mini countryman ...good buy??

[stevemcs]

If it ever needs a clutch it might be worth considering the chain at the same time, its fairly quick to get the engine and box out in one lump.

[peter2704]

hi steve,so i took the plunge and placed a deposit down on a 2011 cooper S 82K,seemed to run fine but one thing i noticed which didnt seem right was at the right hand side of the engine just to the back of the turbo there is a coolant pipe,now in that pipe i seem to remember a 2 pin sensor ,but the sensor had no plug in it ,it seems strange a sensor with no plug ? its now got me worried that its something like the a coolant sensor or something and has been removed to mask a possible issue.advice welcome will try to get a picture from the garage tomorrow

[stevemcs]

Pics needed

[peter2704]

will try get some pics sent tomorrow by the garage, and post them here
Been doing some searching and it might be a coolant temp mod they did to the mini,either fitting a new elbow with sensor connected ,or mod 2 was to fit the new sensor into the thermostat bleed valve ,and leave the original coolant sensor in unused? can check if the sticker on the door post has a 53 punched out,God i hope its one of these and not a cunning trick to hide something

[stevemcs]

Some of the aftermarket thermostats have to have an additional wiring loom to make them fit. I can try and take a picture of mine tomorrow, if you cannot get a copy of the service history let me know.

[anonymous-user]

Had a 2015 Cooper D All4 for 3 years , done about 30000 miles. Other than tyres , only expense has been brake discs. Easy 45 mpg.
It only has 112bhp but with the grip from the All4 you can carry a lot of speed through the bends.
My other car is a tuned Impreza but I don’t find the Mini boring to drive.

Edited by Cliffe60 on Saturday 5th June 01:49

[peter2704]

hi steve pics would be good ,service history wise all i have is stamps in the book (reg is DE11BVA) so if you can more info that would be great ,I do like to collect info for my cars
this link is maybe what could have been done,i hope
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2012/SB-10046779...

Edited by peter2704 on Saturday 5th June 09:44

[stevemcs]

That looks like an American recal, the only Uk one I’m aware of relates to the auxiliary pump. I can check for recalls if you want.

[peter2704]

Garge open tomorrow so will call them.If the plug was removed surely it would do something to flag up an issue?

[stevemcs]

I think you are worrying over nothing

[peter2704]

Pics you can just see the 2 pin socket

[peter2704]

just under the big pipe in the centre , click on the link ,like 2 little eyes,they are the pins
https://i.ibb.co/TtjDmBy/IMG-3442.jpg

Edited by peter2704 on Monday 7th June 16:00

[Scrump]

Family member is looking to buy a first gen Countryman petrol. I have told them to go for the Cooper S over the Cooper.
I will be helping them find the right car. The issues already mentioned such as oil usage are really helpful.

Any views on manual vs auto in the Countryman S?

I cannot be alone in finding the specifications and options on used minis confusing.
What are the main options/packs to look for on a first gen Countryman S?
What did the various packs (chilli etc) add to the car? The configurator is no help as it is for a different gen car.

[stevemcs]

Auto box is the older 6 speed Aisin torque box, most of the S's have a good spec, xenons are a must. The S and SD have a slightly different bumper, it like a colour coded bar across the front of the grill.

[peter2704]

the trouble with the issues is you only have certain amount of time to discover them,if its using oil at 1/2 a litre per 200 miles how do you prove that on a test drive? I feel you can only cover so much in the time you have ,especially if buying private.

[Scrump]

Thanks Steve.
On the lookout now for a Countryman S. I expect I will be back asking a few more questions once I have been to look at some.

[peter2704]

countryman cooper S ,what kind of real world fuel /mpg are people getting?

[stevemcs]

My clubman see low to mid 30’s around town, but that me covering 2 miles each way to work. When I used to drive to Peterborough a 30 mile round trip it was low 40’s on a long run it’s just under 50.

[Mr Peel]

I do about 15 miles a day, enthusiastically on rural roads. Always about 35mpg.

[ben_h100]

We picked this up last week. Very happy so far - Countryman Cooper D.