2012 Cooper SD London 12...

[CJG1]

I’ve been looking at Minis for quite a while now, and I think I have found the one.

It’s a 2012 Cooper SD “London 12” edition 143bhp in Gunmetal Grey. It has 90,000 miles on it however it’s a local car and has only had one private owner.

The reason I have started a new thread is that I can’t find any info on the 2011- R56 Cooper SD! They appear to be a lot less common than the standard S. I’ve figured out they have the BMW N47 engine (anything to be worried about re timing chain?!). Is there anything else I should be looking out for in particular when I go and view? And service requirements?

Another thing I am a bit confused about, is although it’s a London 12 limited edition looking at the pictures there’s Nothing to distinguish it from a bone stock SD, which it is, it literally has no options! Just plain fabric seats, tiny alloys, no Climate control not one option was ticked! But that doesn’t really bother me as the price is very reasonable and quite like the no fuss approach. Il just buy some used JCW wheels and then il be happy

Last thing, I don’t really need a Diesel at the moment! Up until June when I finish college I am only doing 2 miles a day. Or 3 Miles to Work... I currently drive a 2011 Polo TDI so im quite used to the DPF lark (regens every 200 miles and only does 35mpg around town). From September however I will be doing 60 miles a day 4 days a week for 3 years... so Diesel is best I think! How do you think the SD will cope in the meantime while I’m only doing 2 miles a day?

I know most of you will just say buy a Cooper S instead. I would love to, but I’m 19 and the fact the SD has 143bhp instead of the S’ 180bhp nearly halves the insurance costs. £832 a year instead of £1720 on the S. Plus I’m going to need the extra MPG by September.

Thanks, sorry for the long boring post!
Cam

[sad61t]

That doesn't sound like the official special edition, as the London 2012 cars were red, white or blue and had several cosmetic options to mark them (decals, special dash trim, leather seats with UJ themed piping, 17" alloys).

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/united-kingdom/arti...

Edited by sad61t on Thursday 22 February 11:26

[CJG1]

sad61t said:

That doesn't sound like the official special edition, as the London 2012 cars were red, white or blue and had several cosmetic options to mark them (decals, special dash trim, leather seats with UJ themed piping, 17" alloys).

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/united-kingdom/arti...

Edited by sad61t on Thursday 22 February 11:26

That’s what I thought! Maybe just be an issue with the DVLA’s records.

[Miglia 888]

Fellow 2012 SD owner.

Eclipse Grey was an exclusive to Cooper S/SD optional extra at the time, iirc.
No worries with the timing chain, ime.

Check the MOT History online using the registration number, to help verify the mileage & see all previous MOT's & advisories.
Check the service history bills & receipts (first owner should have kept them all).
Check the OBC while stationary with engine running, for miles remaining before next oil service due, front brakes due, rear brakes due, vehicle check due, MOT due - and verify with the service booklet stamps & bills.
They're cheap as chips to run & service - value service & value brake pads & discs at main MINI dealers are even inexpensive too.
Check the tyres - hopefully not an assortment of different chinese ditchfinders on every corner...

Ask the owner if he's had the clutch replaced in its 90,000 miles, and check for clutch slip when you test drive it - put it in 5th gear and floor it from 45mph - if it slips, new clutch (£££) (and/or dual-mass flywheel possibly - ££££) required.

Turbos also typically need replacing somewhere around 100-120k miles, so factor that into your price negotiations as you'll most probably need a replacement (££££) within the next 1-2 years from September, but you may get lucky...

Keep the 16" alloys, ditch the horrible runflats (if fitted), and put some 205/55/16 Michelin PS4's on for under £100 a corner, and enjoy a far smoother ride with all the extra grip, but even better acceleration & fuel economy compared with the larger & heavier JCW wheels & more expensive tyres, imho.

SD won't warm up on 2 miles a day, they need 15 miles to get up to normal operating temperature on cold days.
Take it out for a motorway cruise at the weekend and it'll regen - you'll know when it's done one as the exhaust sounds deeper & throatier when the DPF has finished its regen.

The far higher torque of the SD means the difference in real-world performance between the S & SD minimal, and remaps are available.
From September, you'll be glad you got the SD though, which will do the 60 miles a day on 1 gallon rather than 1.5.
The only thing I think I miss, are the pops & crackles you get on overrun in sport mode with a petrol Cooper S, but I don't when I'm filling up half as often.

They are great fun to drive, you'll enjoy every mile if you get a good one.
Hth.

Edited by Miglia 888 on Saturday 24th February 12:05

[Armitage.Shanks]

+1 the above.

My 2015 SD is fully loaded and the best fun and equipped car I've ever owned for the money. Running with a DTUK tuning box and the mid range acceleration is something else. If only I could stop it wheel-spinning which perhaps the 18" runflats dont help.