Picking up my R56 JCW tomorrow - what to look for?
Discussion
I've put a deposit down on a 2008 R56 factory JCW car in my ideal spec. I've had a MINI before but was just after as much info as possible about what I should specifically check tomorrow to make sure the car is spot on. I haven't even driven the JCW version yet but have always wanted one and hope this is the ideal car to run alongside my TVR.
Thanks for any info!
Thanks for any info!
As a fellow tvr and mini jcw owner, good choice, love mine even with the paranoia that its gonna s
t itself every time I drive it, could be talking about either car, but neither so far have disgraced themselves ... jcw major point is oil level (applicable to any mini) needs to be monitored very regularly as low oil will not help the camchain tensioner issues and ensuing death rattlte, there are issues with lots of car's, just drive it and enjoy it.
t itself every time I drive it, could be talking about either car, but neither so far have disgraced themselves ... jcw major point is oil level (applicable to any mini) needs to be monitored very regularly as low oil will not help the camchain tensioner issues and ensuing death rattlte, there are issues with lots of car's, just drive it and enjoy it.The biggest issues with these are oil consumption but also...more costly is the engine coking up from the direct injection.
It was sorted on later models (n18 engine) from 2010/11, this would be the earlier n14 engine. If I was you, I'd have the dealer clean out the engine before you take delivery. MINI have a system using crushed walnut shells to clean the engine without extensive strip-down and rebuilding.
That or buy an R53...
It was sorted on later models (n18 engine) from 2010/11, this would be the earlier n14 engine. If I was you, I'd have the dealer clean out the engine before you take delivery. MINI have a system using crushed walnut shells to clean the engine without extensive strip-down and rebuilding.
That or buy an R53...
A decoke is cheap to do anyway,mine cost £150.
But you can list lots of things that can go wrong, but to me none of it is a deal breaker once you drive one.
And the N18 engine although it has a revised breather system does not suffer as bad as the earlier engine ,the inlets still coke up due to no fuel passing over the inlet valves, all direct injection engines suffer this fault.
But you can list lots of things that can go wrong, but to me none of it is a deal breaker once you drive one.
And the N18 engine although it has a revised breather system does not suffer as bad as the earlier engine ,the inlets still coke up due to no fuel passing over the inlet valves, all direct injection engines suffer this fault.
Edited by rigga on Monday 2nd February 23:24
Thanks for the advice - I'd heard about those issues and will just have to watch the car's oil consumption carefully. I will take it to my local MINI specialist and speak to him about de-coking.
Also I have a MINI/BMW dealer nearby - is it worth them giving it a check over once I've got it, just to make sure nothing needs doing?
Thought about so many cars to run as a daily that are practical(ish) but not dull and these seemed to tick all the boxes.
Also I have a MINI/BMW dealer nearby - is it worth them giving it a check over once I've got it, just to make sure nothing needs doing?
Thought about so many cars to run as a daily that are practical(ish) but not dull and these seemed to tick all the boxes.
You could go to the dealer prior to purchase with the reg plate (or VIN) and ask if they would look up the service history. MINI have a fully electronic system that will record any work done on a car within the dealer network.
After the event is a bit late - I'm sure the dealer will, for a price, find a list of advisories that could be done, for a price. Mine charges the thick end of £150 an hour labour.
After the event is a bit late - I'm sure the dealer will, for a price, find a list of advisories that could be done, for a price. Mine charges the thick end of £150 an hour labour.
Sorry for being so late to reply - yes I did end up getting the car and it seems great.
It was a really unsatisfying purchase though thanks to how the dealer handled the sale. I won't go into all the details but just simple things like the car not being out and ready to look at, but parked up amongst the other rows of cars, and having no fuel in it. The fuel warning light was on when I started it and all he could do was point me in the direction of the nearest petrol station. So I joined a queue of nose to tail traffic that barely moved, convinced for the first 15 mins of ownership the car would run out of fuel at the worst possible time.
Anyway the car is back with me and as soon as I can get some photos of it I will update.
Looking back through the service history it looks like it had a timing chain replaced a few thousand miles ago.
Thanks for all the advice.
It was a really unsatisfying purchase though thanks to how the dealer handled the sale. I won't go into all the details but just simple things like the car not being out and ready to look at, but parked up amongst the other rows of cars, and having no fuel in it. The fuel warning light was on when I started it and all he could do was point me in the direction of the nearest petrol station. So I joined a queue of nose to tail traffic that barely moved, convinced for the first 15 mins of ownership the car would run out of fuel at the worst possible time.
Anyway the car is back with me and as soon as I can get some photos of it I will update.
Looking back through the service history it looks like it had a timing chain replaced a few thousand miles ago.
Thanks for all the advice.
So here is the car - pics at last
Overall impression: it is brilliant!
I've had a couple of Coopers in the past but this is in a different league. It is genuinely fast, I love the look, the exhaust pops and rasps, and I love the interior and having the heated seats. It's been fantastic on my daily commute, which is all back lanes - jump in, heated seats on, sport button pressed and go.
The thing I can't get over is how cheap the insurance was for me (less than £200 which I think is a bargain). I've been seEing 30-36mpg which is incredible (especially coming from a TVR).
Haven't got any plans to mod it beyond maybe some spot lamps. I had thought about tuning it for more power but I honestly don't know if it needs it.
The only downside is that my girlfriend loves it and has been stealing it in the mornings!
Overall impression: it is brilliant!
I've had a couple of Coopers in the past but this is in a different league. It is genuinely fast, I love the look, the exhaust pops and rasps, and I love the interior and having the heated seats. It's been fantastic on my daily commute, which is all back lanes - jump in, heated seats on, sport button pressed and go.
The thing I can't get over is how cheap the insurance was for me (less than £200 which I think is a bargain). I've been seEing 30-36mpg which is incredible (especially coming from a TVR).
Haven't got any plans to mod it beyond maybe some spot lamps. I had thought about tuning it for more power but I honestly don't know if it needs it.
The only downside is that my girlfriend loves it and has been stealing it in the mornings!
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