Mini Cooper S/Cooper SD?
Discussion
Looking to change my '07 SLK 350 before the Summer, and having had a Mini before, have been looking at an S and an SD.
The S is on a '11' plate - black, JCW bodykit, 60k. IIRC the '11' plate onward was safe regarding the chain tensioner issues?
The SD is a '63' - 70k, Sat-Nav, very nice spec. But it's had a new clutch fitted last year.
Price-wise, they're both in at around 7.5k.
I'm interested in ideas on either - my old Mini was a Cooper D, couldn't stretch to an S at the time!
Both could be remapped - I'd like to do that - but I'm a little concerned about buying diesel?
What do you think, folks?
The S is on a '11' plate - black, JCW bodykit, 60k. IIRC the '11' plate onward was safe regarding the chain tensioner issues?
The SD is a '63' - 70k, Sat-Nav, very nice spec. But it's had a new clutch fitted last year.
Price-wise, they're both in at around 7.5k.
I'm interested in ideas on either - my old Mini was a Cooper D, couldn't stretch to an S at the time!
Both could be remapped - I'd like to do that - but I'm a little concerned about buying diesel?
What do you think, folks?
Think the 2011 is turbocharged.
The SD being slightly newer, but the same price....slight concern about that especially as its got the nav, etc. The torque on these looks good, and remapped...
The S looks better with the JCW kit, couple of years older....bit pricy at 7.5k?
I don't actually need a diesel.....my annual mileage is around 3/4k as I walk to work....but when I do use it, its never for short journeys. £30 tax as well, better than my current £540!
The SD being slightly newer, but the same price....slight concern about that especially as its got the nav, etc. The torque on these looks good, and remapped...
The S looks better with the JCW kit, couple of years older....bit pricy at 7.5k?
I don't actually need a diesel.....my annual mileage is around 3/4k as I walk to work....but when I do use it, its never for short journeys. £30 tax as well, better than my current £540!
Edited by redguy on Tuesday 19th March 10:21
R56 Cooper S - all turbo'd. Avoid any N14 175BHP and get an N18 184BHP post mid 2010 facelift. The issues are sorted on these.
We've had our N18 Cooper S for 5 1/2 years, uses zero oil. High 40s on a run (and it's an auto) with the only real non consumable fault being the High Pressure Fuel Pump, which will fail on all petrol R56's.
My work colleague has a manual F56 Cooper SD, he can see 65 on a steady motorway run without trying .
I'd go petrol
We've had our N18 Cooper S for 5 1/2 years, uses zero oil. High 40s on a run (and it's an auto) with the only real non consumable fault being the High Pressure Fuel Pump, which will fail on all petrol R56's.
My work colleague has a manual F56 Cooper SD, he can see 65 on a steady motorway run without trying .
I'd go petrol
Got an S on an 11 plate petrol with N18 engine.
Only do about 6k miles p.a but getting more than 40 to gallon mainly short journeys.
Great car to drive with torque coming in about 1500rpm so can drive it like a diesel-picks up quickly, or use the revs if you really want to get a move on.
Only downside is ride but thats a personnel thing put koni FSD's on mine and 16" wheels- made it more compliant but still doesn't ride as well as my 2003 bmw 33o ci m-sport.
Cooper S comes often highly specced so think about what you want on car, for me-heated seats, sat nav, beige leather(lightens up interior) and also has heated front screen and parking sensors.
Note previous mini you had was a cooper D normal cooper(not sure if it includes D) doesn't have sport suspension so ride will be harder in Cooper S. S can be specc'd without sports suspension when new, been in all time I was looking didnt see any on secondhand market.
Only do about 6k miles p.a but getting more than 40 to gallon mainly short journeys.
Great car to drive with torque coming in about 1500rpm so can drive it like a diesel-picks up quickly, or use the revs if you really want to get a move on.
Only downside is ride but thats a personnel thing put koni FSD's on mine and 16" wheels- made it more compliant but still doesn't ride as well as my 2003 bmw 33o ci m-sport.
Cooper S comes often highly specced so think about what you want on car, for me-heated seats, sat nav, beige leather(lightens up interior) and also has heated front screen and parking sensors.
Note previous mini you had was a cooper D normal cooper(not sure if it includes D) doesn't have sport suspension so ride will be harder in Cooper S. S can be specc'd without sports suspension when new, been in all time I was looking didnt see any on secondhand market.
Edited by twokcc on Tuesday 19th March 13:18
redguy said:
Think the 2011 is turbocharged.
The SD being slightly newer, but the same price....slight concern about that especially as its got the nav, etc. The torque on these looks good, and remapped...
The S looks better with the JCW kit, couple of years older....bit pricy at 7.5k?
I don't actually need a diesel.....my annual mileage is around 3/4k as I walk to work....but when I do use it, its never for short journeys. £30 tax as well, better than my current £540!
Maybe a little pricey but depends how much the JCW is worth extra if anythingThe SD being slightly newer, but the same price....slight concern about that especially as its got the nav, etc. The torque on these looks good, and remapped...
The S looks better with the JCW kit, couple of years older....bit pricy at 7.5k?
I don't actually need a diesel.....my annual mileage is around 3/4k as I walk to work....but when I do use it, its never for short journeys. £30 tax as well, better than my current £540!
Edited by redguy on Tuesday 19th March 10:21
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Many thanks for the responses!
Plan to go and look at the SD tomorrow. Full Mini history and good spec.
Only close to 6 years old, half the age of my SLK!
As I mentioned, I don't do mega miles, but never do short journeys, either. My SLK is quick - about 5.5 seconds to 60 - but I'm not fussed about a little less poke. The SD does seem to have amazing torque on paper, more than a JCW.
Plan to go and look at the SD tomorrow. Full Mini history and good spec.
Only close to 6 years old, half the age of my SLK!
As I mentioned, I don't do mega miles, but never do short journeys, either. My SLK is quick - about 5.5 seconds to 60 - but I'm not fussed about a little less poke. The SD does seem to have amazing torque on paper, more than a JCW.
Maracus said:
R56 Cooper S - all turbo'd. Avoid any N14 175BHP and get an N18 184BHP post mid 2010 facelift. The issues are sorted on these.
We've had our N18 Cooper S for 5 1/2 years, uses zero oil. High 40s on a run (and it's an auto) with the only real non consumable fault being the High Pressure Fuel Pump, which will fail on all petrol R56's.
My work colleague has a manual F56 Cooper SD, he can see 65 on a steady motorway run without trying .
I'd go petrol
How many miles do most get out of the HPFP before it fails, and when replaced would it be another unit which would fail, or was there a fix?We've had our N18 Cooper S for 5 1/2 years, uses zero oil. High 40s on a run (and it's an auto) with the only real non consumable fault being the High Pressure Fuel Pump, which will fail on all petrol R56's.
My work colleague has a manual F56 Cooper SD, he can see 65 on a steady motorway run without trying .
I'd go petrol
Looking for my ideal Cooper S (blue, cruise, sat nav, parking sensors, pan roof, manual, half leather) at the moment and seeing most around the 65-85k range.
Honestly, just go for the Cooper S. There’s a reason they stopped making the SD.
The S will be more reliable, less emissions stuff like DPFs to go wrong. You’ll also find when it comes to selling it it will be much more attractive to buyers as diesels are being phased out.
You won’t get any improved MPG, it will cost more due to higher Diesel costs. my Cooper S (F56) long term averages 39MPG being ragged around but if driven sensibly will happily hit 50.
The S will be more reliable, less emissions stuff like DPFs to go wrong. You’ll also find when it comes to selling it it will be much more attractive to buyers as diesels are being phased out.
You won’t get any improved MPG, it will cost more due to higher Diesel costs. my Cooper S (F56) long term averages 39MPG being ragged around but if driven sensibly will happily hit 50.
Many thanks all.
Saw it and tested it yesterday, and I've actually bought it!
Drove very well - it'll be my 4th Mini (previously had a One Seven, Cooper, and Dooper). Been out of the fold for about 8 years, though....
Couldn't fault the car, very nice and massive spec. Mileage is a 70k, slightly above average, but that will even out with my use as I'm not doing many miles.
As mentioned, I never do short journeys, and like a spirited drive - so hoping the SD is right for the job. Always wanted one when they came out!
Maybe a Petrol S next time.......
Saw it and tested it yesterday, and I've actually bought it!
Drove very well - it'll be my 4th Mini (previously had a One Seven, Cooper, and Dooper). Been out of the fold for about 8 years, though....
Couldn't fault the car, very nice and massive spec. Mileage is a 70k, slightly above average, but that will even out with my use as I'm not doing many miles.
As mentioned, I never do short journeys, and like a spirited drive - so hoping the SD is right for the job. Always wanted one when they came out!
Maybe a Petrol S next time.......
redguy said:
Maybe a Petrol S next time.......
I'd certainly recommend one and I love my F56 Cooper S big time, my only criticism is that it makes me drive like a bit of a plonker and back to the way I drove when I was a youngster! 
Enjoy the SD and the performance/economy mix in those is very hard to beat/ignore.
redguy said:
Many thanks all.
Saw it and tested it yesterday, and I've actually bought it!
Drove very well - it'll be my 4th Mini (previously had a One Seven, Cooper, and Dooper). Been out of the fold for about 8 years, though....
Couldn't fault the car, very nice and massive spec. Mileage is a 70k, slightly above average, but that will even out with my use as I'm not doing many miles.
As mentioned, I never do short journeys, and like a spirited drive - so hoping the SD is right for the job. Always wanted one when they came out!
Maybe a Petrol S next time.......
Still got the SD? I bought one a few days ago and was wondering if you've had any issues, real world mpg etc?Saw it and tested it yesterday, and I've actually bought it!
Drove very well - it'll be my 4th Mini (previously had a One Seven, Cooper, and Dooper). Been out of the fold for about 8 years, though....
Couldn't fault the car, very nice and massive spec. Mileage is a 70k, slightly above average, but that will even out with my use as I'm not doing many miles.
As mentioned, I never do short journeys, and like a spirited drive - so hoping the SD is right for the job. Always wanted one when they came out!
Maybe a Petrol S next time.......
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