F56 Mini questions

[ChrisH72]

I really like the rebel green.

Heated seat requirement is a bit of a pain. There are loads of great looking pre facelift cars at much better prices but literally none have heated seats. It does surprise me that so few people specced them from new as to me it's pretty essential for those early winter mornings. Maybe I've just got used to them!

[nickfrog]

ChrisH72 said:

I really like the rebel green.

Heated seat requirement is a bit of a pain. There are loads of great looking pre facelift cars at much better prices but literally none have heated seats. It does surprise me that so few people specced them from new as to me it's pretty essential for those early winter mornings. Maybe I've just got used to them!

I got used to them over the years too but quite frankly after a few months I don't even notice that I don't have them although not having leather helps a bit.

I would much prefer to have a wider choice of otherwise good cars than to dramatically narrow the choice down.

[Nelka]

They are the closest I’ve found to the Fiesta’s heated seats. Like sitting on sun.

[ChrisH72]

I could probably manage without heated seats. My wife's car doesn't have them and it's fine. I didn't have them in my previous BMW either and it was fine.

Quick question about service history. I noticed thus one not too far away...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023022847...

Condition looks very good, it's one owner and pretty low mileage. Drawbacks are it's not AUC, not LCI, doesn't have heated seats and has the 18's with Pirelli run flats. But it does look nice. I noticed in the service history pic that it's only had 3 services from new. One in 2017 when new, the next in 2020 and then again in 2022. Is this normal? Don't they even need an oil change each year?

I don't think I'd go for that particular car as I feel I can do better.

[nickfrog]

Its first service is 12 months late hence the amber OK so can't be AUC and BMW warranty wouldn't be honoured (on paper). Low chance of goodwill too.

[ChrisH72]

So service is every 2 years?

[nickfrog]

Yes oil change is max 2 years or whatever the idrive says, normally 16k to 18k miles. It's whichever comes first too so a car should never spend more than 24 months on the same oil irrespective of mileage.
And then brake fluid 3 years to start with and then every 2 years.

[ChrisH72]

Okay so an AUC car means service history all checks out?

So something like this is better?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023040158...

Bit far away but just getting my head round it all for now.

[CoolHands]

This one has heated seats

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303285...

[nickfrog]

Always check that the service history is compliant even with a AUC car. You really can't totally trust them, it is quite rare for them to get it wrong, but not unknown.

That red car in Salisbury looks like really good value despite the lack of rear sensors. Michelin tyres too.

[ChrisH72]

Derby one looks well equipped. But I had read the pre face-lift auto was to be avoided? Probably after a darker colour too, or a red one.

[ChrisH72]

nickfrog said:

Always check that the service history is compliant even with a AUC car. You really can't totally trust them, it is quite rare for them to get it wrong, but not unknown.

That red car in Salisbury looks like really good value despite the lack of rear sensors. Michelin tyres too.

Great info thanks. I do feel like I'm getting to know what to look for with these.

There is a really leggy one in Coventry which is dirt cheap despite being AUC. Reminds me a lot of my Fiesta which was high mileage when I bought it. I only do 4k a year so it hasn't been a problem. May go and look at it.

[stevemcs]

A little bit older, but pro exhaust, JCW steering wheel, heated seats adaptive lights. adaptive cruise, HK ....

https://www.ukisudbury.com/cars/mini/hatchback/joh...

[Olivera]

stevemcs said:

A little bit older, but pro exhaust, JCW steering wheel, heated seats adaptive lights. adaptive cruise, HK ....

https://www.ukisudbury.com/cars/mini/hatchback/joh...

The JCW Pro exhaust and alcantara wheel are both real nice if rare options.

Unfortunately I'd say it's overpriced. I paid about the same for a 2018 car 2 years ago, so 3 years old at the time versus 6-7 years old

[ChrisH72]

Just seems to be the price of things now.

It's a nice car but it's the older auto and although very well specced the price reflects features I don't really need. I'm not fussed about pro exhaust and such.

[stevemcs]

I wouldn't be put off by the 6 speed, its still a torque converter box made by Aisin exactly the same as the 8 speed box. We have the Aisin 6 speed in ours and it doesn't need 2 extra cogs. If it was the ZF8 then yes i's agree. The 8speed Aisin has been in the clubman since launch

[ChrisH72]

Ah okay, I'd assumed the 8 speed was different.

Probably still go for manual but I'd like a go in both.

[greggy50]

I have just purchased the below for my wife for £15,750 which was a 2019 Cooper S Classic with 34k miles.

It was only a Classic but has the 17" wheel option, climate control, heated seats, parking sensors, sat nav and apple car play so everything that you need really.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303165...

I would have liked a JCW but it would be £3-4k more for a decent LCI model and I plan to remove the PPF and do a Stage 1 remap which should take it to 270bhp anyway. I could do a sports cat and intercooler and go for 300-310bhp but not sure if its worth another £1k when the stage 1 element with the PPF delete will only be £5-600.

As it is the car already seems pretty quick for a little car. Its certainly very torquey.

https://www.dervtech.com/minif5x#stage2

[ChrisH72]

Looks nice. I have noticed a lot of LCI Classic and Sport have all the options. Perhaps when people bought the JCW new many felt they had already spent enough?

[greggy50]

ChrisH72 said:

Looks nice. I have noticed a lot of LCI Classic and Sport have all the options. Perhaps when people bought the JCW new many felt they had already spent enough?

Yes, I prefer the understated looks of the classic as well seeing as it is meant to be for my wife and she isn't really into cars... It should attract less boy racer types egging her on at traffic lights!

I am aware you are after a JCW but some of the Sports do have the same seats on the more recent models I believe.

This one looks decent value and has heated seats, it would be easy to get it above JWC power safely as the engines are massively de-tuned from the factory. The standard model tops out at about 310bhp however before you have to forge whereas the JCW can do 350 due to the compression ration if you stick a hybrid turbo on.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303235...