Mini Cooper s r55 2008-2010

[Markbarry1977]

First post in the mini section guys so be gentle with me.

My wife has decided her 370z roadster is becoming too expensive to run on fuel since a change of jobs has resulted in her doing a much greater commute.

To that end, she is looking for a 2008-2010 cooper s (r55 I believe looking at Wikipedia), I noticed a guide on here for the previous model (r53) but I am after a good guide for the r55 or what to look for. Is there anything specific to be checking on a test drive.

Thanks in advance ladies and gents for your help.

[eatcustard]

Dont buy a Gen 2 Cooper S (works) pre 2010, they have many issues that could cost you a fortune.

[mike9009]

Hi

The R55 is the Cooper S Clubman, the R56 is the Cooper S Hatch.

As mentioned these engines do have their issues.

Mine (Clubman S owned for five years/ 40k miles without any real issues) loves a drink of oil, about a litre every 900 miles. The timing chain can fail - but a new tensioner and regular checking the oil seems to have kept mine on the road. I suspect the oil consumption has caught a few owners out.

They are fitted with run flats which some owners dislike. I have some new P-Zero runflats which seem pretty good on my local country roads/ commute.

I have had the thermostat housing fail (~ £200 to fix at BMW) and really that is it.

An upgraded stereo would be one recommendation as the standard one is pretty poor IME. I have found a parrot kit and new front speakers has helped.


HTH


Mike

[Markbarry1977]

Yeah I think I got the r55 and r56 mixed up apologies for that.

We ended up testing a 2011 coupe with chill pack sat nav and a few other bits and pieces. Fantastic car but at £10k more than she really wants to pay.

We're off to test a hatchback version 57 plate tomorrow. Full history, new timing chain and tensioner. I gather these can be a bit of a problem on these. I had a n47 in my 123d that was replaced under a quality enhancement. Seems to be a bit of a common theme on BMW engines.

Thanks for the advice. I've been reading about them all day and I have to say my wife was really impressed with it. The 181bhp engine in the coupe really impressed her. Coming from a modded 370z I was surprised she was so impressed.

[bobs4c]

My wife had an R56 Cooper S - 09 reg. Did over 80k miles and would also say that oil consumption was always a bit high. Had the chain and tensioner replaced - you could hear it rattling when cold.

Also found that the runflats were ok as long as they were replaced when down to 4-5mm, otherwise the steering was affected too much by the road surface - well, especially with the roads round our way!

Bob

[Markbarry1977]

Well after test driving a few cars, she has done what most women do when shopping and gone for the first one she test drive which was slightly over budget.

Nice car, 2011 Mini Cooper s coupe with chill pack. It's got sat nav, integrated Bluetooth, cruise. Really nice tidy example. Sold by soper BMW/mini brand new and full service history by them so they know the car. 27k miles on it. 1 years mot, 1 years mini guarantee. Not a mark on It inside or out really.

Bit of a step down from a highly modded 370z but she is happy. It's got plenty of go and reading online a decent map could see 220 ish bhp, although hopefully this one will stay oem. (Who am I kidding she will have something modified within a month. )

Anyway thanks for the helpful info, I might suggest a cam tensioner change just so we know it's been done.

Is there a revised part number for an upgraded part and is it an expensive job to get done/difficult to do. I had a quick look under the bonnet and it seems mega tight to get anything done on it.

[bobs4c]

I'm no expert, but you may find that the tensioner was improved by 2011. Our replacement was a significant task, so probably best left until any evidence of a problem?

Bob