RE: Mini Cooper S JCW (R56) | PH Fleet
Discussion
Sorry to hear that, the orange Mini looked fun, gutting to end like this.
The original Mini similarly lacked an engine temperature light, and my mum overheated hers lugging it up Lake District hills in top gear. I don't recall the story whether it was repaired or replaced with another Mini though.
What a sad story, sorry to hear. Still can't quite add up how it almost ended up as scrap though...
For the record, the older new MINI's (R50/52/53) do come with a water temp gauge. I think only from the R56 on they dropped, like almost all contemporary German cars. Strange decision that.
Great choice on the Mazda, never knowingly seen one, I assume its sort of an "undercover car" nobody gives a second glance but soldiers on. Just what you need now!
For the record, the older new MINI's (R50/52/53) do come with a water temp gauge. I think only from the R56 on they dropped, like almost all contemporary German cars. Strange decision that.
Great choice on the Mazda, never knowingly seen one, I assume its sort of an "undercover car" nobody gives a second glance but soldiers on. Just what you need now!
I think it has more than 120hp. My brother has a 2016 mazda 3 2.0l and its 115kw which is I think about 160hp, as is the 2.0l on my 2012 CX-5. Assuming its a petrol. Good cars, great gearbox, reasonable dynamics, great reliability record here (Aus) albeit our market pretty much ignores the diesels. Diesels have a really bad rep and my colleagues diesel 3 died a very bad death with something that wasn't meant to go bang inside doing so. My sister has this 3 in a 2 5 auto and its been flawless. Basically, petrol Mazdas are great imo. I've personally had 2 2002 323s - one as cheap reliable car then another 9 years later as a very cheap 2nd car, an NC MX-5 and now an auto CX-5. Family members have had a 2000 626, another NC MX-5, a Mazda2...
J4CKO said:
Suspect the Mazda will be one of those cars that just cracks on being very competent, pleasant and unobtrusive, the kind of car you only miss when you get rid and then end up with something like a Mini that breaks all the time.
I think car enthusiasts tend to make themselves suffer some crap cars, I had a utterly dependable Mondeo 1.8 LX, the epitome of utter dullness but it handled well, was well designed, comfy, not too horrendous on fuel, reliable, sold it and bout an s
tter of a Fiat Coupe Turbo because fast. At least you have gone the other way now, key is to find a fun car that isnt likely to fall apart like a 13 year old Mini.
You've summed it up perfectly. If I hadn't sold my K13 Micra which I miss heaps because it us all the car I've ever needed realistically, I would have had another 36k (Aud) just in purchase prices cycling through other cars that were actually not as perfectly suited for my needs ( I have motorbikes for fun roads). The same Micra that I bought in 2016 for 6000 bucks with 68000kms is now a 8000 buck car in 2024 with 120000kms...I think car enthusiasts tend to make themselves suffer some crap cars, I had a utterly dependable Mondeo 1.8 LX, the epitome of utter dullness but it handled well, was well designed, comfy, not too horrendous on fuel, reliable, sold it and bout an s
tter of a Fiat Coupe Turbo because fast. At least you have gone the other way now, key is to find a fun car that isnt likely to fall apart like a 13 year old Mini.
Really frustrating on your behalf Matt.
I gave up on my old 1 series as my station run hack as it was unreliable and miserable.
I wanted something utterly reliable and sensible as my replacement to go alongside the classic Mustang.
I fought the urges for things that were more exciting to do the station run I settled on a Mazda 3 petrol 1.6 from the previous generation.
It has been utterly faultless and reliable, cheap to run and does exactly what I want. Then when I'm not doing a station run the Restomod gets used but with the comfort knowing that 'Maz' is always there to be relied upon.
It's not sexy but I can't recommend Mazda higher for these type of tasks.
I gave up on my old 1 series as my station run hack as it was unreliable and miserable.
I wanted something utterly reliable and sensible as my replacement to go alongside the classic Mustang.
I fought the urges for things that were more exciting to do the station run I settled on a Mazda 3 petrol 1.6 from the previous generation.
It has been utterly faultless and reliable, cheap to run and does exactly what I want. Then when I'm not doing a station run the Restomod gets used but with the comfort knowing that 'Maz' is always there to be relied upon.
It's not sexy but I can't recommend Mazda higher for these type of tasks.
Leins said:
Sorry to hear of the car woes Matt
Just to note the previous gen MINI (R53) does actually have an engine temp gauge. (Just seen Riccardo’s post above saying the same thing) There’s also an auxiliary JCW pod available with oil temp and battery voltage:
That's interesting - sure that wasn't just the facelift R53 with the better steering wheel? My R53 didn't have either of those gauges on it, just an empty void.Just to note the previous gen MINI (R53) does actually have an engine temp gauge. (Just seen Riccardo’s post above saying the same thing) There’s also an auxiliary JCW pod available with oil temp and battery voltage:
What a shame Matt, much kudos to you for sharing this sad tale and good luck with the Mazda.
Incredible that you did not get a warning of the problem, I'd expect to see a low coolant level detector and there will be at least one monitor for engine temperature for the engine management, why that wouldn't be used to trigger a message or temp light is a mystery best known to BMW...
Incredible that you did not get a warning of the problem, I'd expect to see a low coolant level detector and there will be at least one monitor for engine temperature for the engine management, why that wouldn't be used to trigger a message or temp light is a mystery best known to BMW...
Its surprising how many cars come without more comprehensive gauges and warning lights.
The X150 XKR/XKR-S for example doesn't have a water temp gauge, let alone oil pressure/temp.
Our R56 Cooper recently expired, due to excessive oil usage. Bloody penny-pinching lack of oil level warning, and a dipstick thats virtually impossible to read was I dare say a contributor, along with the fact they like to use oil at the best of times and a small oil capacity. Shame as it was a great fun car to drive, and much more characterful than its peers. The Prince engine is truly awful... definitely check for any sign of smoke after idling for a bit.
The X150 XKR/XKR-S for example doesn't have a water temp gauge, let alone oil pressure/temp.
Our R56 Cooper recently expired, due to excessive oil usage. Bloody penny-pinching lack of oil level warning, and a dipstick thats virtually impossible to read was I dare say a contributor, along with the fact they like to use oil at the best of times and a small oil capacity. Shame as it was a great fun car to drive, and much more characterful than its peers. The Prince engine is truly awful... definitely check for any sign of smoke after idling for a bit.
Sad news on the mini, but I can't imagine you being disappointed with the 3, a handsome car especially in soul red, and iirc they always fared well in reviews as being a great drive, only negative was the na against everything else being turbo charged, to my mind the na is better, much more fun to use the rev range, but in reviews that seemed to be the only negative, it was well built with great control feel and was fun to drive, again going by contemporary reviews. I reckon you'll enjoy it.
Anyway, a true car enthusiast can have fun in any car.
Anyway, a true car enthusiast can have fun in any car.
My Accountant has one just like this.
'Nuff said.
Joking apart, having started with a 92J 626 1.8 saloon in the early noughties and ended with an NC 2.0 in 2015, with a couple of NA V-Specs and a 6 diesel estate inbetween, I have to concede I love a Mazda of any stripe as much as the next man.
'Nuff said.
Joking apart, having started with a 92J 626 1.8 saloon in the early noughties and ended with an NC 2.0 in 2015, with a couple of NA V-Specs and a 6 diesel estate inbetween, I have to concede I love a Mazda of any stripe as much as the next man.
pb8g09 said:
Leins said:
Sorry to hear of the car woes Matt
Just to note the previous gen MINI (R53) does actually have an engine temp gauge. (Just seen Riccardo’s post above saying the same thing) There’s also an auxiliary JCW pod available with oil temp and battery voltage:
That's interesting - sure that wasn't just the facelift R53 with the better steering wheel? My R53 didn't have either of those gauges on it, just an empty void.Just to note the previous gen MINI (R53) does actually have an engine temp gauge. (Just seen Riccardo’s post above saying the same thing) There’s also an auxiliary JCW pod available with oil temp and battery voltage:
ballans said:
Ahhh, that’s a shame. Was a good looking car until the engine went pop. I’ve often been tempted to put the R53 supercharged engine in the R56. Wonder if Auto Alex is thinking the same.
How different are the Peugeot versions of that 1.6? Could you get the engine/gearbox/diff from a 308GTi into a Mini? (270bhp and an LSD).Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff