Mini F56 Advice - Is LCI worth worrying about?
Discussion
Id appreciate some advice and opinions. As impractical as it is for my life, I can't shake the idea of wanting a Mini F56, either a Cooper S or, my preference, a JCW.
One thing I'm not sure about is whether the LCI changes are worth worrying about. I know the JCW gearbox was a big change, and I think there are some infotainment changes, but is there anything about it that makes it worth paying more for?
If not, there doesn't seem to be any real age-related considerations, i.e. if a car is well maintained, good condition, the right spec, etc, there doesn't seem to be anything to lose by going for an earlier F56. Is that right, or is there more to be considered?
The only thing a newer car might help me with, is getting CarPlay working. I'm happy to activate it after if it's not factory fit, but is this something that a newer car will make a lot easier?
All advice appreciated, thank you!
One thing I'm not sure about is whether the LCI changes are worth worrying about. I know the JCW gearbox was a big change, and I think there are some infotainment changes, but is there anything about it that makes it worth paying more for?
If not, there doesn't seem to be any real age-related considerations, i.e. if a car is well maintained, good condition, the right spec, etc, there doesn't seem to be anything to lose by going for an earlier F56. Is that right, or is there more to be considered?
The only thing a newer car might help me with, is getting CarPlay working. I'm happy to activate it after if it's not factory fit, but is this something that a newer car will make a lot easier?
All advice appreciated, thank you!
I think the LCI Mini's also came with updated integration with Apple Car Play if you have an iPhone.
We ended up going with an LCI JCW purely due to the fact that one came up in the spec we wanted and thought that LCI would be more desirable come resell time.
May not be on your radar but would suggest you try and get one with a Head Up Display. Makes reading the speedo so much easier and you don't have to take your eyes off the road. Complete revelation and surprised how much we have found this option a great addition.
We ended up going with an LCI JCW purely due to the fact that one came up in the spec we wanted and thought that LCI would be more desirable come resell time.
May not be on your radar but would suggest you try and get one with a Head Up Display. Makes reading the speedo so much easier and you don't have to take your eyes off the road. Complete revelation and surprised how much we have found this option a great addition.
I've read similar comments from others about the HUD so that's definitely making its way up the wish list. Appreciate the comment about CarPlay and LCI too, thank you!
I think Media XL, Harmon Kardon, adjustable suspension, HUD, heated seats, and wheels that aren't gloss black are my priorities.
I think Media XL, Harmon Kardon, adjustable suspension, HUD, heated seats, and wheels that aren't gloss black are my priorities.
I bought a late pre-LCI F56 JCW, March 2018 car. No regrets, and I simply fitted an Alexa Auto for better phone connectivity (voice controls etc).
Mini have been so lax/poor/slow with LCIs and a successor model that to me there's been no particularly worthwhile changes since launch in 2014, other than infotainment and styling fripperies.
Mini have been so lax/poor/slow with LCIs and a successor model that to me there's been no particularly worthwhile changes since launch in 2014, other than infotainment and styling fripperies.
Mines a April 2018 cooper s LCI but with 7 speed DCT think this was introduced to replace 6 speed auto. Not seen any problems reported but been a couple of PHer's who have had problems with the JCW Aisin 8 speed box which I think was also introduced with LCI in 2018.
May sway the decision between the S and the JCW if you want an auto no idea what 2022 auto box's cars have, seem to have been a lot of changes.
May sway the decision between the S and the JCW if you want an auto no idea what 2022 auto box's cars have, seem to have been a lot of changes.
_Rob said:
I feel that way about the JCW in general to be honest. I think the Cooper S would be great to live with and if the LCI changes aren't a big deal, I could either save money or get more car for my money... but then I'd see a JCW and wish I'd bought one.
I’ve had a 2018 Cooper S for 15 months now, it’s a great little car but I do regret not buying a JCW. Having said that the price difference at the time for a similar age / spec / mileage JCW was £7k - £8k so I thought the S was probably the wiser choice given the mileage I do (<3k)
If I do end up buying a Mini I suspect that'll ultimately be my choice - buy a post-LCI JCW, or an earlier (15-17 plate) Cooper S with as many toys as I can get, but save as much as possible.
This whole thing is basically because no other car I can think of buying interests or excites me. The Mini will be perfect for 95% of my journeys and a pain in the backside for the other 5%, but few other modern cars mix creature comforts, performance you can actually use, and character.
This whole thing is basically because no other car I can think of buying interests or excites me. The Mini will be perfect for 95% of my journeys and a pain in the backside for the other 5%, but few other modern cars mix creature comforts, performance you can actually use, and character.
Canon_Fodder said:
Gotta have those Halos. If you don't, every time you see a Mini coming the other way you'll think.... Dang!!!
My 66 plate doesn't have halos, however when I bought it 8 months ago this was the one thing I wished the car had, however I got mine for a very good price and it had other bits I wanted; Midnight Black, Cosmos Wheels, heated seats, heated screen, folding mirrors, black headlining so on balance I can't complain. I agree with the OP , get as much spec as you can, there is plenty of choice out there.
_Rob said:
If I do end up buying a Mini I suspect that'll ultimately be my choice - buy a post-LCI JCW, or an earlier (15-17 plate) Cooper S with as many toys as I can get, but save as much as possible.
This whole thing is basically because no other car I can think of buying interests or excites me. The Mini will be perfect for 95% of my journeys and a pain in the backside for the other 5%, but few other modern cars mix creature comforts, performance you can actually use, and character.
I chose the Mini for the very reasons you're considering one. It suits what I need from a daily driver, 80% of the time it's just me in the car. It has all the comforts I need and it's decent running cost wise as well. This whole thing is basically because no other car I can think of buying interests or excites me. The Mini will be perfect for 95% of my journeys and a pain in the backside for the other 5%, but few other modern cars mix creature comforts, performance you can actually use, and character.
For everything else I have my money pit of an old Alfa which delights and frustrates in roughly equal measure!
I am also looking at stuff around the £15-16k mark..I can get a LCI Cooper S with high miles for that. I could probably get a JCW for similar but as I'm doing 12k a year and a chunk of that A road commuting, not sure if it's worth going for the JCW.
Im after a decent sound system but HK doesn't seem that popular at my budget. Is there an aftermarket way of achieving similar or better i.e a speaker upgrade?
Im after a decent sound system but HK doesn't seem that popular at my budget. Is there an aftermarket way of achieving similar or better i.e a speaker upgrade?
Chicken Chaser said:
I am also looking at stuff around the £15-16k mark..I can get a LCI Cooper S with high miles for that. I could probably get a JCW for similar but as I'm doing 12k a year and a chunk of that A road commuting, not sure if it's worth going for the JCW.
Im after a decent sound system but HK doesn't seem that popular at my budget. Is there an aftermarket way of achieving similar or better i.e a speaker upgrade?
If your going to upgrade the standard system budget at least £500-1000 as you'll want to amp any speakers you upgrade. Im after a decent sound system but HK doesn't seem that popular at my budget. Is there an aftermarket way of achieving similar or better i.e a speaker upgrade?
LCI is roughly March 2018 onwards, but if registered before September 2018 is pre GPF although some slipped through as 68 plates.
Due to European noise regs the factory extra Bluetooth farty exhaust stopped late 2017.
Also beware early cars up to 2017 I believe, search wiring loom near the wiper blades can be expensive!
Personally I would always recommend a pre gpf lci
Due to European noise regs the factory extra Bluetooth farty exhaust stopped late 2017.
Also beware early cars up to 2017 I believe, search wiring loom near the wiper blades can be expensive!
Personally I would always recommend a pre gpf lci
Edited by GT4P on Wednesday 14th December 14:38
GT4P said:
LCI is roughly March 2018 onwards, but if registered before September 2018 is pre GPF although some slipped through as 68 plates.
Due to European noise regs the factory extra Bluetooth farty exhaust stopped late 2017.
Also beware early cars up to 2017 I believe, search wiring loom near the wiper blades can be expensive!
Personally I would always recommend a pre gpf lci
Very small window of opportunity if it's only 6 months of production..how do you tell the GPF and non GPF apart?Due to European noise regs the factory extra Bluetooth farty exhaust stopped late 2017.
Also beware early cars up to 2017 I believe, search wiring loom near the wiper blades can be expensive!
Personally I would always recommend a pre gpf lci
Edited by GT4P on Wednesday 14th December 14:38
My F56 JCW is a March 2018 build, first registered in April. It has the 8 Speed gearbox and LCi interior but no GPF and no Union Jack rear lights, It has the horse shoe daytime running lights also.
It also has no support for Mini Connected services.
Even with the stock exhaust it sounds great, I sometimes think it must be modded. The F54 Clubman JCW is such a disappointment in terms of sound compared to the F56.
It also has no support for Mini Connected services.
Even with the stock exhaust it sounds great, I sometimes think it must be modded. The F54 Clubman JCW is such a disappointment in terms of sound compared to the F56.
Edited by un1eash on Wednesday 14th December 18:05
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