fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
BMW engines aren't all that TBH. Mini's are expensive when they break, and they do.
A mini cooper question.
- Thread starter Dave7
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BMW engines aren't all that TBH. Mini's are expensive when they break, and they do.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
They can. But they've also built some lemons too along the way.
The 1.5 unit the OP's grandon has acquired isn't too bad, but neglect it at you (or his) peril, because if it does break old Brian's Dad's mate down at Bombsite Motors won't be up to the job. It'll be dealer or marque specialist, both of which are spendy.
But cherish it and you minimise the odds...but that's never a guarantee.
I wouldn't have problem, but I'd buy very carefully. i certainly wouldn't want one with 80k's worth of someone elses abuse on it unless I knew the person it had come from.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Mini's at least seem good on corrosion protection - those that mechanically still run look in good condition, and little rust, but mechanicals and electricals would put me off. I know too many people who have had problematic Mini's.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
I know people with just about every make and model who've had grief with their cars - you take your chances, but you stack the odds in your favour by doing your homework, avoiding leggy examples, and then not trying to be clever and maintain it on the cheap.
The R56 MINI with that engine doesn't fare too badly in either JD Power or the What Car Reliability Index, and as a brand they rank above Nissan, Vauxhall, Ford, VW, Mercedes, Audi and the Mothership BMW in the latter, so while I'd be cautious I would read the cold hard numbers and ignore the gossip.
I mean, people crow about VW's famed reliability and build quailty, and both are largely non-existent. Stick to the evidence when buying, not the legend.
The R56 MINI with that engine doesn't fare too badly in either JD Power or the What Car Reliability Index, and as a brand they rank above Nissan, Vauxhall, Ford, VW, Mercedes, Audi and the Mothership BMW in the latter, so while I'd be cautious I would read the cold hard numbers and ignore the gossip.
I mean, people crow about VW's famed reliability and build quailty, and both are largely non-existent. Stick to the evidence when buying, not the legend.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Oil changes are key, and if someone has done it, you should be fine !
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Damn right me old mucker, and with he proper spec oil! Most important with the tight tolerances in those engines.
Badger_Boom
Veteran
- Location
- York
Re there any cars that are cheap and don't? It's all relative anyway.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Ford wet belt hell, Nissan 3 pot turbo failure, or Dacia clutch disintegration aren't exactly a breath of fresh air for the wallet, and they're mainstream "affordable" brands.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
I can only speak of the car's I've owned. Toyota and Nissans - 20 plus year. My last Nissan was 23 when I sold it recently, and it passed the MOT with no advisories, and is currently being used by a new owner. Let's say, my new vehicle, 3 years old, I've bought two years servicing and warranty, and spent a long time researching the vehicle and engine variant before buying one.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
And the Ford Ecoboom escapade before the wet belts.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
My Daughters 40 month old Nissan just ingested it's turbo 4 months out of warranty. Only ever dealer serviced, Nissan don't want to know, despite us now discovering it's a faily common issue.
Ive never broken a leg...that doesn't mean that millions of others haven't.
Ive never broken a leg...that doesn't mean that millions of others haven't.
Yes the original Mini, pretty reliable, cheap to repair
Profpointy
Legendary Member
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Well, I know Aygo's will run fine on 1 litre of oil. See car DIY. Robust little engines the 1KR-FE !
