2008 - 2012 ish Mini Cooper, what do I need to know
Discussion
Looks like the Mini forum is a bit Q so posting here too
I've been given some money with the strict instruction to "have fun" and to "have something to show for it" (which I read and don't spent it all on beer and Kebabs)
I currently have the high power fuel guzzling car and want to move to something moderately powered, better on fuel and fun to drive.
The 2008 - 2011 Mini cooper seems to fit the bill
Is there anything I need to be aware of, worried about or look for when looking at these please ?
Just to be clear it's the normal Cooper rather than the S I'm looking at
I've been given some money with the strict instruction to "have fun" and to "have something to show for it" (which I read and don't spent it all on beer and Kebabs)
I currently have the high power fuel guzzling car and want to move to something moderately powered, better on fuel and fun to drive.
The 2008 - 2011 Mini cooper seems to fit the bill
Is there anything I need to be aware of, worried about or look for when looking at these please ?
Just to be clear it's the normal Cooper rather than the S I'm looking at
I had a 2010 Cooper Camden and I found deeply frustrating. In fact I was sufficiently irritated by it that I made a YouTube video about it.
Not sure if linking your own videos is the done thing so search for "R56 Super Frustrating Flaws" and you'll find it.
In short though I didn't find it much fun to drive (too slow) and the ride was too stiff for our broken roads so it was a car I never looked forward to driving. I much preferred the 2010 Fiat Bravo 150 that came before it which had a much nicer engine and a much more comfortable ride.
Not sure if linking your own videos is the done thing so search for "R56 Super Frustrating Flaws" and you'll find it.
In short though I didn't find it much fun to drive (too slow) and the ride was too stiff for our broken roads so it was a car I never looked forward to driving. I much preferred the 2010 Fiat Bravo 150 that came before it which had a much nicer engine and a much more comfortable ride.
A friend of mine has a 2010 Cooper and he really likes it. Enough performance for him but obviously that is subjective and depends what you're coming from. I think it's done 113k miles and has been fairly reliable from what I know.
Another car to consider is the Suzuki Swift Sport. They seem to have a good reputation.
Another car to consider is the Suzuki Swift Sport. They seem to have a good reputation.
duff said:
Why have you ruled out the S? Budget, insurance?
I really enjoyed driving my wife’s Cooper S. It was a 2010 and was nippy enough and sounded good as well. Avoid the N14 engine which has timing chain issues. N18 was 2010 onwards iirc.
There are some s models in budget but my initial research, which could be wrong, suggested they were less reliable ?I really enjoyed driving my wife’s Cooper S. It was a 2010 and was nippy enough and sounded good as well. Avoid the N14 engine which has timing chain issues. N18 was 2010 onwards iirc.
Is the n18 the S model engine or standard cooper ?
ChrisH72 said:
A friend of mine has a 2010 Cooper and he really likes it. Enough performance for him but obviously that is subjective and depends what you're coming from. I think it's done 113k miles and has been fairly reliable from what I know.
Another car to consider is the Suzuki Swift Sport. They seem to have a good reputation.
Thank you, the swifts in budget seem to be 5 speed and I dona few long trips, reviews suggest these arent great on motorway due to high revsAnother car to consider is the Suzuki Swift Sport. They seem to have a good reputation.
Great cars. Just usual older car issues really, not especially unreliable and are great fun on twisty roads and easy to live with on motorways.
The Cooper S is the sweetspot though so it's a pity you're having to rule that out.
We've had one in our family for about 6 years now and it will be difficult to find something to replace it with which is a much joy to own.
Get the ugly Coupe if you only need 2 seats and want something more special. I love cars where you look at them and wonder what they were thinking of at the time they were styling them.
The Cooper S is the sweetspot though so it's a pity you're having to rule that out.
We've had one in our family for about 6 years now and it will be difficult to find something to replace it with which is a much joy to own.
Get the ugly Coupe if you only need 2 seats and want something more special. I love cars where you look at them and wonder what they were thinking of at the time they were styling them.
I bought a late 2011 cooper last year and love it. I looked at loads before I bought and would recommend you get an LCI car 2010 onwards)as they have the less problematic engine. Just buy on condition like you would any other car. Main downside is that they have a very harsh ride due to hard suspension and Runflats.
Standard Cooper, the main issue is stem valve seals getting dry/needing replacing. Sympton is oil usage/blue smoke on acceleration. Sometimes an easy fix (mine was luckily) with some MOT sealant (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174590885286?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-153316-527457-8&mkcid=2&itemid=174590885286&targetid=4584619899083037&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=554609234&mkgroupid=1296325313557553&rlsatarget=pla-4584619899083037&abcId=9320693&merchantid=87779&msclkid=9a2272e375d91dbd089317f9c6f3549c) which re-moisturised the seals (was advised by a Mini specialist to try this before any open engine surgery).
Cooper S, avoid the N14 pre-facelift - the N18 whilst not without its issues is meant to be LOADS better.
I had an R55 Cooper and it was one of my favourite cars. Would definitely get another. Oh and check specs on them - they vary massively. Loads of different options...
Cooper S, avoid the N14 pre-facelift - the N18 whilst not without its issues is meant to be LOADS better.
I had an R55 Cooper and it was one of my favourite cars. Would definitely get another. Oh and check specs on them - they vary massively. Loads of different options...
Thanks all, a few follow up questions then please:
1, sounds like the S model might actually not be any less reliable than the non turbo, is that right ? It so I can look for both and as suggested buy on condition
2, what does LCI mean ? Either way it sounds like I need to focus on 2010 onwards models
3, can the runflats be replaced with standard tyres
1, sounds like the S model might actually not be any less reliable than the non turbo, is that right ? It so I can look for both and as suggested buy on condition
2, what does LCI mean ? Either way it sounds like I need to focus on 2010 onwards models
3, can the runflats be replaced with standard tyres
Roboticarm said:
Thanks all, a few follow up questions then please:
2, what does LCI mean ? Either way it sounds like I need to focus on 2010 onwards models
3, can the runflats be replaced with standard tyres
LCI- Life Cycle Improvements. Its BMW speak for a face-lift model. 2, what does LCI mean ? Either way it sounds like I need to focus on 2010 onwards models
3, can the runflats be replaced with standard tyres
Run flats can be replaced with normal tyres just make sure you do all four at once.
The main issue with the R56 engines is the timing chain and all the Mini specialists can change them in their sleep, so it's 'only' going to be £600 or so to fix any problem for the length of time most people will own the car - probably not a dissimilar cost to changing all 4 tyres from run-flats to something decent.
If the normal Cooper is going to be suitably faster then perhaps also consider something more reliable like the Swift or a bigger engined Yaris, or go the whole hog on the fun vs shonkiness scale and get a Twingo 133.
If the normal Cooper is going to be suitably faster then perhaps also consider something more reliable like the Swift or a bigger engined Yaris, or go the whole hog on the fun vs shonkiness scale and get a Twingo 133.
Thanks for your input everyone.
A great car came up locally, 2008 but only 60k miles and a full, clean MOT.
My friend is a PDR guy so will help with the few small dents and I've scheduled a professional valet to bring the paintwork back to life
Minis are of course all quite different due to the level of personalisation, but this is close to how I would have specified it, these are the wheels I would have ordered, the sports steering wheel, chrome interior, the stripes and the white roof, although the colour of the car wouldn't have been my first choice
Drives really well and feels like an old school hot hatch
A great car came up locally, 2008 but only 60k miles and a full, clean MOT.
My friend is a PDR guy so will help with the few small dents and I've scheduled a professional valet to bring the paintwork back to life
Minis are of course all quite different due to the level of personalisation, but this is close to how I would have specified it, these are the wheels I would have ordered, the sports steering wheel, chrome interior, the stripes and the white roof, although the colour of the car wouldn't have been my first choice
Drives really well and feels like an old school hot hatch
Do yourself a favour and check the oil levels every week.
Other than that they’re pretty damn good.Six years ago I bought my daughter a 80k mile decent condition 1.6 Cooper. It got to 140k miles this year without “major” bills.Then the head gasket gave up warping the head… the car was so good that we had it done rather than scrap it.
3K miles on all good .
Other than that they’re pretty damn good.Six years ago I bought my daughter a 80k mile decent condition 1.6 Cooper. It got to 140k miles this year without “major” bills.Then the head gasket gave up warping the head… the car was so good that we had it done rather than scrap it.
3K miles on all good .
Pistom said:
Great cars. Just usual older car issues really, not especially unreliable and are great fun on twisty roads and easy to live with on motorways.
The Cooper S is the sweetspot though so it's a pity you're having to rule that out.
We've had one in our family for about 6 years now and it will be difficult to find something to replace it with which is a much joy to own.
Get the ugly Coupe if you only need 2 seats and want something more special. I love cars where you look at them and wonder what they were thinking of at the time they were styling them.
I’ve got a Cooper S Coupe - they have a nice low stance and can look good if you don’t get hung up on the roof design - it depends massively on the colour combos.The Cooper S is the sweetspot though so it's a pity you're having to rule that out.
We've had one in our family for about 6 years now and it will be difficult to find something to replace it with which is a much joy to own.
Get the ugly Coupe if you only need 2 seats and want something more special. I love cars where you look at them and wonder what they were thinking of at the time they were styling them.
On a twisty road they’re amazing fun and if you’re a good driver you’d probably be the fastest thing on the road. Had mine for three years and the only things that have gone wrong so far are a head unit which was replaced under warranty and a wheel bearing. Mine is a 2015 so I’d expect most issues had been ironed out by then. Even if you don’t buy a Coupe an S hatch would be the way to go
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