RE: Mini Cooper S (R56): PH Used Buying Guide

[SlimJim16v]

Gavin Clark said:

I have a 2008 R56 (not sure which engine, but possibly N18 looking at the above photos). we've had no real issues with it other than getting through oil at an alarming rate. I thought we may have an issue but the buying guide above says about you can get through 1 litre every 1000 miles (which is about right). Be warned though: even though oil runs low, the low oil alarm doesn't always come on (the engine gets a bit growly and then you know to top it up).

I don't think the R56 had a low oil warning, certainly the Cooper doesn't. In which case that growling will be your engine being fked.

[Rostyle]

I had the misfortune to own a 2009 model bought from dealer with 5000 miles on it , by 10000 miles it had the dreaded rattle which was fixed then it had the water pump go , then finally the turbo went . I had assumed all the TLC services I went to w

[Rostyle]

One of the few modern cars I would advise to avoid due to poor design , check the net ! I had the misfortune to own a 2009 model bought from dealer with 5000 miles on it , by 10000 miles it had the dreaded rattle which was fixed then it had the water pump go , then finally the turbo went . At that point it was traded. Rest of the car was great , the handling was safe but fun . I had really fancied an RCZ R recently but fundamentally the same engine so I will give it a miss .

[rh21]

Maracus said:

In my 4+ years of owning one (an N18), I would say just budget for a Fuel Pump.

Most reliable car I've owned in 27 years.

I think that its about making sure you get a good one if buying second hand, like any car really. It sounds like you have.

My first r56 needed nothing other than servicing, and consumables, it was in the family for about 7.5 years from new. My second one is a different story - see my previous post. But I might have just bought a bad one.

[Tim bo]

Limpet said:

Loved our N18 R57. Very difficult car to drive sensibly as it just seemed to love being driven hard everywhere. I also don't think it ever felt underpowered as someone commented earlier. Traction was actually the limiting factor for acceleration in the first two gears on anything other than smooth, dry roads.

Brilliant handling though, and an unusually characterful engine by modern four pot standards. Fun car. We miss it.

Your comments match mine, though I had a R56.

Fun fun fun car to drive. Bags of character, torque steer always made me chuckle, was a great car to have for bombing around the streets of London or popping out to the country. I miss it.






Certainly not overly reliable however, with four faults and one recall in 18 months of ownership here.

I do find myself looking up new JCWs these days and considering the possibilities ...

[tobyb]

I've had two R56 Mini Cooper S cars, both with the N14 engine.

The first was a 2007 launch car which had an expensive sunroof failure, timing chain rattle and water pump failure. Must of been a Friday car

Now I own a 2009 car which is still an N14 engine. I've done 43k miles in five years and so far had to replace the water pump and replace the timing chain tensioner. Really great car which handles great and with a great Harman Kardon audio system.

If you must stick with the run flats, keep with the Dunlops and avoid Avons. I fitted the Avon RF tyres and it ruined the drive

[nomad63]

I know this won`t be popular, but I have the latest JCW model now, the F56. I owned an R53 Cooper S some years ago, and always said I`d like a JCW at some point.

I`ve had some rapid stuff in the past, M3`s, RS5`s, Golf R`s and S3`s etc....but these days (now in my 50`s), I find that this little motor does the trick nicely, as you can still have a blat in it, and feel like you`re going quick, especially when cornering, without also wondering if you`ll end up in jail due to the speeds a lot of the bigger/quicker stuff needs to go at before you`re enjoying it.

This thing is point and squirt, and a bit of torque-steer here and there, and just good fun to drive, but when you`re not in the mood, it`s comfy enough to pootle about in.

I don`t intend getting rid of it anytime soon, TBH...

[cerb4.5lee]

nomad63 said:

I know this won`t be popular, but I have the latest JCW model now, the F56. I owned an R53 Cooper S some years ago, and always said I`d like a JCW at some point.

I`ve had some rapid stuff in the past, M3`s, RS5`s, Golf R`s and S3`s etc....but these days (now in my 50`s), I find that this little motor does the trick nicely, as you can still have a blat in it, and feel like you`re going quick, especially when cornering, without also wondering if you`ll end up in jail due to the speeds a lot of the bigger/quicker stuff needs to go at before you`re enjoying it.

This thing is point and squirt, and a bit of torque-steer here and there, and just good fun to drive, but when you`re not in the mood, it`s comfy enough to pootle about in.

I don`t intend getting rid of it anytime soon, TBH...

Really like that

I was similar to you and I've had a few pretty quick cars in the past, but I wanted something a little lighter and something that's fun without going crazy speeds.

My F56 Cooper S really ticks that box for me, it puts a smile on my face in the twisties and it's nicely specced just to spend time in.

I've always been very dismissive of FWD and always favoured RWD for fun, but I've been very impressed with the handling of the MINI, and I think it tricks you into feeling that you're going quicker than you actually are.

It's good to have fun at lower speeds too, whereas some of the other cars I've had you needed to be going 100mph plus...before it even felt exciting or it felt that you were actually going quickly.

I'd like the extra punch your JCW has over the Cooper S, because 190bhp out of a 2 Litre Turbo engine is pretty limp in all fairness.

[Maracus]

nomad63 said:

I know this won`t be popular, but I have the latest JCW model now, the F56. I owned an R53 Cooper S some years ago, and always said I`d like a JCW at some point.

I`ve had some rapid stuff in the past, M3`s, RS5`s, Golf R`s and S3`s etc....but these days (now in my 50`s), I find that this little motor does the trick nicely, as you can still have a blat in it, and feel like you`re going quick, especially when cornering, without also wondering if you`ll end up in jail due to the speeds a lot of the bigger/quicker stuff needs to go at before you`re enjoying it.

This thing is point and squirt, and a bit of torque-steer here and there, and just good fun to drive, but when you`re not in the mood, it`s comfy enough to pootle about in.

I don`t intend getting rid of it anytime soon, TBH...

As a an R56 N18 owner, I like that! I had the same engine (albeit slightly different tune) in my now sold 328i.

[s m]

nomad63 said:

I know this won`t be popular, but I have the latest JCW model now, the F56. I owned an R53 Cooper S some years ago, and always said I`d like a JCW at some point.

I`ve had some rapid stuff in the past, M3`s, RS5`s, Golf R`s and S3`s etc....but these days (now in my 50`s), I find that this little motor does the trick nicely, as you can still have a blat in it, and feel like you`re going quick, especially when cornering, without also wondering if you`ll end up in jail due to the speeds a lot of the bigger/quicker stuff needs to go at before you`re enjoying it.

This thing is point and squirt, and a bit of torque-steer here and there, and just good fun to drive, but when you`re not in the mood, it`s comfy enough to pootle about in.

I don`t intend getting rid of it anytime soon, TBH...

How does this one compare to your old R53?

I owned a late R53 for 8 years from new - 55 reg - LSD, 16s with non RFTs, Chrono pack

Not tried an F56 although found the R56 a lot less raw than the R53

[nomad63]

cerb4.5lee said:

Really like that

I was similar to you and I've had a few pretty quick cars in the past, but I wanted something a little lighter and something that's fun without going crazy speeds.

My F56 Cooper S really ticks that box for me, it puts a smile on my face in the twisties and it's nicely specced just to spend time in.

I've always been very dismissive of FWD and always favoured RWD for fun, but I've been very impressed with the handling of the MINI, and I think it tricks you into feeling that you're going quicker than you actually are.

It's good to have fun at lower speeds too, whereas some of the other cars I've had you needed to be going 100mph plus...before it even felt exciting or it felt that you were actually going quickly.

I'd like the extra punch your JCW has over the Cooper S, because 190bhp out of a 2 Litre Turbo engine is pretty limp in all fairness.

I`d agree with all points there Lee - it does trick you into thinking you`re going a little quicker, and this is all part of it for me, because, as you say, you don`t have to be hitting the ton before it starts to wake up; the fun starts at much lower speeds. I also agree that yes, 190bhp from 2 litres is nothing special, when you consider that the 2 litre engines in both the Golf R and S3 are now over 300bhp

[nomad63]

s m said:

How does this one compare to your old R53?

I owned a late R53 for 8 years from new - 55 reg - LSD, 16s with non RFTs, Chrono pack

Not tried an F56 although found the R56 a lot less raw than the R53

The F56 is obviously less raw than the R53 mate, and, if I`m honest, not quite as nimble, as I feel those extra inches on the wheelbase do make a slight difference. The power, obviously, is much improved though, as it would be with a larger engine, and although it`s slightly-less chukable than the R53, the extra power, and the nature of the delivery (point and squirt) makes it even more fun to drive for me.

[MK4CRAIG]

I recently bought my wife this, at 1st I wasn’t that taken with it and thought the Clio 200 we had previous was a far better performance car however as a complete package it’s really starting to grow on me.

[skyline501]

Wife's 2006 Mini Cooper S

Replaced timing chain, guide and parts
Replaced bonnet locks, arrest hook and release cables
Replaced turbo head shield
Replaced clutch and flywheel
Replaced high pressure pump
Replaced sump gasket
EML light on: Faulty lambda sensor
Replaced turbo return and oil feed pipes
EML light on: re-set timing
Leaking thermostat housing
Replaced faulty parking sensor
EML light on: Replaced ignition coils and spark plugs.
Replaced driver airbag
Replaced rocker cover gasket
Replace O/S/F wheel bearing
Replaced oil filter housing seal
Replaced O/S Drive half shaft

Final straw was low compression on one cylinder. Bill to warranty company of over £4k


This over a period of 4 years ownership. Luckily all under extended warranty.
I used to dread the wife coming home from work letting me know yet another warning light was illuminated.
Would I buy another? What do you reckon?

[LukeSi]

2010 N18 Cooper S
Bought it may 2017 £5750
Drove it to the ring - Diverter valve failed so no boost
Timing chain started rattling so replaced August
Started misfiring so bought hpfp which didn't fix it
Two weeks later piston 4 suffered catastrophic failure so it sat on my drive for 6 months
Spent over £6k on engine build alone
Spent about another £1500 on coilovers and tyres
Got it back and it was making no power so had it mapped to stage 3
Hpfp bought before engine failure failed, fitted original and turned out to be ok.
Fitted new brakes all round
Did track day at Oulton park
New brakes lasted less than 200 miles

Basically you can't run one of these cars on a shoe string budget.
And in standard form they are mediocre at best. To make them fun you need coilovers, manic map, decat, etc.
Great cars, but are equivalent to stuff which cost way more in maintenance / running costs.

But if you've not driven a tuned one you need to. The torque is insane, it's like being propelled along on an endless wave of torque and will easily take you to 160+
Peak torque is anywhere from 3k - 4k with the manic map too.
A tuned r56 will surprise a lot of expensive stuff.

[900T-R]

I ended my corporate treadmill company lease MINI career (cars are a lot more expensive here ) in a '12 R56 Cooper S. I specced it as driver-focused and no-nonsense as possible - bog standard 16" wheels, electronic diff and no extras apart from metallic paint and black wheels - and it was a great daily. However in my - limited - time with the car I never quite lost the feeling that it felt 'much like the bum basic '08 Cooper I had before, only with a fast forward option.

I'd love to try a facelift Works edition, though.

[Chrismawa]

Bought a 2010 MCS last February, sold it 6 months later due to the many horror stories that put me off it. Loved the car but the thought of a big bill spooked me. Also wasn't very practical with having a little one.

[Maracus]

Disappointing to hear the stories of high maintenance.

All I can say is that our 2010 N18 Cooper S auto has been pretty good in the 5+ years we've owned it. 28k to 72K miles.

Apart from routine services (plus additional oil changes), I've replaced a parking sensor, HPFP (they all fail), battery, both front shocks and a small oil leak on the sender. In all about £1k over 5 years.

It doesn't burn any oil, and runs as good as when we bought it in November 2013. I find it fast enough for every day driving, and economical enough when trying

[rapidude]

I bought an N18 GP2 early last year. It’s a real eye opener of a steed. I’ve had so much fun with it - everytime I drive it I feel like i’m on a qualifying lap. They don’t make too many fwd hatches that make you feel like that when you take it out for a spin. It’s been reliable for me, even with 280bhp (I have installed a decent helix clutch kit though). I don’t drive it everyday but I wish I did. I’m smitten with it. I’ve an e30m3 and an e46m3 in the garage for occasional duties and 9.5 times out of 10 i’ll chose the GP2. It’s a keeper.

[xba55k]

Don't buy an R56.
Buy an R53 or just buy something else entirely.

The quality of the engine in the R56 is very very poor.
I bought a 2010/N18 model after reading about the problems with the N14, IMO the N18 is little better.
Mine with 70K on the clock required a top end rebuild as the valve stem seals had failed.
The thermostat housing cracked causing the engine to loose coolant.
After running it for 16 months the oil pressure control valve in the sump which feeds the variable valvetrain failed which was the final straw for me.
Three grand in engine repairs in 16 months.

Power delivery is not great. Without the sport button pressed, its a gutless thing.
With the sport button pressed, the power delivery is all lag-lag-boost.
When the boost arrives the power appears all in one go which might be OK in a straight line, but makes it difficult to anticipate where to accelerate in a corner. Inevitably you end up lifting off the throttle mid corner which is far from ideal.

Handling was poor compared to a list other hot hatches I have run over years.
It had a habit of wandering over the road and the whole car skipped alarmingly if even a minor bump was hit mid corner.

The steering is boringly normal, the lovely go kart feel of the first generation MINI lost and making it not at all clear where the limit of front end grip is.

In summary, I haven't owned a car that I disliked or disappointed me as much as the R56.
I might have bought a third generation MINI to replace it, but this one put me off MINI for life.