Here is a short videos on reasons why the Mini Cooper S R56 isn’t the best car to buy for a small hot hatch! Soon I will upload reasons why you should buy one and maybe that can help you decide too!
That’s lucky! Mine is on 109k and has had tones of work done ever since around 95k.. such as timing chain, turbo oil feed and return lines, HPFP, oil filter housing gaskets done twice (although the first time they probably didn’t even replace them, they just sealed it with a gasket sealer)
@Revved_up_jb Mines had 209 on the clock. Nerver had a bad failure. Changed once a timing chain and a turbo. Brake caliper was changed last year. I can play music with auxillary or BT. The Harman Kardon system is awesome. I see many people on RU-vid have problems with minis. But never met a person in real life with a "problem mini" 🧐. I think the driving style and maintenance play a big role. just like all devices and machines or plants. If you never care for a tree, it will hardly bring you any profit. Always do service intervals, always check the oil level and change the oil regularly. Motor oil can also break down and lose its lubricity. The same applies to the cooling water. Deposits always occur. no matter whether oil or water. Gear oil is also not a service-free fluid. I change gear oil every 100k on all my cars. The only thing I have to complain about is that when I'm on the race track for a day, I notice how expensive semi-slicks are. But I hardly have to explain that to a car enthusiast 😉
@@Revved_up_jb May be off topic but need advice. Can buy a 2011 Mini off a lady going through a divorce for $3,000. Fax looks good from what I can tell except one minor accident 4 years ago that rear ended a car and set off air bags. Grille and bumper was replaced and repainted. See nothing that worry’s me other then it has 170,000 miles on it. $3,000 a good buy? 2011 Mini automatic a good car?
I have owned a CooperS R53 for almost 20 years and have not encountered any of the issues mentioned in your videos. However, all cars have their own set of problems, whether it be a Mini, Ferrari, or Porsche.
Obd2 Bluetooth and an app on your phone sorts out the temperature gauge and of course many other functions like boost pressure, oil temp and pressure etc.
I've had it my R56 S about 9 months now, I have forked out on a new clutch (1000 mates rates) bonnet latch replacement as it got stuck down (270 after labour as I couldn't do it myself after 4 hours of trying) and only just fixed a seized brake calipers (380 and alot of rust) all in all I've paid roughly 8k + a few hundred on petrol and oil, I've been noticing other issues like rusty subframe, stuck sunroof, burning oil so fast It's practically like petrol at this point, internal bonnet latch issue where it keeps coming loose under the glovebox, lack of boot space and lack of rear passenger leg room BUT... Its one of the best drives of about 12 seperate cars I've driven and the feelings of owning one are so immense sometimes, although its not a fast car, its quick leaving behind bigger clunkier faster cars around complicated corners (usually no chance on the straightaways) and I love how it feels, I am always happy when I get to drive it and regardless of the issues ive come across i still am happy to own one, This car does me well as I have no kids, my friends all drive their own cars and I very rarely require the back seats, I only have to shop/pack for me and my partner at most so boot space to me is irrelevant, I have been able to upgrade and learn so much regarding mechanical knowledge with the car through solving alot of issues I've had myself which is a positive from all the issues My R56 is a joy to own, but for the age of the car I wouldn't recommend this as a first car or a car that you purchase for reliability or practicality unless you have it as a run around and deeper pockets for it, it's an enjoyable expensive A to B experience that I think no other car that I've driven at least can offer
Find UGREEN adapter with aux on one side, usb on the other and bluetooth in the middle :D Works with any phone like charm. A mpg in these cars is decent. Cooper S R56 uses about 2/3 of petrol that my previous Impreza turbo was using. And it doesn't rust.
I got one as a rental, not a choice, and it’s quirky enough to deserve some immediate attention and hype. But practicality wise for everyday use, oh my, it’s miles off its competitors. I like revving it, and agility on the road, but it doesn’t scream out safety nor comfort, although it does fit into solid build. Interior quality isn’t worth what people are paying for these. If you want a fun experience and expected to be very involved in the car ownership and maintenance, MINI is great as an entry sports car, if not, and just want a bit of fun on the side, use a second car, otherwise, don’t consider one, especially if you’re tall.
We had a 2012 S Countryman (R60?) and just dumped it. My girlfriend loved the car because it was cute and fun to drive. We did have engine oil and coolant problems. What really upset me was the car did not have an engine temperature gauge anywhere on the dash. So, if the car was driven without sufficient oil and / or coolant, there was no visible way to monitor the engine temp. Also, the only warning light that came on was a "low oil pressure" warning; not a low oil level warning. We also never got a coolant level warning but did find the coolant down over 2 liters once. I checked the manual and there was no warning light related to oil other than "low oil pressure", which would only come on when the oil level was so low that there was an insufficient amount to generate sufficient pressure. Unbelievable. Two different mechanics we worked with said these cars are junk and should be avoided. Side note: Don't even get me started on the sealed key fobs with the battery soldered to the circuit board. When the battery failed, the only way to replace it was to break open the glued case, remove the battery with a soldering iron and solder on a new battery. Getting the case apart and back together without needing to order a new shell was difficult. The dealer said we could order new ones for $380 each (in Switzerland.) Nice! (This design issue only applies to certain years as other years had easily replaceable batteries.)
Especially with a car that can overheat and burn oil constantly! You’d think it’ll have both warnings. I have a short video on how to find the temperature gauge on these minis via a ‘hidden menu’ but shouldn’t have to do that. These cars I think are meant to charge the key fob whilst driving but doesn’t mean the battery won’t fail. BMW are sneaky and smart with the way they do things like that. It makes people spend more money when stuff does break.
@@Revved_up_jb Yes. The rechargeable batteries probably last 8 - 10 years. I watched RU-vid videos on how to replace them and in the comments, people thought BMW did this intentionally to make owners buy expensive replacement key fobs. They did change the design for the better in later models, but still. I also found the oil dipstick to be one of strangest designs that was relatively difficult to read. Ours was the one with the orange cylinder tip. I needed to put on reading glasses and use a flashlight to get a good look at the oil level. Probably just me, but it was one more small annoyance. My girlfriend still loved it, but we won't buy another. We sold the car this week and I'm relieved it's gone.
@@stevosan3225 it’s a strange one! We also have the same issue reading the oil level. I drilled tiny dots on the dipstick just to make it easier to read. Even then it’s still difficult and I have to top up about 100ml every week.. sometimes more. They’re so fun to drive and are quick too.
That dipstick design is indeed horroble. I'm lucky my 2013 R61 JCW doesn't burn much oil. Last time only 120ml in 3 months. And if you got keyless entry on your MINI than you can easily change the battery. It it only cost me €5 to replace.
bought a 2009 jcw a month ago, and the fuel pump is already gone. however i have been wanting a car exactly like this for years and im not gonna give up on it
No temp gauge is crap!!!!!! I'm on my 3rd r53 S. These cars are like Hot chic's....... they are the Best ride & tons of fun!!!!! but not reliable & alot of work!!!!! If you're not good with your hands, you better be rich!!!!🤭🤪🤪
I have thought of a car as something to get from a to b for 20 years since i scrapped my 3 litre ford Granada ghia. Then i bought a diesel 08 mini cheap 6 ish years ago and i smiled for 2 years whenever getting in it. Now have a clubman s so i can put my tools in the back and i do all my own mechanics which is the only way owning a mini is possible. Finding a mini that hasnt been ragged in the red line is the key. Many pensioners own cooper s's so its a 50 50 gamble. The stereo is amazing and the interior is a great place to chill rather than stare at the idiot box. Next is a 2014 gen 2 cooper s with a bmw engine that can give 300 bhp with software upgrade alone. Or i might keep this forever. Gen 3 are too big. Car scanner for a fiver is better than torque for fault codes. Only the English could design the mini. Not only did we spread freedom and liberty around the world that was a giant dictatorship we gave the world the cooper s!
If this video isn't enough to stop you from buying one, hear me out. This is EVERYTHING I've had to replace in just 1 year of ownership, on my FACELIFT R56, with the N18 engine - the supposedly "better one". - Timing chain, at 600 EUR - Thermostat housing, at 550 EUR - High pressure fuel pump, at 1000 EUR - Low pressure fuel pump, at 600 EUR. This ultimately wasn't necessary, as the real problem was the fuse box in the JBE. Mini dealer could not find this, and I had to fix it myself. I almost scrapped the car over this. - Leaky turbo oil feed line, at 150 EUR - Other wear items, totaling over 2000 EUR - spark plugs, tires, brakes, engine mounts, etc. Not counting these because it's not technically the car's fault, but still. Let's see what's still wrong. It consumes a noticeable amount of oil which you have to top up, the AC compressor is making a horrible noise, and the noise I had when I needed to get a new timing chain is slowly coming back. I have been changing the oil with high-grade Castrol oil every 5000 miles. The car will often go into limp mode with random codes that go away, different ones each time. It's just a non-stop disaster with no end in sight. Do not even think about it. It's not worth it. Get yourself an MK7 Fiesta ST, or if you REALLY want a Mini, save your pennies for a little while longer and get yourself a third gen S.
I don't know where are you buying this stuff but it's to expensive... I have a Mini Cooper R56 S N18 with 175000km and everything it's fine.. I've change spark plugs and serpentine belt and his eating 2L of oil between oil change... I think it's ok... and I press the gas pedal alot... About your prices... Timing chain in my country it's like 200e with everything. Fuel pump or thermostat housing max 200e Spark plugs are 5e each Brakes are 60e... etc... Overall.. if you want a mini cooper just be careful because they are easy to break but If you do care and change the oil... you will have a Mini Beast... trust me.
The reliability complaints you're talking about aren't necessarily true for 2011 - 2014 Cooper S with the N18 engine. Mine is a 2012 and other than regular oil changes, new plugs, air filter, water pump and cross pipe...VANOS solenoid... hasn't been bad at all for 130K miles. Mine doesn't burn oil, like at all over my 5K mile oil changes, reliably gets 34 MPG (and I don't drive it slow). I also don't know what you mean about the Aux input. It's worked with my android for when I used Google Maps. I do have the BMW cord for my old iPod Classic that has the split 30-pin USB connector and aux jack cable combined. The USB controls the iPod with the stereo and steering wheel controls, and aux cord is for the sound. I don't have an iPhone.
How doesn’t it connect? Im sure you’re doing something wrong. Nevertheless, they are amazing car and had it reach 100,000 miles with literally no issues and while driving it hard. Great cars specially full optioned ones like mine.
Even the original classic British Austin Mini was more reliable than this thing assembled in England and called a British car. The so-called German engineering with the engine from Chrysler, Peugeot and finally BMW has been a total let-down from the beginning. If you buy a new one and plan to own it for only one year, then this is the car for you. It's like a "one-night-stand" and definitely not something you want to spend the rest of your life with. And yet, people still pay outrageous prices for them. I just don't get it.
I agree! For a performance car that’s meant to be driven hard at times, it sure as hell is delicate! It’s like they make these performance cars just for the look now. As they only last longer if you drive them like a pensioner everywhere.
@@Revved_up_jb I have a friend with the Gen1 Mini Cooper S. has burnt oil since he bought it new. And yet, he still likes it. Go figure..... I have another friend with a Gen 2 non-turbo and he has had two blown engines due to the cam chain tensioner grenades. And yet, he is waiting for a third engine to be installed. Go figure....
Very challenging car but yes, if you can do the work yourself and time does not matter and spending $6000 to $8000 in parts does not bother you, then yes, this car is for you.
We sold ours the other day. In the 2 and a half years of ownership, we spent over £3000 in repairs and when we sold it, it had a yellow engine warning light on for the footwell module, air con and an engine fault… never again.. great fun but only when they’re basically brand new 😂
