Discussion
Chaps
I am in the market for a communal car, an automatic in the 5k range. I have 2 younger sisters both who are new drivers and my mother to account for, all of whom can only drive auto, bah. One sister is 18 and the other is turning 21.
I was also looking to drive around town and regular motorway jaunts to keep the junk miles off my M2 which is wasted going to Tesco. I m also not comfortable parking it on the street overnight in dodgy parts of Coventry and Leicester as I commute fairly regularly there from London.
I explored a couple of ancient shed money cars (XC70 volvo and a E60), and shagged Toyota hybrids (seemingly all ex taxi at my budget) I ve decided to just spend the extra and get something more modern. Having exhausted all my options for something that isn t a) soul destroyingly slow to drive b) hideously expensive to insure c) not plagued by unreliable gearboxes, I have for now settled on the Mini Cooper D.
It sounds OK on paper, an inline three diesel (!) decently torquey engine paired with lazy but reliable 6 speed slushbox in a small cutesy package with a nice interior. They re cheaper than the petrols , ULEZ compliant, £20 to tax and seemingly quite reliable beyond a sensor issue.
A world away from the minefield of the VAG DQ200s with their mechatronic issues. Walked away from other brands because I can t be bothered to faff around with Adblue nonsense, and the 1 series was eyewateringly expensive to insure even in 116d or 118i form. More than my f
king M2, just for me!
I fancy the diesel because I value low down grunt , and the petrol mini is more expensive to buy. The diesel also sorts the motorway use I will give it, I don t mind an agricultural tone so long as it settles down at speed. I appreciate a Mini is a Mini and will never be a 7 series on the motorway.
I was wondering if anyone has driven the Cooper D. It seems like a fairly niche beast. I ve driven a regular Cooper , a Cooper S, and a JCW before all of which were auto. So I know they handle well enough, but not sure if the diesel turns it into a canal boat.
The car I have found has the Chilli Pack, bonnet stripes, Parking sensors and Panoramic roof as well as a few minor goodies, but no MediaXL.
I would appreciate answers from anyone with an F56 even if its not a diesel
I am in the market for a communal car, an automatic in the 5k range. I have 2 younger sisters both who are new drivers and my mother to account for, all of whom can only drive auto, bah. One sister is 18 and the other is turning 21.
I was also looking to drive around town and regular motorway jaunts to keep the junk miles off my M2 which is wasted going to Tesco. I m also not comfortable parking it on the street overnight in dodgy parts of Coventry and Leicester as I commute fairly regularly there from London.
I explored a couple of ancient shed money cars (XC70 volvo and a E60), and shagged Toyota hybrids (seemingly all ex taxi at my budget) I ve decided to just spend the extra and get something more modern. Having exhausted all my options for something that isn t a) soul destroyingly slow to drive b) hideously expensive to insure c) not plagued by unreliable gearboxes, I have for now settled on the Mini Cooper D.
It sounds OK on paper, an inline three diesel (!) decently torquey engine paired with lazy but reliable 6 speed slushbox in a small cutesy package with a nice interior. They re cheaper than the petrols , ULEZ compliant, £20 to tax and seemingly quite reliable beyond a sensor issue.
A world away from the minefield of the VAG DQ200s with their mechatronic issues. Walked away from other brands because I can t be bothered to faff around with Adblue nonsense, and the 1 series was eyewateringly expensive to insure even in 116d or 118i form. More than my f
king M2, just for me!I fancy the diesel because I value low down grunt , and the petrol mini is more expensive to buy. The diesel also sorts the motorway use I will give it, I don t mind an agricultural tone so long as it settles down at speed. I appreciate a Mini is a Mini and will never be a 7 series on the motorway.
I was wondering if anyone has driven the Cooper D. It seems like a fairly niche beast. I ve driven a regular Cooper , a Cooper S, and a JCW before all of which were auto. So I know they handle well enough, but not sure if the diesel turns it into a canal boat.
The car I have found has the Chilli Pack, bonnet stripes, Parking sensors and Panoramic roof as well as a few minor goodies, but no MediaXL.
I would appreciate answers from anyone with an F56 even if its not a diesel
Yes they can have egr issues and yes there is a pressure sensor - well the pipe that blocks up, we had the 2.0 in a few weeks ago and that had blocked inlet manifold so suspect the same will apply to the 1,5, there is also a small breather pipe that fractures.
Gearbox, the spring in the selector fails resulting in a warning telling you to put it in park to prevent rolling away - ours is currently doing that.
Other than that they are pretty good, they don’t suffer like the older minis, we have had our cooper s some 7 years and it’s just cost general servicing and an o2 sensor.
You can get the gearboxes remapped with the Aisin gearbox with xhp software which we may do but to be honest it’s never caused us issues.
Brakes are not it’s strong point, ours has tarox pads which improve it but they need a little bit of heat, they are nothing track focused just a road pad.
One other thing we have seen and can be common is the wiring loom in the engine bay gets soaked in water and goes brittle and brakes, it runs along the os inner winger and up begind the dashboard, mini in there wisdom also run the washer pipe through it and that cracks.
Auto electricians charge around £1100 as it’s dashboard out to do - mini have a repair kit so it must be common, I think it’s pre 2017, i think if it’s wrapped in plastic they are the ones that cause issue, if it’s felt then these are ok - a quick google will confirm
They are great little cars too, brother has the 1.5 diesel and other than a random warning light it’s been ok
Oh and windscreens take a battering, we had a few stone chips then a crack, we got it replaced and it lasted 80 miles before a x5 through a stone at it and chipped it again, since then it’s picked up another 2
Lastly, make sure it has led lights.
Gearbox, the spring in the selector fails resulting in a warning telling you to put it in park to prevent rolling away - ours is currently doing that.
Other than that they are pretty good, they don’t suffer like the older minis, we have had our cooper s some 7 years and it’s just cost general servicing and an o2 sensor.
You can get the gearboxes remapped with the Aisin gearbox with xhp software which we may do but to be honest it’s never caused us issues.
Brakes are not it’s strong point, ours has tarox pads which improve it but they need a little bit of heat, they are nothing track focused just a road pad.
One other thing we have seen and can be common is the wiring loom in the engine bay gets soaked in water and goes brittle and brakes, it runs along the os inner winger and up begind the dashboard, mini in there wisdom also run the washer pipe through it and that cracks.
Auto electricians charge around £1100 as it’s dashboard out to do - mini have a repair kit so it must be common, I think it’s pre 2017, i think if it’s wrapped in plastic they are the ones that cause issue, if it’s felt then these are ok - a quick google will confirm
They are great little cars too, brother has the 1.5 diesel and other than a random warning light it’s been ok
Oh and windscreens take a battering, we had a few stone chips then a crack, we got it replaced and it lasted 80 miles before a x5 through a stone at it and chipped it again, since then it’s picked up another 2
Lastly, make sure it has led lights.
stevemcs said:
Yes they can have egr issues and yes there is a pressure sensor - well the pipe that blocks up, we had the 2.0 in a few weeks ago and that had blocked inlet manifold so suspect the same will apply to the 1,5, there is also a small breather pipe that fractures.
Gearbox, the spring in the selector fails resulting in a warning telling you to put it in park to prevent rolling away - ours is currently doing that.
Other than that they are pretty good, they don t suffer like the older minis, we have had our cooper s some 7 years and it s just cost general servicing and an o2 sensor.
You can get the gearboxes remapped with the Aisin gearbox with xhp software which we may do but to be honest it s never caused us issues.
Brakes are not it s strong point, ours has tarox pads which improve it but they need a little bit of heat, they are nothing track focused just a road pad.
One other thing we have seen and can be common is the wiring loom in the engine bay gets soaked in water and goes brittle and brakes, it runs along the os inner winger and up begind the dashboard, mini in there wisdom also run the washer pipe through it and that cracks.
Auto electricians charge around £1100 as it s dashboard out to do - mini have a repair kit so it must be common, I think it s pre 2017, i think if it s wrapped in plastic they are the ones that cause issue, if it s felt then these are ok - a quick google will confirm
They are great little cars too, brother has the 1.5 diesel and other than a random warning light it s been ok
Oh and windscreens take a battering, we had a few stone chips then a crack, we got it replaced and it lasted 80 miles before a x5 through a stone at it and chipped it again, since then it s picked up another 2
Lastly, make sure it has led lights.
Thank you Steve this is hugely useful advice Gearbox, the spring in the selector fails resulting in a warning telling you to put it in park to prevent rolling away - ours is currently doing that.
Other than that they are pretty good, they don t suffer like the older minis, we have had our cooper s some 7 years and it s just cost general servicing and an o2 sensor.
You can get the gearboxes remapped with the Aisin gearbox with xhp software which we may do but to be honest it s never caused us issues.
Brakes are not it s strong point, ours has tarox pads which improve it but they need a little bit of heat, they are nothing track focused just a road pad.
One other thing we have seen and can be common is the wiring loom in the engine bay gets soaked in water and goes brittle and brakes, it runs along the os inner winger and up begind the dashboard, mini in there wisdom also run the washer pipe through it and that cracks.
Auto electricians charge around £1100 as it s dashboard out to do - mini have a repair kit so it must be common, I think it s pre 2017, i think if it s wrapped in plastic they are the ones that cause issue, if it s felt then these are ok - a quick google will confirm
They are great little cars too, brother has the 1.5 diesel and other than a random warning light it s been ok
Oh and windscreens take a battering, we had a few stone chips then a crack, we got it replaced and it lasted 80 miles before a x5 through a stone at it and chipped it again, since then it s picked up another 2
Lastly, make sure it has led lights.
The one I found is priced very keenly. It’s a 2015 car. It needs front springs doing and a tyre according to the MOT. I will get everything serviced myself. Gearbox, fluids, oil and filter, discs pads new tyres. I don’t think it has LED headlights unfortunately but I reckon I will get some aliexpress specials as I can’t stand halogens in 2026.
I will check the EGR is working okay. Its done 95k i think.
Have you driven your brother’s . Does it have an unrefined engine or is it okay. And im hoping it has enough poke in gear to get to 30 and 70 briskly . Never driven a small diesel
Don't discount the petrol
Mines running 325bhp and 500+nm....plenty of low down torque!
But yeah, not much to go wrong really
Stretch the 2018 face-lift if you can...led lights, bigger better infotainment and more issues resolved
I find them a really comfy place to sit and easy to eat the miles up especially with cruise, adaptive high beam/matrix LED lights, heated screen, heated seats and so on.
Get one with an arm rest (if they don't all come with one) the wireless charging will be too small but makes a difference cruising.
There are some really boggo spec ones about so just be careful.
My partners R55 (clubman) feels ancient in comparison
No complaints.
All mine has had is an engine mount (common) and tyres.
Agree with the above regarding the windscreen...
Plenty of specialists dotted about the place.
I use Dervtech up Liverpool/Chester way...they purely do F56 platform and are worth looking up on FB etc for a look at what is possible with them
Mines running 325bhp and 500+nm....plenty of low down torque!
But yeah, not much to go wrong really
Stretch the 2018 face-lift if you can...led lights, bigger better infotainment and more issues resolved
I find them a really comfy place to sit and easy to eat the miles up especially with cruise, adaptive high beam/matrix LED lights, heated screen, heated seats and so on.
Get one with an arm rest (if they don't all come with one) the wireless charging will be too small but makes a difference cruising.
There are some really boggo spec ones about so just be careful.
My partners R55 (clubman) feels ancient in comparison
No complaints.
All mine has had is an engine mount (common) and tyres.
Agree with the above regarding the windscreen...
Plenty of specialists dotted about the place.
I use Dervtech up Liverpool/Chester way...they purely do F56 platform and are worth looking up on FB etc for a look at what is possible with them
TechnoKnows said:
Don't discount the petrol
Mines running 325bhp and 500+nm....plenty of low down torque!
But yeah, not much to go wrong really
Stretch the 2018 face-lift if you can...led lights, bigger better infotainment and more issues resolved
I find them a really comfy place to sit and easy to eat the miles up especially with cruise, adaptive high beam/matrix LED lights, heated screen, heated seats and so on.
Get one with an arm rest (if they don't all come with one) the wireless charging will be too small but makes a difference cruising.
There are some really boggo spec ones about so just be careful.
My partners R55 (clubman) feels ancient in comparison
No complaints.
All mine has had is an engine mount (common) and tyres.
Agree with the above regarding the windscreen...
Plenty of specialists dotted about the place.
I use Dervtech up Liverpool/Chester way...they purely do F56 platform and are worth looking up on FB etc for a look at what is possible with them
Surely not from the 1.5??Mines running 325bhp and 500+nm....plenty of low down torque!
But yeah, not much to go wrong really
Stretch the 2018 face-lift if you can...led lights, bigger better infotainment and more issues resolved
I find them a really comfy place to sit and easy to eat the miles up especially with cruise, adaptive high beam/matrix LED lights, heated screen, heated seats and so on.
Get one with an arm rest (if they don't all come with one) the wireless charging will be too small but makes a difference cruising.
There are some really boggo spec ones about so just be careful.
My partners R55 (clubman) feels ancient in comparison
No complaints.
All mine has had is an engine mount (common) and tyres.
Agree with the above regarding the windscreen...
Plenty of specialists dotted about the place.
I use Dervtech up Liverpool/Chester way...they purely do F56 platform and are worth looking up on FB etc for a look at what is possible with them
I’m on about the 1.5 D not the Cooper SD
Just noticed it doesn’t have an armrest but its got a panoramic roof so I don’t mind fitting an Aliexpress copy armrest (saw that the OE one is a nightmare to install)
Yours sounds very well specced
I didn’t realise the petrol was torquier than I thought.
Found an even better specced F56. 15 plate. petrol auto
Chili pack
Mini Yours seats and cottonwood trim
HUD
Media XL
Carplay
Reverse Camera and PDC
Driving Assistant (ACC)
Panoramic Roof
Keyless
Heated Seat
Armrest
17” tentacle wheels
Ambient Lighting
I wonder if this drives much better? Certainly looks the part
Found an even better specced F56. 15 plate. petrol auto
Chili pack
Mini Yours seats and cottonwood trim
HUD
Media XL
Carplay
Reverse Camera and PDC
Driving Assistant (ACC)
Panoramic Roof
Keyless
Heated Seat
Armrest
17” tentacle wheels
Ambient Lighting
I wonder if this drives much better? Certainly looks the part
Nothing much to add other than I had a Cooper S F56 new in 2017. I ran it through 4 years and 40k+ miles; it was great; would recommend one to anybody.
Lovely car, felt really well made, comfortable enough on smooth motorway and great fun when pushed.
Chopped it in for a Focus ST which was faster but nowhere near as well screwed together inside. Had one rattle from the pano roof that was absolutely shocking. Got rid within about a year after Covid sent prices nuts and I could get out of the finance.
Wished I’d kept the Mini as it would’ve been a few grand to pay off but still like a brand new car (wouldn’t do black wheels now! I have learned the error of my ways).
Lovely car, felt really well made, comfortable enough on smooth motorway and great fun when pushed.
Chopped it in for a Focus ST which was faster but nowhere near as well screwed together inside. Had one rattle from the pano roof that was absolutely shocking. Got rid within about a year after Covid sent prices nuts and I could get out of the finance.
Wished I’d kept the Mini as it would’ve been a few grand to pay off but still like a brand new car (wouldn’t do black wheels now! I have learned the error of my ways).
We've had a couple of F56 Minis.
Firstly a 2017 Cooper SD (manual) - great car, very fuel efficient and bags of torque. When looking we also drove the Cooper D as a comparison, it didn't have the "shove" of the SD but was perfectly respectable and didn't feel slow.
Then a 2021 JCW auto - again a brilliant car, only got rid as we needed something bigger.
Both very well made, no complaints other than a tendency to pick up chips in the windscreen as others have mentioned. I'd have another F56 in a heartbeat.
Firstly a 2017 Cooper SD (manual) - great car, very fuel efficient and bags of torque. When looking we also drove the Cooper D as a comparison, it didn't have the "shove" of the SD but was perfectly respectable and didn't feel slow.
Then a 2021 JCW auto - again a brilliant car, only got rid as we needed something bigger.
Both very well made, no complaints other than a tendency to pick up chips in the windscreen as others have mentioned. I'd have another F56 in a heartbeat.
Wife has the Countryman Cooper S version, had it maybe 7 years now and never needed a thing other than routine maintenance, still continues to serve her well so no plans to change it, Media XL would be nice but hers has the full car play and it does the purpose fine.
When we consider replacing it we struggle to come up with something because she doesn't like the look of the current gen Countryman
When we consider replacing it we struggle to come up with something because she doesn't like the look of the current gen Countryman
I had a diesel f56 which hadn’t been looked after. It died of egr and dpf issues at 97k
I now have another diesel mini which is slowly going the same way but right now it’s ok and just gone over 123k.
I also have a petrol mini and will be buying another when I find the right thing. Which is petrol.
If you do go diesel get it mapped. Lots of torque.
I now have another diesel mini which is slowly going the same way but right now it’s ok and just gone over 123k.
I also have a petrol mini and will be buying another when I find the right thing. Which is petrol.
If you do go diesel get it mapped. Lots of torque.
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