Advice on 11-13 mini Cooper (non-S)
Discussion
Hi folks,
Looking at a non-S Mini Cooper for someone as a first car - What are the main things to watch for or the main failure points/preventative maintenance items on these cars? Assume we're right to look only at the LCI cars?
Considered the F56 but it seems to have lost a bit of what makes a mini a mini!
Looking at a non-S Mini Cooper for someone as a first car - What are the main things to watch for or the main failure points/preventative maintenance items on these cars? Assume we're right to look only at the LCI cars?
Considered the F56 but it seems to have lost a bit of what makes a mini a mini!
The (Non-S) Cooper R56 is a decent choice for a first car. I assume you have checked the insurance situation? Because the Mini One looks pretty much identical is practically as fast and easier to insure. There aren't a lot of issues with the R56 the only one I'm aware of is the frailty of the water pump. My old R56 hatch water pump failed but was covered by warranty as I bought it (second hand) from a main dealer (non Mini).
The main problem you will have is finding the spec you want. Not all cars have air con, etc.
The main problem you will have is finding the spec you want. Not all cars have air con, etc.
You could look at getting a Mini 1, but with decent spec on it such as air con, chilli/pepper pack, etc...
I have a Mini 1 which is a "baker street". it has uprated stereo, half leather, bonnet stripes, black alloys, cooper "s" suspension, blue tooth, front fog lights, climate control, looks like a cooper, but better!
I had a union jack put on the roof in black (on white roof)
It is a 2012 plate, 168500 on the clock, still on first clutch. has had a service every time the clock has required one, for me a service history is important as the previous owner then may well have looked after it better than one that has not.
Mine works as a learner car, it has a hard life, it has served me well. it is having a rest at the moment owing to the virus!!!
If you know your way around a spanner then it can be ok to maintain. However if your like me and don't a new clutch could be £1000 plus. Parts from BMW are not cheap. I have found though if you ask for a discount, they will give you one, and often price match
Like all cars these cars have compromises.
if you are tall you can't get anyone sat behind you the rear leg room is poor
The boot is small
Get one with a spare wheel
the gears are easy to use if you don't "force" them and use soft hands....then it has a great gear box
I like mine very much, if it died, i would be on line looking for another up to 2013 before they changed the shape as i don't like the new ones
I have a diesel, it is great on fuel consumption getting anything from 52-70 mpg, i believe for a petrol you will get between 25-45 mpg. I also believe you would have to be doing more than 12-15k miles a year to make a diesel pay. if you have a heavy right foot you will be stopping to fill up alot
When you come to sell it, you will get a decent return, as they are now down to the prices that youngsters can afford.
If the car you look at has tyres below 3mm, negotiate new tyres as part of the price you want to pay. I buy decent ones for mine (16") and they work out about £70-80 a corner (never scrimp on rubber.....if it splits your in the s
t )
I have been keeping a log on mine on the "wessex car club" forum, it will show you how easy/expensive it has been for me since i bought mine in October 2013.
If you got a mini 1 debadged, all that would be missing is the "cooper" badge on the back....not everyone would know. Hardly any two Mini's are the same as they have so much in the way of options when bought new
I have a Mini 1 which is a "baker street". it has uprated stereo, half leather, bonnet stripes, black alloys, cooper "s" suspension, blue tooth, front fog lights, climate control, looks like a cooper, but better!
I had a union jack put on the roof in black (on white roof)
It is a 2012 plate, 168500 on the clock, still on first clutch. has had a service every time the clock has required one, for me a service history is important as the previous owner then may well have looked after it better than one that has not.
Mine works as a learner car, it has a hard life, it has served me well. it is having a rest at the moment owing to the virus!!!
If you know your way around a spanner then it can be ok to maintain. However if your like me and don't a new clutch could be £1000 plus. Parts from BMW are not cheap. I have found though if you ask for a discount, they will give you one, and often price match
Like all cars these cars have compromises.
if you are tall you can't get anyone sat behind you the rear leg room is poor
The boot is small
Get one with a spare wheel
the gears are easy to use if you don't "force" them and use soft hands....then it has a great gear box
I like mine very much, if it died, i would be on line looking for another up to 2013 before they changed the shape as i don't like the new ones
I have a diesel, it is great on fuel consumption getting anything from 52-70 mpg, i believe for a petrol you will get between 25-45 mpg. I also believe you would have to be doing more than 12-15k miles a year to make a diesel pay. if you have a heavy right foot you will be stopping to fill up alot
When you come to sell it, you will get a decent return, as they are now down to the prices that youngsters can afford.
If the car you look at has tyres below 3mm, negotiate new tyres as part of the price you want to pay. I buy decent ones for mine (16") and they work out about £70-80 a corner (never scrimp on rubber.....if it splits your in the s
t )I have been keeping a log on mine on the "wessex car club" forum, it will show you how easy/expensive it has been for me since i bought mine in October 2013.
If you got a mini 1 debadged, all that would be missing is the "cooper" badge on the back....not everyone would know. Hardly any two Mini's are the same as they have so much in the way of options when bought new
Edited by watchnut on Tuesday 31st March 14:26
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff