New Daily Beater - F56 Mini Cooper S
Discussion
Thought I d drop a quick thread on my latest addition to the driveway.
I wasn't initially in the market for a new car, having recently acquired an M3 Touring - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
However, after starting a new job and smashing through 6,000 miles in just 4 months, plus regularly needing to leave a car at an overnight train station car park in York, I needed something to bridge the mileage gap. More than anything, I needed to relieve the sheer stress that comes with leaving the M3 overnight away from home.
I didn't go on a lengthy search for anything specific, I had to execute quickly. I didn't want anything totally impractical (i.e., an old sports car), nor did I want anything too boring. Essentially, it needed to be just good enough to keep me out of the M3 for the regular short trips and overnight station stays.
I also purposely wanted something a little battered that I could improve upon. Too good, and even though cheap, I'd still be paranoid about the odd dent or scrape. But not so battered that it was going to fall apart at any minute!
After viewing a few different cars, I found this one at a garage (semi-dodgy) between Leeds and Bradford. It was a part,exchange for a Range Rover and, well... basically totally uncared for.
It s a 2015 Mini Cooper S in Thunder Grey, covered 112,000 miles and it looks and feels double that! It was showing as 31,000 miles overdue for a service, had a load of dents and scuffs, but fundamentally it felt like it would be good enough. It drove alright considering the sheer neglect, though it was immediately clear the brakes and suspension were shot.
After a quick negotiation with the dealer, I got it cheap, a significant proportion under my budget and almost half the price of any others for sale online. All the history and HPI checks came back clear, so the deal was concluded.
Spec,wise, it's actually pretty decent, and thankfully the interior is in better nick than the exterior. It features:
- Half leather interior
- Dual zone climate control & fully working AC
- Head Up Display (must have been a rare option on these!)
The car did have a safety restraint system error lit up on the dash, which set off a few alarm bells before buying. However, there was zero sign of accident damage (beyond the small cosmetic dents), no airbag deployments, no replaced panels, and all original fixings were intact.
Once I got it home, I tackled that restraint failure issue straight away. I picked up an Ancel BM700 Pro scanner (reckoned it would come in handy for the garage anyway). It was fairly inexpensive and allowed me to quickly tap into the modules and reset the fault code. The garage claimed the light "only came on yesterday" (conveniently!), but who knows. Alongside resetting the fault, I checked all the wiring harnesses under the front seats and reseated the plugs. Problem solved, I'm a few weeks in now and the warning hasn't returned.
Next up: those front brakes. I'll let the pictures do the talking, but suffice to say, there was more evidence of heavy neglect.
How this passed its MOT last October, I will never know. The suspension feels equally rough, and while both CV boots aren't torn, they have absolutely nothing holding them in place, an urgent job on the to,do list.
After sorting the brakes, I tackled an oil change. To be fair, this was the first time I d ever done one myself! The job itself was simple enough, I planned ahead, grabbed a nice set of ramps, and got all the proper tools ready.
What exited the engine was absolutely disgusting and yet more proof of complete neglect. The filter was equally minging.
Fresh oil and a new filter went in, and she fired up like a dream.
Next was the air filter, an easy 2,minute job, but again, completely manky... poor thing!
While I was at it, I gave the cloudy headlights a going,over with a restoration kit. It did a fair job, much improved, even if not quite 100% perfect.
- CV Boots: Securing or replacing before they throw more grease everywhere.
- Suspension overhaul: Wishbones, bushes, shocks, and probably springs (might throw it to a garage unless I'm feeling particularly brave or capable).
- Dents & Bodywork: Handily, I work for a large UK accident repair company, so I m planning to get all these bits addressed soon!
- Tailpipes:"Look, man, I ain't fallin' for no banana in the tailpipe!" , Name that film! They definitely need replacing.
- Wheels: Just like on my M3, I can't stand dark wheels on a dark car. They've gotta go or be refinished.
- MOT: Due in October.
If I can get through that list cheaply enough, I ll have a proper little car for not a lot of money at all.
Ultimately, it's a hoot to drive. Dynamically it's not mind blowing (certainly not in this state of repair) but it's great having something pokey enough to be fun without threatening to put me in jail!
Some final snaps, also highlighting the damage I'll get sorted out at work!
And finally, the M3T can go rest in the new double garage I have after also purchasing a house. More on the garage build in future!
Cheers for reading, will update as I tick off the jobs!
I wasn't initially in the market for a new car, having recently acquired an M3 Touring - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
However, after starting a new job and smashing through 6,000 miles in just 4 months, plus regularly needing to leave a car at an overnight train station car park in York, I needed something to bridge the mileage gap. More than anything, I needed to relieve the sheer stress that comes with leaving the M3 overnight away from home.
I didn't go on a lengthy search for anything specific, I had to execute quickly. I didn't want anything totally impractical (i.e., an old sports car), nor did I want anything too boring. Essentially, it needed to be just good enough to keep me out of the M3 for the regular short trips and overnight station stays.
I also purposely wanted something a little battered that I could improve upon. Too good, and even though cheap, I'd still be paranoid about the odd dent or scrape. But not so battered that it was going to fall apart at any minute!
After viewing a few different cars, I found this one at a garage (semi-dodgy) between Leeds and Bradford. It was a part,exchange for a Range Rover and, well... basically totally uncared for.
It s a 2015 Mini Cooper S in Thunder Grey, covered 112,000 miles and it looks and feels double that! It was showing as 31,000 miles overdue for a service, had a load of dents and scuffs, but fundamentally it felt like it would be good enough. It drove alright considering the sheer neglect, though it was immediately clear the brakes and suspension were shot.
After a quick negotiation with the dealer, I got it cheap, a significant proportion under my budget and almost half the price of any others for sale online. All the history and HPI checks came back clear, so the deal was concluded.
Spec,wise, it's actually pretty decent, and thankfully the interior is in better nick than the exterior. It features:
- Half leather interior
- Dual zone climate control & fully working AC
- Head Up Display (must have been a rare option on these!)
The car did have a safety restraint system error lit up on the dash, which set off a few alarm bells before buying. However, there was zero sign of accident damage (beyond the small cosmetic dents), no airbag deployments, no replaced panels, and all original fixings were intact.
Diagnostics & Brakes
Once I got it home, I tackled that restraint failure issue straight away. I picked up an Ancel BM700 Pro scanner (reckoned it would come in handy for the garage anyway). It was fairly inexpensive and allowed me to quickly tap into the modules and reset the fault code. The garage claimed the light "only came on yesterday" (conveniently!), but who knows. Alongside resetting the fault, I checked all the wiring harnesses under the front seats and reseated the plugs. Problem solved, I'm a few weeks in now and the warning hasn't returned.
Next up: those front brakes. I'll let the pictures do the talking, but suffice to say, there was more evidence of heavy neglect.
How this passed its MOT last October, I will never know. The suspension feels equally rough, and while both CV boots aren't torn, they have absolutely nothing holding them in place, an urgent job on the to,do list.
Fluids & Service
After sorting the brakes, I tackled an oil change. To be fair, this was the first time I d ever done one myself! The job itself was simple enough, I planned ahead, grabbed a nice set of ramps, and got all the proper tools ready.
What exited the engine was absolutely disgusting and yet more proof of complete neglect. The filter was equally minging.
Fresh oil and a new filter went in, and she fired up like a dream.
Next was the air filter, an easy 2,minute job, but again, completely manky... poor thing!
While I was at it, I gave the cloudy headlights a going,over with a restoration kit. It did a fair job, much improved, even if not quite 100% perfect.
Next On The List
- CV Boots: Securing or replacing before they throw more grease everywhere.
- Suspension overhaul: Wishbones, bushes, shocks, and probably springs (might throw it to a garage unless I'm feeling particularly brave or capable).
- Dents & Bodywork: Handily, I work for a large UK accident repair company, so I m planning to get all these bits addressed soon!
- Tailpipes:"Look, man, I ain't fallin' for no banana in the tailpipe!" , Name that film! They definitely need replacing.
- Wheels: Just like on my M3, I can't stand dark wheels on a dark car. They've gotta go or be refinished.
- MOT: Due in October.
If I can get through that list cheaply enough, I ll have a proper little car for not a lot of money at all.
Ultimately, it's a hoot to drive. Dynamically it's not mind blowing (certainly not in this state of repair) but it's great having something pokey enough to be fun without threatening to put me in jail!
Some final snaps, also highlighting the damage I'll get sorted out at work!
And finally, the M3T can go rest in the new double garage I have after also purchasing a house. More on the garage build in future!
Cheers for reading, will update as I tick off the jobs!
Edited by MTK1919 on Friday 7th August 21:15
Edited by MTK1919 on Friday 7th August 21:16
Edited by MTK1919 on Saturday 8th August 08:59
I’m completely hooked on my R53! Similar to you I bought it to relieve the stress on my 911 (largely track stress!) but have since been so taken in by it that I’ve sold the 911 and the Mini is my only car - love it!
Maybe it’s because I feel like I’m reliving my youth (to the point where I’ve been looking at Minidisc players!) but I’m thoroughly enjoying modifying it.
It’s then led me on to looking at F56 cars like yours to knock around in over winter. Wouldn’t plan to modify it but I know full well I’d end up putting coilovers on and spending needless money on it!
I’ve gone from Aston Martin DB11 to Porsche 911 to a battered old Mini, and I think the Mini is my favourite of the bunch! Cool, charismatic cars.
Maybe it’s because I feel like I’m reliving my youth (to the point where I’ve been looking at Minidisc players!) but I’m thoroughly enjoying modifying it.
It’s then led me on to looking at F56 cars like yours to knock around in over winter. Wouldn’t plan to modify it but I know full well I’d end up putting coilovers on and spending needless money on it!
I’ve gone from Aston Martin DB11 to Porsche 911 to a battered old Mini, and I think the Mini is my favourite of the bunch! Cool, charismatic cars.
Crumpet said:
I m completely hooked on my R53! Similar to you I bought it to relieve the stress on my 911 (largely track stress!) but have since been so taken in by it that I ve sold the 911 and the Mini is my only car - love it!
Maybe it s because I feel like I m reliving my youth (to the point where I ve been looking at Minidisc players!) but I m thoroughly enjoying modifying it.
It s then led me on to looking at F56 cars like yours to knock around in over winter. Wouldn t plan to modify it but I know full well I d end up putting coilovers on and spending needless money on it!
I ve gone from Aston Martin DB11 to Porsche 911 to a battered old Mini, and I think the Mini is my favourite of the bunch! Cool, charismatic cars.
I remember reading your thread too....very entertaining! Sounds like you're having a hoot with it. Maybe it s because I feel like I m reliving my youth (to the point where I ve been looking at Minidisc players!) but I m thoroughly enjoying modifying it.
It s then led me on to looking at F56 cars like yours to knock around in over winter. Wouldn t plan to modify it but I know full well I d end up putting coilovers on and spending needless money on it!
I ve gone from Aston Martin DB11 to Porsche 911 to a battered old Mini, and I think the Mini is my favourite of the bunch! Cool, charismatic cars.
I know what will happen with me. I'll inevitably start loving it, throw more money into it and then begin to question the M3T.
Lovely Cooper S OP,
It’s funny and slightly reassuring to read about others who have/are going through the same realisations. I’ve recently sold my Porsche Cayman S and BMW Z4 M40i and kept…. my Mini JCW (r56) which is just such fun to drive and can be parked anywhere without worrying (too) much about it. Of course given its poor reputation for reliability my enjoyment and thoughts on this could soon change, but for now I am loving it.
It’s funny and slightly reassuring to read about others who have/are going through the same realisations. I’ve recently sold my Porsche Cayman S and BMW Z4 M40i and kept…. my Mini JCW (r56) which is just such fun to drive and can be parked anywhere without worrying (too) much about it. Of course given its poor reputation for reliability my enjoyment and thoughts on this could soon change, but for now I am loving it.
Next on the list of jobs to do was the brake fluid. I did plan to do this right after swapping the discs and pads but didn't have the bleed kit in time.
As with everything else, there was no history of it being done and the service indicator was telling me the same story.
I took the plunge on this cheap Amazon bleed kit. It was a good 50% cheaper than a more known brands but worth the punt given the relatively decent reviews.
What arrived was of moderate quality so I ploughed on with the refresh.
In the first picture I did a dry pressure test to ensure it held the required 10-15psi for 10mins, which is did. During the change it held pressure throughout with only a few pumps between each caliper, no leakage, no incidents. It worked faultlessly. The only really downside was the tubing was quite hard to judge between the old and new fluid passing through. I bought 2l's of fluid with this in mind and chucked more through it than it probably needed.
The job didn't take long and having planned ahead with plenty of WD-40, the bleed nipples were easy enough.....well apart from the last one (drivers front) which was very crusty. As a result, I've managed to do a fairly decent job of rounding it off. I should have planned ahead and bought a set of new bleed nipples to be honest, but they're now in the post and will get switched out soon.
Took it out for a run afterwards and it was probably the placebo affect but it feels much better for the change. Nevertheless, I was happy to get that service indicator reset and onto the next thing!
The next routine item is spark plugs. I have some OEM NGK's coming today and will get them switched out. I'm secretly hoping they're goosed. The engine runs really well.... smooth idle, smooth power delivery, decent fuel economy but it does stink of fumes on a cold start. Having done some brief research, I'm well aware it could be a number of things (cat, injectors, evap( but switching out the plugs is a no brainer given everything else that seems to have been neglected. Watch this space!
As with everything else, there was no history of it being done and the service indicator was telling me the same story.
I took the plunge on this cheap Amazon bleed kit. It was a good 50% cheaper than a more known brands but worth the punt given the relatively decent reviews.
What arrived was of moderate quality so I ploughed on with the refresh.
In the first picture I did a dry pressure test to ensure it held the required 10-15psi for 10mins, which is did. During the change it held pressure throughout with only a few pumps between each caliper, no leakage, no incidents. It worked faultlessly. The only really downside was the tubing was quite hard to judge between the old and new fluid passing through. I bought 2l's of fluid with this in mind and chucked more through it than it probably needed.
The job didn't take long and having planned ahead with plenty of WD-40, the bleed nipples were easy enough.....well apart from the last one (drivers front) which was very crusty. As a result, I've managed to do a fairly decent job of rounding it off. I should have planned ahead and bought a set of new bleed nipples to be honest, but they're now in the post and will get switched out soon.
Took it out for a run afterwards and it was probably the placebo affect but it feels much better for the change. Nevertheless, I was happy to get that service indicator reset and onto the next thing!
The next routine item is spark plugs. I have some OEM NGK's coming today and will get them switched out. I'm secretly hoping they're goosed. The engine runs really well.... smooth idle, smooth power delivery, decent fuel economy but it does stink of fumes on a cold start. Having done some brief research, I'm well aware it could be a number of things (cat, injectors, evap( but switching out the plugs is a no brainer given everything else that seems to have been neglected. Watch this space!
shalmaneser said:
Does this have the Peugeot 1.6l engine? Looks great but that oil and oil filter are a little scary! Maybe a few frequent oil changes will clear it up!
No it's the later B48 BMW 2.0 engine. I saw a few cars with the pug engine including a nice JCW but ultimately went for the later car with this engine in it (albeit in poorer overall condition).I ideally wanted a first gen SC model but nothing cropped up.
Given I'm building a selection of tools now to do these simple jobs I'll just keep on top of it now and see how it goes. Little baby steps and all but it's still rewarding.
I also have the car booked in to get the dents removed at work so it'll be less of an eyesore moving forwards.
Another thing I forgot to mention was this once piano black front bumper section which has seen better days. I've read it's typically down to pigment breakdown from UV's. The replacement part is only £25-£35 so it's a no brainer to replace!
Thanks :-).
Did the spark plugs this afternoon too. The last car I swapped plugs on was my old Panamera S 4.8l. Whilst that wasn't particularly tricky, some of the access was a pain.
The mini was an absolute breeze. Probably took me 15mins if that.
The old plugs (champion) came out looking alright to be honest. A little oil / carbon on one of them but nothing significant.
The new NGK plugs went in and cost me £47. Not bad for piece of mind to be honest.
The next lot of mechanical work might need to be left to the professionals. I don't think I have the time / tools to tackle the suspension work. To my untrained eyes it needs most bushes replacing at the front and the shocks are looking ropey too. The springs are probably alright but do show some heavy corrosion. I suspect a full refresh of the front components won't be cheap but we'll see!
Did the spark plugs this afternoon too. The last car I swapped plugs on was my old Panamera S 4.8l. Whilst that wasn't particularly tricky, some of the access was a pain.
The mini was an absolute breeze. Probably took me 15mins if that.
The old plugs (champion) came out looking alright to be honest. A little oil / carbon on one of them but nothing significant.
The new NGK plugs went in and cost me £47. Not bad for piece of mind to be honest.
The next lot of mechanical work might need to be left to the professionals. I don't think I have the time / tools to tackle the suspension work. To my untrained eyes it needs most bushes replacing at the front and the shocks are looking ropey too. The springs are probably alright but do show some heavy corrosion. I suspect a full refresh of the front components won't be cheap but we'll see!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff