‘09 Mini Cooper S
Discussion
Bought for my wife, actually. 44,000 miles, nice condition with good options. Had timing chain kit changed immediately, booked in for walnut-decoke with TWG Automotive in Camberly next week, and detailing with unique-detail just before Christmas.
I know about panoramic roof issues but not worried about that. Will clean mechanism in the spring and replace rubbers too. No power mods as it’s wifes car. I might change wheels for smaller 16” to make ride smoother for her.
Good options I like are the seats (wish they were heated though); panoramic roof; heated front screen; Harman Karmon stereo. It wasn’t the cheapest but I wanted one in nice condition, and the radio in particular swung it. Didn’t think I would like the ‘english oak’ trim but it turns out I do!
Love driving it so far I like the steering etc. (For anyone that doesn’t know these are a 1.6 turbo charged engine - N14 designation. Has some well know faults but to be honest they’re not difficult to have sorted).
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I know about panoramic roof issues but not worried about that. Will clean mechanism in the spring and replace rubbers too. No power mods as it’s wifes car. I might change wheels for smaller 16” to make ride smoother for her.
Good options I like are the seats (wish they were heated though); panoramic roof; heated front screen; Harman Karmon stereo. It wasn’t the cheapest but I wanted one in nice condition, and the radio in particular swung it. Didn’t think I would like the ‘english oak’ trim but it turns out I do!
Love driving it so far I like the steering etc. (For anyone that doesn’t know these are a 1.6 turbo charged engine - N14 designation. Has some well know faults but to be honest they’re not difficult to have sorted).
[url]Edited by CoolHands on Friday 1st December 21:09
Looks like a really nice car.
My Mrs has had her '61 R56 S for getting on 5 years, we both love it, huge fun. Had it since 16,000 miles, now at around 55,000.
Ours is a funny spec, like someone saved on options to get the better engine. No chilli pack, base radio, but it's got the same fantastic Lounge seats... but with heaters ;-)
It's been alright on the whole. I changed the run-flats to regulars early on and it made a huge difference to everything - ride, noise, grip - so I recommend that. The high pressure fuel pump went this year with no warning and great expense but otherwise it's been ok.
I haven't done the chains though or decoked it... I believe our later N18 engine is a bit tougher then the N14, but is it something to look into?
My Mrs has had her '61 R56 S for getting on 5 years, we both love it, huge fun. Had it since 16,000 miles, now at around 55,000.
Ours is a funny spec, like someone saved on options to get the better engine. No chilli pack, base radio, but it's got the same fantastic Lounge seats... but with heaters ;-)
It's been alright on the whole. I changed the run-flats to regulars early on and it made a huge difference to everything - ride, noise, grip - so I recommend that. The high pressure fuel pump went this year with no warning and great expense but otherwise it's been ok.
I haven't done the chains though or decoked it... I believe our later N18 engine is a bit tougher then the N14, but is it something to look into?
I think the decoke is much less likely as they changed the breather system see this thread:
http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f13/does-n18-engin...
And I believe the timing chain problems are also sorted or much reduced so you probably don’t need to worry. If you do end up getting a rattle from the engine it would appear the turbo wastegate is likely to be the problem.
http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f13/does-n18-engin...
And I believe the timing chain problems are also sorted or much reduced so you probably don’t need to worry. If you do end up getting a rattle from the engine it would appear the turbo wastegate is likely to be the problem.
CoolHands said:
...booked in for walnut-decoke with TWG Automotive in Camberly next week
Will's very good - he's been looking after our cars for a few years now. My X3 is in for it's back brakes tomorrow.Lovely car - my wife has had a couple. The first was a real Friday car, bought second hand with 27k it was one of the first off the line and we had no end of problems. ECU issues, burst hose, DMF and the famous panoramic roof. Most covered by the warranty I'm glad to say.
The second 13 plate car was completely the opposite and completely reliable. We had that from new.
If you're interested I've got a set of 16s with Dunlop winters in the shed which I was going to put on eBay. She's now got a Countryman which has 5 stud hubs.
Ooh don’t suppose you know the ‘type’ or name of the 16” wheels?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I've never had an issue with the roof, but then again i always use it even during the winter.
Has some one upgraded the stereo on yours? i'm assuming they have dropped the 6x9's in ? if its a newmini mod you might find an amplifier under the passenger seat, under the cover. As for heated seats, have you checked to see if the wires are there ?
Has some one upgraded the stereo on yours? i'm assuming they have dropped the 6x9's in ? if its a newmini mod you might find an amplifier under the passenger seat, under the cover. As for heated seats, have you checked to see if the wires are there ?
That’s a really nice car and a brilliant spec. I’ve recently bought a R55 Cooper D for my wife, 9 years old, 65,000 miles just one owner with full Mini service history. Ours has got the Chilli pack, parking sensors and heated seats. All I’ve done is fit a Bluetooth hands free kit. Currently getting 52mpg and road tax is £20!
Really pleased with it, a hoot to drive, and feels like a 3 year old car. Pleased it’s got the 16” wheels, drives really well.
Really pleased with it, a hoot to drive, and feels like a 3 year old car. Pleased it’s got the 16” wheels, drives really well.
Heavy frost today after -2 or whatever it was last night, with frozen ice on the car. Good time to test the heated front screen!
I made a video (sad I know) to see how long it took
https://youtu.be/CavSl7dLsn0
I made a video (sad I know) to see how long it took
https://youtu.be/CavSl7dLsn0
Cracking looking Mini.
I've had two of these cars and both have used 1l of oil every 600-800 miles and also had the timing chain issues. I wasn't overlay bothered about the timing chain as I had all that fixed on the first Mini (gave up on the 2nd), it was the oil consumption that did my head in. What's the oil consumption like on yours?
PB
I've had two of these cars and both have used 1l of oil every 600-800 miles and also had the timing chain issues. I wasn't overlay bothered about the timing chain as I had all that fixed on the first Mini (gave up on the 2nd), it was the oil consumption that did my head in. What's the oil consumption like on yours?
PB
Nice car! Cracking to see some R56 love! Those engines are better than people make out!
If you drive it enough, you might end up doing this!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
If you drive it enough, you might end up doing this!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
CoolHands said:
Heavy frost today after -2 or whatever it was last night, with frozen ice on the car. Good time to test the heated front screen!
I made a video (sad I know) to see how long it took
https://youtu.be/CavSl7dLsn0
I could nearly swear my r53 with normal blowers clears the window quickerI made a video (sad I know) to see how long it took
https://youtu.be/CavSl7dLsn0
I must test thus after seeing your vid haha. It was very thick though! 
I took a pic of how the fixed side vent works without the round one that you can turn off & on as I was interested to see how it blows across the glass.
Dropped it off to TWG Automotive yesterday who are going to decoke it (never been done, but doesn't have any driving symptoms - I just want to get it done as I know they get bad); and change the coolant as it looks s
te at the moment - like grey dishwater. I don't think there is any problem as it's been driving fine. Pissed down as I went down the A316 and onto the M3. The auto wipers sensitivity don't seem to work - when you start moving away from standstill they come on even if the rain has stopped and screen is dry. I adjusted the menu to be minimum sensitivity but made no difference. Might investigate to see if there's a reset procedure that can be done.
Haven't had a chance to drive it much yet so not sure about oil consumption. I've read some are ok and some are bad, I've just got fingers crossed this one is ok and not too annoying in that regard.
In other news my 16" 'Bridge' light alloy R94 wheel rims turned up from German ebay - £200 delivered and they are pretty mint so I'm well pleased. I'm fitting these as this is going to be my wife's car and I'm trying to soften the ride as much as possible so she doesn't complain.
I weighed them, each rim weighs 8.9kg
I keep flip-flopping between Dunlop 'Sport BluResponse' a standard summer tyre, and Vredestein 'Quatrac 5' which are an all-season tyre which does pretty well in most reviews. I think in the end I'm going to go for the Vredestein purely as I think they might be a bit softer for the ride
By the way so far I love driving it. Love being in it. I want one! Bit concerned that my missus will complain about the boot space but hopefully she'll just have to carry less 'stuff' (eg loads of empty shopping bags) in the boot and it'll be ok.
I took a pic of how the fixed side vent works without the round one that you can turn off & on as I was interested to see how it blows across the glass.Dropped it off to TWG Automotive yesterday who are going to decoke it (never been done, but doesn't have any driving symptoms - I just want to get it done as I know they get bad); and change the coolant as it looks s
te at the moment - like grey dishwater. I don't think there is any problem as it's been driving fine. Pissed down as I went down the A316 and onto the M3. The auto wipers sensitivity don't seem to work - when you start moving away from standstill they come on even if the rain has stopped and screen is dry. I adjusted the menu to be minimum sensitivity but made no difference. Might investigate to see if there's a reset procedure that can be done.Haven't had a chance to drive it much yet so not sure about oil consumption. I've read some are ok and some are bad, I've just got fingers crossed this one is ok and not too annoying in that regard.
In other news my 16" 'Bridge' light alloy R94 wheel rims turned up from German ebay - £200 delivered and they are pretty mint so I'm well pleased. I'm fitting these as this is going to be my wife's car and I'm trying to soften the ride as much as possible so she doesn't complain.
I weighed them, each rim weighs 8.9kg
I keep flip-flopping between Dunlop 'Sport BluResponse' a standard summer tyre, and Vredestein 'Quatrac 5' which are an all-season tyre which does pretty well in most reviews. I think in the end I'm going to go for the Vredestein purely as I think they might be a bit softer for the ride
By the way so far I love driving it. Love being in it. I want one! Bit concerned that my missus will complain about the boot space but hopefully she'll just have to carry less 'stuff' (eg loads of empty shopping bags) in the boot and it'll be ok.
Edited by CoolHands on Thursday 14th December 18:14
Ace MCS! I like it in grey.
Having a nightmare with our Cooper with coolant issues, radiator leaking, heater matrix clogged, new thermostat pressure cap fitted and still we suffer coolant loss or bleeding issues. HG ok though... for now. Keep wanting to chop it in for a MCS but it's SWMBO's first car.
Having a nightmare with our Cooper with coolant issues, radiator leaking, heater matrix clogged, new thermostat pressure cap fitted and still we suffer coolant loss or bleeding issues. HG ok though... for now. Keep wanting to chop it in for a MCS but it's SWMBO's first car.
TWG did the decoke (caused by direct injection and oil recirculation. Technology leaps eh), and coolant change. Ran very nicely on the way back. All seems tip-top, so only thing to keep an eye on now is oil consumption as that is an unknown at the moment.
before
after
I'll probably get it done every 2 years to stop it from getting bad.
before
after
I'll probably get it done every 2 years to stop it from getting bad.
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