tommotech Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 I have had my 1 Series BMW on Scumtree this last week, it's been a difficult sell due to the mileage I think. It's got nearly 250k and no one seems to be up for a car with that mileage showing, even though it has extensive history and has been serviced every 10k in the last 6 years. I have a guy coming over to look at it tomorrow but he has a 2003 Cooper Bini. This might be a good little thing for Mrs T, what to look for and what goes wrong though. Any experience anyone? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 What engine is in the 1-series? Something 6-cyl? Others will be on about the Bini. I believe gearboxes are the biggest thing on that generation. That, I think, is around the time when it switched from the original troublesome to the newer less troublesome box. Engines iirc are pretty bulletproof. tommotech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommotech Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 What engine is in the 1-series? Something 6-cyl?The 1 Series is a 118d, goes ok but 2 cylinders short. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hooli Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 The biggest problem with Binis is people thinking they are Minis AlabamaShrimp, LightBulbFun, michael1703 and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommotech Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 Checking prices and these look like they heading for Shite territory, have values nose dived recently or have I missed something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cort16 Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Howling power steering pumps and exploding gear boxes seem to be the main problems. Vince70 and Cavcraft 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beko1987 Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Water leaks from the front gutter trims, especially when previously fucked about with by BMW... tommotech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Reverend Bluejeans Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Pre 2004 means the Midland gearbox which is crap, power steering electric pumps fail and they can get really grotty underneath. If it's tidy and it drives alright, it'll be fine. Probably. tommotech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garbaldy Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 The meal time special is still serving us well starts every time and drives better than I ever expected and the daughter loves it which is a bonus. I'm on the hunt for a single 16in alloy to get rid of the crappy after market halfords specials it's fitted with though. tommotech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Power steering pumps are a fairly easy change and there are updated pumps available on exchange. Boxes - yes the boxes have a reputation but change the oil asap with some Redline MTL or fresh MTF 94 (Land Rover stock it) and you should be alright. Those boxes had a great reputation in Rovers and Peugeots but it would seem the power and torque characteristics of the Bini push the boxes to their limits. Run flat tyres often needed, always expensive so make sure anything you are looking at has decent boots Vince70 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulplom Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Can you not clock yours to help with the sale? scruff and The Reverend Bluejeans 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Snipes Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Can you not clock yours to help with the sale?Is that a joke? GrumpiusMaximus and paulplom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommotech Posted February 2, 2017 Author Share Posted February 2, 2017 Can you not clock yours to help with the sale?Really not what I'm into. GrumpiusMaximus and paulplom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf892 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I've had a 2008 diesel from about 20k to 105k and its been great. I change the oil every 5/6k because 1.6Hdi. Great car........very nippy......comfy and good on fuel. tommotech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig the Princess Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Can you not clock yours to help with the sale?You are Quentin Wilson AICMFP. tommotech, GrumpiusMaximus, Sigmund Fraud and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommotech Posted February 2, 2017 Author Share Posted February 2, 2017 Thanks for the comments, really helpful in making a judgement on this car. So the guy turned up, first shock as I was sceptical, and liked the BMW. Said it was exactly what he needed and wasn't concerned about the mileage, I know it's a problem from this experience but it truly was a well sorted 118d save for the battery dying after lack of use. Attention then turned to his Mini, not a bad little Cooper which drives ok but presents as a bit shabby. Needs a damn good clean and some TLC but the 'box feels good (at least no worse than equivalent Rover/PSA) and Power Steering works fine and isn't noisy, both items advised above. 146k showing with full history. After some tooing and froing a deal was struck and I'm in possession of a 2003 Mini Cooper. An oil leak is the only major thing I can see but can be easily sorted. Also needs a screen repair. Outgoing; Incoming; I've put it in for MOT this afternoon, fingers crossed. Once I know the extent of its condition I can make a decision on its future. beko1987, dave21478, Skizzer and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scruff Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Nice... I like em. Would love one for my wife but not really the most practical for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Reverend Bluejeans Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I'm running a 120d with close to 207'000 on the clock. All original and due its first set of replacement dampers, good little tram. Loving 52 mpg average. tommotech and JohnK 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I can't help but feel he's got the better end of the deal unless you got cash your way. I can't get excited over a resale black Cooper. My mates birds one was also a 03 plate and it wasn't a nice drive and then the gearbox started to sound like someone running their hand across a comb before giving up completely and costing them £1500 to fix. BorniteIdentity and Lord Sterling 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split_Pin Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 My wife's cousin has an 02 Cooper S on his mums drive that he's trying to shift. Apparently the pas motor is inop but apart from that it's reportedly sound. I was tempted but I have too many other car related expenses due in the near future. It's in a smashing colour too, a kind of gunmetal is how I would describe it. tommotech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommotech Posted February 2, 2017 Author Share Posted February 2, 2017 I can't help but feel he's got the better end of the deal unless you got cash your way. I can't get excited over a resale black Cooper. My mates birds one was also a 03 plate and it wasn't a nice drive and then the gearbox started to sound like someone running their hand across a comb before giving up completely and costing them £1500 to fix.I've done alright trigger, I got cash too and a car that seems to have more palatable mileage than the BMW. I really can't believe it was so difficult to move on at a reasonable price. The Mini should clean up ok and a bit of TLC will see it right. trigger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethj Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I would just like to say that an early Y Reg Cooper is on my list. Therefore I'm happy to read about other people's experiences, pitfalls, cries of despair etc. Is there a way to improve the ride on them? tommotech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Reverend Bluejeans Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I would just like to say that an early Y Reg Cooper is on my list. Funny you should mention that: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201701281749837?postcode=ng174gt&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&price-to=2500&year-to=2001&radius=1500&make=MINI&year-from=2001&sort=price-asc&page=1 tommotech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethj Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I'm sure I've seen that car on eBay. A grand for something that overheats and needs topping up with water seems a touch pricey. Even if it's the overflow tank that's leaking, an engine that has overheated makes me pull a sad face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarvinsMom Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 sadly i find myself been drawn towards the R50? original BINI stylistically the original one looks ok, much better now i think than it did when new, helped no doubt by the ugly goppin' horror that is now on sale. it seems tha Rover got the original BINI more or less right. i couldn't be doing with the blooper though, a "one" with hubcaps though, now you are talking.... tommotech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Either way even if the box is good, change the oil asap! The drain and filler plugs will resemble Robot Hedgehogs with all the bits of swarf stuck to them and you don't want that swilling around synchros and bearings. As mentioned Redline MTL is good but probably £20 a litre. The standard fill MTF 94 is half the cost and decent enough. The change is straightforward although it is a bit cramped underneath. Worst case scenario is the oil has been recently changed and there isn't any swarf about, so change it anyway and that's one little thing you can do to help the longevity of the box. is it riding on 17's? The wheels look pretty chunky! Mine was on 16's which was gr8 for handling but definitely not pothole friendly! Vince70 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommotech Posted February 2, 2017 Author Share Posted February 2, 2017 Oil changes and full service is on the list, I will have the result of MOT in the morning so will decide it future fate then. There is a recent clutch replacement in the history so I'm guessing the oil won't be that old, but definitely worth replacing, as you rightly point out Parky. It is on 17" run flats, handles well but you can feel every stone in the road almost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplebargeken Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I like 'em and may have one at some point. Thumbs up from me! tommotech and Zantimisfit 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parky Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I like them too, tempted to get another. Beauty of them is wheels and interiors for example are ten a penny on the bay so even if you get a scruffy one its not too hard to get them up to scratch. Even customised a bit! Always fancied a BRG one with a red interior! Don't think it was ever an option but easy enough to make myself tommotech 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig the Princess Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 I'd happily run around in a cheap early one, would upset some of my River owning chums saying that but I think they have added well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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