F56 Mini questions

[stevemcs]

Not sure that black one has led lights as it has the adjustment for the headlights

Got the grey one and service I might be able to check for you.

[nickfrog]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023040459...

Wrong wheels/tyres again but that wouldn't put me off considering the rest...on paper.

I had to "ambush" the car I got as they advertised it 2 weeks before it came in and probably under priced it a bit. This is potentially the same, 1 owner too.

[ChrisH72]

The spec reads well on that Nick thanks. I'll be interested to see if that sells quickly. Still away on hols at the moment and also quite a distance but it shows they do come up.

I could go and see the Solihull one if it's still available when I'm back and my Local Sytner has a Cooper S sport to try. There's that Macsons place nearby too which seem to have a lot of Minis.

[Hammy98]

If you like spirited driving for any more than 5 minute stints you'll cook the brakes on an 'S' in short order.

I had an F56 S, tried upgraded pads which slightly improved it but still easy to overwhelm them quickly. Looked at retrofitting the JCW brakes but then you need the wheels too as the Cup spoke wheels fitted to the non-JCW don't have enough clearance.

The B48 engine responds well to a piggyback or remap so it's tempting to up the power which obviously makes things worse.

I loved mine but the brakes were definitely the achilles heel if you drive it hard. Would go JCW if I was having another.

[CrippsCorner]

Can't you just add spacers? I had to 15mm on to clear the brakes, but there were no issues, works perfectly.

[ChrisH72]

I'm afraid this kind of thing annoys me with many private sellers.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021112499...

Nice car but 24k??

Poor set of photos too.

[Nelka]

ChrisH72 said:

I'm afraid this kind of thing annoys me with many private sellers.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021112499...

Nice car but 24k??

Poor set of photos too.

Partly why I just bought a new one. Went to see so many that I felt were quite shabby for big money. With a decent dealer discount it wasn’t much of a stretch to justify it to myself.

Not saying this is for everyone by the way…

[ChrisH72]

Do you mind me asking how much a new one was?

Some I've seen listed are 40k!

[Nelka]

Got a cancelled Rebel Green with 17s & Premium Plus pack for £31k.

Edit - this was on condition I took it in Feb before the ‘23 reg changeover.

Edited by Nelka on Thursday 6th April 18:44

[ChrisH72]

Thanks for sharing that.

I think I'm still aiming at up to 20k. Need to drive a few with different wheels and maybe even an auto. Then I think it'll be a case of jumping on the right one when it comes. The black one I linked is gone so there's still plenty of demand.

[Nelka]

ChrisH72 said:

Thanks for sharing that.

I think I'm still aiming at up to 20k. Need to drive a few with different wheels and maybe even an auto. Then I think it'll be a case of jumping on the right one when it comes. The black one I linked is gone so there's still plenty of demand.

I saw a few really promising ones on Autotrader, but I’m in Scotland, so the thought of driving 200+ miles to see one I’d discount from 5 yards away (like the ones I looked at up here) was a bit off-putting. Depending on where you are I’m sure you’ll have a lot more choice. Plus you have the Fiesta, not a hardship while you wait!

[Hammy98]

CrippsCorner said:

Can't you just add spacers? I had to 15mm on to clear the brakes, but there were no issues, works perfectly.

Possibly... I never tried but ideal if there's enough clearance for that. I thought the non-concave cup spokes sat quite far out already.

[stevemcs]

Aftermarket wheels clear, we put a set on a clubman where the owner was fed up with cracked. And bent wheels.

[Froomee]

I recently purchased a facelift 18 plate JCW (pre filter), manual, rebel green and approx 10k of options (unfortunately no panoramic roof) for £17.5k.

When looking any decent spec car with some/all of the following heated seats, Media XL, upgraded wheels, panoramic roof,HK stereo, HUD, etc they seemed to be selling the same week if it was reasonably priced. The one I purchased is on 40k miles approx and we had a full service, new (OEM) discs and pads thrown in as part of the asking price.

Based on my experience set yourself a criteria for colour, spec, manual/Auto, check daily for new adverts and if you see a car then ring up and leave a small holding deposit (which will be refundable due to distance selling regulations if the car is a lemon).

Edited by Froomee on Friday 7th April 09:38

[ChrisH72]

Froomee said:

I recently purchased a facelift 18 plate JCW (pre filter), manual, rebel green and approx 10k of options (unfortunately no panoramic roof) for £17.5k.

When looking any decent spec car with some/all of the following heated seats, Media XL, upgraded wheels, panoramic roof,HK stereo, HUD, etc they seemed to be selling the same week if it was reasonably priced. The one I purchased is on 40k miles approx and we had a full service, new (OEM) discs and pads thrown in as part of the asking price.

Based on my experience set yourself a criteria for colour, spec, manual/Auto, check daily for new adverts and if you see a car then ring up and leave a small holding deposit (which will be refundable due to distance selling regulations if the car is a lemon).

Edited by Froomee on Friday 7th April 09:38

Yes that sounds like good advice thanks.

I'm torn on the pan roof. I do like how they let light into the cabin and how you get a bit of convertible feel without the soft top. Less keen on added weight, squeaks and rattles or even leaks.

When you say upgraded wheels is that the 18's? I'm not actually sure which wheels are 'stamdard'.

[Froomee]

I found this link/brochure very useful when looking

https://www.inchcape.co.uk/-/media/3cdbd9204a894fb...

The 18’s were an option or standard as part of a pack according to the brochure.

Edited by Froomee on Friday 7th April 18:25

[ChrisH72]

Excellent thanks

[Deep Thought]

CrippsCorner said:

Can't you just add spacers? I had to 15mm on to clear the brakes, but there were no issues, works perfectly.

You can, and you can also upgrade the wheels to wheels that fit the bigger brakes, however neither of those gets round the fact that the servo is bigger on the JCW also, so you wont ever get "JCW brakes" on a Cooper S, even with the bigger brakes fitted.

[nickfrog]

The other thing I would miss with the S in the JCW seats, although perhaps there are some with them? Not sure?

[Deep Thought]

Hammy98 said:

If you like spirited driving for any more than 5 minute stints you'll cook the brakes on an 'S' in short order.

I had an F56 S, tried upgraded pads which slightly improved it but still easy to overwhelm them quickly. Looked at retrofitting the JCW brakes but then you need the wheels too as the Cup spoke wheels fitted to the non-JCW don't have enough clearance.

The B48 engine responds well to a piggyback or remap so it's tempting to up the power which obviously makes things worse.

I loved mine but the brakes were definitely the achilles heel if you drive it hard. Would go JCW if I was having another.

I would wholly concur with this.

I'd a 2018 Cooper S with a simple remap taking it to 250BHP ish. Also fitted a JCW exhaust, not that that added any power.

The brakes were just overwhelmed by the extra BHP. Getting it stopped from any sort of spirited driving was a cheek clenching experience.

I'd strongly recommend anyone thinking of buying a Cooper S and planning on driving it enthusiastically finds the extra cash and buys a JCW.