F55/56 Cooper S which spec what to look for?

[Alfahorn]

Hi All,

I've owned nothing but Alfa since 2003 but now want a new daily driver and I've got my heart set on a Cooper S, although I'll be keeping my Alfas.

I had a company Mini for a year about 2-3 years ago and got on really well with it.

The car will do about 12,000 miles a year and will mainly used for commuting 3 days a week across rural b-roads and 80% will just have me in it.

Looking at prices and my budget it looks like cars registered 2016-17 are what I'm looking at.

What I want to know is what spec should I ideally be looking for? Are there any common issues?

I did 30,000 miles in a 2.0 Cooper D Clubman, and so for me a Mini based on my positive experience, including the dealer local to me makes the Mini an obvious choice.

[stevemcs]

We have an F57 with just about every option ticked, for me must haves are

Heated Seats
Media XL
Heated Screen
LED headlights

HUD is nice to have but not a deal breaker, Active cruise is a waste of time, HK is ok but i can do without it.

You don't want big wheels or Runflats.

[Alfahorn]

Thanks for your feedback.

I’m hoping to look a low mileage 1 owner 66 plate in black this week.

It has the heated seats and screen, however not sure if it has Media XL

What is HUD? Excuse my ignorance.

[stevemcs]

Head up display, the screen should give it away for media XL - thats the widescreen nav.

[RTaylor2208]

We have a 2015 Cooper (non S) and would say the must-haves is the Media XL and HK audio if you can find one with both. The basic audio is fine but not great, similar story in our BMW 5GT which has a similar setup.

Our mini is pretty well spec'd with lots of factory fitted JCW trinkets including wheels, body kit, kick plates, pedals, steering wheel, leather \ Alcántara sports seats, arm rest, rear tinted windows and HUD.

I would say the pano roof would be desirable if you can find one with it as they're pretty dark inside, if like ours it has a black interior.

[Alfahorn]

Update:

I'm doing a remote viewing on a car tomorrow.

It doesn't have Media XL or HK, or pano roof, none of which are deal breakers for me.

It does have auto lights, wipers, heated seats, heated screen, some JCW bits including steering wheel.

I've done a full check on the car as best as I can.

The car is within budget and I'm hoping it stacks up when I see it tomorrow.

[stevemcs]

Post the link up if you want other opionions

[Alfahorn]

The car all checks out OK, I've done a remote viewing. However, the only recorded service was in 2017 and 8,000 miles at 16 months old, so it's over 4 years since it was last done but it's only done 16,000 miles in that time and this stacks up with the MOT history.

The dealer said they would service it and it does need brake pads prior to delivery.

[12TS]

Spec is personal choice - we like the HUD. HK is a bit meh.

I'd be wanting to check that service history - it doesn't sound full. First service can be as late as 18000 miles ~ 2 years, but at 3 years it will need a brake fluid and inspection; it sounds like this has been missed.

If it needs pads it may have had a hard life - we never had any pads in any of ours (3 cars run from new upto ~60000 miles). It may be the cruise / speed limiter that's causing it.

[Alfahorn]

12TS said:

Spec is personal choice - we like the HUD. HK is a bit meh.

I'd be wanting to check that service history - it doesn't sound full. First service can be as late as 18000 miles ~ 2 years, but at 3 years it will need a brake fluid and inspection; it sounds like this has been missed.

If it needs pads it may have had a hard life - we never had any pads in any of ours (3 cars run from new upto ~60000 miles). It may be the cruise / speed limiter that's causing it.

Thanks for the feedback, this is the car in question.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...

[Alfahorn]

Alfahorn said:

Thanks for the feedback, this is the car in question.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...

It's a September 16, so I'd expect based on the age and mileage it should have been serviced twice so far? maybe 3 times a most?

[stevemcs]

They eat rear pads, No LED headlights on that so I would personally avoid it. servicing, first would have been 2018, then 2020, then 2021 - oil and cabin is the first, second would be oil, air, cabin and plugs, then back to oil and cabin and so on. Brake fluid is due year 3 - 2019 then every 2 years.

I'll see if I can check the history this afternoon.

[Alfahorn]

stevemcs said:

They eat rear pads, No LED headlights on that so I would personally avoid it. servicing, first would have been 2018, then 2020, then 2021 - oil and cabin is the first, second would be oil, air, cabin and plugs, then back to oil and cabin and so on. Brake fluid is due year 3 - 2019 then every 2 years.

I'll see if I can check the history this afternoon.

I appreciate your help. I've actually put a provisional £99 holding deposit on the car.

I had a Clubman with Xenons and I hated them, I was endlessly getting flashed by other drivers. What is the benefit of LED lights?

[un1eash]

I'd avoid based on the service history alone, 1 service in 5 and half years regardless of mileage will become your problem when you come to sell.

[stevemcs]

Lights are so much better than the xenons, I never had an issue with my clubman, you may find they needed adjustment

And yes there is only 1 service record, a brake fluid change and mot

[Alfahorn]

un1eash said:

I'd avoid based on the service history alone, 1 service in 5 and half years regardless of mileage will become your problem when you come to sell.

This has certainly been my attitude in years gone by. However, I've also owned cars that have had full histories and they've proved problematic. It's certainly better to have a full history that's for sure, however I'm not planning on flipping the car and expect to have it 5 years or so and will maintain it meticulously during that time.

[Alfahorn]

stevemcs said:

Lights are so much better than the xenons, I never had an issue with my clubman, you may find they needed adjustment

And yes there is only 1 service record, a brake fluid change and mot

Excellent, do you happen to know which centre it was? I suspect it's one of the Sytner sites based on the registration number.

[12TS]

Ad doesn't say FSH. I'd ask them to check the onboard record and see where it's been and when. You may get good news!

If it's not priced cheaply then I'd be a bit sniffy, but it's a sellers market

[Alfahorn]

12TS said:

Ad doesn't say FSH. I'd ask them to check the onboard record and see where it's been and when. You may get good news!

If it's not priced cheaply then I'd be a bit sniffy, but it's a sellers market

Not FSH and I agree price should reflect this.

In every other respect it's as it should be. No damage, all keys are there, the original book pack etc.

The dealer freely demonstrated via video (this is a distance sale) the history recorded and Steve has kindly backed this up above.

I think the car is fairly priced given the miles etc, I don't think it's outrageously expensive and I don't think it's too cheap either. By the time I'm done it'll have plenty of history

I've negotiated to ensure ensure the following are included;

Full Service & Brakes Changed
12 months Used Car Warranty (This is a Nissan dealer so will be covered by their scheme)
Half a tank of fuel
A set of number plates as I have a number I'll put on
Delivery to my door as the dealer are 70 miles away
Got them to reduce the cost by £99 which was the ludicrous admin fee dealers charge these days!

Edited by Alfahorn on Wednesday 23 March 15:48

[12TS]

Fair enough - if you're OK with the SH and price go for it.

I would point out that once they tell you they want a service you get an annoying bong and warning every time you start the car. If that's not there then I'd be wondering how someone stopped it and what else they did to it to it.

FWIW I'd be looking at saving £1k for the missing service before I was interested, but YMMV.