2017-ish MINI Cooper 1.5 - decent option or run away?
Discussion
I've been looking at alternatives to replace the elderly shed.
The brief is £10-£12k, as new as possible (ideally 3/4yrs max), as few miles as possible (30k/40k max) as I'm looking to get many years service up in wet central Scotland so want it as fresh and rust-free as possible. Will cover maybe 5k miles each year, serve as the city and commute car but also be capable of occasional longer journeys.
Had started looking at Japanese and Korean options but they all leave me a bit sad and cold, and realised a 3dr MINI Cooper 1.5 will fit the above brief, and surprisingly seems to be well thought of in a few of the big reliability surveys - and might actually give some driving enjoyment!
- Are the B38 BMW family engines reliable with timing chain problems a thing of the past?
- I've not got on with little n/a 3 cylinder cars I've rented previously, do the bigger capacity 6-speed turbo'd versions like this feel a little more grown up on the open road and motorways?
- Any inherent issues with these cars to look out for?
- Any horror stories or glowing reviews from any past or present owners out there?
Thanks
The brief is £10-£12k, as new as possible (ideally 3/4yrs max), as few miles as possible (30k/40k max) as I'm looking to get many years service up in wet central Scotland so want it as fresh and rust-free as possible. Will cover maybe 5k miles each year, serve as the city and commute car but also be capable of occasional longer journeys.
Had started looking at Japanese and Korean options but they all leave me a bit sad and cold, and realised a 3dr MINI Cooper 1.5 will fit the above brief, and surprisingly seems to be well thought of in a few of the big reliability surveys - and might actually give some driving enjoyment!
- Are the B38 BMW family engines reliable with timing chain problems a thing of the past?
- I've not got on with little n/a 3 cylinder cars I've rented previously, do the bigger capacity 6-speed turbo'd versions like this feel a little more grown up on the open road and motorways?
- Any inherent issues with these cars to look out for?
- Any horror stories or glowing reviews from any past or present owners out there?
Thanks
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 9th December 15:49
We have a 2015 3dr cooper we picked up in June this year.
Finding a good spec for the right money is difficult, we managed to find one after a couple of months searching. Ours has quite a lot of options including the JCW bodykit, wheels, steering wheel and kick plates. Media XL package with the biiger NAV etc, full leather sports seats, armrest, headup display, xenon lights etc.
Only options it's missing is the HK audio and pano roof. We paid £11.5K for it with 19K miles on the clock and 1 previous owner from Arnold Clark.
So far trouble free, MPG is fine at around 37, performance is OK, feels slow compared to the 160HP Abarth 595 Competizione it replaced but should be better with a remap.
Finding a good spec for the right money is difficult, we managed to find one after a couple of months searching. Ours has quite a lot of options including the JCW bodykit, wheels, steering wheel and kick plates. Media XL package with the biiger NAV etc, full leather sports seats, armrest, headup display, xenon lights etc.
Only options it's missing is the HK audio and pano roof. We paid £11.5K for it with 19K miles on the clock and 1 previous owner from Arnold Clark.
So far trouble free, MPG is fine at around 37, performance is OK, feels slow compared to the 160HP Abarth 595 Competizione it replaced but should be better with a remap.
You have to want the car.
There will be better alternatives on paper, as ZN will come along and show you no doubt the legend that he is.
However, if you're set on the body shape/feeling then there is no better car than the one that will satisfy your lust. It's like the fit girl at work wanting to bork you.
There will be better alternatives on paper, as ZN will come along and show you no doubt the legend that he is.
However, if you're set on the body shape/feeling then there is no better car than the one that will satisfy your lust. It's like the fit girl at work wanting to bork you.
RTaylor2208 said:
We have a 2015 3dr cooper we picked up in June this year.
Finding a good spec for the right money is difficult, we managed to find one after a couple of months searching. Ours has quite a lot of options including the JCW bodykit, wheels, steering wheel and kick plates. Media XL package with the biiger NAV etc, full leather sports seats, armrest, headup display, xenon lights etc.
Only options it's missing is the HK audio and pano roof. We paid £11.5K for it with 19K miles on the clock and 1 previous owner from Arnold Clark.
So far trouble free, MPG is fine at around 37, performance is OK, feels slow compared to the 160HP Abarth 595 Competizione it replaced but should be better with a remap.
Thanks, mpg won't be an issue given the mileage we'll do, straight line performance not a major concern as much as overall driving experience - I owned a 1.6 Cooper back in 2005 for a year (albeit convertible - wrong choice) and the sweet handling on local twisty roads made any lack of straight line performance a non-issue. Finding a good spec for the right money is difficult, we managed to find one after a couple of months searching. Ours has quite a lot of options including the JCW bodykit, wheels, steering wheel and kick plates. Media XL package with the biiger NAV etc, full leather sports seats, armrest, headup display, xenon lights etc.
Only options it's missing is the HK audio and pano roof. We paid £11.5K for it with 19K miles on the clock and 1 previous owner from Arnold Clark.
So far trouble free, MPG is fine at around 37, performance is OK, feels slow compared to the 160HP Abarth 595 Competizione it replaced but should be better with a remap.
As for options, a bit of a minefield, I've no idea what's standard and what isn't - will need to try and find out but the customisability (is that a word?!) of the MINI make that tricky.
This was mine, we called him Tommy 
Had him from new in 2014, sold after 4.5 years, with almost 90k on the clock.
Mechanically great, very little needed in that time other than routine servicing. Only issue with bodywork was door seals rubbing the paint, solution was to apply clear vinyl patches on the slam panel.
£20 a year for tax, and I averaged around 50mpg over that time. Only sold it as I found a JCW Clubby, the car I was actually looking for in 2014, but I'd have another F56 no problem.
Had him from new in 2014, sold after 4.5 years, with almost 90k on the clock.
Mechanically great, very little needed in that time other than routine servicing. Only issue with bodywork was door seals rubbing the paint, solution was to apply clear vinyl patches on the slam panel.
£20 a year for tax, and I averaged around 50mpg over that time. Only sold it as I found a JCW Clubby, the car I was actually looking for in 2014, but I'd have another F56 no problem.
yellowbentines said:
I've been looking at alternatives to replace the elderly shed.
The brief is £10-£12k, as new as possible (ideally 3/4yrs max), as few miles as possible (30k/40k max) as I'm looking to get many years service up in wet central Scotland so want it as fresh and rust-free as possible. Will cover maybe 5k miles each year, serve as the city and commute car but also be capable of occasional longer journeys.
Had started looking at Japanese and Korean options but they all leave me a bit sad and cold, and realised a 3dr MINI Cooper 1.5 will fit the above brief, and surprisingly seems to be well thought of in a few of the big reliability surveys - and might actually give some driving enjoyment!
- Are the B38 BMW family engines reliable with timing chain problems a thing of the past?
- I've not got on with little n/a 3 cylinder cars I've rented previously, do the bigger capacity 6-speed turbo'd versions like this feel a little more grown up on the open road and motorways?
- Any inherent issues with these cars to look out for?
- Any horror stories or glowing reviews from any past or present owners out there?
Thanks
If you want one then get one but they're very spec dependent, they're a decent car.The brief is £10-£12k, as new as possible (ideally 3/4yrs max), as few miles as possible (30k/40k max) as I'm looking to get many years service up in wet central Scotland so want it as fresh and rust-free as possible. Will cover maybe 5k miles each year, serve as the city and commute car but also be capable of occasional longer journeys.
Had started looking at Japanese and Korean options but they all leave me a bit sad and cold, and realised a 3dr MINI Cooper 1.5 will fit the above brief, and surprisingly seems to be well thought of in a few of the big reliability surveys - and might actually give some driving enjoyment!
- Are the B38 BMW family engines reliable with timing chain problems a thing of the past?
- I've not got on with little n/a 3 cylinder cars I've rented previously, do the bigger capacity 6-speed turbo'd versions like this feel a little more grown up on the open road and motorways?
- Any inherent issues with these cars to look out for?
- Any horror stories or glowing reviews from any past or present owners out there?
Thanks
Edited by yellowbentines on Thursday 9th December 15:49
I know you're not overly fussed about power but the 208 GTI Prestige is a very good alternative:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111059...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110248...
Abarth 595 T Jet 165 now these cars have character & are a ball of fun:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110198...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111199...
Both of the above have character & that seems to be what you're looking for, as I said earlier if you want the Mini there's no good reason not to get one.
ZX10R NIN said:
if you want the Mini there's no good reason not to get one.
Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear.A couple of good alternatives - I love the Abarth, neighbour has one and it sounds great, but its just a little smaller than I'm looking for. The Pug isn't one that was on the radar as I'm completely unfamiliar with French cars, will have a deeper look at that and try to figure out what was standard on a Cooper and what are extras. As long as it has a/c, decent lights, Bluetooth and DAB I'll be happy - sat nav, leather are just nice to have but not essentials.
yellowbentines said:
Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear.
A couple of good alternatives - I love the Abarth, neighbour has one and it sounds great, but its just a little smaller than I'm looking for. The Pug isn't one that was on the radar as I'm completely unfamiliar with French cars, will have a deeper look at that and try to figure out what was standard on a Cooper and what are extras. As long as it has a/c, decent lights, Bluetooth and DAB I'll be happy - sat nav, leather are just nice to have but not essentials.
In reality, the interior space in the Abarth is better than the 3dr mini, exterior size there is little in it. A couple of good alternatives - I love the Abarth, neighbour has one and it sounds great, but its just a little smaller than I'm looking for. The Pug isn't one that was on the radar as I'm completely unfamiliar with French cars, will have a deeper look at that and try to figure out what was standard on a Cooper and what are extras. As long as it has a/c, decent lights, Bluetooth and DAB I'll be happy - sat nav, leather are just nice to have but not essentials.
Having had an Abarth Comp for a little over 4 years and now the mini I would say the mini is definitely the more comfortable car, not by a huge amount though if the Abarth has the Koni FSD's and eibach springs. The Turismo doesn't have the full suspension setup from memory.
I loved my Abarth, but it was frustrating to drive for long periods of time because of the ride, the noise of the Monza exhaust and the generally poor audio system.
A decent option and I'm as cynical as they come.
We have three in the family. A 2014 Cooper purchased at 3 years old, a 2015 Cooper bought new and a 2018 Cooper bought last month.
The only issue was the 2015 threw up an EML under warranty, a software update got rid. I've serviced the 2014 and 2015, parts are cheap and all straightforward, oil &filter, plugs, front and rear discs - no dramas. Cabin filter is a pain to get to. There were recalls around 2015/16 for crankshaft bearings not much else I believe.
Prices are a bit daft at the moment and you'll be surprised with that amount that don't have bluetooth. Loads for sale at poverty spec.
We have three in the family. A 2014 Cooper purchased at 3 years old, a 2015 Cooper bought new and a 2018 Cooper bought last month.
The only issue was the 2015 threw up an EML under warranty, a software update got rid. I've serviced the 2014 and 2015, parts are cheap and all straightforward, oil &filter, plugs, front and rear discs - no dramas. Cabin filter is a pain to get to. There were recalls around 2015/16 for crankshaft bearings not much else I believe.
Prices are a bit daft at the moment and you'll be surprised with that amount that don't have bluetooth. Loads for sale at poverty spec.
I bought a 14 one D three door, absolute base spec, at 40k miles with one owner almost three years ago. It's now on 84k miles and has been as good as gold bar an exhaust sensor needing replaced at @45k miles. Averages 58 mpg on relatively short commute, over 70 on longer ones. Lots of space behind the wheel...I find the 500 much smaller inside..maybe narrower? Mini is huge fun on any road, love it.
yellowbentines said:
As for options, a bit of a minefield, I've no idea what's standard and what isn't - will need to try and find out but the customisability (is that a word?!) of the MINI make that tricky.
yellowbentines said:
ZX10R NIN said:
if you want the Mini there's no good reason not to get one.
Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear.A couple of good alternatives - I love the Abarth, neighbour has one and it sounds great, but its just a little smaller than I'm looking for. The Pug isn't one that was on the radar as I'm completely unfamiliar with French cars, will have a deeper look at that and try to figure out what was standard on a Cooper and what are extras. As long as it has a/c, decent lights, Bluetooth and DAB I'll be happy - sat nav, leather are just nice to have but not essentials.
It drove brilliantly, nice noise from the 3 cylinder engine and great performance - I often chose it when I wanted a blast.
Thanks again for the further replies - has cemented the decision its the right car to go for, even the Mrs seems keen.
Have started comparing specs and I see that the plain steering wheels and smaller central display sticks out on the base cars.
Keen to get one with smaller wheels though, when I had my old 05 MINI convertible I specced it with 17s and sports suspension and it ruined the ride - used to love getting a hard top Cooper on 15s as a courtesy car come service time and they've stuck in my mind.
Have started comparing specs and I see that the plain steering wheels and smaller central display sticks out on the base cars.
Keen to get one with smaller wheels though, when I had my old 05 MINI convertible I specced it with 17s and sports suspension and it ruined the ride - used to love getting a hard top Cooper on 15s as a courtesy car come service time and they've stuck in my mind.
yellowbentines said:
Thanks again for the further replies - has cemented the decision its the right car to go for, even the Mrs seems keen.
Have started comparing specs and I see that the plain steering wheels and smaller central display sticks out on the base cars.
Keen to get one with smaller wheels though, when I had my old 05 MINI convertible I specced it with 17s and sports suspension and it ruined the ride - used to love getting a hard top Cooper on 15s as a courtesy car come service time and they've stuck in my mind.
I am biased, but many road tests agreed. The base 'one' in petrol or diesel form is the honey of the range. Small wheels, 'normal' tyres, not much to go wrong and an absolute blast down a country road. Attainable, usable handling and grip. Have started comparing specs and I see that the plain steering wheels and smaller central display sticks out on the base cars.
Keen to get one with smaller wheels though, when I had my old 05 MINI convertible I specced it with 17s and sports suspension and it ruined the ride - used to love getting a hard top Cooper on 15s as a courtesy car come service time and they've stuck in my mind.
The wife had a mini with that engine for around 5 years with no issues at all other than normal servicing costs. Never let us down.
She has replaced it with a Cooper S this time as she decided she needed more power and her previous one was red with a union jack roof and she got fed up of the attention the car got .
No complaints re reliability though
She has replaced it with a Cooper S this time as she decided she needed more power and her previous one was red with a union jack roof and she got fed up of the attention the car got .
No complaints re reliability though
Agreed with spec choice. It took us ages to try find the spec we wanted with our MCS. Our issue is that we wanted a 5 door, so it had to have the JCW exterior kit as they look too plain without.
Ours is full spec without HK or HUD, which we weren’t fussed about. But could not get sunroof and heated seats. Which I was a little cheesed about. In our old R56 MCS I used to love driving around on cold days with the roof open and seat on.
It’s been nice and reliable for the 20 months we’ve had it.
Go for a base MCS if you can stretch. It’s not that quick so can’t help feel the 1.5 would be underwhelming.
The only must is the XL nav screen as it makes the cabin seem relatively modern. Without they feel cheap.
A few of ours when we picked it up from Sytner Sheffield. Their ‘car park’ was rather impressive.
Ours is full spec without HK or HUD, which we weren’t fussed about. But could not get sunroof and heated seats. Which I was a little cheesed about. In our old R56 MCS I used to love driving around on cold days with the roof open and seat on.
It’s been nice and reliable for the 20 months we’ve had it.
Go for a base MCS if you can stretch. It’s not that quick so can’t help feel the 1.5 would be underwhelming.
The only must is the XL nav screen as it makes the cabin seem relatively modern. Without they feel cheap.
A few of ours when we picked it up from Sytner Sheffield. Their ‘car park’ was rather impressive.
Thanks once again - really like the JCW look above but feel I'll probably go for a more standard (boring?!) look of silver wheels, 15/16s if possible, in a 3 door hatch based on past driving experiences and what the car will be used for.
In respect of ordering new, I'm already in an ever-lengthening wait with Volvo for the main car (quoted 7 months and counting) so this one will be used.
One further question for the current/previous owners - are the gearknobs made of cheese?!
I've been looking at a few cars online and in closeup interior photos the top of the gearknob in quite a few of them looks really badly worn, even on some sub 30k mile cars. Perhaps just suggests they've been driven by someone who wears several rings, but sets alarm bells ringing wondering if the mileage is genuine.
In respect of ordering new, I'm already in an ever-lengthening wait with Volvo for the main car (quoted 7 months and counting) so this one will be used.
One further question for the current/previous owners - are the gearknobs made of cheese?!
I've been looking at a few cars online and in closeup interior photos the top of the gearknob in quite a few of them looks really badly worn, even on some sub 30k mile cars. Perhaps just suggests they've been driven by someone who wears several rings, but sets alarm bells ringing wondering if the mileage is genuine.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 13th December 16:42
RTaylor2208 said:
In reality, the interior space in the Abarth is better than the 3dr mini, exterior size there is little in it.
Having had an Abarth Comp for a little over 4 years and now the mini I would say the mini is definitely the more comfortable car, not by a huge amount though if the Abarth has the Koni FSD's and eibach springs. The Turismo doesn't have the full suspension setup from memory.
I loved my Abarth, but it was frustrating to drive for long periods of time because of the ride, the noise of the Monza exhaust and the generally poor audio system.
How is the interior space better in the Abarth? My daughter had a 500, it felt smaller to me, my kids would happily fit in behind the drivers seat in the MINI, but struggle in the 500 (they have grown a bit in that time which could account for some of that).Having had an Abarth Comp for a little over 4 years and now the mini I would say the mini is definitely the more comfortable car, not by a huge amount though if the Abarth has the Koni FSD's and eibach springs. The Turismo doesn't have the full suspension setup from memory.
I loved my Abarth, but it was frustrating to drive for long periods of time because of the ride, the noise of the Monza exhaust and the generally poor audio system.
yellowbentines said:
Thanks once again - really like the JCW look above but feel I'll probably go for a more standard (boring?!) look of silver wheels, 15/16s if possible, in a 3 door hatch based on past driving experiences and what the car will be used for.
In respect of ordering new, I'm already in an ever-lengthening wait with Volvo for the main car (quoted 7 months and counting) so this one will be used.
One further question for the current/previous owners - are the gearknobs made of cheese?!
I've been looking at a few cars online and in closeup interior photos the top of the gearknob in quite a few of them looks really badly worn, even on some sub 30k mile cars. Perhaps just suggests they've been driven by someone who wears several rings, but sets alarm bells ringing wondering if the mileage is genuine.
No cheesy knobs, the leather was fine although the numbers did perhaps fade over the years - here's my old one at 87kIn respect of ordering new, I'm already in an ever-lengthening wait with Volvo for the main car (quoted 7 months and counting) so this one will be used.
One further question for the current/previous owners - are the gearknobs made of cheese?!
I've been looking at a few cars online and in closeup interior photos the top of the gearknob in quite a few of them looks really badly worn, even on some sub 30k mile cars. Perhaps just suggests they've been driven by someone who wears several rings, but sets alarm bells ringing wondering if the mileage is genuine.
Edited by yellowbentines on Monday 13th December 16:42
yellowbentines said:
One further question for the current/previous owners - are the gearknobs made of cheese?!
I've been looking at a few cars online and in closeup interior photos the top of the gearknob in quite a few of them looks really badly worn, even on some sub 30k mile cars. Perhaps just suggests they've been driven by someone who wears several rings, but sets alarm bells ringing wondering if the mileage is genuine.
I can confirm this is the case. Two of our three aren't wearing well, one owned from new the other from 9k (could be rings as stated). Pedal rubber is also made of cheese and heels can wear the drivers mat. You will also get strange wear on the drivers door pillar at the halfway mark. The wipers will squeek from the shaft pivots so use some lubricant spray. Later models 18 onwards seem much better screwed together, circa 14/15 can be a bit rattly inside. I've been looking at a few cars online and in closeup interior photos the top of the gearknob in quite a few of them looks really badly worn, even on some sub 30k mile cars. Perhaps just suggests they've been driven by someone who wears several rings, but sets alarm bells ringing wondering if the mileage is genuine.
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