Who here owns a Mini?

--Mike-- · 14 Oct 2022 at 15:12

Welcome! A fellow Northamptonian - I'll keep an eye open for you!

tsinc80697 · 17 Oct 2022 at 14:26

So it looks like the R55 has either worn piston rings or valve stem seals need replacing. Dropping it off at a local Mini specialist next week to find out eactly the problem is. Welcome to Mini ownership eh? Good job I bought the car from a friend, he's gutted he's sold it to me not in perfect running condition and offered to either buy it back or pay for the repairs.

Ryan-3 · 26 Oct 2022 at 13:47

Looking to get a car for my new job starting in Jan. Been eyeing up an R56 Cooper SD for me and the other half to drive (she wants nothing larger...) as it covers my commute of 30 minutes at 70 on a motorway and several motorway journeys to get to parents/friends between 1 and 5 hours.

Anything particular to watch out for on a facelift (11-13 plate) Cooper SD that I may have missed? I know the earlier N47 engines had issues, but I assume keeping on top of oil/servicing should keep it going. EGR/DPF issues? Timing chain like the petrol?

Previously had an N14 Cooper S (57 plate) that was probably posted several pages back, so I am familiar with the R56. One I have my eye on has full service history, recent new clutch and flywheel among other bits and a good spec (HK stereo, full leather, etc.).

Cleisthenes · 26 Oct 2022 at 15:22

I'm debating whether to renew the extended warranty on my 2016 Cooper S Hatch. I've paid the £500 odd for the last two years for fully comp, £100 excess and breakdown but haven't needed to use it once. I've got a possible engine mount needing replacing and the driver seat sliding mechanism playing silly buggers which I've been told 'will be considered' if I take it into Mini. I'm not due a service for another 10 months or so so it's a pain as it is to take it in.

I've been quoted £320 for the year if I remove breakdown and have a £250 excess which is tempting just in case something catastrophic happens or £460 with a £100 excess.

What are people's thoughts? Is it worth it for peace of mind, but even if I do there is the hassle of taking it in.

@[TW]-Fox.43 how do you go about your Mini cover? Think it's worth it on a 2016 S?

tweedbean · 26 Oct 2022 at 15:29

Ryan-3 said:
Looking to get a car for my new job starting in Jan. Been eyeing up an R56 Cooper SD for me and the other half to drive (she wants nothing larger...) as it covers my commute of 30 minutes at 70 on a motorway and several motorway journeys to get to parents/friends between 1 and 5 hours.

Anything particular to watch out for on a facelift (11-13 plate) Cooper SD that I may have missed? I know the earlier N47 engines had issues, but I assume keeping on top of oil/servicing should keep it going. EGR/DPF issues? Timing chain like the petrol?

Previously had an N14 Cooper S (57 plate) that was probably posted several pages back, so I am familiar with the R56. One I have my eye on has full service history, recent new clutch and flywheel among other bits and a good spec (HK stereo, full leather, etc.).

Hi same engine as my Paceman, 2.0 turbo diesel N47, as you say these suffer with timing chain issues similar to the petrol and was the reason why mine was seized. Not seen too many EGR/DPF issues. Just ensure it gets a good blast and good servicing on these, just like the petrols of this generation.

Cleisthenes said:
I'm debating whether to renew the extended warranty on my 2016 Cooper S Hatch. I've paid the £500 odd for the last two years for fully comp, £100 excess and breakdown but haven't needed to use it once. I've got a possible engine mount needing replacing and the driver seat sliding mechanism playing silly buggers which I've been told 'will be considered' if I take it into Mini. I'm not due a service for another 10 months or so so it's a pain as it is to take it in.

I've been quoted £320 for the year if I remove breakdown and have a £250 excess which is tempting just in case something catastrophic happens or £460 with a £100 excess.

What are people's thoughts? Is it worth it for peace of mind, but even if I do there is the hassle of taking it in.

@[TW]-Fox.43 how do you go about your Mini cover? Think it's worth it on a 2016 S?

I would love to help with some advice but having modified every Mini's I've owned, warranty coverage wouldn't last long. The two little things you mentioned, don't seem to be expensive fixes, especially if you use a mini specialist rather than a main dealer. Being a 2016 it will be the latest F56 generation which tend to be a lot more reliable than the previous generation due to the use of BMW engines rather than Peugeot.

Cleisthenes · 26 Oct 2022 at 15:37

tweedbean said:
Hi same engine as my Paceman, 2.0 turbo diesel N47, as you say these suffer with timing chain issues similar to the petrol and was the reason why mine was seized. Not seen too many EGR/DPF issues. Just ensure it gets a good blast and good servicing on these, just like the petrols of this generation.

I would love to help with some advice but having modified every Mini's I've owned, warranty coverage wouldn't last long. The two little things you mentioned, don't seem to be expensive fixes, especially if you use a mini specialist rather than a main dealer. Being a 2016 it will be the latest F56 generation which tend to be a lot more reliable than the previous generation due to the use of BMW engines rather than Peugeot.

Thanks for your input. I think I am leaning towards not renewing but if something tech or engine related happened then I'd be in for some trouble!

[TW]Fox · 26 Oct 2022 at 16:05

Cleisthenes said:
how do you go about your Mini cover? Think it's worth it on a 2016 S?

For me, absolutely.

Ours is a 2018 Cooper - the cost is the same and I happily renew it for £400 every year. I've never used it, so some might claim it's money wasted, but I think its a small price to pay for the peace of mind and my prior experience of BMW/Mini warranty is that if you do need it, it really is as good as you could ever expect such a policy to be.

I value the fact that if anything ever went wrong on the car I don't really need to think about where it goes and who can fix it, it just goes straight to Mini and they deal with it. At £400 I'd need a good reason not to bother. It's much better value than it is on my 5 Series.

Cleisthenes · 26 Oct 2022 at 16:35

[TW]Fox said:
For me, absolutely.

Ours is a 2018 Cooper - the cost is the same and I happily renew it for £400 every year. I've never used it, so some might claim it's money wasted, but I think its a small price to pay for the peace of mind and my prior experience of BMW/Mini warranty is that if you do need it, it really is as good as you could ever expect such a policy to be.

I value the fact that if anything ever went wrong on the car I don't really need to think about where it goes and who can fix it, it just goes straight to Mini and they deal with it. At £400 I'd need a good reason not to bother. It's much better value than it is on my 5 Series.

Thanks for the insight.

Ryan-3 · 2 Nov 2022 at 10:46

tweedbean said:
Hi same engine as my Paceman, 2.0 turbo diesel N47, as you say these suffer with timing chain issues similar to the petrol and was the reason why mine was seized. Not seen too many EGR/DPF issues. Just ensure it gets a good blast and good servicing on these, just like the petrols of this generation.

Thanks for the response. SWMBO had since decided that we should get the petrol model instead now (I tried to pretend to grumble about this..) so have trailed through an endless number of Cooper S's.

One thing I never realised was that the N14 stayed in the JCW until 12 plate cars, whereas the S got the N18 from (late?) 2010. Got a number of cars to look at this weekend, all FSH, and all bar one JCW are N18 engined cars.

tweedbean · 13 Nov 2022 at 13:03

Its been a while since I updated on my F56, theres been a few niggles I need to sort and parts are piling up. I have front and rear JCW brakes to fit to this however they wont fit under the current stock wheels. So friday night I decided to start wheel shopping and came across a set of Autec Wizzard 17x7.5 et47 for sale with 215 40 17 tyres. They require 10mm spacers to clear JCW brakes but I already have some fitted. From the same seller I also picked up a part of Forge rear adjustable control arms, OEM black door handles and a stud conversion. But for now the wheels are on, I did a 7 hour return journey, I swapped the wheels in the dark on his drive so they didnt get damaged in the back of the car last night getting back at 1.30am but it was worth it. I wasn't sure of the colour at first but seeing it in the day light today, I love it.

Mini F56 - About time I got some aftermarket wheels so I went with Autec Wizards 17x7 ET47

If you found this video useful please take the time to click the subscribe button or hit this link below for future content:https://www.youtube.com/subscript...

youtu.be

Plenty of space for JCW brake behind those spokes:

Next up I need to get some new number plates made, Remus exhaust to fit, it needs to go to Millsys to get the brakes fitted and digital dash/new battery coded in and I also have the LCI2 rear bumper to get painted and fitted

wingman · 15 Feb 2023 at 21:45

Hi all, my sister's R56 1.6 Mini has lost it's heating in the cabin, it works but it doesn't blow warm/hot anymore, even when the engine has been ran for 10-15 minutes.

Ran a Carly live diagnostics and also looks as though the engine isn't warming up, only got to about 60 degrees after a good run.

Where to start? Thermostat?

kona786 · 15 Feb 2023 at 21:53

Sounds indeed like a stuck open stat.

smallstool · 15 Feb 2023 at 22:13

Wish I still had my 1959 850 Super Deluxe

kolobos · 16 Feb 2023 at 11:44

wingman said:
Hi all, my sister's R56 1.6 Mini has lost it's heating in the cabin, it works but it doesn't blow warm/hot anymore, even when the engine has been ran for 10-15 minutes.

Ran a Carly live diagnostics and also looks as though the engine isn't warming up, only got to about 60 degrees after a good run.

Where to start? Thermostat?

You've probably already ruled it out, but when mine stopped working, it turned out the coolant level was too low.

wingman · 16 Feb 2023 at 16:29

kolobos said:
You've probably already ruled it out, but when mine stopped working, it turned out the coolant level was too low.

Good shout but yep, checked that.

Will hopefully get it into the garage this week or next.

kona786 · 16 Feb 2023 at 16:41

GeX · 18 Feb 2023 at 20:08

I didn't realise there was a Mini thread, I've had this a few months now

No mods as of yet, but got some R53 JCW front callipers currently being refurbed by Bigg Red, then new discs and pads all round. Got an uprated bypass valve, screaming demon coil pack and KV85s to fit. Hopefully have an airtec intercooler on the way soon. Done a few cosmetic things since the photos, LED sidelights so the colour temp matches the xenons and chrome indicator bulbs to dump the fried egg look, new front speakers (will do the rears when I get chance to take the rear interior out!), got an ultragauge on the go to.

CaptainRAVE · 18 Feb 2023 at 20:13

Didn’t realise there was a mini thread. Will be driving my wife’s for the next couple of days while I wait for my tyres to be replaced. On the plus side I can escape work earlier since no one knows the car.

CaptainRAVE · 4 Mar 2023 at 10:10

Well I’ve ended up driving the mini for a couple of weeks. Should get my car back today.

It’s been fun. The biggest perk being how narrow it is versus mine, I can throw it into such tiny gaps which has been handy for pick up and drop off at a very busy train station. It’s kept my driving calmer too. Much less corner grip than mine, but then they are much narrower tyres. Very comfortable and easy to drive. Hilariously uses more petrol than my TTRS though.

The biggest annoyance is the indicator that is so unresponsive and with some built in soft click button on it or some such.

kona786 · 4 Mar 2023 at 11:34

Indicator... No need for those

Seems okay to me. A light nudge brings on 3 flashs and and proper nudge is full on?

And yes small car for the win for our UK roads. I always sigh when I'm held up by wide cars trying hopelessly to navigate a slightly narrow gap.