R56 Which one ?

[smallzoo]

We are looking for a r56 mini cooper for my wife as a general go to work car and once or twice a month long run to wales..so probably 8-10k miles a year

Obviously I have 'googled' for hours looking for opinions and this is what I have got so far... tell me what you think

1.6D better than 1.6 petrol due to torque and general drive
6 speed better than 5 speed
dont touch an auto

We are planning to spend less than £2500....not worried about high miles..

Let me know if I should be posting this question elsewhere

[Maracus]

smallzoo said:

dont touch an auto

Our MCS is an auto, now on 72k with no problems. It's a 2010 N18.

I'm not sure if it's the same as a Cooper or D though, but it's not a bad box to be honest.

[smallzoo]

thanks...I think I heard it was with much bigger mileages and for the R56 1.6D

[rosejem]

I would say go for the petrol based on less to go wrong , still quite good on the motorway. I have not had a diesel but get high 40 mpg on the motorway at 75 - 80 ish.
Dont be put off with standard spec cars with 15 inch wheels , they ride better than the larger 16 & 17 inch wheel which most Minis have.
Good Luck !

[smallzoo]

thanks but I know diesels can do mega miles ( i love the torque they have ) so realistically what life is left in a 100k+ petrol model ?

cheers

[steve-5snwi]

£2500 for an R56 ....... I hope your not after anything reliable. I wouldn't even spend that on an R53.

[smallzoo]

..so am I dreaming ?

I have had a LOT of cars and over 90% with over 90k miles..not one over £1500

is the mini that much of a money pit at the price I am thinking ?

[SlimJim16v]

The R56 Coopers eat timing chains, so would need to have been done recently, say no more than about 40k miles.

[rosejem]

You might be lucky , A freind bought a 52 plate R53 petrol from a garage , I thought she paid too much for it , I think it had just over 100,000 mils & she paid £2,000. Had it for 2 years & she did nearly 20,000 miles & got £750.00 for it for p/x . In 2 years it never let her down but she spent some money on a new exhast & front brakes during this time.