Looking into a used S.. things to watch out for?

[Teal94gt50]

Hi all. I own an '07 Civic EX coupe as a daily driver, and I've gotten bored with it. It's not a bad car, just too mainstream for me, lol. Anyhow, I own the car outright (original owner) and have been contemplating getting rid of it for a used Cooper S, probably at least an '04 Model year (looking to spend no more than 15K)

Will these cars last at least 170K miles without anything major happening like the Hondas? I haven't seen a mini cooper for sale with much over 100K, so that might be uncharted territory.

Is there anything that is a common expensive problem with them (S model) I am an Auto Tech for a living, so I know my way around a car, just looking for an area of concern ahead of time.

I have found an '04 locally w/ 85K miles with intake/exhaust/ecu and 3 sets of wheel factory/summer/winter that appears to have been well taken car of for $13,000... too much or too many miles?

Thanks for any help and insight!!

Will

[siuformula]

I have an '04 S and i absolutely love it.
Things that i don't love.
*The battery clamps. I have broken 2 of the T bolts and you will not find them at the local parts store.
*The runflat factory tires are way expensive and have less than desireable treadwear for the spirited driver

For $13k and with 3 sets of wheels. I would snatch it up quick

[Nanajoth]

Make sure both of the xenon headlights work.

[beken]

The supercharger was built to last 100k miles. Many have lasted longer. But the S/C also drives the waterpump. There have been reported water pump issues as the car ages that have turned out to be a problem caused by the oil seal of the supercharger shaft that drives the waterpump, or something in that vein. I do not know of anybody personally that has run into this issue yet.

Secondly, check the power steering pump fan under the car. It should be working. But it does not have anything covering it so many don't know it has failed. In the early years of MINI (2000-2004), the power steering pump and fan circuit was also the radiator fan circuit. If your rad fan is not working, your engine can overheat if idling too long in summer rush hour traffic. I have seen one car where this happened, the dealer fix was to switch the rad fan power to a separate circuit. It was covered under warranty. However, a 2004 would be out of warranty but you should check if the MINI dealer will cover it as a recall or goodwill from MINI if it hasn't been addressed already.

If everything checks out, that sounds like a good price.