't get a deal on one. Walked away with a smoking deal on a Elantra... test drove the Mazda 3, way more fun to drive but more money too. Always wanted a Mini but wife sat in one and didn't like it (thus the elantra).

Wife is driving the Elantra and I got a 1996 Miata, it works for us...

Happy hunting!

Dana Norris · 03-29-2013, 03:46 PM

scottmandue, like your avatar by the way, we had a Miata for a few years after I sold the last
944 a few more years back. I have been watching Hyundai through the years as a friend of
mine bought one of the early Hyundai sedans new, and watched it fall apart before our eyes.
I felt so bad for her it was her first new car, Hyundai has come a very long way, all the auto
manufactures need to keep their eyes on Hyundai. Dana...

scottmandue · 04:49 PM

Oh, in that your mix is exactly like ours was (Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, Mini)

We also looked at the Toyota Matrix, nice car.

But in the end the Elantra won out on price (wifes is a 2010, gave my old 2005 Elantra with 100K miles to daughter who is off to college, car is still running strong)

Just to confuse you further, when I bought the Elantra I started looking at the Santa Fe while they were doing the paperwork... I almost stopped the paperwork and swiched to the Santa Fe... if you are looking at a Hyundai you might want to look at them too.

Just to comment, sold my 944 and replaced it with the Miata three month ago...

vbaron · 03-29-2013, 05:07 PM

I just bought a 2012 Mini Countryman ALL4 and it's great, still has that go-kart feeling despite being bigger. It was a used demo with 2600 miles on it, saved a ton of money on it. Problem with Mini is that the options add up fast. The only feature I can nitpick about is the size of the cupholder, hard to find a travel mug that fits it, I had to find one with a small diameter base.

Vin

dyusem · dyusem's Garage

I own a 2012 MCS w/auto tranny and it is one fun little car.

It gets great gas mileage (average 31.5) AND when the fun button is pressed, I begin wearing a very similar stupid smile to one that I wear when I'm driving my SC.

It is a great car to take into the City: super easy to park and navigate the hills of SF and it holds a bunch of stuff for two people to take it on road trips.

Service at the dealer has been surprisingly special. The recommended oil change is every 15k but I did my first at 7500 miles and will do another at 15k.

Buying gently used is the way to go...I got very lucky...good luck in your search!!!

R K T · 03-29-2013, 06:37 PM

^^^
We just did the same thing.....Found a 2012 S with only 4000 miles at the MINI dealer.
CPO so 5 year/100,000 mile warranty for 21,000 bucks. Fun little car!

onewhippedpuppy · 03-30-2013, 04:47 AM

Nice little cars. I had a 2004 non-S that was a blast. On a twisty back road BMWCCA drive I was able to easily hang with a Z4M Coupe and and LS1 powered 240Z. Obviously the had me on the straights but I was able to reel them back in when the road got twisty. What a fun little go-kart.

Rot 911 · 03-30-2013, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Nice little cars. I had a 2004 non-S that was a blast. On a twisty back road BMWCCA drive I was able to easily hang with a Z4M Coupe and and LS1 powered 240Z. Obviously the had me on the straights but I was able to reel them back in when the road got twisty. What a fun little go-kart.

My wife's first Mini was a 2006, 5 speed. She loved it so much that last year she traded up to a 2008 S, 5 speed with the John Cooper Works package. That solves the falling behind in the straights problem.

Dana Norris · 03-30-2013, 06:19 AM

dyusem: I really like that color combo, it really pops. Well today the wife and I go looking
after I get off work at noon, Mazda 3, Mini Clubman, Hyundai Touring, Hyundai Elantra and
who knows what else. The insurance company came through with a nice settlement I like
looking at cars but I hate car salesmen mostly slime, I will keep you all posted..... Dana...