R56 Cooper S - can it be reliable??

[df76]

Just starting to look at these an option. Lots of horror stories, mostly relating to specific and major issues. But, is it possible to run one reliably if the money is spent on the right fixes, or are they just generally a problem car?

I'm driving less miles nowadays and tempted, but can't afford continuous large bills (don't mind spending money on normal / preventative maintenance). Would be interested to hear from owners that have used the car for a while..

[mike9009]

I owned an R55 (Clubman S) for almost six years and almost 50k miles (taking it to 64k)

It needed a new thermostat housing (£200 from BMW fitted) and that was all, other than consumables/ servicing. It did like a drink of oil and staying on top of this seemed to help with the timing chain rattle.

HTH


Mike

[df76]

Thanks, good to hear the other side. Having done quite a bit of reading, it seems that the major problems are resolved by buying post 2009 with the N18 engine.

[a11y_m]

df76 said:

Thanks, good to hear the other side. Having done quite a bit of reading, it seems that the major problems are resolved by buying post 2009 with the N18 engine.

I started off with a smaller budget aiming for an early R56 Cooper S, but in the end spent a bit more to get into a N18-engined 184ps version for the supposed more reliable engine. Still very early days for me though, only had it a few months.

[Jonny944]

Hi, I've owned my 60 plate (N18) Cooper S for almost two years and 18000 miles now. In that time it had a few issues resolved under warranty (new window regulator, rear window replaced as the heated screen was poor) but no major issues. It's never returns less than 38mpg (45mpg on a 500 mile mway trip at 70mph) and is great fun to drive. One thing I will say is, don't be under the impression they're Bmw build quality as they aren't. If you can live with a little torque steer and a few trim rattles go for it!

Btw I think the LCI N18's were 10/60 plates.

Hope this helps,

Jonny.

[df76]

Will definitely have a look at the N18 engine option. Prices seem to be a little all over the place!

[Maracus]

We've had our Cooper S auto (N18 184) since November 2013. Bought from a MINI dealer with 28K on at 3 years old, now on 60k. It uses next to no oil. I purposely looked for a facelift/N18 model to avoid the tensioner issue.

Over and above routine servicing it has cost:

New High Pressure Fuel Pump fitted - £300
New Front pads and discs - £230 iirc
Rear Pads - £110
Rear Parking Sensor - £15

All work carried out by Sytner Solihull MINI dealer (except the parking sensor).

I'd say it's been excellent.

[df76]

Maracus said:

We've had our Cooper S auto (N18 184) since November 2013. Bought from a MINI dealer with 28K on at 3 years old, now on 60k. It uses next to no oil. I purposely looked for a facelift/N18 model to avoid the tensioner issue.

Over and above routine servicing it has cost:

New High Pressure Fuel Pump fitted - £300
New Front pads and discs - £230 iirc
Rear Pads - £110
Rear Parking Sensor - £15

All work carried out by Sytner Solihull MINI dealer (except the parking sensor).

I'd say it's been excellent.

Thanks for that, nothing too horrendous there.

Does anyone know which cars benefit from the electronic differential?

[jakemico]

df76 said:

Thanks for that, nothing too horrendous there.

Does anyone know which cars benefit from the electronic differential?

I have a high mileage 2007 R56 Cooper S, bought around 60k and now circa 95k. When standard I had no major issues. Oil seals were covered under warranty, High Pressure Fuel Pump replaced and the coking issue I had sorted. only costs £200ish from a main dealer after haggling and wont need doing for another 15k.

Since then, have rebuilt the bottom end with forged conrods, pistons, Mahle Racing shells etc, Now sitting at north of 280bhp and 330 ft lbs which is a lot of fun! Not the most powerful MINI around by a long shot, thats for sure.

I've opted to fit a Quaife Helical ATB Diff which is perfect for fast road / track use. I do find it's limit when you lift a wheel but it's to be expected with its design. Highly recommend and not huge money!

[df76]

jakemico said:

I have a high mileage 2007 R56 Cooper S, bought around 60k and now circa 95k. When standard I had no major issues. Oil seals were covered under warranty, High Pressure Fuel Pump replaced and the coking issue I had sorted. only costs £200ish from a main dealer after haggling and wont need doing for another 15k.

Since then, have rebuilt the bottom end with forged conrods, pistons, Mahle Racing shells etc, Now sitting at north of 280bhp and 330 ft lbs which is a lot of fun! Not the most powerful MINI around by a long shot, thats for sure.

I've opted to fit a Quaife Helical ATB Diff which is perfect for fast road / track use. I do find it's limit when you lift a wheel but it's to be expected with its design. Highly recommend and not huge money!

Thanks. It would have to cope with the odd track day and speed event.. so obviously has some potential. Would have to be wearing my (very) sensible hat though and not get too carried away with mods.

[mike9009]

mike9009 said:

I owned an R55 (Clubman S) for almost six years and almost 50k miles (taking it to 64k)

It needed a new thermostat housing (£200 from BMW fitted) and that was all, other than consumables/ servicing. It did like a drink of oil and staying on top of this seemed to help with the timing chain rattle.

HTH


Mike

Just to add, mine was an early 2007 R55 too!

[Speed 3]

From what I've read the later the better for every generation series of Mini, they do seem to have done their product development courtesy of owners repeatedly. I went for a 2013 R56 MCS based on what I'd read about 18 months ago and so far had no issues at all and there was nothing untoward in the history. Its coming up for 30k now so not high miles but I guess short blats are actually worse for most cars. Great little car, we love it in the fleet.

[curlyks2]

2010 R56 N18 Cooper S here, 3+ years, 35k+ miles and it's now on c. 60k miles. Nothing but consumables needed.

[df76]

curlyks2 said:

2010 R56 N18 Cooper S here, 3+ years, 35k+ miles and it's now on c. 60k miles. Nothing but consumables needed.

These look reasonable value at this age. Ignoring some of the joke prices, massive variation.

[df76]

I should have a 2010 N18 spec Cooper S arriving on Sunday, really looking forward to it and thanks for all of the advice. The runflats will be coming off next week!

[johnoz]

df76 said:

I should have a 2010 N18 spec Cooper S arriving on Sunday, really looking forward to it and thanks for all of the advice. The runflats will be coming off next week!

Just a question, are you sure its an N18? as it is said that they did not start production till July ish 2012!

I have a April 11 JCW which has the N14.

[df76]

johnoz said:

df76 said:

I should have a 2010 N18 spec Cooper S arriving on Sunday, really looking forward to it and thanks for all of the advice. The runflats will be coming off next week!

Just a question, are you sure its an N18? as it is said that they did not start production till July ish 2012!

I have a April 11 JCW which has the N14.

Yes, Cooper S's were fitted with N18s from mid 2010, not sure exactly why they weren't fitted to the JCW until later.

[Maracus]

It was mid 2010 for the N18 in the Cooper S. Ours was registered December 2010.

[df76]

Mini collected and very impressed.. hope it'll do the job. Runflats are really appalling and they will come off on Tuesday.

Need to work out how the DSC operates. If I disable it, is DTC still active??

[Speed 3]

df76 said:

Need to work out how the DSC operates. If I disable it, is DTC still active??

This sort of explains but I haven't played around with it myself other than when we had some snowstorms last month and I needed some wheelspin:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/11/24/dynamic-sta...