F53 Cooper SD worth a punt?
Discussion
I've grown to like the new Mini after I got a R56 OneD for my daughter but want something top spec. It will be a daily driver so must be diesel and I like small cars not big saloons so a coupe is ideal.
The 2.0 twin turbo power plant in the SD looks to have pedigree and have the base to give it a power upgrade.
It's all about extras on these cars it would appear and I have a 'must have' list such as heated seats, Sat Nav, bluetooth. Adaptive suspension would be good but very few secondhand seem to have it in the SD and my concern is in the petrol CooperS I am informed the suspension is quite stiff so what's the SD standard set up like? Is 18" wheels pushing it too far? Is the HUD any good? Plastic door panels do look cheap and nasty so I'd need to come up with an option like covering them in alcantara which will add on the cost.
I'm looking for a 2015/16 plate as they look good value against new and I've noticed main dealer networks ie Synter seem to be competitive against non franchised garage cars which to me look over-priced.
Anyone run one as a daily and have good/bad points?
ETA: I think the designation is F57 and not F53 if a Mod could change I'd be obliged
The 2.0 twin turbo power plant in the SD looks to have pedigree and have the base to give it a power upgrade.
It's all about extras on these cars it would appear and I have a 'must have' list such as heated seats, Sat Nav, bluetooth. Adaptive suspension would be good but very few secondhand seem to have it in the SD and my concern is in the petrol CooperS I am informed the suspension is quite stiff so what's the SD standard set up like? Is 18" wheels pushing it too far? Is the HUD any good? Plastic door panels do look cheap and nasty so I'd need to come up with an option like covering them in alcantara which will add on the cost.
I'm looking for a 2015/16 plate as they look good value against new and I've noticed main dealer networks ie Synter seem to be competitive against non franchised garage cars which to me look over-priced.
Anyone run one as a daily and have good/bad points?
ETA: I think the designation is F57 and not F53 if a Mod could change I'd be obliged
Edited by Armitage.Shanks on Thursday 17th August 22:55
I've driven a number of hatches and the sweet spot wheel wise in my opinion is 17" with non runflat tyres. I would also say the adaptive suspension is nice but not essential. Not driven an SD but have driven a D - personally I think petrol engines suit the character of the car better and this will be especially the case in the convertible. Fuel economy from our Cooper S hatch has averaged 39 mpg...high 40s possible on a cruise. Ride is firm but not uncomfortable and pretty sure the SD has same set up as the S....although not sure how the convertible set up differs from the hatch. Possible to spec even firmer sports suspension or the aforementioned adaptive as options. We bought ours used...took a while for one to come up close to ideal spec within budget but worth the wait. Wasn't too fussed with the HUD personally so wouldn't say that was essential, heated seats yes. It's not the plastic door panels I have a problem with but most of the interior trims in terms of looking cheap - the only ones I like are the piano black and the dark cottonwood. The latter, along with the other Yours options, add an LED light strip to each door which may help in distracting you from the plastic it surrounds. Hope this helps.
I've ran an F56 S for the past 3 months, I was looking at the SD originally as I commute into Glasgow and do a fair bit of driving at evenings and weekends.
I ended up trying out the petrol version and needless to say I didn't bother with the diesel again, if kept in eco mode and off boost (i.e motorway driving) I can just about get 40mpg from the car. Obviously when hoofing it the mpg falls through the floor, but I feel if you aren't driving flat out everywhere its a good balance between power and economy. The nature of the 2L TwinPower unit means max torque is available quite low in the rev range so it does feel diesel-like.
Spec-wise my car does have the adaptive dampers. I haven't driven a car without so I can't comment on the standard suspension however the adaptive dampers allow for a noticeable change in ride quality as the Sport setting is quite stiff - a must in the UK.
On the interior side of things its fairly upmarket in my opinion, the plastics seem to be of the same quality as the BMW counterparts however I'm also thinking about a few alcantara goodies.
I'd definitely try out both the S and SD, good luck with your purchase OP.
I ended up trying out the petrol version and needless to say I didn't bother with the diesel again, if kept in eco mode and off boost (i.e motorway driving) I can just about get 40mpg from the car. Obviously when hoofing it the mpg falls through the floor, but I feel if you aren't driving flat out everywhere its a good balance between power and economy. The nature of the 2L TwinPower unit means max torque is available quite low in the rev range so it does feel diesel-like.
Spec-wise my car does have the adaptive dampers. I haven't driven a car without so I can't comment on the standard suspension however the adaptive dampers allow for a noticeable change in ride quality as the Sport setting is quite stiff - a must in the UK.
On the interior side of things its fairly upmarket in my opinion, the plastics seem to be of the same quality as the BMW counterparts however I'm also thinking about a few alcantara goodies.
I'd definitely try out both the S and SD, good luck with your purchase OP.
Edited by Hammy98 on Friday 18th August 11:11
Armitage.Shanks]The 2.0 twin turbo power plant in the SD looks to have pedigree and have the base to give it a power upgrade. [footnote]Edited by Armitage.Shanks on Thursday 17th August 22:55[/footnote said:
There is only one turbo, not taking anything away from the car in saying that.
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