Discussion
Hi everyone,
I'm looking at getting my first Mini later this year and just wanted some advice from current/previous owners:
I haven't owned a car for over 10 years as I have been living in central London but now locating to Somerset, insurance would be around £450 fully comp on a Cooper S as I'm 41 years old.
- I love the look of the R56 Cooper S (around 2008 model), but would I be better off getting a Cooper to start with?
- How many miles would i get on a full tank between the Cooper & Cooper S?
- How much roughly does it cost to fill the tank up?
- Is the Cooper more reliable than the Cooper S?
- Are the repairs cheaper on the Cooper?
It will be used as a daily car to and from work and at weekends I work as a wedding photographer so may be travelling 150 miles to a destination.
Sorry for all the questions but I would really appreciate any feedback :0)
I'm looking at getting my first Mini later this year and just wanted some advice from current/previous owners:
I haven't owned a car for over 10 years as I have been living in central London but now locating to Somerset, insurance would be around £450 fully comp on a Cooper S as I'm 41 years old.
- I love the look of the R56 Cooper S (around 2008 model), but would I be better off getting a Cooper to start with?
- How many miles would i get on a full tank between the Cooper & Cooper S?
- How much roughly does it cost to fill the tank up?
- Is the Cooper more reliable than the Cooper S?
- Are the repairs cheaper on the Cooper?
It will be used as a daily car to and from work and at weekends I work as a wedding photographer so may be travelling 150 miles to a destination.
Sorry for all the questions but I would really appreciate any feedback :0)
Edited by Somerset_James on Thursday 18th January 11:50
Easy mistake to make...Somerset_James said:
- I love the look of the R56 Cooper S (around 2008 model), but would I be better off getting a Cooper to start with?
If you're looking at pre-facelift R56, I'd recommend a Cooper based on reliability. Drive them both and see what you think, the Cooper can still get a move on if you're willing to work for it.Somerset_James said:
- How many miles would i get on a full tank between the Cooper & Cooper S?
In regular driving the range will be about the same, the Cooper has a 40 litre fuel tank, the S has a 50 litre tank. You should be able to get somewhere around 320 miles in each, more if you're on the motorway.Somerset_James said:
- How much roughly does it cost to fill the tank up?
As above, the Cooper has an 8.8 gallon tank, the S has an 11 gallon tank. Roughly £45 and £55 respectively.Somerset_James said:
- Is the Cooper more reliable than the Cooper S?
YesSomerset_James said:
- Are the repairs cheaper on the Cooper?
Lots of parts are shared, the Cooper does suffer with issues found on the S, but not all of them.Since you asked about merits of a Cooper S over a Cooper, I should add my experience of the latter car.
I do think that the Cooper is worth considering, not least because it's a fair bit better as a driver's car than a standard mid-power hatchback. I guess it fits in the warm hatch category; majoring on its dinky proportions, some handling flair and competitive running costs.
I bought a 2012 122hp Cooper as a runabout nearly 18 months ago. I wanted something small and interesting to go alongside our van, but with moderate running costs as it's only doing 3-4k miles a year and therefore not worth spending loads on.
I can't compare to a Cooper S, but I've had some bigger-bhp cars before. Overall, the Cooper does remind me of something like my old 1995 Clio 16V - it's supposedly down on power and up on weight, but it does feel pretty willing - but will do well over 50mpg when taking it easy.
I guess it all depends on budget and priorities. If you're limited by budget to earlier Cooper S models (with attendant known issues), you may find it worth looking at some later Coopers.
Finally, do hold out for a nicely spec'd car and buy carefully. How on earth I managed to buy a smoker's car without spotting it is beyond me.
I do think that the Cooper is worth considering, not least because it's a fair bit better as a driver's car than a standard mid-power hatchback. I guess it fits in the warm hatch category; majoring on its dinky proportions, some handling flair and competitive running costs.
I bought a 2012 122hp Cooper as a runabout nearly 18 months ago. I wanted something small and interesting to go alongside our van, but with moderate running costs as it's only doing 3-4k miles a year and therefore not worth spending loads on.
I can't compare to a Cooper S, but I've had some bigger-bhp cars before. Overall, the Cooper does remind me of something like my old 1995 Clio 16V - it's supposedly down on power and up on weight, but it does feel pretty willing - but will do well over 50mpg when taking it easy.
I guess it all depends on budget and priorities. If you're limited by budget to earlier Cooper S models (with attendant known issues), you may find it worth looking at some later Coopers.
Finally, do hold out for a nicely spec'd car and buy carefully. How on earth I managed to buy a smoker's car without spotting it is beyond me.
Somerset_James said:
Thank you for the input.
I am going to be sensible and look for a cooper :-)
I recommend you try both and then sit down and see what your budget buys your or each as the Cooper would be newer & at least you've done a thorough job then. Remember that the component failures on cars that we hear about on the forums can be a minority relative to the actual numbers built overall. Good luck with the search.I am going to be sensible and look for a cooper :-)
Not sure on your budget but if you want a cooper s id recommend a N18 engine variant, think they are 2010 onwards in the coopers s
I have a N18 JCW Clubman and i average 42-45mpg on a 10 mile commute with a little stop start, motorway within speed limit return 47ish they are good on fuel for a powerful engine i would take one over a cooper i carnt see the non turbo cooper being much cheaper to run
I have a N18 JCW Clubman and i average 42-45mpg on a 10 mile commute with a little stop start, motorway within speed limit return 47ish they are good on fuel for a powerful engine i would take one over a cooper i carnt see the non turbo cooper being much cheaper to run
I currently have a standard spec 2013 Cooper & before that I had 2007 Cooper S. The Cooper S was more fun was a great fun car with the power & torque & the it sounded sweet.
It would do 40 mpg on motorway cruise , however the timing chain was starting to rattle again & I think it was starting to coke up so p/x .
I do recommend the the standard Cooper though for a long term prospect though. It is quick enough & I can achieve 50 mpg on gentle cruise, the ride is better than the S on the standard 15 inch wheels.
After 4 years I am still enjoying it & would recommend one.
It would do 40 mpg on motorway cruise , however the timing chain was starting to rattle again & I think it was starting to coke up so p/x .
I do recommend the the standard Cooper though for a long term prospect though. It is quick enough & I can achieve 50 mpg on gentle cruise, the ride is better than the S on the standard 15 inch wheels.
After 4 years I am still enjoying it & would recommend one.
If you're worried about costs and your questions suggest that you are then probably don't buy any Mini. Parts are expensive compared to Ford, Renault etc.
I bought an R56 Cooper S 2008 with 60k miles for £3800 about 6 months ago. It's a really fun car to drive and I don't regret it...but...
I have spent £1800 on essential repairs since I've owned it.
Timing chain
Oil leak
Two tyres
Brake discs and pads
Software fault/update
Replaced cloudy fog lights
Thermostat housing (always check there is coolant in the car you're buying)
So if cost is a concern then cheaper alternatives exist. My advice would be to buy a Mazda 3 2.0 petrol which will be marginally less fun but a cheaper car to run.
I bought an R56 Cooper S 2008 with 60k miles for £3800 about 6 months ago. It's a really fun car to drive and I don't regret it...but...
I have spent £1800 on essential repairs since I've owned it.
Timing chain
Oil leak
Two tyres
Brake discs and pads
Software fault/update
Replaced cloudy fog lights
Thermostat housing (always check there is coolant in the car you're buying)
So if cost is a concern then cheaper alternatives exist. My advice would be to buy a Mazda 3 2.0 petrol which will be marginally less fun but a cheaper car to run.
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff