Test drove a Mini Cooper S today - seriously impressed

Hades · 27 Oct 2018 at 12:53

As some may recall, my Golf GTI died recently and we've been without a family car for a while. The original intention was to live with my Corrado and then buy a new family car next year after we move house. But daily use is causing things to break on the Corrado and as my mum is ill the need for a car is getting stronger. So I do need to get something for daily use.

I very, very nearly bought an approved used two year old Audi S3. That was a great car. Fast and luxurious. But after a few issues with the potential car (and the dealer) we decided against it. With further consideration my wife and I realised we were taking on unnecessary debt to just buy a newish car and decided against an expensive car for now. A cheap car would do temporarily. So instead we decided to look for something small we could buy for cash, use it as a temporary family car, then when we sell the house next year we could buy the expensive luxury car for cash and the temporary one would become a car for my wife. It would mean not taking on any debt and I really hate the idea of unnecessary debt. I can see how people get sucked into cheap monthly deals and then wonder why they never have any money.

For some reason I became interested in a Mini and started researching them. I think it was my daughters idea as she always liked the look of them. A nice looking 2011 Mini Cooper S R56 was for sale at a garage near me so we test drove it today. I don't think that particular car is for us unless the price comes down a bit (it's within budget but there are a few issues I would need to address). But I've got to say I really loved the Mini, particularly in Cooper S form. I've never considered one in the past. I'm not sure why. I guess I just dismissed them as not for me and being too small to be useful in my life. But it's a really, really fun little car to drive. It will fit three people easily but four is a push with the drivers seat in it's normal position and the boot will almost fit half a bag of shopping. It's so easy to drive too. I'd even consider a smaller, older, R53 JCW for my own car in the future.

What a cracking little car. I definitely want one in the family now

(yes I know they don't seem to be terribly reliable)

EDIT: It reminded me quite a bit of early 1980's and 1990's GTI's.

Dis86 · 27 Oct 2018 at 13:00

You mock the boot space but the woman has a cooper s convertible and we can comfortably fit the weekly shop in there when we do one!

Meatball · 27 Oct 2018 at 13:03

The R56 Cooper S is fun, but you’ll need to keep an eye out on the oil consumption! The PSA engine drinks the stuff!

Hades · 27 Oct 2018 at 13:07

Meatball said:
The R56 Cooper S is fun, but you’ll need to keep an eye out on the oil consumption! The PSA engine drinks the stuff!

Thanks. Yes I've heard that. Do both the N14 and N18 engines have an oil habit?

mjt · 27 Oct 2018 at 13:17

Aren't there issues with the timing chain on the R56 MCS?

Dis86 · 27 Oct 2018 at 13:23

mjt said:
Aren't there issues with the timing chain on the R56 MCS?

Early engines, yes. There was a simple fix however.

Hades · 27 Oct 2018 at 13:41

mjt said:
Aren't there issues with the timing chain on the R56 MCS?

From my research I think there is a revised tensioner which can be proactively changed on the earlier N14 engines but is already fixed in the 2011 MCS (2010 was a crossover year). The JCW didn't get the N18 until a bit later though.

Dis86 · 27 Oct 2018 at 13:44

Hades said:
From my research I think there is a revised tensioner which can be proactively changed on the earlier N14 engines but is already fixed in the 2011 MCS (2010 was a crossover year). The JCW didn't get the N18 until a bit later though.

Correct. If you buy an earlier one check that it's been done. If you buy an N18 don't worry. They do still like a glut of oil though.

Hades · 27 Oct 2018 at 13:56

Dis86 said:
Correct. If you buy an earlier one check that it's been done. If you buy an N18 don't worry. They do still like a glut of oil though.

Which introduces another issue...the dipstick is almost impossible to read.

Dis86 · 27 Oct 2018 at 14:28

Hades said:
Which introduces another issue...the dipstick is almost impossible to read.

The bottom part should be plastic in a sort of elongated hourglass shape. So long as it isn't approaching the narrower part (not the tip) it's generally good. Also just as peace of mind the car will tell you when the level's low.

Dangerous Dave · 27 Oct 2018 at 14:36

Dis86 said:
The bottom part should be plastic in a sort of elongated hourglass shape. So long as it isn't approaching the narrower part (not the tip) it's generally good. Also just as peace of mind the car will tell you when the level's low.

The N14 & N18 engines don’t have an oil level sensor only pressure.

My wife’s N18 engine doesn’t burn oil between services.

Dis86 · 27 Oct 2018 at 14:40

Dangerous Dave said:
The N14 & N18 engines don’t have an oil level sensor only pressure.

My wife’s N18 engine doesn’t burn oil between services.

N18 definitely does. Ours triggered a little while back. It literally stated low oil level.

Hyburnate · 27 Oct 2018 at 15:07

Real good fun cars, nearly bought one but it had an N14 and the garage wouldn't do the timing chain thing and it had just come out of warranty

Dangerous Dave · 27 Oct 2018 at 15:16

Dis86 said:
N18 definitely does. Ours triggered a little while back. It literally stated low oil level.

Must be the later ones then my wife’s 2013 doesn’t, dealer made a point of telling us when we bought it. Manual makes no reference to it either.

Surprised they added so near end of life I was surprised it doesn’t have it either, always thought they only added it when they went to the F models.

Dis86 · 27 Oct 2018 at 15:22

Dangerous Dave said:
Must be the later ones then my wife’s 2013 doesn’t, dealer made a point of telling us when we bought it. Manual makes no reference to it either.

Surprised they added so near end of life I was surprised it doesn’t have it either, always thought they only added it when they went to the F models.

I don't think it's a separate sensor but think it's to do with the pressure sensor. On older ones the oil can icon used to be red for pressure I think and orange for level. Possibly vice versa.

Hades · 27 Oct 2018 at 18:04

Seeing another one on Tues. But this one is a private sale which I prefer. At this price range a dealer adds nothing apart from a worthless 'warranty' (which I could buy myself without the mark up) and extra price. At least with a private sale I get to talk to the previous owner and assess them as well as the car. In fact I prefer private sales unless buying from a main dealer network.

Jonnycoupe · 27 Oct 2018 at 18:30

Watch for that carbon build up too.

Gaygle · 27 Oct 2018 at 19:08

I had an R53 MCS for a couple of years or so and it was fantastic. I must say though, from everything I read about the R56 - I'd miss out the generation completely. The engines are plagued with issues, with the oil consumption being the worst and unfixable in the N14. I think a lot of the issues were fixed/lessened in the N18 but not eradicated iirc.

I'd definitely have an F56 with the B48 engine though!

Dandle · 27 Oct 2018 at 21:29

I've just had a 2018 Cooper S as a loaner for 6 weeks and loved it. It is just so much fun to drive and the BMW engine in the new ones is fantastic with pops and bangs on overrun and really responsive with plenty of turbo noises. The only bad thing I found was that on a long run the seat was a little uncomfortable. My wife liked it but decided it was too small as a second car with the two kids so it's out as an option for us.

Never been out in the older one but can imagine they are just as much fun.

silvagti · 27 Oct 2018 at 22:07

I've only driven the cooper but I found the driving position wasn't very comfortable in it. In particular I really hated the lack of space next to the clutch for resting your foot on longer journeys.

Also the gear change was rather notchy. Not a fan to be honest!