Reliability of R56 Cooper (non-turbo)

[TallTony]

Hello

Your opinions please - I’m looking to buy a cheap runabout for max £5k, something that should run at minimal cost and be easily re-saleable. I know the R56 Cooper S has a long list of issues, is the standard Cooper the same? Is there much to look out for?

I’ve looked for buyers guides and they are focused on the turbo N14/N18.

I presume the facelift with N16 engine is the one to aim for?

Thanks, TT

[fox50]

Tony,was in your position 6 months ago,ended up with a 2014 45k mile R58 Cooper N16 coupe,good history,super clean,seven grand paid.Replaced discs & pads all round due to rust/been stood a year,Covid car perhaps,been a great little car,lives outside,no problems save for a battery warning,soon rectified.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Echo the above, ours has been 100% reliable. We did think it was burning oil and that the valve stem seals needed doing but it was simply very low on oil (the dipstick is a PITA to read accurately) - refreshed the oil and modded the dip stick (file the sides down - google it) and keep an eye on it and its been fine.