RE: Mini Cooper S JCW (R56): Spotted

[bozzy.]

Mr-B said:

bozzy. said:

Mr-B said:

"Think of it this way: it's going to be more grown up and liveable than an original R53 Mini, while also way better looking......."

Way better looking? No chance. Specsavers have a booking slot available. Every gen since the first have got uglier and uglier, this is no exception.

What the article ACTUALLY said;

“think of it this way: it's going to be more grown up and liveable than an original R53 Mini, while also way better looking, lighter and sharper to drive than the current car.”

I think you need to take a trip to Specsavers for a new set of reading glasses. The author was suggesting the R56 is better looking than the current MINI, not the R53.

Fair point, I read it too quickly! Point still stands though R53 best looking of any generation and have just got uglier with each new gen.

Agreed! I’m currently debating dropping my company car and buying an R53.

[harleywilma]

Consumer Reports ranked Mini as the least reliable car brand in 2013, saying that, "less-expensive European brands are having more problems", perhaps due to cost-cutting at the expense of reliability.[60] In 2015, Consumer Reports awarded the 2006–2012 Mini Cooper S the title 'Worst Used Car', saying that while it was "cute and delightfully entertaining", the repair frequency was "heartbreaking" because the magazine's surveyed owners reported problems in the areas of "engine major, engine minor, engine cooling, fuel system, body integrity, and body hardware have issues at an alarming rate".

[bazza white]

Great car to drive terrible car to own.


I wouldnt touch a mini without warranty but would live a new f56.

I have heard mini aftermarket warranty is actualy 3rd party now and a clause states it wont cover common proplems If you want a laugh they deem timing chain a common problem so minis provided warranty wont cover timing chains as its a common problem.

[Fryman]

Hey All long time lurker and occasional poster

I own a 2010 JCW with everything minus the HK stereo plated M19 WOR (god I miss that from my m3) with 33k miles on the clock. It has been absolutely flawless. Lets sum up the experience:

-> Oil Consumption is high, check it every month and expect usage Mine has used a litre over 3800 miles.
-> Runflat suck, but running the risk of no spare tyre with some good tyres is something I am not prepared to do given the snow season is coming.
-> it scampers and torque steers like a gem, great fun in the corners, and you can find its limit and ride on it all day long.
-> engine cold sounds like a bag of bolts, misfiring when cold and when I picked it up from the dealer
-> When cold the rear brakes sound like they grind a little
-> Im getting knocking noises from the rear suspension on the crappy London roads, but then they go away. For the life of me Ive never driven a car when its cold that has random knocking noises from all over the place.
-> I am mechanically minded having played with all sorts of cars over the years but the tensioner issue is worrying me, is 38k miles a time to worry about such things?
-> solid build quality overall except the engine which I dont have that much faith on and believe JCW have tuned to an inch of its life
-> The pops and bangs are basically over retardation of timing in the 2250-2900rpm range and you drive the car like an idiot to try to get it to bang nicely.
-> If anybody can tell me how to tune the Motor ECU, similar to all BMW class cars without paying money for some guy to flash it I would be forever greatful. I want more pops and bangs

So much fun from a rather expensive 8 year old litle medium spicy hatch.

[Fryman]

One more thing, the difference between a JCW and Cooper S is night and day. AND up until that point, the best mass produced Braked BMW that has ever existed. BMW are not renowned for their braking systems even on M cars, but they are superb on this car, with some nice drilled and slotted rotors.

[geo1905]

I bought my current JCW in April of 2018, I'd previously owned a 2008 Cooper S which had all the usual problems (timing chain & tensioner, appalling oil consumption, need for frequent walnut shell decokes etc. I fitted an oil catch can which eliminated the need for decokes) Despite all that, it was a great car to drive.The JCW is a late 2013 model with the N18 engine and had done 23,000 miles when I acquired it. It's now on 27,500. I've had some minor bodywork issues corrected and also an oil & filter change. It's my only car but I don't drive it every day and keep it garaged as much as possible. It lacks the HK sound system and heated seats but has all the other usual upgrades ( navigation, full Bluetooth, auto lights, wipers etc) It's finished in Lightning blue with a black roof and, to me at least, looks stunning. It's also a hoot to drive ! Servicing and repairs are carried out by a noted Mini specialist to the west of Southampton, of whom I cannot speak too highly. My advice ? Choose carefully, go for the N18 engine (never the N14) and ensure that you know the service history and, if possible, the bills covering any other works. You'll need to look after it but buy a good one and you'll never want to part with it. It's a future classic.