120d msport or cooper s.

120d msport or cooper s.

Author
Discussion

joekey1441

Original Poster:

8 posts

114 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Hi guys,
New to the forum.

Im a 21 year old looking for a new car. Currently own an 09 mazda 2 sport, but looking for something powerful/fun.

I really only have two options I'm interested in. Either Cooper S or a 120d.

120d msport more sensible but don't really no much about them. How easy are they to mod in terms of the engine?

Cooper s is my first choice, not as practical but more fun. Only issue is my current insurer won't let me insure a cooper s until I'm 25. My renewal is due April 2015 and can't wait that long. I'd have to cancel my insurance and go with another company but will have to wait an extra year for my 4th years NCD. Is it worth falling a year behind for this car??

Thoughts on both cars welcome. I have also posted this in Mini forum.

Cheers!!!

CarsOrBikes

1,135 posts

183 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Even a 118d goes well remapped, and it will cost less than a decent change on an MCS would need to keep up with the torque the 1 will be delivering

An MCS for agility and driving fun, but comfort and good performance the 1

Just my 2p

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Have you had an insurance quote with the addition of the remap? You may find its not that much different from the car your really after Cooper S.




But if I were you I'd go for the 330d E90 - quicker than both comfortably plus cheaper on insurance to boot win win.

Court_S

12,764 posts

176 months

Monday 22nd September 2014
quotequote all
Which era / model of MINI are you looking at? I'm a massive fan of the original R53 with the supercharger. Loved mine and wish that I'd not sold it. They do feel quite raw these days; lots of noise, heavy steering etc. Brakes are fire though. I never clicked with the turbo charged R56 that came next. It had just lost something for me. I've driven the new F56 MCS which has the best interior of the three and is the fastest but feels very grown up. Much more BMW than previous ones.

Are you looking at the original 1er? I quite like them in M Sport trim and I think they're nicer lookng than the new version which is a bit of a pig in my opinion, but the Interior is better. Neither is all that practical compared to competitors.

Personally of the two I'd be looking at the MCS.

Or a 1er with a six pot...

joekey1441

Original Poster:

8 posts

114 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
Cheers guys,

I'm looking at R53 models of MCS and a 2004/5 1er.

Chr1sch

2,585 posts

192 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
I've got a 120d (albeit a newer one) and owned an r53 cooper s, truthfully I'd buy neither.

The r53 is an utter riot and when played with even more so BUT they are getting old now and for example our 55 plate started to get rust spots etc. it's not the most refined or sophisticated engine and they are prone to dodgy engine mounts, worn steering, power steering pumps etc

If I was your age and wanted a blend of fun, economy and prestige I'd buy a 330i or 330d (probably the former if economy isn't that important...)

I'd also look at Audi a3 3.2's or R32 Golf's for the sound alone


Court_S

12,764 posts

176 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
The R53 MCS is getting in s bit now and you'd need to be careful about the one you buy; there are still good example,es out there that are cherished, just as there are total dogs out there. The one good thing is that because they're not that sophisticated they're not too horrendous when something does happen.

A derv BMW isn't likely to be much more problem free especially the four pot.

I'd agree with the poster above though, that if fuel isn't an issue look at a 330. Our E90 is surprisingly cheap to insure.

daemon

35,724 posts

196 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
Son bought a 120d when he was 19.

Hard to get a good one in the right spec. He wanted 18s, leather, 3 door, M Sport. Very few about under £10K.

I think there is a known timing chain problem with pre LCI cars - might be worth googling.

His is a late 2009 car so should be ok.

Seemed to be ok for insurance too.

I've always considered older MINI's to be quite fragile. Prone to steering rack / gearbox problems.

That alone would put me off.


p1tse

1,375 posts

191 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
get a cooper s with a different insurer

once you go bmw refinement you will find it hard to move back to others and smaller cars in general

so tick the cooper s off the list first

nickfrog

20,871 posts

216 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
Default answer these days I'm afraid : 130i.

joekey1441

Original Poster:

8 posts

114 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
I know this isnt really the place for this, but since a few of you are mentioning reliability of R53 MCS, what would be the difference when it comes to the R56?

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
daemon said:
Son bought a 120d when he was 19.

Hard to get a good one in the right spec. He wanted 18s, leather, 3 door, M Sport. Very few about under £10K.

I think there is a known timing chain problem with pre LCI cars - might be worth googling.

His is a late 2009 car so should be ok.

Seemed to be ok for insurance too.

I've always considered older MINI's to be quite fragile. Prone to steering rack / gearbox problems.

That alone would put me off.
late 2009, bang in the middle of the Timing Chain debacle....(up to march 2011)and even the first new shape F series 2012 tell him he HAS to change the oil every 6000 miles,to give him a chance of saving his Turbo ,,,and chain,,,,,,cant say this strongly enough


Edited by smashy on Tuesday 23 September 19:42


Edited by smashy on Tuesday 23 September 19:43

Snollygoster

1,538 posts

138 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
Can't you get a Petrol 1er instead if you're looking for fun.

My insurance is only £600 on a M235i at 20; I'd imagine a 118i/125i would only be 2/3rds of that.

Just change the insurance company (any chance it's LV with the 25 limit?). It's only like a £30-£40 charge for doing so.

Maracus

4,229 posts

167 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
smashy said:
late 2009, bang in the middle of the Timing Chain debacle....(up to march 2011)and even the first new shape F series 2012 tell him he HAS to change the oil every 6000 miles,to give him a chance of saving his Turbo ,,,and chain,,,,,,cant say this strongly enough


Edited by smashy on Tuesday 23 September 19:42


Edited by smashy on Tuesday 23 September 19:43
If you're referring to the he N18 engine in the Cooper S, this came out in mid 2010.

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
quotequote all
Maracus said:
If you're referring to the he N18 engine in the Cooper S, this came out in mid 2010.
Hello,no the N47 2 ltr diesel BMW