4-5k on a JCW Mini - after some insight please
Discussion
Looking to delve into the above mentioned…after driving the other halfs 2017 diesel and being really impressed.
It will be a 2nd car so I’m not put off by high miles.
Just interested in people’s opinions on what to look for and what to avoid being a rookie with my knowledge.
I’ve read the guides on here so after owners views both positive and negative.
Look forward to any advice and experiences.
Thanks
It will be a 2nd car so I’m not put off by high miles.
Just interested in people’s opinions on what to look for and what to avoid being a rookie with my knowledge.
I’ve read the guides on here so after owners views both positive and negative.
Look forward to any advice and experiences.
Thanks
For that price you're probably looking for an R56 JCW, and frankly I'd avoid it, Peugeot Prince engines are not known for their reliability or longevity. They seem to be made of chocolate.
That said, there was an F56 JCW up for £4500 on one of the Mini facebook groups I saw yesterday, but I'm guessing it's probably knackered or barried or both (edit: looks like its sold already, unsurprisingly).
That said, there was an F56 JCW up for £4500 on one of the Mini facebook groups I saw yesterday, but I'm guessing it's probably knackered or barried or both (edit: looks like its sold already, unsurprisingly).
I'm currently hunting for an R56 Cooper S or a JCW of the same era. I also already have an R56 petrol One and an R56 Cooper D. I've also recently have an F56 D. I've spent quite a bit of time researching the subject of engines because I'm looking for something to keep long term for road and track use so reliability and tuning are front of my mind.
Heres what I have ascertained so far, I may well be corrected by others...
Basically on the JCW front the R56 (2010 - 2013) had two engines. From 1/2010 - 12/2012 it was exclusively the N14, from 1/12-6/12 some where N14, some N18. From 7/2012-11/2013 they were exclusively N18.
Theres a lot of stories of engines failing and people banging on about timing chains. But these are 10+ year old cars, often driven quite hard. As they get older, become less valuable and are bought by people less willing to spend an appropriate amount on maintenance they start to go wrong. Especially when thing like chains which need to be replaced are ignored or blamed for an engine failing at 100K+
Whatever car you buy at 4-5K will it probably have some outstanding issues. Chain/clutch/vanos/fuel pump/valve stems/water pump etc etc
At this point in the cars life its an enthusiast's car. It will demand regular maintenance and lots of fiddly little jobs to keep it running nicely.
My criterion when I am looking is, clutch (because I cant do that myself), subframes, head gasket failure and compression test.
Whether its an N14, N18 (or anything else of that ilk) it will have the same issues as any similar age engine if it is not looked after properly.
As you have said, there are millions of these engines.
Heres what I have ascertained so far, I may well be corrected by others...
Basically on the JCW front the R56 (2010 - 2013) had two engines. From 1/2010 - 12/2012 it was exclusively the N14, from 1/12-6/12 some where N14, some N18. From 7/2012-11/2013 they were exclusively N18.
Theres a lot of stories of engines failing and people banging on about timing chains. But these are 10+ year old cars, often driven quite hard. As they get older, become less valuable and are bought by people less willing to spend an appropriate amount on maintenance they start to go wrong. Especially when thing like chains which need to be replaced are ignored or blamed for an engine failing at 100K+
Whatever car you buy at 4-5K will it probably have some outstanding issues. Chain/clutch/vanos/fuel pump/valve stems/water pump etc etc
At this point in the cars life its an enthusiast's car. It will demand regular maintenance and lots of fiddly little jobs to keep it running nicely.
My criterion when I am looking is, clutch (because I cant do that myself), subframes, head gasket failure and compression test.
Whether its an N14, N18 (or anything else of that ilk) it will have the same issues as any similar age engine if it is not looked after properly.
As you have said, there are millions of these engines.
Not a jcw, but owned by a thoroughly nice chap .. (not me, I’m not a thoroughly nice chap)
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2073918
Plenty of leftover budget for mods n sods .
https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2073918
Plenty of leftover budget for mods n sods .
21TonyK said:
I'm currently hunting for an R56 Cooper S or a JCW of the same era. I also already have an R56 petrol One and an R56 Cooper D. I've also recently have an F56 D. I've spent quite a bit of time researching the subject of engines because I'm looking for something to keep long term for road and track use so reliability and tuning are front of my mind.
Heres what I have ascertained so far, I may well be corrected by others...
Basically on the JCW front the R56 (2010 - 2013) had two engines. From 1/2010 - 12/2012 it was exclusively the N14, from 1/12-6/12 some where N14, some N18. From 7/2012-11/2013 they were exclusively N18.
Theres a lot of stories of engines failing and people banging on about timing chains. But these are 10+ year old cars, often driven quite hard. As they get older, become less valuable and are bought by people less willing to spend an appropriate amount on maintenance they start to go wrong. Especially when thing like chains which need to be replaced are ignored or blamed for an engine failing at 100K+
Whatever car you buy at 4-5K will it probably have some outstanding issues. Chain/clutch/vanos/fuel pump/valve stems/water pump etc etc
At this point in the cars life its an enthusiast's car. It will demand regular maintenance and lots of fiddly little jobs to keep it running nicely.
My criterion when I am looking is, clutch (because I cant do that myself), subframes, head gasket failure and compression test.
Whether its an N14, N18 (or anything else of that ilk) it will have the same issues as any similar age engine if it is not looked after properly.
As you have said, there are millions of these engines.
Thanks for the reply…..helpful knowledge on the engine front too. Is there any big difference between N14 and 18? I saw on the guide a photo to tell the difference between the 2. But as in is one better than the other? Heres what I have ascertained so far, I may well be corrected by others...
Basically on the JCW front the R56 (2010 - 2013) had two engines. From 1/2010 - 12/2012 it was exclusively the N14, from 1/12-6/12 some where N14, some N18. From 7/2012-11/2013 they were exclusively N18.
Theres a lot of stories of engines failing and people banging on about timing chains. But these are 10+ year old cars, often driven quite hard. As they get older, become less valuable and are bought by people less willing to spend an appropriate amount on maintenance they start to go wrong. Especially when thing like chains which need to be replaced are ignored or blamed for an engine failing at 100K+
Whatever car you buy at 4-5K will it probably have some outstanding issues. Chain/clutch/vanos/fuel pump/valve stems/water pump etc etc
At this point in the cars life its an enthusiast's car. It will demand regular maintenance and lots of fiddly little jobs to keep it running nicely.
My criterion when I am looking is, clutch (because I cant do that myself), subframes, head gasket failure and compression test.
Whether its an N14, N18 (or anything else of that ilk) it will have the same issues as any similar age engine if it is not looked after properly.
As you have said, there are millions of these engines.
I’d be budgeting for jobs on these. Gotta be sensible of a car that age.
Basically the N18 is supposed to be less susceptible to issues around running with low oil levels which is what appears to be the main cause of chain failure (also the plastic chain guides on all deteriorate and break down causing chain failure and problems with oil starvation blocking the oil pickup on all models).
AFAIK the N14 engine is no worse than any other. The problem is when you buy something thats 10+ years old, dropped out of the dealer network at 50K, has had another 50K of suspect maintenance and is being sold because it needs a clutch/chain etc
As long as thats something you are prepared for then no issues. Also, be aware, a lot of cars advertised as JCW are not JCW cars. They are Coooper S's with a JCW body kit and a few badges. Best way to check is a VIN check or VIN into realoem.com
A proper JCW does carry a bit of a premium which may or may not be worthwhile and on the basis most squeaky bits will need replacing I'm looking at a Cooper S which I will do a bit of a rebuild.
AFAIK the N14 engine is no worse than any other. The problem is when you buy something thats 10+ years old, dropped out of the dealer network at 50K, has had another 50K of suspect maintenance and is being sold because it needs a clutch/chain etc
As long as thats something you are prepared for then no issues. Also, be aware, a lot of cars advertised as JCW are not JCW cars. They are Coooper S's with a JCW body kit and a few badges. Best way to check is a VIN check or VIN into realoem.com
A proper JCW does carry a bit of a premium which may or may not be worthwhile and on the basis most squeaky bits will need replacing I'm looking at a Cooper S which I will do a bit of a rebuild.
goodygumdrops81 said:
I hear so many horror stories about these engines. Surely they can t be that bad considering how many of these I see on the road, not just JCW ones.
That s why I m keen to get reviews from people who ve owned them for long periods of time please
Not exactly a large sample, but my BiL bought an R56 Cooper for his daughter, and the engine in that went as well, so it's not even just JCWs or Cooper S's. N14 or 18, whatever, I would avoid, but that's just me. The daft bugger has then gone and bought another. Must be a glutton for punishment.That s why I m keen to get reviews from people who ve owned them for long periods of time please
tallpaul26 said:
Which generation of MINI are you looking at? £4-5K is covers a fair range. I'm utterly biased but you should be looking for an R53 and £5K should get you a pretty good one if you know what you're looking for. Happy to list my view of this if it's what you're after
Please do. I was looking between 2008-2013. I would love one with a supercharger as love the whine but thought most would be too old and knackered by now!I bought an R57 Cooper S with 43K on the clock a while back. Based on my research, I'd say the critical thing is to change the oil regularly - I change the oil in mine every 5000 miles (and it's been done on roughly that basis since new).
It's generally a nice thing, I like it, although I suspect it'll need some engine work (chain & a decoke) at 70K or so.
It's generally a nice thing, I like it, although I suspect it'll need some engine work (chain & a decoke) at 70K or so.
tallpaul26 said:
Which generation of MINI are you looking at? £4-5K is covers a fair range. I'm utterly biased but you should be looking for an R53 and £5K should get you a pretty good one if you know what you're looking for. Happy to list my view of this if it's what you're after
Seconded. R53 anyday over the R56.21TonyK said:
Basically the N18 is supposed to be less susceptible to issues around running with low oil levels which is what appears to be the main cause of chain failure (also the plastic chain guides on all deteriorate and break down causing chain failure and problems with oil starvation blocking the oil pickup on all models).
AFAIK the N14 engine is no worse than any other. The problem is when you buy something thats 10+ years old, dropped out of the dealer network at 50K, has had another 50K of suspect maintenance and is being sold because it needs a clutch/chain etc
As long as thats something you are prepared for then no issues. Also, be aware, a lot of cars advertised as JCW are not JCW cars. They are Coooper S's with a JCW body kit and a few badges. Best way to check is a VIN check or VIN into realoem.com
A proper JCW does carry a bit of a premium which may or may not be worthwhile and on the basis most squeaky bits will need replacing I'm looking at a Cooper S which I will do a bit of a rebuild.
What does a proper JCW car have above one with just the bodykit? Is there something easier to tell rather than checking the vin?AFAIK the N14 engine is no worse than any other. The problem is when you buy something thats 10+ years old, dropped out of the dealer network at 50K, has had another 50K of suspect maintenance and is being sold because it needs a clutch/chain etc
As long as thats something you are prepared for then no issues. Also, be aware, a lot of cars advertised as JCW are not JCW cars. They are Coooper S's with a JCW body kit and a few badges. Best way to check is a VIN check or VIN into realoem.com
A proper JCW does carry a bit of a premium which may or may not be worthwhile and on the basis most squeaky bits will need replacing I'm looking at a Cooper S which I will do a bit of a rebuild.
goodygumdrops81 said:
What does a proper JCW car have above one with just the bodykit? Is there something easier to tell rather than checking the vin?
On an R56 its a different turbo, engine bits, intake, exhaust, gearbox, suspension but the big giveaway are 4 pot brakes. If they're missing its not a proper JCW. As others have said (and others have denied) the engines ARE made of plasticine and unless it has been maintained perfectly it most likely WILL result in major bills & rebuilds.
They are 100% not "just like other engines that old" at all, I have ran many cars with engines that old and older that have been more reliable.
The N18 isn't much better than the earlier engine.
Basically unless it has been enthusiast maintained all it's life you need to steer clear.
There is a guy on here (occasionally) or on the minitorque forum (carsorbikes) who has been in the (new) mini field for lots of years and REALLY knows his stuff, he can tell you lots more details on the subject.
Having had an r53, I too am biased, but I bought that car on the basis that I researched (only at a high level admittedly) the differences & went for the r53 instead, and it was great, yes they are old, but much more raw & fun to drive IMHO, although now even older & that has its own share of other issues.
They are 100% not "just like other engines that old" at all, I have ran many cars with engines that old and older that have been more reliable.
The N18 isn't much better than the earlier engine.
Basically unless it has been enthusiast maintained all it's life you need to steer clear.
There is a guy on here (occasionally) or on the minitorque forum (carsorbikes) who has been in the (new) mini field for lots of years and REALLY knows his stuff, he can tell you lots more details on the subject.
Having had an r53, I too am biased, but I bought that car on the basis that I researched (only at a high level admittedly) the differences & went for the r53 instead, and it was great, yes they are old, but much more raw & fun to drive IMHO, although now even older & that has its own share of other issues.
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