Every time I mot a mini and it fails, all the other mechanics spontaniously become too busy to fix it, probably because they can be pretty hateful cars to work on. Agree the facelifts are more reliable, but still, BMW should be ashamed to even associate themselves with these cars.
Who here owns a Mini?
- Thread starter ScoobyDoo69
- Start date
The problems with working on the car are inherent with any compact car with lots of modern technology - they have to put the stuff somewhere!
At any rate, IIRC the original R50/R53 were Rover designs (Linky)
My mum still has the 120bhp R56 Mini Cooper that was practically my car for 3 years.
I still love taking it out for a spin. It's just an absolute hoot, really need to work it hard but it's such a rewarding experience. Even the stock car has quite a cheeky, raspy exhaust note. I think it's a great car and I don't think you necessarily need the extra performance of the S to have lots of fun on a country B-road - and I seem to remember a few issues back Evo said exactly the same thing. I would however definitely get fed up of only 120bhp for motorway cruising.
Entirely subjective but I really like the look of the R56 model, providing you get rid of the horrible orange indicators on the lower-end models and put some decent wheels on it.
I still love taking it out for a spin. It's just an absolute hoot, really need to work it hard but it's such a rewarding experience. Even the stock car has quite a cheeky, raspy exhaust note. I think it's a great car and I don't think you necessarily need the extra performance of the S to have lots of fun on a country B-road - and I seem to remember a few issues back Evo said exactly the same thing. I would however definitely get fed up of only 120bhp for motorway cruising.
Entirely subjective but I really like the look of the R56 model, providing you get rid of the horrible orange indicators on the lower-end models and put some decent wheels on it.
Your girlfriend must be pretty cheap, BMW Minis are cheaper than some old Rover ones now
Is the GP worth the extra over a JCW R53?
I've driven a JCW R53 and honestly it didn't feel particularly quick. Maybe the bloke was lying and it was a normal R53.
I've also driven an R56 and it was an absolute hoot.
Anyway, the GP still commands a hefty premium over a late model R53 (in LHD, anyway).
Thoughts?
I've driven a JCW R53 and honestly it didn't feel particularly quick. Maybe the bloke was lying and it was a normal R53.
I've also driven an R56 and it was an absolute hoot.
Anyway, the GP still commands a hefty premium over a late model R53 (in LHD, anyway).
Thoughts?
For a decent quality one im looking at more than £2500? I think i could get that for her
You could get an R53 for that budget, there's a few for sale on PH:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...3dr-fsh--2keys--vgc/2055130?isexperiment=true
"Decent quality" is subjective though
The GP won't depreciate a whole lot, so it's whether you can afford the initial costs upfront. They are certainly more unique than the JCW
GF has a mini cooper, its different I like it(i wont admit this to peoples face LOL), the drive quality is shocking but handling it very good, reminds me of the rawness of older cars I have had. Just lacking a super charger, maybe in a few years though 
I still miss my Mini, was a little beasty
Very OEM and unassuming from the outside, based on a 93 Rover Sprite but under the bonnet:
1380cc, Omega Cast Pistons, Kent MD286 Camshaft, Ni Tempered and reground Crank, Lightened Flywheel, "Stage 3" Head (Valve sizes 35.7 / 30), 1.5 Roller Tip Rockers, HIF44 Carb, Maniflow LCB + Superflow exhaust, Aldon Yellow Distributor, Aldon flamethrower Coil + Ignitor Elec. Ignition, Jack Knight S/C C/R Gearbox, S/C drop gears 1:1 ratio, Semi Helical Crown wheel and Pinion 3.44 ratio, Crosspin Diff, Turbo Clutch.
Longmans tweeked to 89bhp@wheels..
Took all of the interior and sound deadening out. You used to floor it and the world sounded like it was ending while you squirreled off up the road
Stripped it down to rebuild with loads of nice KAD, rose joints, aluminum doors, kirky buckets, SD cage and other shiny bits but got a mortgage shortly after and had to sell her
Very OEM and unassuming from the outside, based on a 93 Rover Sprite but under the bonnet:
1380cc, Omega Cast Pistons, Kent MD286 Camshaft, Ni Tempered and reground Crank, Lightened Flywheel, "Stage 3" Head (Valve sizes 35.7 / 30), 1.5 Roller Tip Rockers, HIF44 Carb, Maniflow LCB + Superflow exhaust, Aldon Yellow Distributor, Aldon flamethrower Coil + Ignitor Elec. Ignition, Jack Knight S/C C/R Gearbox, S/C drop gears 1:1 ratio, Semi Helical Crown wheel and Pinion 3.44 ratio, Crosspin Diff, Turbo Clutch.
Longmans tweeked to 89bhp@wheels..
Took all of the interior and sound deadening out. You used to floor it and the world sounded like it was ending while you squirreled off up the road
Stripped it down to rebuild with loads of nice KAD, rose joints, aluminum doors, kirky buckets, SD cage and other shiny bits but got a mortgage shortly after and had to sell her
Last edited:
Soldato
- Joined
- 19 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 17,581
- Location
- Shakespeare’s County
Ive got a big one!
Still got the old MINI One at the moment aswell.
Still got the old MINI One at the moment aswell.
Soldato
- Joined
- 29 Jul 2013
- Posts
- 8,605
Here's mine
I hope to change the grill to an Aero grill, and possibly remove the spots. Will be changing the side and front/back light bulbs too, and possibly a light tint of the windows.
I hope to change the grill to an Aero grill, and possibly remove the spots. Will be changing the side and front/back light bulbs too, and possibly a light tint of the windows.
Looking for some advice regarding a MCS.
Very tempted by a new Fiesta ST on lease but I want to do my homework first so looking at cars with a £6k budget.
The mrs always wanted a Mini but as I'd be driving it at weekends it would need the a Cooper S.
Seen a few comments about the R56 engine being unreliable, is this true? Should I be looking at a 2005-2006 model instead?
Edit : is £5k about the right sort of price for a decent late R53? She seems to like the checkmate ones for some reason.
Very tempted by a new Fiesta ST on lease but I want to do my homework first so looking at cars with a £6k budget.
The mrs always wanted a Mini but as I'd be driving it at weekends it would need the a Cooper S.
Seen a few comments about the R56 engine being unreliable, is this true? Should I be looking at a 2005-2006 model instead?
Edit : is £5k about the right sort of price for a decent late R53? She seems to like the checkmate ones for some reason.
Last edited:
I recently bought a 2005 R53 and I love it. It has a smaller supercharger pulley and cat back exhaust, it sounds and goes better than the standard ones I drove.
Mine has a pretty high spec, panaromic roof, heated seats, cruise and MFSW, sat nav, HK stereo upgrade, anthracite headlining, LSD, folding mirrors and probably some other stuff.
Since buying it I've fitted JCW brakes and 16" OZ wheels with Federal 595RSR tyres. The ride is much better now and I'm much more confident in the car without the RFTs.
I have a OMP lower brace and Whiteline RARB to hopefully fit this week.
Mine has a pretty high spec, panaromic roof, heated seats, cruise and MFSW, sat nav, HK stereo upgrade, anthracite headlining, LSD, folding mirrors and probably some other stuff.
Since buying it I've fitted JCW brakes and 16" OZ wheels with Federal 595RSR tyres. The ride is much better now and I'm much more confident in the car without the RFTs.
I have a OMP lower brace and Whiteline RARB to hopefully fit this week.
Maintained as in serviced? What's all the scaremongering about over various forums? Surely most cars are a risk if not maintained properly.
Must admit I'd rather spend a little more on a newer one purely because of the age factor and not wanting to fork out loads of bills over the next 2-3 years.
Soldato
- Joined
- 20 Feb 2010
- Posts
- 4,503
- Location
- Darkest Worcestershire
Not so good around bends v the R53 also early R56s are troublesome.
Soldato
- Joined
- 19 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 17,581
- Location
- Shakespeare’s County
R56 with N14 has issues with the cam chain tensioner and rattling, also the direct injection coking issues. Last iof the R56 on N18 and i guess waiting to see what happens long term?
Soldato
- Joined
- 19 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 17,581
- Location
- Shakespeare’s County
The EPAS motor is more problematic and its pumping fluid rather than pure electric assistance. 6 speed box they all have is better than the R50 (non-S) 5 speed. Guess less risk of big issues but Ive never really ran one, the fuel economy is supposed to be pretty poor though.