A full used buyer’s guide the mini covering the mini Mk2 (2006-2014)
BMW affected gold with its initial mini, thus it had been no surprise once the second version preserved all of the qualities and elegance of the initial. wanting even as stylish and giving identical opportunities for personalisation, the Mk2 mini would maintain to be a smasher similar to the primary.
However, despite that quality, and also the car’s resultant presence, serious depreciation is Associate in Nursing alien construct to mini homeowners, that is why you'll pay a astonishingly great deal to secure an honest Mk2 model of your own.
And before you are doing thus, you wish to form certain the automobile is worthwhile – as a result of whereas the mini is nice in many ways, some rivals provide higher price and usefulness.
Models coated
The iconic mini was re-launched by BMW in 2000, and is currently in its third generation. it is the Mk2, that was on sale from 2006 to 2014, that we'ree that specialize in here.
MINI Mk2 (2006-2014) – BMW baby offers a true feelgood issue as a second user purchase
MINI Mk2
Prices from £3,000
History
The mini Mk2 was launched in Nov 2006, in 120bhp Cooper and 175bhp Cooper S forms, with 1.6-litre gasoline engines.
By March 2007 the one.6-litre diesel-engined Cooper D and entry-level one.4-litre 95bhp gasoline One had joined the vary. From August 2007 stop/start was customary. In 2009, the 1.4-litre initial became the entry purpose, whereas the One got a one.6-litre engine.
The hot 211bhp John Cooper Works was introduced in March 2009, then a facelift in September 2010 brought new diesel engines and revised gasoline units, even a lot of personalisation choices and contemporary styling.
In September 2012, the most well liked mini of all arrived – the 218bhp John Cooper Works GP – before the vary was replaced by BMW’s Mk3 mini in spring 2014.
MINI Mk2 reviews
Which one ought to I buy?
All mini hatches feature 3 doors, thus it’s simply an issue of figuring out that engine, case and trim you would like. however mini is that the king of personalisation, thus you furthermore may got to pin down specifically what choices area unit fitted to any potential purchase.
A raft of special editions makes it tougher to stay track of what you’re buying; these embody the Soho, Graphite, Bayswater and Baker Street. All the engines area unit fine, though the one.4-litre gasoline unit isn’t ideal for pike cruising; we’d additionally stick to the six-speed manual case over the machine. the primary and One get steel wheels and also the former will while not air-con, thus aim for a minimum of a Cooper, that gets air-con and alloys.
Alternatives to the mini Mk2
An equally stylish rival to the mini is that the act five hundred, that is fun to drive, great-looking, smart price and comes in hatch or cabrio forms. however it’s no roomier than the Brit.
The Audi A1 comes with a five-door choice and could be a nonsuch. As you’d expect, it’s pricey, too, though there area unit some nice engines and build quality is great.
A less obvious rival is that the Alfa lover MiTo, that appearance sensible and is obtainable with some robust engines. the inside is classic Alfa, however, thus it's tantalizing notwithstanding the engineering area unit alittle suspect in places; it’s good price likewise. Don’t overlook the Citroen DS3, either. It’s spacious and fun to drive, and it’s a lovely alternative.
What to appear for:
Electrics
Electrical issues arise once the battery grounding strap fails. The electrics are often lost altogether, thus make certain everything works.
Sound system
If you’re staring at a mini with Associate in Nursing upgraded audio system, make sure the speakers work properly; they don’t forever.
Flywheel
Diesel MINIs will suffer from failure of the dual-mass regulator, and a replacement is dear. Listen out for rattling.
Starter motor
Some cars are tormented by weak starter motors, thus make certain the one that’s fitted can spin the engine over mirthfully.
Interior
The MINI’s cabin is distinctive, trendy and usually of a really prime quality, and also the front seats area unit cozy, too. however the rear seats area unit incommodious and access to them is poor, and the boot is little at simply one hundred sixty litres. Even with the seats sunray this jumps to simply 680 litres, thus usefulness isn’t a robust purpose.
Running prices
All mini Mk2s have variable pairing, permitting up to 2 years between checks. Cars designed up to 2009 would usually select ten,000 to 15,000 miles between services; from this time on, a a lot of subtle system was introduced, permitting up to twenty,000-mile intervals.
Fresh brake fluid is needed each 2 years (at £50), whereas the air-con is checked each service; recharging it prices around £80. There’s no cambelt to interchange.
Most MINIs accompany the wide tending pairing package, that lasts 5 years or fifty,000 miles; this will be flat-top up by another 3 years or thirty,000 miles for £275. several dealerships provide discounts to stay prices low.
Recalls
The regular mini Mk2 has been recalled one time, with cars designed from Gregorian calendar month to Gregorian calendar month 2007 affected. The rear anti-roll bar was overlarge in diameter; this meant it may detach, resulting in a loss of steering management.
Brake discs of too little a diameter were fitted to bound John Cooper Works models created in 2008, forcing another recall, and a few Cooper S and John Cooper Works cars were additionally known as back. This was as a result of the printed circuit for the turbo’s pump may contact.
Driver Power owner satisfaction
The last time a mini Mk2 got into our Driver Power satisfaction survey was in 2011, once it finished a unsatisfactory fifty fifth. homeowners told North American country poor ride quality let it down, as did a scarcity of usefulness and luxury. However, they did just like the MINI’s responsibility, running prices, handling and easy driving.
