Discussion
Hi. Former owner of an r53 mini here.
I changed the mini for a vw polo gti and massively regret it. I'm looking at potentially getting an r56 (that is the turbo'd next gen from the r53 isn't it?)
I've read about the timing chain and the coking issue. Are they as common as the Internet suggests?
What else should I look for?
How do they compare daily from the r53? Are they as much fun?
Thanks.
I changed the mini for a vw polo gti and massively regret it. I'm looking at potentially getting an r56 (that is the turbo'd next gen from the r53 isn't it?)
I've read about the timing chain and the coking issue. Are they as common as the Internet suggests?
What else should I look for?
How do they compare daily from the r53? Are they as much fun?
Thanks.
If you're concerned abut the timing chain tensioner issue, then look for a April 2010 N18 184BHP LCI model. The N14, pre-LCI was 175BHP.
We have the later 184BHP N18. It's currently on 52K, we've owned it since 28K/Nov 2013. It uses next to no oil.
The only two issues we've had were the High Pressure Fuel Pump and a parking sensor. The HPFP is a common failure.
I use it twice a week for an 80 mile a day commute, now I've swapped the runflats for Michelin PS3s the ride is smoother and quieter. Even with the runflats, it's not a an issue.
We have the later 184BHP N18. It's currently on 52K, we've owned it since 28K/Nov 2013. It uses next to no oil.
The only two issues we've had were the High Pressure Fuel Pump and a parking sensor. The HPFP is a common failure.
I use it twice a week for an 80 mile a day commute, now I've swapped the runflats for Michelin PS3s the ride is smoother and quieter. Even with the runflats, it's not a an issue.
Edited by Maracus on Monday 18th April 13:29
The timing chain and high pressure fuel pump do seam to effect all examples at some point (bit like power steering pump failing on the r53). However most r56 that have had the chain sorted should be OK as an improved revised chain guide is fitted (according the specialist that works on mine).
Yes they are good fun still and a bit faster than the r53s. Next month I am looking to sell my one: black 07. Cooper S 41k full history, and has the 192JCW tunning kit fitted let me know if it's of any interest) and I can send mkre details.
Yes they are good fun still and a bit faster than the r53s. Next month I am looking to sell my one: black 07. Cooper S 41k full history, and has the 192JCW tunning kit fitted let me know if it's of any interest) and I can send mkre details.
Best of luck with the search, I would ask the dealer if they have any paper work to support it having already had the timing chain tensioner changed (or budget for this to be done it’s only a couple of hundred to do anyway). I think the high pressure fuel pump is also quite a common fail (shows up as poor running when engine is cold so make sure you see the car from cold).
Otherwise I think you will like them, very similar to the r53 just a bit more refined but have still kept the fun handling and most the character, they have replaced super charger wine with an exhaust that pops and bangs on over run (even more so with JCW exhaust). They are also much better on fuel than the r53 if doing high miles too.
Otherwise I think you will like them, very similar to the r53 just a bit more refined but have still kept the fun handling and most the character, they have replaced super charger wine with an exhaust that pops and bangs on over run (even more so with JCW exhaust). They are also much better on fuel than the r53 if doing high miles too.
I tried an R56 years ago, with thoughts of trading in my R53 for one. I've still got the R53.
The R56 is a better car in every measurable way (with it's own specific issues already mentioned), but I just found the R53 makes me grin more. The R56 definitely feels more BMW, if you know what I mean - still a great car, just a bit more grown up, sensible I suppose. I think it's partly because the R53 is a bit of a mongrel is why it's so fun - it has character.
Try an R56 first - you may find you love it, you may find your nostalgia for the R53 is too strong
The R56 is a better car in every measurable way (with it's own specific issues already mentioned), but I just found the R53 makes me grin more. The R56 definitely feels more BMW, if you know what I mean - still a great car, just a bit more grown up, sensible I suppose. I think it's partly because the R53 is a bit of a mongrel is why it's so fun - it has character.
Try an R56 first - you may find you love it, you may find your nostalgia for the R53 is too strong
I bought an 07 Cooper S over New Year and love it. Along with the wedgie CRX I used to have it's the most fun car I've owned.
From what I could tell both the timing chain (death rattle) and coking are fairly common issues but both can be fixed reasonably cheaply and let's face it what car c8-10 years old doesn't have issues? Also it's entirety possible to find a car that's had the timing chain fixed (a fix was introduced about 2010) so that cost can be avoided.
The main issue is oil consumption- mine gets through about a litre every 6-800 miles. It's important to keep them topped up as low oil levels exacerbate the timing chain problem.
I got mine from the approved used mini network (£6.5k which was very competitive for the car I was looking at and they gave me an excellent px). The warranty offered makes it worth keeping an eye on their web site for one as they do turn up. Also, they did the timing chain as part of the pdi!
Good luck with the search.
From what I could tell both the timing chain (death rattle) and coking are fairly common issues but both can be fixed reasonably cheaply and let's face it what car c8-10 years old doesn't have issues? Also it's entirety possible to find a car that's had the timing chain fixed (a fix was introduced about 2010) so that cost can be avoided.
The main issue is oil consumption- mine gets through about a litre every 6-800 miles. It's important to keep them topped up as low oil levels exacerbate the timing chain problem.
I got mine from the approved used mini network (£6.5k which was very competitive for the car I was looking at and they gave me an excellent px). The warranty offered makes it worth keeping an eye on their web site for one as they do turn up. Also, they did the timing chain as part of the pdi!
Good luck with the search.
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