Who here owns a Mini?

We looked at some Minis today and had test drives in a 5 door Cooper automatic and a 5 door Cooper D manual.

We originally thought of getting a 3 door but having seen the difference we preferred the larger boot and more manageable front door size of the 5 door.

We preferred the ride in the Cooper with 16 inch wheels over the Cooper D with 17 inch wheels.

My wife only drove the petrol as she didn't want to drive the manual and I found it difficult to compare petrol vs diesel since I am not used to manual transmission. I found the petrol more high revving than I was expecting and certainly no quieter or smoother than the diesel. I think I preferred the diesel but not sure it is worth paying the extra.
 
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Anyone got an R56 Cooper?

I've noticed recently that the girlfriends 2012 Cooper always has its electric fan whirring away. It's loud enough to hear it quite clearly in the cabin and it sounds ridiculous from outside the car. It goes off immediately if you switch the AC off.

I'm pretty sure this is a new thing.

Does anyone elses do it? I'm fairly sure it shouldn't be running constantly.

With the E39 I remember reading into how the HVAC system works and the electric cooling fan only activated after certain conditions were met - AC compressor pressure reading or coolant temperature. As a result it cut in and out as required. I'd be surprised if the mini wasn't similar.

I think this might have co-incided with the water pump being replaced..
 
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Sounds broken with the wife's Countryman the fan does come on with the AC but it is only spinning at low speed, it can go off when the AC is on but this is rare only when the outside temperature is at least 10c cooler than the set cabin temperature.

The fan does spin up to full speed after a spirited drive it is loud outside the cabin but can't be heard in it.

I would guess the controller has gone and the constant high speed running is killing the bearings in the fan
 
That seems to be what it's doing - it only runs at full speed whereas I guess previously it ran low enough not to be noticeable.

Guess I'll get it booked in...
 
I don't have AC on mine as I'm a peasant - needed it last week :o - but that to me sounds like an electrical fault, either the controller or maybe a sensor problem in that system, although the latter probably would bring up a warning bong and an illegible symbol.

After a proper bit of Mini driving you do sometimes hear the whirr of the cooling fan, but even then it isn't that loud for me. Certainly don't hear that fan from inside the car though.
 
Ordered a new Mini today: Cooper D 5-door Auto Moonwalk Grey, Roof and Mirror Caps in Black, Chili Pack, Tech Pack, Leather Cross Punch Carbon Black/Carbon Black Seats, Park Distance Control front and rear, TLC, Ceramic Coat Protection.

Week 38 build date.

Doing my bit for post Brexit Britain.
 
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There's nothing wrong with the boot. If it doesn't fit into it, you simply do not need it. Or flatten the back seats.. or get it delivered. ;) :p

I just had two inflexible parents in it with two large suitcases and hand luggage. Wasn't that bad to be honest!
 
Just put a deposit down on a GP r53. Car has done 32k, getting the wheels refurbished and a few other bits to make it perfect before I collect it.

Will share some pics next week. I didn't have much with my previous r53 a few years back (as this thread shows!!) but hoping this should be more enjoyable!

In the flesh it's impressive how much more presence the GP has. It also feels pretty special even though the changes aren't huge.
 
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