2012 Mini - Reliable, or ticking time bomb?

[Billy.RS]

Yet to buy, but seriously lusting for a 2012 Mini (Non-S). I've done some reading on the woes of the N14 engine which gets me worried. By going for the 2012 will I avoid most of these issues? I'm looking to spend around £8,000 on the right example so don't want to go through with it and stumble on multiple issues
I'd like to keep a car for around 5 years/to 100k miles, whichever comes first

[Maracus]

The N14 was replaced by the N18 in the Cooper S around mid 2010. IIRC, it stayed on in the JCW until 2012.

The non-S will have an N16 engine.

We've had our N18 Cooper S for 5 years now. It's been extremely reliable, more so than any other car that I've owned.

[The Cardinal]

I had a 2012 Cooper (non-S), which I think is the model you are referring to? It was utterly reliable in 18 months from 2016-18 and a really nice car, save for it having been smoked in by its previous owner.

The post-2010 1.6 is a revised version of the naturally aspirated 1.6; called N16. As with the difference between N14 and N18 turbo engines, the N16 has various improvements that address some of the weak points of the earlier N12 version of this engine.

I now have a 2013 Cooper S, complete with N18 engine. Mk2 / R56 Mini models finished production in 2013 and, in my opinion, getting a late one should put you in the best position for reliability.

As always, buying a 6-year-old car will mean paying attention to what has and hasn't been done to it. £8k should buy you the very best of 2012 non-S Cooper models.

[watchnut]

I have a 1.6 diesel 2012 mini...used for teaching and advanced driving skills, It has a 135,500 on the clock, still on it's first clutch, absolutely no problems with it considering it's hard life!

I suspect your looking for a petrol?....is £8k a little too much for a car of that age?

[Billy.RS]

Thanks for all your replies.

Yep my mistake, N14/N18's were the Cooper S engine variants... was looking at those at time but putting the sensible cap on now So the N16 is the desired engine for me to go for

This is the dilemma I have with price, I'm looking for a 2012 onwards Cooper with around 40k miles or less, that has been well specced with things like chilli pack, multifunction wheel, half or full leather, etc. Mini's that tick the box for me are about £7-8k, for £1,000 cheaper I can get an equivalent Citroen DS3 that's usually one year newer and with less miles...

[mike9009]

I owned an early 2007 R55 (Clubman) for almost six years. This will be the same generation of MINI you are looking at.


It had a few faults but nothing major (thermostat housing failure (£200), club door failure (£90) and a love for oil (but it was the S!)


If looking for a higher spec car - one option I would go for is a upgraded stereo. It is a nightmare trying to get better quality out of the existing set-up.


Have fun


Mike

[TheAlastair34]

Billy.RS said:

Thanks for all your replies.

Yep my mistake, N14/N18's were the Cooper S engine variants... was looking at those at time but putting the sensible cap on now So the N16 is the desired engine for me to go for

This is the dilemma I have with price, I'm looking for a 2012 onwards Cooper with around 40k miles or less, that has been well specced with things like chilli pack, multifunction wheel, half or full leather, etc. Mini's that tick the box for me are about £7-8k, for £1,000 cheaper I can get an equivalent Citroen DS3 that's usually one year newer and with less miles...

the mini will hold its value more than a DS3.

i wouldn't discount a cooper s, after 2010 they get the more reliable engine and the MPG is very good, i have a JCW Clubman and that always returns more than 40mpg

[Billy.RS]

TheAlastair34 said:

the mini will hold its value more than a DS3.

i wouldn't discount a cooper s, after 2010 they get the more reliable engine and the MPG is very good, i have a JCW Clubman and that always returns more than 40mpg

Yeah that's been my argument. I was originally going down the R50/R53 route and was still quite surprised at the residuals, so second gen hopefully follow suit

Is it definitely 2010 when the engine was revised? So anything that is MY60 onwards... If so, and one falls in budget with suitable mileage, it would be the preferred option. Although I'm happy to settle for just the Cooper to be honest (grits teeth...)

[Broccers]

Its a little confusing which shape you are on about to be honest fella. Show us a pic

[TheAlastair34]

Billy.RS said:

Yeah that's been my argument. I was originally going down the R50/R53 route and was still quite surprised at the residuals, so second gen hopefully follow suit

Is it definitely 2010 when the engine was revised? So anything that is MY60 onwards... If so, and one falls in budget with suitable mileage, it would be the preferred option. Although I'm happy to settle for just the Cooper to be honest (grits teeth...)

yes 2010 for non JCW cars, have a google of n14 vs n18 in the images, you will see the differences and just check the car you go to look at

the n18 had a little more power i think 184bhp? only a remap away from 200+

[watchnut]

You could go for a "Baker Street", "Mayfair" edition where they have many extras fitted, and in the case of my Mini one look like a cooper, with Black alloys, stripes on the front , half leather, blue tooth, mega stereo, A/c (climate)....then chip it!.....

[Billy.RS]

Broccers said:

Its a little confusing which shape you are on about to be honest fella. Show us a pic

Sorry, this was the exact one my heart fell for, but got the call to say it's been sold this morning
https://www.approvedcarsandfinance.co.uk/used-mini...
A 2012 Cooper soho, so this would be a facelifted R56 (?)

[Billy.RS]

watchnut said:

You could go for a "Baker Street", "Mayfair" edition where they have many extras fitted, and in the case of my Mini one look like a cooper, with Black alloys, stripes on the front , half leather, blue tooth, mega stereo, A/c (climate)....then chip it!.....

Yes I have heard briefly about chipping to make up the difference between a 'One' and a 'Cooper'. Is it literally a case of letting a wizard plug his PC in. And is there any weak-points from doing this?

[watchnut]

I am sorry I can not advise on that.....just looked at the car....it looked good, but that was a shed load of money for a 6 year old car. Were the wheels original?

[Billy.RS]

watchnut said:

I am sorry I can not advise on that.....just looked at the car....it looked good, but that was a shed load of money for a 6 year old car. Were the wheels original?

Yeah wheels are original, fitted to all of the 'Soho' editions of that model.
I have been thinking that, my budget is £7k (2k cash and 5k on 3.7% loan), 7.5 would be my max - And plans are to drive it til the wheels fall off. Without sparking a 'why don't you PCP' debate, I'm fed up with changing cars. I want to buy, and (ideally) keep long term so I haven't got to mess around with cars.

Edit - The issue being that 8k gets me an Abarth 500/208gti....

Edited by Billy.RS on Thursday 25th October 09:34

[twokcc]

watchnut said:

I am sorry I can not advise on that.....just looked at the car....it looked good, but that was a shed load of money for a 6 year old car. Were the wheels original?

Look as if wheels are 18",(JCW?) even with standard cooper suspension it's likely to have a rock hard ride with these wheels and runflat tyres.

To OP have you driven a R56 mini cooper, car has a lot of compromises for a daily that you are going to keep for a long time. They are only really a 2 seater with very small boot and hard ride. 120bhp normilly asperated engine may be ok for you but its its only average in todays market but may be ok to keep insurance premiums down. Not sure what F56 mini coopers ( from 2014) are going for and if within budget. The 3 cyl.petrol in these is turbo charged (132bhp) and has raves reviews may be worth driving one to see if you thinks its worth waiting to get one when it comes within your price of £8k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by twokcc on Thursday 25th October 10:03

add car ad

Edited by twokcc on Thursday 25th October 10:14

[Billy.RS]

They are 17's, and non-runflats luckily. Ride is harsher on 17s compared to 16s but that's something I could live with as 16s look at bit lost in the arches imo.

Small back seats & boot - Not an issue coming from a MK1 MX5. 21 and single, no pets. At most it's gonna be filled with mine and a friends suitcases for a last minute trip to Wales/Lake district etc but highly unlikely.

Hard ride - Again, coming from a MK1 MX5 with coilovers. Most cars are going to be a slight improvement at the least

Only 120hp - Yes, hardly lighting a spark I know, but will be the most powerful thing I've owned 1.2 Fiesta (75), 1.4 Lupo (90), 1.6 MX5 (90). Too much power and I'll be locked up haha. And yes, keeping insurance down is fairly essential due to age.

There is an F56 within my budget but its CAT S. Realistically I can't wait out, new job pending which involves a bit of a commute in the car. Something I'm not willing to do in the MX5 every day. My mind tells me buy a cheap R53 instead to save the need for a loan, and if it dies it dies, but people wayyy more sensible than me are forcing me down this route.

[twokcc]

Nothing wrong with cooper for your circumstances. The LCI r56 intoduced in 2010 look for these(centre switch panel black)
Plenty of choice of low mileage examples but not many high spec ones. Chilli pack gives you few options(think led lights,17" wheels and air con-check I've got this right before buying.) Would be looking for this as minimum together with heated seats. Unfortunatly loads of choice on spec for cooper s but very few for cooper and one.

[watchnut]

To OP you look like you have thought it out. on my 16" rims on the baker street the ride is fairly harsh over the pot holes of Southampton, But if you can cope with that on what looks lower profile then go for it. ( I spend some 6-8 hours a day in mine so tend to notice the bumps more than most) good luck

[HorneyMX5]

I daily an R55 Clubman at over 25K miles a year on 17s and runflats. They're not that bad, although the longer wheelbase helps I suspect.

Keep looking and you'll find something something suitable, BMW sold enough of them to be sure of that.