1 hour ago, roblatus said:

Some food stuff here. Thanks to everyone. 

 

It would seem she is pretty adamant that she wants a mini. I think a diesel one would be best but will look into road tax etc for petrol. She won't be getting, and doesn't want a cooper s. She isn't even fussed about alloys. Lol. So even a one diesel would be good enough. Seems like there's plenty to choose for £3-4k.  So will keep an eye out. 

 

I assume that on an older one I can service it myself without having to go to BMW?

There are plenty of independent mini specialists. Mine goes to an independent as mini servicing costs are high. (For example £100 for brake fluid change as opposed to £40 at my local independent.)

 

Car tax for my 2013 Mini Cooper petrol 1600 is £135.

The ride is sporty so I chose to avoid low profile tyres as many are kitted out with these and also run flats. I am pleased that I chose so to do.

 

The Mini is a well built car. Don’t write off the petrol Cooper.......it’s a good car and dpf free!

Just now, kevberlin said:

There are plenty of independent mini specialists. Mine goes to an independent as mini servicing costs are high. (For example £100 for brake fluid change as opposed to £40 at my local independent.)

 

Car tax for my 2013 Mini Cooper petrol 1600 is £135.

The ride is sporty so I chose to avoid low profile tyres as many are kitted out with these and also run flats. I am pleased that I chose so to do.

 

The Mini is a well built car. Don’t write off the petrol Cooper.......it’s a good car and dpf free!

What sort of mpg are you getting? I think the newest we will be able to get for our budget is around a 2011 absolute max, that will probably be a One, not cooper

 

6 minutes ago, roblatus said:

What sort of mpg are you getting? I think the newest we will be able to get for our budget is around a 2011 absolute max, that will probably be a One, not cooper

 

Fill to fill tank measure on trip to Germany ended up at 53mpg.

Exactly the same on a round trip from Worcestershire to the Lake District.

I don’t commute so I am not in stop start traffic. However my general mpg is 48.

I generally drive smoothly but regularly open the car up.

 

Your budget means you should be able to purchase the “second generation mini” also known as the R56. (2007 to 2013).

There are plenty out there.

 

14 hours ago, roblatus said:

It would seem she is pretty adamant that she wants a mini.

Tell her that it's almost as big as a Skoda Superb - does she really want the hassle of parking something that big every time?

3 hours ago, SWBoy said:

Tell her that it's almost as big as a Skoda Superb - does she really want the hassle of parking something that big every time?

Actually, that just might work. I used to know a lady who thought a Morris Ital estate was the same size as a Peugeot 504 Familaile based on them both being painted burgundy and estate cars!

Can anyone with some mini knowledge let me know about cam belts/chains?

 

Do the diesels and petrol have belts or chains?

 

 

The R56 petrol was chain driven. Just remembered with the petrol as it’s direct injection you get coking on the valves. 

Sorry for dragging this thread up again.

 

But theres a new contender on the list.

 

 

Suzuki Ignis :-)

 

 

I must admit, having had a good read of lots of reviews they seem to be pretty good, i realise the looks of it are a bit marmite.

 

Can get the SZT version for a reasonable price brand new. Going to the local dealers at the weekend to see what the wife thinks of it.

 

 

As much as i like a Suzuki Ignis, maybe check out a Up!MiiCitigo if they are big enough. 

They really are a good and sensible City & further travelling car.

 

I have looked at many new and used recently as a daily / local run around while waiting for the New Jimny to become available.

Decided a used Citroen C4 Cactus will do the job, i am sick to the teeth of careless parkers and those muppets that park shopping trolleys against others cars.

Even when driving small narrow cars and staying in the middle of spaces still do not stop them parking too close and hitting your car.  

 

 

 

Drum rear brakes, simple rear windows, and not going to give a damn about touching painted bits other making sure they are not going to rust.

Will go Grey or Red, Red being the easy touch up if bothering, Grey can go unwashed..

 

Edited 2 August, 20187 yr by Offski

23 minutes ago, Offski said:

As much as i like a Suzuki Ignis, maybe check out a Up!MiiCitigo if they are big enough. 

They really are a good and sensible City & further travelling car.

 

I have looked at many new and used recently as a daily / local run around while waiting for the New Jimny to become available.

Decided a used Citroen C4 Cactus will do the job, i am sick to the teeth of careless parkers and those muppets that park shopping trolleys against others cars.

Even when driving small narrow cars and staying in the middle of spaces still do not stop them parking too close and hitting your car.  

 

 

George ,most marked out parking spaces, supermarkets, multi-storey etc. are 10 - 15 year behind the times, on relative size of modern day cars. (cars keep getting bigger)

Compound that, with what you say about rubbish parking - result, careless parking damage .

I park in Disabled parking places when i can to get my drivers door open fully to get in and out and the crazies still seem to be able to get too close.

I use Parent / Child spaces if that is all that is available & if they are available not filled by joggers and dog walkers or Big SUV's with no place else to go even though no children present.

5 hours ago, Offski said:

As much as i like a Suzuki Ignis, maybe check out a Up!MiiCitigo if they are big enough. 

They really are a good and sensible City & further travelling car.

 

I have looked at many new and used recently as a daily / local run around while waiting for the New Jimny to become available.

Decided a used Citroen C4 Cactus will do the job, i am sick to the teeth of careless parkers and those muppets that park shopping trolleys against others cars.

Even when driving small narrow cars and staying in the middle of spaces still do not stop them parking too close and hitting your car.  

 

 

 

Drum rear brakes, simple rear windows, and not going to give a damn about touching painted bits other making sure they are not going to rust.

Will go Grey or Red, Red being the easy touch up if bothering, Grey can go unwashed..

 

So, the wife has a Citigo which is approaching the end of its PCP. Hence why we are looking around. I think she will get bored of another one. And I like the fin elements of the Suzuki. I am hoping she will too. 

What about an Up GTI, would that keep her interest and yours?

2 hours ago, Offski said:

What about an Up GTI, would that keep her interest and yours?

I am extremely happy with my MK2 Octy vRS TDI. 

The up GTi is not a bad shout. But it's a bit more than we want to pay really. And I believe there's a waiting list. 

 

Not definitely getting an Ignis but I am intrigued to have a look and drive myself.  Most reviews seem generally favourable and it's something different from the usual stuff, something which first led to me buying my first ever Skoda a good decade ago at least. 

Well after a visit to the local dealer today we have bought this for the wife. She really liked it and we chopped the Citigo in against it. 

 

I had a drive and I must admit it was quite good fun. Steering not as keen as the Citigo though. 

 

 Great choice. I have a huge soft for these. Im hoping at some point they do a sports model like they did with the old one. 

15 minutes ago, stevobeavo said:

 Great choice. I have a huge soft for these. Im hoping at some point they do a sports model like they did with the old one. 

 

Couldn't agree more. If they did one with 110 bhp  and updated suspension I think they would sell loads

 

Having never had a Suzuki before, i ended up reading about the older Sport model. They sound like good fun and decent ones can be had for around a grand. 

 

Would make for a fun track day car maybe? 

While reading this my phone went and it was my local friendly Suzuki Sales Exec telling me that they expect their Jimny demonstrator in January and that could go to February.

No Ignis autos there just now which is not unusual.

 

looking forward to a new Suzuki in 2019.

It was 2003 that i bought the last one that i still have but had a few pre loved and abused zooks since.

Picked it up today. 

 

Have to say. I quite like it. Quite a fun little thing to drive. 

 

Edited 11 August, 20187 yr by Guest

My mate had the previous Ignis. Despite little maintenance and plenty of neglect it was very reliable.

We test drove the Swift when my wife was looking for a new car. It was more fun to drive than the Mini R56 she eventually bought and in hindsight the Swft would have been the better car. 

I hope your wife enjoys the car, which looks great too, and I’m sure you will too when your allowed a go. 

The wife wanted a mini or fiat 500. Would have been a used mini to be honest.  But I started reading about the Ignis and once she had a test drive that was it. Looks won't be to everyones taste. But it's good today and out. And for that reason alone I like it. W ehabe done about 60 miles on it so far. The trip computer says it's doing 63mpg. Which is also pretty impressive. 

My wife bought a Mini Cooper S R56 over the Swift  due to image. Despite it being BMW it’s not to the same quality and the interior showed signs of wear quickly. Then there was the mechanical issues including a litre of oil every 600 miles, no I didn’t miss a zero off the end. BMW wouldn’t do anything unless it was under 500 miles/litre as at 600 miles it was within spec! We then got a flutter dead spot whilst accelerating, turned out to be engine coking. 

Your wife has made the right choice and hope she enjoys many trouble free miles. 

When I chose a car for my mom, I ran into a big problem. Firstly, old cars that cost inexpensively require expensive insurance, and secondly, my mother cann't afford a permanent car repair. I bought her a new car for car leasing, which my brother and I paid for a year and a half. Look at the prices of insurance in different insurance companies here https://www.generalinsurance.com/  and you will be able to calculate how much money you will spend in vain. I believe that a newer car bought on favorable terms will be better than a supported car. As for the car model, I would choose an automatic transmission and necessarily cruise control.