Discussion
Ah ours is the N18 and it's barely audible. Sounds like you may have not had the Mini update. I'd imagine it dumps a little fuel on overrun. Apparently people were complaining about the noise so they turned it down.
Do you use supermarket or V-Powerer fuel? That is meant to make a difference.
Do you use supermarket or V-Powerer fuel? That is meant to make a difference.
I use ordinary 95 RON, usually from BP because that is all there is on my commute to work.
Never noticed any difference between normal and any for of "super" in either performance or the pops and crackles. Despite hearing people say you get more bangs with super, i don't see how the octane rating of the fuel will have any bearing at all on how much crackling you get on the overrun!
Never noticed any difference between normal and any for of "super" in either performance or the pops and crackles. Despite hearing people say you get more bangs with super, i don't see how the octane rating of the fuel will have any bearing at all on how much crackling you get on the overrun!
jimmy156 said:
sagarich said:
Deejbb said:
Pretty sure I've seen you in Guildford before, remember seeing the PH logo!
Normally spotted bouncing off the limiter up Guildford High Street 
not since my guildford cruise days, different times!
Just thought i would pop a little update in here.
The MINI threw its first actual out of warranty repair bill at me recently, as well as me having to repair some mystery damage that turned out to be self inflicted...
The plastic trim that covers the C pillar had a mysterious hole in it...
IMG_1333 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_1335 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
I blamed falling acorns, attempted theft, all sorts...
It took me doing the same thing again and making it even worse to realise what i had done... I had got into the habit of wedging the parcel shelf between the strut that holds the boot open when loading larger stuff into the boot. Without fail i would forget i had done this and shut the bloody door with it still there!
Fixing this, plus a leaky rear fog light cluster in the bumper, cost just under £200 from MINI themselves (cheaper then 2 local indy places!)
Then the first sign of a problem was the fact i lost heating. I bled the cooling system, which worked, but it quickly became apparent that i was losing coolant. Eventually (after keeping it topped up for a week waiting for its slot in the garage) it puked its guts in a car park. New thermostat housing and a bit of "while you're in there" meant a new AUX belt and water belt pulley and i was £500 lighter.
Mileage is now a lot more then it had been, and the car is on 81,000 and counting quickly! Still no real plans to change, still really enjoy driving the car, still haven't got the thing on track!
The MINI threw its first actual out of warranty repair bill at me recently, as well as me having to repair some mystery damage that turned out to be self inflicted...
The plastic trim that covers the C pillar had a mysterious hole in it...
IMG_1333 by jimmyb156, on FlickrIMG_1335 by jimmyb156, on FlickrI blamed falling acorns, attempted theft, all sorts...
It took me doing the same thing again and making it even worse to realise what i had done... I had got into the habit of wedging the parcel shelf between the strut that holds the boot open when loading larger stuff into the boot. Without fail i would forget i had done this and shut the bloody door with it still there!
Fixing this, plus a leaky rear fog light cluster in the bumper, cost just under £200 from MINI themselves (cheaper then 2 local indy places!)
Then the first sign of a problem was the fact i lost heating. I bled the cooling system, which worked, but it quickly became apparent that i was losing coolant. Eventually (after keeping it topped up for a week waiting for its slot in the garage) it puked its guts in a car park. New thermostat housing and a bit of "while you're in there" meant a new AUX belt and water belt pulley and i was £500 lighter.
Mileage is now a lot more then it had been, and the car is on 81,000 and counting quickly! Still no real plans to change, still really enjoy driving the car, still haven't got the thing on track!
Nice write up and good to hear someone else enjoying their Cooper S.
I've had mine for nearly two years now, and it's been great. Just perfect for what I need it for. It's one of the very first N18 cars, but had a total engine loss not long before I bought the car. There is a very scary engine bill receipt still in the history, even though MINI paid for half of the engine cost. It's also now come out of the additional warranty that MINI provided, so fingers crossed.
I've had it on track, but now relegated firmly to road duties as I have a dedicated track car. It's been to Le Mans, and covered those miles with ease. Have thought about a newer Fiesta ST, but the ride quality wasn't anywhere near as good.
Also can't see me selling it on for a good while.
I've had mine for nearly two years now, and it's been great. Just perfect for what I need it for. It's one of the very first N18 cars, but had a total engine loss not long before I bought the car. There is a very scary engine bill receipt still in the history, even though MINI paid for half of the engine cost. It's also now come out of the additional warranty that MINI provided, so fingers crossed.
I've had it on track, but now relegated firmly to road duties as I have a dedicated track car. It's been to Le Mans, and covered those miles with ease. Have thought about a newer Fiesta ST, but the ride quality wasn't anywhere near as good.
Also can't see me selling it on for a good while.
Nice MINI mate, does it have the pre facelift bumpers on it, but with he post facelift engine as you mention?
How was it on track? I don't need to be going 10/10ths and seeking every second round the lap, just want to have a bit of fun and find the limits in a controlled/safe place!
ETA re-reading my initial post stating i was getting 38mpg... Over the past month and a bit and 2500 miles or so i have been averaging 44mpg! Pretty pleased with that!
How was it on track? I don't need to be going 10/10ths and seeking every second round the lap, just want to have a bit of fun and find the limits in a controlled/safe place!
ETA re-reading my initial post stating i was getting 38mpg... Over the past month and a bit and 2500 miles or so i have been averaging 44mpg! Pretty pleased with that!
Edited by jimmy156 on Thursday 25th October 14:38
Nice car OP, the lounge leather really lifts the interior on the R56 I reckon. I had the old N14 engine in a Citroen DS3 before my current F56 Cooper S and it was an absolute nightmare, timing chain issues as well as the HPFP going before 50k even with regular servicing. N18 cars like yours seem a much better ownership prospect.
My dad ran an R56 for a couple of years. After driving my F56 he claimed he much preferred the handling of the R56 as the newer car felt bloated in comparison!
Best of luck with it.
My dad ran an R56 for a couple of years. After driving my F56 he claimed he much preferred the handling of the R56 as the newer car felt bloated in comparison!
Best of luck with it.
jimmy156 said:
Nice MINI mate, does it have the pre facelift bumpers on it, but with he post facelift engine as you mention?
How was it on track? I don't need to be going 10/10ths and seeking every second round the lap, just want to have a bit of fun and find the limits in a controlled/safe place!
ETA re-reading my initial post stating i was getting 38mpg... Over the past month and a bit and 2500 miles or so i have been averaging 44mpg! Pretty pleased with that!
Yes, there seemed to be a short period of time when N18 engines were installed to pre facelift bumper cars. Mine has a production date of July 2010.How was it on track? I don't need to be going 10/10ths and seeking every second round the lap, just want to have a bit of fun and find the limits in a controlled/safe place!
ETA re-reading my initial post stating i was getting 38mpg... Over the past month and a bit and 2500 miles or so i have been averaging 44mpg! Pretty pleased with that!
Edited by jimmy156 on Thursday 25th October 14:38
Exactly the right attitude for track days, no need to be hunting every second, especially when it's your road car as well. It's the perfect car for that, just need to make sure that the front pads are decent and that the fluid has been changed. With a LSD, a mild map and some slightly improved suspension it would be a pretty quick car.
I do have something occasionally knocking from the rear left. I've changed the ARB bushes, but that did nothing. Need to investigate further. Also had the front strut top mounts changed, that significantly tightened up the front end and made everything more direct.
My first mod
IMG_1501 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
Extended rear facing car seat in the front means no view of the door mirror, so i improvised!
My son is too young to be front facing and has out-grown his infant carrier, and there was no way i was putting him in a rear facing seat in the back, i would never have got him out again and my back would have been f
ked!
IMG_1501 by jimmyb156, on FlickrExtended rear facing car seat in the front means no view of the door mirror, so i improvised!
My son is too young to be front facing and has out-grown his infant carrier, and there was no way i was putting him in a rear facing seat in the back, i would never have got him out again and my back would have been f
ked!No idea what’s happened. Just put a full tank of Costco premium (V-Power essentially) in the girlfriends N18. She usually just puts in Sainsbury’s swill. Not sure if it being cold and wet makes a difference, with the sport button pressed it’s popping and cracking to to a level to make Shmee happy. I love it. I then tried folding the rear seats down. It sounds ruddy great inside the car now.
I’m still wanting to put a sport cat in it.
I’m still wanting to put a sport cat in it.
Edited by paultownsend on Saturday 19th January 18:04
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