PMRacing
PMRacing GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
2/16/25 3:22 p.m.

Part 1 - pre-GTI: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/am-i-nuts-s4-to-taco/196103/page1/ (and no, I don't really regret the selling the S4...that much)

I have a '23 GTI.  I haven't fallen in love with it.  Good commuter, I do like the DCC suspension, but the infotainment and general driving experience leave me just, meh, also automotive ADD is kicking in again.  It's over 40k miles so the warranty will be up this year. One of the main reasons for buying it new was the warranty.  It's been fairly reliable with only infotainment updates and one CEL visit at the dealer.  

A friend of mine bought a '10 MINI Cooper S that had the plastic coolant line blow.  He had the head redone, replaced the timing chain tensioner (guides were good), new plugs, water pump and a few other things. It has 148k miles. The car looks really clean all over all, no corrosion, everything seems to work from what I'm told. I'm going to go see it in a couple of weeks.

Reason for the switch: With the GTI getting out of warranty, I'll be back to doing all maintenance myself and I want to get out of a car payment. He's offered the car to me under market value.  The goal would be to stash the car payments for a couple of years. 

I've searched here and found a few threads on the R56. It seems the problem areas have been taken care of on this car.  Would it make it a couple of years or to 200k miles? Am I really nuts (maybe don't answer that...lol)? 

Thanks, GRM!

DeadSkunk  (Warren)
DeadSkunk (Warren) MegaDork
2/16/25 3:36 p.m.

In reply to PMRacing :

I can't speak to specific R56 issues, but I've been driving R53s for 18 years now. They're fun little cars, but there is a constant apprehension about what may go wrong next. If it's cheap enough I say go for it, just remember it's not a Toyota.

EchoTreeSix
EchoTreeSix Reader
2/16/25 4:40 p.m.

To answer your question: yes, but aren't we all? 

I feel like the timing chain being done is great. From what I've read about them (R56) it looks like your friend took care of all the major stuff. 

Datsun240ZGuy
Datsun240ZGuy MegaDork
2/16/25 5:07 p.m.

I'd do it if you're disciplined to put that car payment away every month. 

Have you had it for two years?  Can you double up and quickly finish the loan then start saving for VW repairs?  Is that Mini up to handling 20,000 miles a year?  

In just two years that VW will be at 80,000 miles but that Mini would be approaching 190,000 miles - big difference.

Steve_Jones
Steve_Jones UberDork
2/16/25 5:34 p.m.

What's under market? That's a $7k car here. 

CyberEric
CyberEric SuperDork
2/16/25 7:06 p.m.

You are ditching a car that is getting out of warranty for one of the most problematic cars I know of. Yeah, you're nuts!

But really though, do it!

PMRacing
PMRacing GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
2/16/25 7:18 p.m.

In reply to CyberEric :

True but a car that is still mostly DIYable vs. a computer on wheels with more sensors and nannies....

(I have thought about that though so leaning towards me being nuts 😁)

Coniglio Rampante
Coniglio Rampante GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
2/16/25 8:10 p.m.

Another vote for "nuts" after checking out the older thread and you said you ruled out Jeeps due to quality issues. 
But the heart wants what it wants, and those little MINI's are fun when everything's working.

SKJSS (formerly Klayfish)
SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) UltimaDork
2/16/25 9:50 p.m.

They're fun as berkeley, I had one.  They're also unreliable as berkeley, I got rid of mine before anything bad happened.  Don't do it.

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
2/16/25 11:27 p.m.

What's the worst that can happen? It's had the major issues addressed, they aren't that difficult to work on. Buy it, rack up some miles and move on to the next thing if something major breaks.

docwyte
docwyte UltimaDork
2/17/25 9:26 a.m.

So you're worried about going out of warranty and the replacement is a high mileage, old, used MINI/BMW?  Uh.....

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