How feasible is a Cooper S as....

My last car was pretty loud so I'm not overly fussed by having a noisy car but like you said I do enjoy being able to hear the SC whine and the exhaust pops and crackles on overun. I'll be changing the pulley etc first anyway so I will see how I find it after that, I imagine I'll end up leaving it at that as it's all a bit epxensive for what you get out of it ulitmately.

Timbob is right the ride on the GP being really stiff. Especially when compared to my mates 350z which is what you are coming from so I would recommend what he suggested and check out a normal S just incase you prefer that as the money saved can easily go towards making it a just as compotent machine.
 
I've had an R56 Cooper S for over a year, great fun. Main problem is the ride on the runflats and the fact that it does jump about alarmingly on poor roads. Rear seats are non existent if you have anyone of any height in the front.

Cost wise, consistent 33 MPG in mixed commuter driving, cheap servicing if you can get one still covered with TLC pack.

Had to fork out £400 for high pressure fuel pump which seems common. Also need to watch out for engine clattering on cold start up due to timing chain / tensioner probs which is also well documented.

R56 is different beast though to previous model as probably already said. Sacrificed a lot of the fun handling and go kart quality for refinement.
 
I was seriously considering a 2007 R56 Cooper S...until tonight.

I have been doing some research this evening on the google and to be honest, i have been put right off! Just horror story after horror story!

There seems to be a LOT of issues with these things.

Fuel Pumps
Clutches
Timing chains
sunroofs
electric windows
carbon build up

and the list goes on!

Are they really as bad as they sound from my quick google?!

It seemed to be a good option as they are supposed to be great to drive, have a decent amount of power yet still have modest running costs compared to other hot hatches (petrol,tax,insurance e.t.c). It just seems that they are so plagued with faults that any saving on running costs over a MK2 Cupra,Golf GTI or Civic Type R could be wiped out very quickly with repairs!
 
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I am with you there. I was thinking about a Cooper S as the next car from my Yaris but the repair bills seems endless ! Not to mention the harsh ride. I think i am more incline to get something more comfortable and sacrifice some go kart feel...C30 T5 seems to tick most boxes so far !
 
Raymond Lin said:
I am with you there. I was thinking about a Cooper S as the next car from my Yaris but the repair bills seems endless ! Not to mention the harsh ride. I think i am more incline to get something more comfortable and sacrifice some go kart feel...C30 T5 seems to tick most boxes so far !
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Such a shame because it ticked all the boxes for me. Tonights reading has just made me too worried to even consider one now i think.
 
They do have problems, since posting above I've had another £400 bill this time which included replacing the thermostat.

They also said I should get the timing chain done although Mini would contribute 30% to the labour, still wanted to rape me for another £750 though.

I'd only consider one that had already had timing chain and fuel pump done and with a Mini extended warranty now.

Good fun cars though, just some probs which are expensive to repair at Mini dealer prices
 
Sneaky Peaky said:
They do have problems, since posting above I've had another £400 bill this time which included replacing the thermostat.

They also said I should get the timing chain done although Mini would contribute 30% to the labour, still wanted to rape me for another £750 though.

I'd only consider one that had already had timing chain and fuel pump done and with a Mini extended warranty now.

Good fun cars though, just some probs which are expensive to repair at Mini dealer prices
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Yes, i suppose i could pay a premium and get one from a Mini Dealer with a warranty.

Do you know if you can just buy the Mini Warranty on it even if you didnt get it from a main dealer ( like you can with BMW)?
 
Oh wow, that's put that idea to bed forever. Thanks :D

Sorely tempted by a GP one day, but I'm not sure I could live with the suspension. The R53 MCS is bad enough!
 
[TW]Fox;21571471 said:
Yes, you can. Same product.
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Oh right, thanks. I'm sure on here at some point someone had a link where you get a quick quote on the BMW warranty with out a registration number and invitation letter number.

Don't suppose you have it do you? I just want to have a look at how much it would cost to put a warranty on one.
 
Jono8 said:
Oh right, thanks. I'm sure on here at some point someone had a link where you get a quick quote on the BMW warranty with out a registration number and invitation letter number.

Don't suppose you have it do you? I just want to have a look at how much it would cost to put a warranty on one.
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If you find out can you post up how much it was as this is something I should really look in to myself just been a tad lazy as of late. :D
 
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