Discussion
So currently own a R56 cooper S, which when its working is great however reliability is not its strong point and parts prices are silly. With the UK roads in such a state it has to go.
Im buying a house so only really wanted to spend the mini value + a few k, lets call it £6000. I discounted the focus,astras, megans and the golf/a3. I like the tfsi engine but the A3's and golfs are quite rough for 6k. Eventually the C30 popped up on my radar, strangely I hated the rear when they first came out and im not 100% now but I dont hate it. The T5 was considered but I want to do some trips and couldn't justify the poor economy so this left the D5/D4. The D5 is quicker even though power is the same I think this is down to the gearbox for emissions so obviously the D5 was first choice.
It took a few months to find a manual, they appear to be quite rare. This popped up then. its not fully loaded or the facelift but 2 owners from new full history and sensible milage and its an R-Design. its also in great condition so I purchased it. I could have waited but the mini needs to go and it may have been months before something else popped up. The timing belt has just been done and the wheel have recently been refurbed, I may change the wheels but another oem C30 rim but its not on the priority list.
It was a a bit of a slog collecting the car as I live in Cardiff and the car was in Lowerstoft but I was surprised how comfortable and quiet the ride was, managed 54mpg on the meter on the way home to. Its my first diesel so its taking some getting used to, sod all power under 2k then it shifts. the engine sound half decent to, a bit or a roar to it and it revs for a diesel.
It has the turning circle of a bus, the mini is quite agile, in this reversing parking needs to be done in more than one go which is embarrassing
I did notice a slight vibration when braking on the way home, I think one one of the rear discs may be warped so this will be a job for the next few weeks.
Will give it a good clean and polish then more than likely be a fiver job with the local Romanians going forward.
I have gone off modifying cars however I may look at lowering options, the rear sits quite high and more body roll than Im used to but ill drive it for a few months and then reassess. I don't particularly want to go to hard on the ride.
Im buying a house so only really wanted to spend the mini value + a few k, lets call it £6000. I discounted the focus,astras, megans and the golf/a3. I like the tfsi engine but the A3's and golfs are quite rough for 6k. Eventually the C30 popped up on my radar, strangely I hated the rear when they first came out and im not 100% now but I dont hate it. The T5 was considered but I want to do some trips and couldn't justify the poor economy so this left the D5/D4. The D5 is quicker even though power is the same I think this is down to the gearbox for emissions so obviously the D5 was first choice.
It took a few months to find a manual, they appear to be quite rare. This popped up then. its not fully loaded or the facelift but 2 owners from new full history and sensible milage and its an R-Design. its also in great condition so I purchased it. I could have waited but the mini needs to go and it may have been months before something else popped up. The timing belt has just been done and the wheel have recently been refurbed, I may change the wheels but another oem C30 rim but its not on the priority list.
It was a a bit of a slog collecting the car as I live in Cardiff and the car was in Lowerstoft but I was surprised how comfortable and quiet the ride was, managed 54mpg on the meter on the way home to. Its my first diesel so its taking some getting used to, sod all power under 2k then it shifts. the engine sound half decent to, a bit or a roar to it and it revs for a diesel.
It has the turning circle of a bus, the mini is quite agile, in this reversing parking needs to be done in more than one go which is embarrassing
I did notice a slight vibration when braking on the way home, I think one one of the rear discs may be warped so this will be a job for the next few weeks.
Will give it a good clean and polish then more than likely be a fiver job with the local Romanians going forward.
I have gone off modifying cars however I may look at lowering options, the rear sits quite high and more body roll than Im used to but ill drive it for a few months and then reassess. I don't particularly want to go to hard on the ride.
I don't own own but im sure you'll get over the rear once it becomes muscle memory 
I recently drove a diesel too and was shocked at the power delivery and definitely sounds as bad as they say
I was looking at these originally but may go with the Civic 2.2 CDTI instead as there's simply more for sale, so a better choice and hopefully chance of finding a good example.
I recently drove a diesel too and was shocked at the power delivery and definitely sounds as bad as they say
I was looking at these originally but may go with the Civic 2.2 CDTI instead as there's simply more for sale, so a better choice and hopefully chance of finding a good example.
Nice car - I'm sure I've seen this for sale on the C30 Crew UK pages on Facebook.
As a fellow C30 owner (T5 with the Polestar map and other go-fast goodies here) - the vibration under braking will be discs, if it also does it under acceleration then it's the driveshafts which are made of chocolate. Uprated ones are available.
As for lowering, Eibach do 30mm lowering springs which bring it down nicely and aren't too detrimental to the ride. I have them on mine.
If you do decide to sell the Midir wheels that are on it, they're worth a small fortune to C30/V50/S40 owners. Never known why, mine came with them.
This is mine:
If you have any C30 questions let me know!
As a fellow C30 owner (T5 with the Polestar map and other go-fast goodies here) - the vibration under braking will be discs, if it also does it under acceleration then it's the driveshafts which are made of chocolate. Uprated ones are available.
As for lowering, Eibach do 30mm lowering springs which bring it down nicely and aren't too detrimental to the ride. I have them on mine.
If you do decide to sell the Midir wheels that are on it, they're worth a small fortune to C30/V50/S40 owners. Never known why, mine came with them.
This is mine:
If you have any C30 questions let me know!
Cheers for the comments.
The mini will hopefully be gone this week and i can start driving it. Insurance is surprisingly expensive on these.
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Was body roll much improved when lowered. Im not going to rush into it part of it is getting used to it from the mini with a firm and agile ride.
A good wash and protection coming up first. The seats are in good condition bit will try a clean on them with something not to harsh.
Ive got to pick up a parcel shelf to.
The mini will hopefully be gone this week and i can start driving it. Insurance is surprisingly expensive on these.
. Was body roll much improved when lowered. Im not going to rush into it part of it is getting used to it from the mini with a firm and agile ride.
A good wash and protection coming up first. The seats are in good condition bit will try a clean on them with something not to harsh.
Ive got to pick up a parcel shelf to.
bazza white said:
Cheers for the comments.
The mini will hopefully be gone this week and i can start driving it. Insurance is surprisingly expensive on these..
Was body roll much improved when lowered. Im not going to rush into it part of it is getting used to it from the mini with a firm and agile ride.
A good wash and protection coming up first. The seats are in good condition bit will try a clean on them with something not to harsh.
Ive got to pick up a parcel shelf to.
Insurance for mine was cheap, but the car club I run has a discount deal with Adrian Flux. I'm paying less than £500, and I'm only 23 (all mods declared).The mini will hopefully be gone this week and i can start driving it. Insurance is surprisingly expensive on these.
. Was body roll much improved when lowered. Im not going to rush into it part of it is getting used to it from the mini with a firm and agile ride.
A good wash and protection coming up first. The seats are in good condition bit will try a clean on them with something not to harsh.
Ive got to pick up a parcel shelf to.
Body roll was improved after lowering, I've taken it on the track several times and while there is still a bit of roll, it's not nearly as bad as it once was.
The seats will need babying. The leather is hopelessly weak and easy to mark, and the black T-Tec material is prone to cracking. Mine need sorting, but I'm tempted to get different seats (GT86 seats fit with just a small adjustment) to replace them entirely.
Insurance is £200 more with my current company which works out an extra £150 for the rest of the year. I think it may be cheaper to cancel as its around £340 with other companies and thats the same as what my mini is. You would think volvo would br cheaper than the mini.
The seats are pretty good. The black neoprene stuff is immaculate and there is no wear. Just a clean in the cream leather.
Mapping i would be tempted for the polestar remap but its a silly price. 205bhp id be happy with, again this is for the future.
The seats are pretty good. The black neoprene stuff is immaculate and there is no wear. Just a clean in the cream leather.
Mapping i would be tempted for the polestar remap but its a silly price. 205bhp id be happy with, again this is for the future.
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