Hello, I am new to the forum and would like to get as much info on how to purchase a used Mini as possible. I have heard, like with all vehicles, that there are better years of production than others and was hoping that the collective knowledge here could save me a lot of time. Also in the little bit of research I have done I have discovered that the newer models seem to get a lot better mileage than the earlier ones, why?

 

The 07 and up models get better milage because they have a more advanced turbo engine instead of the old fashoned supercharged engine. (I like the supercharged one more) You want to avoid any Coopers between 02 and 04, they have pretty serious transmission defects but othe than that you can't really go wrong.

However, for 05 and 06 the Cooper and Cooper S got a "facelift" and there's just some cosmetic things that are updated, still the same mechanically. Very late 06 cars (like mine) actually have some suspension components and wheel hubs from the 07 but you'd never know it.

 

Thank you very much for the infromation. I ran into a lady that had a Mini that she said was a special edition with some sort of sport package and different suspension, can you give me any advise as to this model of car?

 

Probably a JCW... you can have that package added to any Cooper S though.