Mini R56 fJCW

[Chrismawa]

Just picked up my third Mini, a 2011 fJCW. Bought it as an approved used with only 47k on the clock. It is well specced with Sat Nav, Heated Lounge Leather, Visibility Pack, Harmon Kardon etc. It is so much fun to drive especially coming from an A3 TDI. The pops and bangs from the exhaust are very addictive! No plans at the moment other than keeping it clean.

[Hammy98]

Looks nice.

The lounge leather really lifts the interior on the R56s, much nicer than the standard seats.

[C70R]

Lovely car.

I looked at the R56 as a base when buying my R53 track car, but decided I didn't want to pay the extra for the later engine.

What's with the "f" in front of the JCW?

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Factory id guess

[Chrismawa]

Thanks guys.

As above yeah "f" is for Factory and seperates it from the Cooper S JCW models with the dealer fitted power kit. Factory JCWs have a different turbo, more power and Brembos amongst a few other differences.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cooper_Works#Fa...

[Court_S]

Looks nice that.

I never really gelled with the R56 wen they were released (I was a diehard R53 fan) but I’ve come to really like them now. Enjoy.

[Mike1990]

I do like the R56’s. One with desirable options like yours is quite appealing.

Would have to be a fJCW though.

[C70R]

Chrismawa said:

Thanks guys.

As above yeah "f" is for Factory and seperates it from the Cooper S JCW models with the dealer fitted power kit. Factory JCWs have a different turbo, more power and Brembos amongst a few other differences.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cooper_Works#Fa...

Well, you learn something every day.

I've always been impressed by the way BMW were able to add refinement without upping the weight significantly.

This is only ~50kg heavier than my R53.

[Jcwjosh]

Very nice !

I had one in almost identical spec apart from i had the recaro buckets and a couple of carbon fibre goodies.

The ride was firm and handled so well i do miss it, especially the pops and bangs. Hope you enjoy mate out of interest how much did you give for it ? I may be tempted back would love to try a GP and see/feel if there is much difference.

[Chrismawa]

C70R said:

Well, you learn something every day.

I've always been impressed by the way BMW were able to add refinement without upping the weight significantly.

This is only ~50kg heavier than my R53.

Yeah the interior of the R56 is a much nicer place to sit than the R53, for not much added bloat.

Jcwjosh said:

Very nice !

I had one in almost identical spec apart from i had the recaro buckets and a couple of carbon fibre goodies.

The ride was firm and handled so well i do miss it, especially the pops and bangs. Hope you enjoy mate out of interest how much did you give for it ? I may be tempted back would love to try a GP and see/feel if there is much difference.

Cheers mate, wow the Recaro Buckets must have been amazing, theyre like hens teeth though! Every drive is hilarious fun. I paid a bit of a premium for it, £10k as it was a low miler and an Approved Used from Mini. Happy with this though as it comes with a 12 month warranty which could be handy as I know the N14 has a few common faults. Also this was only 1 of 2 fJCWs in my area, the other having less spec and double the mileage.

[Jcwjosh]

Chrismawa said:

Cheers mate, wow the Recaro Buckets must have been amazing, theyre like hens teeth though! Every drive is hilarious fun. I paid a bit of a premium for it, £10k as it was a low miler and an Approved Used from Mini. Happy with this though as it comes with a 12 month warranty which could be handy as I know the N14 has a few common faults. Also this was only 1 of 2 fJCWs in my area, the other having less spec and double the mileage.

I had the N14 too and was scared something would go bang at some point i know they coke up a bit. Always worth a health check at i think 1320 MINI or lohen if you decide for a few subtle upgrades at some point. Enjoy ! -

[C70R]

Chrismawa said:

Cheers mate, wow the Recaro Buckets must have been amazing, theyre like hens teeth though! Every drive is hilarious fun. I paid a bit of a premium for it, £10k as it was a low miler and an Approved Used from Mini. Happy with this though as it comes with a 12 month warranty which could be handy as I know the N14 has a few common faults. Also this was only 1 of 2 fJCWs in my area, the other having less spec and double the mileage.

N14? Shouldn't this be an N18?

I thought that seemed like good value for a car with the updated engine initially.

[Chrismawa]

C70R said:

N14? Shouldn't this be an N18?

I thought that seemed like good value for a car with the updated engine initially.

I was happy with the price given its history and it was from a main dealer. No doubt one from a private seller would of been a couple grand cheaper but there was non local to me, and with no warranty.

N18 was introduced in 2010 on regular Cooper S models. The fJCW's didnt get it until 2012 for some reason. I would expect that this does have the revised tensioner though, but will still be suseptable to coking as with all N14s.

[Chrismawa]

Invested in a ScanGauge2 seeing as the R56 bizzarely doesn't have a coolant temperature gauge. Great little bit of kit, currently displays coolant temp, oil temp, engine temp and voltage.

[Chrismawa]

Also had a brand new packet of luggage nets in the shed from a previous MINI. Not sure how useful they'll be though.

[Chrismawa]

Cars going back to the dealer next week as its losing coolant (thermostat housing I'd imaging) and oil. Not what I'd expect from a main dealer after going through their numerous checks and with these 2 issues being common on the N14.

Edited by Chrismawa on Monday 9th December 08:30

[Chrismawa]

The car so far has been diagnosed as needing:

- New water pump - due to leak
- Oil feed pipe to turbo - leaking
- Valve stem oil seals - burning oil leading to high consumption

Not great since I've had the car only 2 months, but its all getting covered under the dealer 12 month warranty, which is good.

They've given me this F56 Cooper S to run around in. Not that impressed with it tbh. Its a great "car", comfy and full of tech, but its all a bit boring and lacking character that the first two generations of MINI had.

[C70R]

Chrismawa said:

The car so far has been diagnosed as needing:

- New water pump - due to leak
- Oil feed pipe to turbo - leaking
- Valve stem oil seals - burning oil leading to high consumption

Not great since I've had the car only 2 months, but its all getting covered under the dealer 12 month warranty, which is good.

They've given me this F56 Cooper S to run around in. Not that impressed with it tbh. Its a great "car", comfy and full of tech, but its all a bit boring and lacking character that the first two generations of MINI had.

That's disappointing, although not unexpected from the weaker N14 engine. A real low-point in Mini design.

Great news that you're covered by a warranty though.

[RC1807]

Thank goodness for a 12m warranty on an 8 year old car!

[Chrismawa]

Yeah I'm glad its being sorted and I'm well aware that these cars have issues. But these main dealers are happy to throw around all the "approved used" slogans and the "100+" point checks they do before you buy it.... yet they couldn't spot that the boot wouldn't open via the handle or that there was visible oil leaking that you could see as soon as you looked down at the engine bay. The service has been great by the dealer, I just dont think they checked the car properly before selling it.