Mini F56 1.5 Maintenance Info for Used Buy

[blueST]

We are looking to buy 2020/21-ish Mini F55/56/57 with the 1.5 petrol engine, manual gearbox. I need some knowledge on the mechanical/maintenance side. What is the maintenance schedule for these? I've read they may be condition based servicing, is that correct? If so how do I check everything's been carried out as it should?

How do I check oil level, is it on the dash or dipstick (I couldn't see one)?

Anything Mini specific that a prospective buyer should know or look for?

[s-x-i]

We've had a 2018 F56 Cooper 1.5 for nearly 3 years, and firstly I have to say they are great cars.

The official maintenance schedule calls for a service every 2 years or 18000 miles, which ever comes first.

Minor Service - Oil & Filter
Major Service - Oil & Filter, Air Filter & Spark Plugs

If you are looking at a 2020/21 car, at a minimum it should have had a minor service, with a major service due soon. Service history is stored on the central screen if its been done by a MINI dealer, if not, make sure there are receipts as evidence.

IMO the service intervals are too long and I always change the oil every 12 months regardless of mileage.

Brake Fluid changes are 3 years from new, and every 2 years thereafter.

Checking the oil is also done via the central screen as the cars do not have a dipstick.

We have not had any issues with ours and overall they seem to be pretty reliable. The only common issues is the door seals can rub on the door frame causing the paint to wear away. There are a few places online that do PPF film to stop this issue.

[blueST]

Cool, thanks So, fixed traditional fixed service intervals, not condition based. I agree on the 12 month interim oil change.

I'll be sure to check for paint wear around the door closures too. We're hoping to get a low miles facelift/LCI model 5-door hatch I think.

[BenS94]

The 1.5 is a superb engine, punches well above it's figures - I've not heard of anywhere near as many issues as there are with the 1.2 petrol (in the One only, later replaced with a detuned 1.5) and the 2.0 in the Cooper S.

[blueST]

One of the things that has drawn us to the Mini is that it seems to have relatively few big common issues compared to a lot of other cars.

[Terzo123]

BenS94 said:

The 1.5 is a superb engine, punches well above it's figures - I've not heard of anywhere near as many issues as there are with the 1.2 petrol (in the One only, later replaced with a detuned 1.5) and the 2.0 in the Cooper S.

What issues have you heard about the 1.2? I'm considering one for my Daughter amd was led to believe they are almost identical to the 1.5.

[BenS94]

Terzo123 said:

BenS94 said:

The 1.5 is a superb engine, punches well above it's figures - I've not heard of anywhere near as many issues as there are with the 1.2 petrol (in the One only, later replaced with a detuned 1.5) and the 2.0 in the Cooper S.

What issues have you heard about the 1.2? I'm considering one for my Daughter amd was led to believe they are almost identical to the 1.5.

I have seen a number of the 1.2s suffering timing chain failure.

[Terzo123]

I wasn't aware. Due diligence required then when out looking for one.

[Canon_Fodder]

OP the pick of the range for value is the Mini One Classic LCI 2 (from May 2021 I think) as the base spec 'Classics' got LED's, sports steering wheel and Apple Carplay as standard in that 2nd LCI refresh. They were only £16.5 new at the time but hold their value so you may have to look around to find them

[blueST]

I'll take a look at those. I think I just fancied the extra 30+bhp for the Cooper. I know you can get a One remapped, but it being the Wife's car I'd never get around to doing it.

[daydotz]

The 1.2 is a psa lump it was soon replaced with a detuned 1.5

[BenS94]

daydotz said:

The 1.2 is a psa lump it was soon replaced with a detuned 1.5

No it's not, it's a 1.5 with different bore and stroke, amongst others. The PSA engines were in the 2007-2014 R56.

[blueST]

BenS94 said:

daydotz said:

The 1.2 is a psa lump it was soon replaced with a detuned 1.5

No it's not, it's a 1.5 with different bore and stroke, amongst others. The PSA engines were in the 2007-2014 R56.

I think the early F56 had the 1.2 as well, but that's not the cars I'm looking at anyhow. 1.5 is what we want.

[BenS94]

blueST said:

BenS94 said:

daydotz said:

The 1.2 is a psa lump it was soon replaced with a detuned 1.5

No it's not, it's a 1.5 with different bore and stroke, amongst others. The PSA engines were in the 2007-2014 R56.

I think the early F56 had the 1.2 as well, but that's not the cars I'm looking at anyhow. 1.5 is what we want.

The early F56 1.2 is not PSA