We're looking for a Mini John Cooper Works. Mainly for my wife but I do confess, after test driving one, I like the speed this little thing produces so that's the model we're after!

Seen one for sale- one owner, 4 yrs old fmsh, all the gadgets inc satnav, panoramic roof, Bluetooth phone and music. Lovely condition inside and out

Now- the "but". It's done 140,000 in 4 yrs. however, last year it had a new engine under Mini warranty due to bore wear (cost 9k!).
All receipts from new. Wanted for nothing all its life, all genuine mini parts fitted when required. Good price too

Would the mileage put you off?

Yes it would put me off

But it really depends on price because it will be worth next to nothin once you put more miles on it

We've just picked up our JCW (Countryman) for the wife of course... Love it but so far it only has just over 200 miles on the clock. I think from past experience though 140,000 MPs in so few years would lead to caution.... You may have to budget for a range of work to be done and several replacement parts. It might not end up being the bargain it first looked... Just my thoughts

No it wouldn't put me off.

As Alistair says, look for a very good price. You mention it's very well taken care of. That's important. Also, most of the mileage wear and tear is on the engine, and there's a brand new one there! Of course, you have 140K mile suspension, transmission, brakes and clutch. New engine, good car at the right price could be very good.

But at that mileage, you'd never get anything for it in a few years. You want a keeper to enjoy and don't expect anything more than £100 in some scrapage scheme in twenty years. It doesn't sound like a short term car.

The suspension has been replaced with JCW upgraded parts, the clutch and turbo also replaced. I don't think there's a lot left of the original mini to be honest!

Plus, we tend to keep cars for a few years and as its a second car, won't do any more than 3k a year mileage anyway. My RR is on 131k now and that's still running well

I bought a 56 reg R56 JCW in 2009 as a second car, driven mainly by Mrs S. It has everything on it (cost £29k for the first owner) had 8k when we bought it and now has 53k miles. In that time its had 3 chain tensioners, a dual mass flywheel, two lambda sensors, a new sun roof cassette (common problem on all Minis) and recently a new battery. Other than that, just normal servicing. Goes like a stabbed rat and puts a silly smile on my face when I drive it.

Would I buy one with big miles? Errr No. These cars are a bit mental and anything with that mileage on it will be ragged. Even a new motor won't do anything for the other bits that will have worn on that kind of mileage. The problem is finding a good un is like finding hens teeth. I keep wondering whether to chop in ours in, but can't find one with all the kit ours has for sensible money. We'll probably keep ours until it falls apart!

It's a 2012 which would normally go for £12k based on what I've seen. It's up for 8995 ono

It's also been breathed on. Remapped to 250bhp and larger intercooler

It sounds like you want it, so buy it. I would never buy a car with 140k mls on it, not for my wife, not for my son and not for my self.....and that is coming from a vintage and classiccar freak

I'm with Robert, you are honestly already sold on the car, just do it.

Andy wrote:

It's also been breathed on. Remapped to 250bhp and larger intercooler

How did that not invalidate the engine warranty ?

Andy wrote:

We're looking for a Mini John Cooper Works. Mainly for my wife but I do confess, after test driving one, I like the speed this little thing produces so that's the model we're after!

Seen one for sale- one owner, 4 yrs old fmsh, all the gadgets inc satnav, panoramic roof, Bluetooth phone and music. Lovely condition inside and out

Now- the "but". It's done 140,000 in 4 yrs. however, last year it had a new engine under Mini warranty due to bore wear (cost 9k!).
All receipts from new. Wanted for nothing all its life, all genuine mini parts fitted when required. Good price too

Would the mileage put you off?

They also drink a lot of oil. Ours gets through a litre every 1000 miles, which is normal! The FFRR uses hardly any.

If its been breathed on to kick out 250 bhp it will be a real handfull to drive. Ours is 195 bhp stage 1 JCW and that is a handfull when you hit the loud pedal hard; torque steer, wheel spin in third gear (even with TC and limited slip diff). Something punching out another 25% power will need real care if you don't want to be wrapped around a lampost.

That said, you seem very keen and at £8995 its cheap enough. Bits will break though, so budget £1500 a year to keep it going.

I asked about the engine replacement and that was down to using oil. The dealer inspected the bores and found the tolerances too high so they ordered a new engine under warranty at 98k miles- just within the 100k warranty limit! They also fitted a new turbo and clutch.

To look at the car it doesn't look like a high miler. It's absolutely mint inside and out. I can have it for 8,300. Doesn't have many factory options though like heated front Screen but it's not essential.
Still undecided. Might hang on a little while