New (to me) R56 Cooper S
Discussion
Hi, just thought I'd share a pic of my new R56, its a 2013 N18 Cooper S with the JCW kit on.
Have already binned the run flats for some 215/45 Hankooks and next plan is to get a stage 1 remap, which will probably then lead onto needing a brake upgrade.
Question - are there any decent forums out there? Looked at minitorque but it seems pretty dead, and some strange characters.
Anyway, loving the car so far, the goal being B road fun without having to massively break the speed limit to get a buzz. And it seems to deliver on that score.
Have already binned the run flats for some 215/45 Hankooks and next plan is to get a stage 1 remap, which will probably then lead onto needing a brake upgrade.
Question - are there any decent forums out there? Looked at minitorque but it seems pretty dead, and some strange characters.
Anyway, loving the car so far, the goal being B road fun without having to massively break the speed limit to get a buzz. And it seems to deliver on that score.
Drekly said:
Question - are there any decent forums out there? Looked at minitorque but it seems pretty dead, and some strange characters.
Firstly, ouch... we aren't all strange... thing is, the majority of those on Minitorque have been on there for years, and have tried and tested pretty much all methods to squeeze as much power out of the cars... so if you want expertise which you will struggle to find elsewhere, then this is the best place for you... however before you post on there, use the 'search' function as no doubt your question will have been covered numerous times...Secondly, it isn't dead, you wait until someone posts that they have a 600bhp R53 on stock internals... you'll see it come alive then.
Thirdly, you will need to have a thick skin as it isn't a place for snowflakes. You will be called a C U next tuesday often.
Very nice. Our Cooper is also red with a JCW kit. I'm tempted by the engine under tray and rear diffuser after seeing the video on the GP2.
There are only 2 good UK forums, minitorque being one, can't remember the other, mini2? That US one is good.
I think the S brakes are good for most things with better pads. The cooling duct kit you can get will be great if you're gonna track it.
There are only 2 good UK forums, minitorque being one, can't remember the other, mini2? That US one is good.
I think the S brakes are good for most things with better pads. The cooling duct kit you can get will be great if you're gonna track it.
Hope you enjoy the new machine! Just to let you know, the "u must fit coilovers, or you are a badger's armpit" mentality is a running joke as regards common advice over on Minitorque. Q:"I've just bought a new brushed stainless steel toaster, any advice?" A:"Have you fitted coilovers? No?! You utter camel's knob, you should immediately set fire to youself and your new f'n toaster, you c u next tuesday ..". etc 
I've held onto mine much longer than expected as it's so much fun and cheap to run. So, having decided it was staying I've got stuck into the modding. This is the list thus far:
- AEM induction kit
- Brembo upgraded discs / new pads
- Royal alcantara stering wheel
- Doug Whalen alloy gear knob and handbrake handle
- Ohlins coilovers
- JCW door LED projector bulbs
- Front DRLs
- New plastic grilles front and rear for a refresh
- Stubby Mini sport aerial
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres
- Dynax under-body anti-rust treatment
- Sat nav map update
- AEM strut brace (arrived today, so will stick on tomorrow)
And coming shortly, Lohen Performance Pack 2 (stage 2 Manic Motorsport tune, Airtec intercooler, high temp NGK plugs, Akrapovic 100 cell cat downpipe), Quaife diff and TTV clutch.
After all that is done it should be a whole heap of fun more hopefully, but maybe it's now not proving as cheap as I thought to run
I've held onto mine much longer than expected as it's so much fun and cheap to run. So, having decided it was staying I've got stuck into the modding. This is the list thus far:
- AEM induction kit
- Brembo upgraded discs / new pads
- Royal alcantara stering wheel
- Doug Whalen alloy gear knob and handbrake handle
- Ohlins coilovers
- JCW door LED projector bulbs
- Front DRLs
- New plastic grilles front and rear for a refresh
- Stubby Mini sport aerial
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres
- Dynax under-body anti-rust treatment
- Sat nav map update
- AEM strut brace (arrived today, so will stick on tomorrow)
And coming shortly, Lohen Performance Pack 2 (stage 2 Manic Motorsport tune, Airtec intercooler, high temp NGK plugs, Akrapovic 100 cell cat downpipe), Quaife diff and TTV clutch.
After all that is done it should be a whole heap of fun more hopefully, but maybe it's now not proving as cheap as I thought to run
DuckSauce said:
Having been on minitorque for years, you definitely have to have coilovers.... Certainly don't post that picture on there, you'll be torn apart 
I've kept my ride height sensible with the Ohlins, so the car is only slightly lower than standard so looks stock. I'd better not post any pics over there either unless I can back it up with shots of the actual coilovers in situ + receipted proof of purchase I can imagine the handling on coilovers must be amazing. But while the wheel arch gap could be less (each generation of mini seems to get worse) I need a certain level of ground clearance, so its not going to be dropped. The JCW front is so low anyway, you have to crawl over speed humps as it is.
Anyway, we had an R53 Cooper S a few years back, it was a minter but bog standard 163bhp. I liked it, although it needed more power and the brakes were pathetic.
While looking for a car this time, I tried a couple of N14 JCWs but the cars were a bit miley and not up to scratch condition wise. I then decided I wanted the more reliable N18 engine anyway. Try finding a JCW with one of them for sale, its likely to have to be a 2013 car and there is still quite a premium over the Cooper S for the same year and mileage, a few thousand extra which then takes you well into F56 budget territory...
So this car seemed to fit the bill in what I was looking for. I think a few light tweaks and with 220-230bhp it will be a hoot.
I have been looking at Lohen's website, and watched Petrol Peds youtube videos on some some of their performance packs. Shame they are a bit of a trek from me.
Anyway, we had an R53 Cooper S a few years back, it was a minter but bog standard 163bhp. I liked it, although it needed more power and the brakes were pathetic.
While looking for a car this time, I tried a couple of N14 JCWs but the cars were a bit miley and not up to scratch condition wise. I then decided I wanted the more reliable N18 engine anyway. Try finding a JCW with one of them for sale, its likely to have to be a 2013 car and there is still quite a premium over the Cooper S for the same year and mileage, a few thousand extra which then takes you well into F56 budget territory...
So this car seemed to fit the bill in what I was looking for. I think a few light tweaks and with 220-230bhp it will be a hoot.
I have been looking at Lohen's website, and watched Petrol Peds youtube videos on some some of their performance packs. Shame they are a bit of a trek from me.
Hi,
Apologies for thread resurrection... Just wondering how you have got on with the n18 over the summer?
I'm in the market for a new (old) car and interested in a Mini Cooper S (N18). Have been scouring forums and seems the N18 is much more reliable the then N14. But so many posts about N14 issues sometimes hard to know if posters are a N14 owner or otherwise!!
If anyone has advice I'm all ears!
Apologies for thread resurrection... Just wondering how you have got on with the n18 over the summer?
I'm in the market for a new (old) car and interested in a Mini Cooper S (N18). Have been scouring forums and seems the N18 is much more reliable the then N14. But so many posts about N14 issues sometimes hard to know if posters are a N14 owner or otherwise!!
If anyone has advice I'm all ears!
Hi poosemon, getting on fine with the car, only covered a low mileage as its practically weekend only use. But the engine has not used any oil yet and - while it isn't a big consideration given my mileage - they are very good on fuel, a huge improvement over the R53.
I have been reading various forums and groups on facebook and really glad I didn't get an N14, the stories of horrific oil consumption and death rattle are never ending.
I've now had a stage 1 remap carried out by Celtic Tuning and its a useful increase in performance, smooth progressive power delivery (no clutch killing torque spikes), pulls harder (especially in the upper gears) and keeps stock throttle and steering sensitivity. It feels on a par with a fJCW now, maybe a bit more torque at 220lb/ft.
But a healthy N18 Cooper S should be putting out between 190-195bhp as standard anyway, so you might decide they are nippy enough depending on what you have now.
Pleased with the handling, very agile and lively feeling, it is properly at home on the B roads but can still cruise fine if you need to do longer journeys.
Ride can be a little busy, but ditching the run flats has helped. And I've still not got bored of the very childish exhaust pops and bangs with the sport button on.
I will probably upgrade the discs and pads next as I feel it could do with a little more stopping power. A fJCW wins out here with the Brembo set up.
Happy hunting, it goes without saying try and get a 2010-on LCI facelift. I personally think the Cooper S can look a bit too plain/understated without the JCW aerokit, but it's just cosmetic and if you don't need that then there is more choice and better value out there.
I have been reading various forums and groups on facebook and really glad I didn't get an N14, the stories of horrific oil consumption and death rattle are never ending.
I've now had a stage 1 remap carried out by Celtic Tuning and its a useful increase in performance, smooth progressive power delivery (no clutch killing torque spikes), pulls harder (especially in the upper gears) and keeps stock throttle and steering sensitivity. It feels on a par with a fJCW now, maybe a bit more torque at 220lb/ft.
But a healthy N18 Cooper S should be putting out between 190-195bhp as standard anyway, so you might decide they are nippy enough depending on what you have now.
Pleased with the handling, very agile and lively feeling, it is properly at home on the B roads but can still cruise fine if you need to do longer journeys.
Ride can be a little busy, but ditching the run flats has helped. And I've still not got bored of the very childish exhaust pops and bangs with the sport button on.
I will probably upgrade the discs and pads next as I feel it could do with a little more stopping power. A fJCW wins out here with the Brembo set up.
Happy hunting, it goes without saying try and get a 2010-on LCI facelift. I personally think the Cooper S can look a bit too plain/understated without the JCW aerokit, but it's just cosmetic and if you don't need that then there is more choice and better value out there.
Cheers for the Reply Drekly....
Have been running Sheds over the last couple of years and currently on a 2006 1.9 TDI Polo, just getting fed up with the thing and rather then shedding again fancy getting something around the £6/7k mark that is a) fun b) reasonable running costs vs power ratio as do a reasonably high milage. As long as not suffering from N14 issues the N18 should hit the mark nicely.
The Cooper S will offer more then enough power to get enjoyment of. Despite current car, I am an advocate for driving pleasure over raw power (Panda 100hp and Ford Puma i've owned were fantastic).
Have a Golf to cover off the longer family journeys so this car needs to cover off commuting/fun/occasional long trip for work or getting down to family in Cornwall.
Have been running Sheds over the last couple of years and currently on a 2006 1.9 TDI Polo, just getting fed up with the thing and rather then shedding again fancy getting something around the £6/7k mark that is a) fun b) reasonable running costs vs power ratio as do a reasonably high milage. As long as not suffering from N14 issues the N18 should hit the mark nicely.
The Cooper S will offer more then enough power to get enjoyment of. Despite current car, I am an advocate for driving pleasure over raw power (Panda 100hp and Ford Puma i've owned were fantastic).
Have a Golf to cover off the longer family journeys so this car needs to cover off commuting/fun/occasional long trip for work or getting down to family in Cornwall.
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