Mini R56

Author
Discussion

essexd

Original Poster:

65 posts

47 months

Friday 9th October 2020
quotequote all
Hi all, I'm looking for an R56 Mini Hatchback, needs to be a petrol.

Are there any engines to avoid and what options should I look for?

Also any issues to look for when viewing?

Thank you all

stevemcs

8,665 posts

93 months

Friday 9th October 2020
quotequote all
Whats your budget ?

essexd

Original Poster:

65 posts

47 months

Saturday 10th October 2020
quotequote all
stevemcs said:
Whats your budget ?
Around 3k

stevemcs

8,665 posts

93 months

Saturday 10th October 2020
quotequote all
For 3k you are going to be a cooper or mini one, most of these do without xenon lights and can be a little basic, most go for cooper s models and they get specked high.

Ideally you want one with air com but check it works, the condensers fail. You want to see evidence of regular oil changes, ideally 10k or 12 months. Check the thermostat, look around the top of the gearbox for coolant staining.

Check the oil level and for any rattles on start up, you need to check from stone cold.

Rear brake calipers can seize and the rear arm bushes can fail.

Challo

10,146 posts

155 months

Monday 12th October 2020
quotequote all
essexd said:
Hi all, I'm looking for an R56 Mini Hatchback, needs to be a petrol.

Are there any engines to avoid and what options should I look for?

Also any issues to look for when viewing?

Thank you all
Join the Mini R56 owners club on FB if you can. Some good information, and often cars come up for sale. At your budget defo go for the One or Cooper engines. Loads of cars about so you can be picky on spec and options.

Try and avoid the early Cooper S cars 06-10 as these had the less reliable N14 engine. The later N18 engine 2010-onwards was more reliable but still had issues.

MDifficult

2,045 posts

185 months

Monday 12th October 2020
quotequote all
There are really good buyers guides for both R53 and R56 at the top of this very forum!

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Lots of good info in there.