RE: Mini Cooper S (R56): PH Used Buying Guide

RE: Mini Cooper S (R56): PH Used Buying Guide

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Discussion

Maracus

4,239 posts

168 months

Friday 10th April 2020
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To add some balance.....

We've had ours 6 1/2 years, now 9 1/2 years old, 74k. It's an N18 auto.

No oil consumption, nothing major has gone wrong, just consumables. Oil change every year or 6/7k. It's like a faithful pup, couldn't recommend one enough. 40mpg all day long, 50 on a run.

vikingaero

10,345 posts

169 months

Friday 10th April 2020
quotequote all
I've not long got rid of my N14 Clubman S automatic. It's only been since November that the car has been "healthy". The PSA engine and the full complement of Valeo French parts just make it a nightmare car. It's a balance with the car being a brilliant drive/motorway cruiser to hearing the double bongs and thinking "Oh fk..." and being relieved when it's the ice warning bong. Overall I would say it is 65% nightmare, 35% brilliant. It's very much a modern day Alfa - do ya fell lucky punk?

What the article has not mentioned are:
(1) Valve covers. When these plastic thingies leaked they were originally only available BINI OEM at £300 for the part only. I went through 3 of them. If anything the last non-OEM one lasted longer than the others.

(2) Oil leaks and oil consumption. My drive has more oil on it than in the car engine! It was a battle to keep up. Repair one seal and the next one pops. Pelican Parts in the USA do a complete fix it kit... for a while. The paper/metal gasket on the sump leaks and needs to be repaired with a sealant, if you have an automatic transmission that will leak. Oil consumption can be horrific. Mine was always on the upper limit of acceptable. Sometimes a hearty 400 mile blast would mean oil level dips down from 1/1 to 1/3 on the dipstick. Every time I saw an offer on 5 litre oil I would buy some, Now I haven't bought any oil since Jan!

The main upside of getting rid of the car is that I no longer visit my Romanian mechanic every 3 weeks. MINI your cars are British pieces of French st.