8-9k on a Cooper S ?

[justa1972]

Hello

I've got about 8-9k too spend on a car - needs to be fun, fast-ish but reasonable to run i.e tax no more than £150 a year and capable of 35 mpg if driven sensibly

Seems a Cooper S fits the bill - what should I be looking for ? I know they changed the engine from a super charger to a turbo is the new version the r56 ?

[John Boy 616]

Make sure it has 4 wheels, this is important.

If you go for super charged option check power steering pump has beed done, charger needs rebuilding at about 100k

[eatcustard]

£8-9 K will get you an R56 turbo mini, that will give you 35mpg
the older supercharged one will not

Buy one post 2007 as the early ones had problems

[Faxo]

Try your best to get one that's had either the chain tensioner, or preferably a complete chain kit

They coke up, badly! Try one from cold, under load. It it's coked, it'll hesitate, but budget £300 into the deal to have the walnut treatment done at BMW to decoke it, even if it isn't hesitating yet!

Dual mass flywheel - listen for noise at idle

My Mrs has had 4 CS's, 3 S/C and 1 turbo. The ones on normal non-run flats drove a million percent better!