F56 Mini questions
Discussion
ChrisH72 said:
https://www.macsonscars.co.uk/page/used/cars/0/66/...
There we go.
Cars seem maybe a bit overpriced? Hard to tell.
What's good is that its only 20 mins away from me and they have a few different ones to look at. So it may be possible to try a jcw on 17's and 18's as well as maybe just a cooper s. The one I like most is the black 69 plate but at 22k it really is getting a bit much. Low miles though. Trouble is 22k is getting a bit close to a brand new i20N and I'm sure I can get a decent mini for under 20k.
That black one is really nice I agree. There we go.
Cars seem maybe a bit overpriced? Hard to tell.
What's good is that its only 20 mins away from me and they have a few different ones to look at. So it may be possible to try a jcw on 17's and 18's as well as maybe just a cooper s. The one I like most is the black 69 plate but at 22k it really is getting a bit much. Low miles though. Trouble is 22k is getting a bit close to a brand new i20N and I'm sure I can get a decent mini for under 20k.
I really like this on paper. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023040560...
I know it's close to primer grey but I think it works.
OK wrong size wheel and no proper warranty but both can probably be addressed. Particularly at this price. Caveat emptor on condition and history of course as I wonder why it's not in the network...
I know it's close to primer grey but I think it works.
OK wrong size wheel and no proper warranty but both can probably be addressed. Particularly at this price. Caveat emptor on condition and history of course as I wonder why it's not in the network...
nickfrog said:
I really like this on paper. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023040560...
I know it's close to primer grey but I think it works.
OK wrong size wheel and no proper warranty but both can probably be addressed. Particularly at this price. Caveat emptor on condition and history of course as I wonder why it's not in the network...
Might be as simple as its not got full Mini history.I know it's close to primer grey but I think it works.
OK wrong size wheel and no proper warranty but both can probably be addressed. Particularly at this price. Caveat emptor on condition and history of course as I wonder why it's not in the network...
Any thoughts on this one...?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023031753...
A bit higher on mileage but not too much of an issue for me as I only do about 4k a year.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023031753...
A bit higher on mileage but not too much of an issue for me as I only do about 4k a year.
I had a JCW from April this year until November when I had to sell it due to personal circumstances.
Before buying mine I drove a Cooper S sport and also a LCI JCW with adaptive dampers. After driving the S I felt it was lacking in the excitement department and I didn't think the brakes were amazing (although I'd just come from a Mégane RS with Brembos...). Lovely car though and would be very easy to live with and a great turn of pace.
The JCW was a different animal - quite the animal! The engine is harder edged and the whole car is up on its toes fizzing with energy. The adaptive dampers didn't do anything I didn't think and the ride on 17s was acceptable for the road but definitely harder than the S.
I ended up buying a '17 plate green JCW from Cazoo and paid £17.3k. it only had 17k miles and was like new. Despite saying I wanted the 17s it actually had 18s and run flat tyres on but I actually found the ride better than the newer JCW I test drove. The run flats were awful though and the only reason I didn't change was they were pretty much brand new.
I tracked the car at Anglesey in July and apart from the runflats spoiling the handling it was a great car on track. It was sopping wet though which meant I didn't get to push it that hard but God it was capable, and fast.
It wasn't the most relaxing car to live with but that was I think mostly down to the run flats and 18s. We are a family of 4 (a 6 and a 4 year old) and we all managed to fit in ok as well (it was a second car though).
I actually managed to sell it back to Cazoo with 22k miles on it for, I think, just under £17k.
I'm actually in the market for another car again albeit with a smaller budget and am looking again at a Cooper S. I'm pretty certain that with a set of decent pads and a fluid change it would be fine on track but would also be better on road for when my wife drives it (she wasn't overly keen driving the JCW as it was a bit full on).
Spec wise my JCW had heated seats, HUD, chilli pack, manual box but no nav.
Great cars.
Before buying mine I drove a Cooper S sport and also a LCI JCW with adaptive dampers. After driving the S I felt it was lacking in the excitement department and I didn't think the brakes were amazing (although I'd just come from a Mégane RS with Brembos...). Lovely car though and would be very easy to live with and a great turn of pace.
The JCW was a different animal - quite the animal! The engine is harder edged and the whole car is up on its toes fizzing with energy. The adaptive dampers didn't do anything I didn't think and the ride on 17s was acceptable for the road but definitely harder than the S.
I ended up buying a '17 plate green JCW from Cazoo and paid £17.3k. it only had 17k miles and was like new. Despite saying I wanted the 17s it actually had 18s and run flat tyres on but I actually found the ride better than the newer JCW I test drove. The run flats were awful though and the only reason I didn't change was they were pretty much brand new.
I tracked the car at Anglesey in July and apart from the runflats spoiling the handling it was a great car on track. It was sopping wet though which meant I didn't get to push it that hard but God it was capable, and fast.
It wasn't the most relaxing car to live with but that was I think mostly down to the run flats and 18s. We are a family of 4 (a 6 and a 4 year old) and we all managed to fit in ok as well (it was a second car though).
I actually managed to sell it back to Cazoo with 22k miles on it for, I think, just under £17k.
I'm actually in the market for another car again albeit with a smaller budget and am looking again at a Cooper S. I'm pretty certain that with a set of decent pads and a fluid change it would be fine on track but would also be better on road for when my wife drives it (she wasn't overly keen driving the JCW as it was a bit full on).
Spec wise my JCW had heated seats, HUD, chilli pack, manual box but no nav.
Great cars.
If you can't park a Mini without sensors you need to retake your test.
With the driver's seat fully back you can - literally - lean round and touch the back windscreen with your hand if you've got long arms.
Worst comes to the worst, just open the boot and you'll be able to feel you way into the the tightest space
With the driver's seat fully back you can - literally - lean round and touch the back windscreen with your hand if you've got long arms.
Worst comes to the worst, just open the boot and you'll be able to feel you way into the the tightest space
Canon_Fodder said:
If you can't park a Mini without sensors you need to retake your test.
With the driver's seat fully back you can - literally - lean round and touch the back windscreen with your hand if you've got long arms.
Worst comes to the worst, just open the boot and you'll be able to feel you way into the the tightest space
I am sure it is feasible, although the F56 is longer than previous gen. I would still prefer them for convenience and I don't particularly feel that I need to retake my test.With the driver's seat fully back you can - literally - lean round and touch the back windscreen with your hand if you've got long arms.
Worst comes to the worst, just open the boot and you'll be able to feel you way into the the tightest space
But perhaps Chris doesn't need them at all, which is the main thing.
nickfrog said:
The wheels are MINI wheels. Lack of rear sensors is a bit silly though, even for a short car. The car also has front and rear side splitters that may or may not be official items
Fromt and rear side splitters and rear bumper are JCW Pro options, probably about a grands worth.Hadn't noticed that it didn't have them.
It is a bit frustrating that the spec varies so much. Of course parking sensors or a rear camera aren't necessary on a small car but I've been used to having them as standard on my Fiesta. Today I drove my in laws Seat Ibiza which they have on loan whilst their car is in for an insurance repair. I had to reverse it out of a tight spot and found it irritating that there were no sensors. In fact it was lucky that I even twigged it didn't have them.
I'd probably rather buy a car on 17s than mess about getting new wheels and selling old ones. But I think I ought to drive both to feel the difference.
Yesterday I was reading a top gear shootout between the JCW, mk8 ST and the i20N. They gave the Mini a bit of a pasting. I'll drive a mk8 ST to make my own mind up. They certainly have the advantage that the ST3 just comes with everything on it as standard so it's only a matter of finding one with performance pack. But it seems the Mini is a slightly different kind of car which may suit my needs very well. And they are cool looking things. The i20N is just a bit too new and expensive for me, besides which all the tech stuff doesn't do much for me personally.
It is a bit frustrating that the spec varies so much. Of course parking sensors or a rear camera aren't necessary on a small car but I've been used to having them as standard on my Fiesta. Today I drove my in laws Seat Ibiza which they have on loan whilst their car is in for an insurance repair. I had to reverse it out of a tight spot and found it irritating that there were no sensors. In fact it was lucky that I even twigged it didn't have them.
I'd probably rather buy a car on 17s than mess about getting new wheels and selling old ones. But I think I ought to drive both to feel the difference.
Yesterday I was reading a top gear shootout between the JCW, mk8 ST and the i20N. They gave the Mini a bit of a pasting. I'll drive a mk8 ST to make my own mind up. They certainly have the advantage that the ST3 just comes with everything on it as standard so it's only a matter of finding one with performance pack. But it seems the Mini is a slightly different kind of car which may suit my needs very well. And they are cool looking things. The i20N is just a bit too new and expensive for me, besides which all the tech stuff doesn't do much for me personally.
Looking at the LCI Cooper S sport, it seems that a great many of them come with heated seats, rear sensors, big screen as well as having the track spoke wheels as standard. Much cheaper than the JCW too so I think I'll try one out. Brakes can't be that bad surely? I don't tend to be that hard on brakes and won't be going on track.
If buying approved used, is it a good idea to have services carried out by main dealer to preserve value? I noticed Nick mentioned Amber services, does that mean service carried out by an indy?
If buying approved used, is it a good idea to have services carried out by main dealer to preserve value? I noticed Nick mentioned Amber services, does that mean service carried out by an indy?
ChrisH72 said:
Looking at the LCI Cooper S sport, it seems that a great many of them come with heated seats, rear sensors, big screen as well as having the track spoke wheels as standard. Much cheaper than the JCW too so I think I'll try one out. Brakes can't be that bad surely? I don't tend to be that hard on brakes and won't be going on track.
I thought the brakes on my Cooper S were totally crap at first, however it had Michelin Primacy 3's(none runflats) on it from the factory though. Yet once I'd swapped to Michelin PS4's it was a totally different car under braking for sure, and I had loads more confidence in it for definite. I'm generally not hard on brakes either.
Also slightly confused about LCI.
I thought you could tell LCI by the union Jack rear lights. But the Cooper S only seems to be LCI from 68 plate when it became classic, sport or exclusive. But I've see quite a few 18 plate JCWs like the one I linked which have the LCI rear lights. Did the JCW get a face-lift earlier?
I thought you could tell LCI by the union Jack rear lights. But the Cooper S only seems to be LCI from 68 plate when it became classic, sport or exclusive. But I've see quite a few 18 plate JCWs like the one I linked which have the LCI rear lights. Did the JCW get a face-lift earlier?
ChrisH72 said:
If buying approved used, is it a good idea to have services carried out by main dealer to preserve value? I noticed Nick mentioned Amber services, does that mean service carried out by an indy?
Amber means that the service is late or hasn't had everything done, like the plugs for instance. To confuse matter you can still have an amber service that is compliant with AUC (and subsequent warranties) as they allow a 30 day delay or 1,000 miles (I think). A red service won't be compliant with either but sorry I can't remember what distinguishes a red from an amber (it does get a bit complicated!!).Indies who have registered with BMW will have their service in green in the idrive (if compliant). Their dealer code will have a different format to the official MINI dealers from memory.
I think the Cooper S make a lot of sense if the like for like price delta is large enough. I have never driven one so can't comment on the brakes. All I can say is that the JCW brakes are impressive, including the lack of dead travel and their progressivity in a world of over servoed systems.
I would just question the difference in depreciation rate between S and JCW although it would need to be quite high to absorb the initial saving. The thing is you're going to get far more choice of S cars with the right spec and locally compared to the much rarer JCW.
ChrisH72 said:
If buying approved used, is it a good idea to have services carried out by main dealer to preserve value? I noticed Nick mentioned Amber services, does that mean service carried out by an indy?
It just means that the service was carried out late. My M4 has an amber service on it because it was sat unsold at the dealer for a few months for example(it was due a 2 year oil service at 2 years old, but the dealer just let it sit for sale instead of doing it). It is an approved used car as well.
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