2016 F55 Mini Cooper S
Discussion
I appreciate the F55 is a bit marmite, probably not unlike any other modern Mini I suppose. However, I'm a fan of the styling and prefer the ride and handling offered by the slightly longer chassis of the 5 door.
In 2018-19 I had an F54 Clubman D for a year as a company car, although definitely not a fan of the breadvan styling and rear barn doors, I did love the way it handled and I felt particularly comfortable on long journeys.
For the last 20 years I've only bought Alfas, however I'm not a huge fan of big saloons or SUV's and with 1 too many project Alfas I've decided to part with my Giulietta Cloverleaf leaving me with just my Brera 1750, which I'm gradually sorting out. Having done the mechanics the focus will shortly be the bodywork which needs a lick of paint after 12 years.
I've driven a few Minis in recent years and loved them, with only needing to commute 3 days a week and the majority of the time with just me in the car it's ideally proportioned for my needs.
Next Thursday I take delivery of this 2016 2.0 Petrol Mini Cooper S in Midnight Black (at least I think it's called Midnight Black?) This car has done just 24,000 miles with a FSH. I've taken a leap of faith dealing with a garage 80 miles from home via Email and WhatsApp, however the car appears straight and clean. I thought the price taking in to account the dealer threw in 12 months warranty (I've bought the car from a Nissan Dealer and they've put the car through their manufacturers approved scheme), RAC cover, a full service, new brake pads and delivery to home on a trailer for £13k wasn't bad.
Not entirely my ideal spec, although black with black alloys was what I was after. It has the part leather and diamond cloth trim, which was my preferred option. JCW steering wheel, heated seats & screen, auto wipers (does that mean it has auto lights, don't know?)
My plan is to keep it fairly standard. Although tempted to change the rear lights for the later UJ items, possibly will de-chrome as well.
More info and pictures to follow once delivered.
In 2018-19 I had an F54 Clubman D for a year as a company car, although definitely not a fan of the breadvan styling and rear barn doors, I did love the way it handled and I felt particularly comfortable on long journeys.
For the last 20 years I've only bought Alfas, however I'm not a huge fan of big saloons or SUV's and with 1 too many project Alfas I've decided to part with my Giulietta Cloverleaf leaving me with just my Brera 1750, which I'm gradually sorting out. Having done the mechanics the focus will shortly be the bodywork which needs a lick of paint after 12 years.
I've driven a few Minis in recent years and loved them, with only needing to commute 3 days a week and the majority of the time with just me in the car it's ideally proportioned for my needs.
Next Thursday I take delivery of this 2016 2.0 Petrol Mini Cooper S in Midnight Black (at least I think it's called Midnight Black?) This car has done just 24,000 miles with a FSH. I've taken a leap of faith dealing with a garage 80 miles from home via Email and WhatsApp, however the car appears straight and clean. I thought the price taking in to account the dealer threw in 12 months warranty (I've bought the car from a Nissan Dealer and they've put the car through their manufacturers approved scheme), RAC cover, a full service, new brake pads and delivery to home on a trailer for £13k wasn't bad.
Not entirely my ideal spec, although black with black alloys was what I was after. It has the part leather and diamond cloth trim, which was my preferred option. JCW steering wheel, heated seats & screen, auto wipers (does that mean it has auto lights, don't know?)
My plan is to keep it fairly standard. Although tempted to change the rear lights for the later UJ items, possibly will de-chrome as well.
More info and pictures to follow once delivered.
Edited by Alfahorn on Saturday 26th March 13:09
Edited by Alfahorn on Tuesday 5th April 16:20
Nice, being an Alfa fan I’d be keen to hear your review of the Mini in terms of driving fun and comfort.
I took my 170MA on a track day abs with the e-q2 diff it took corners fast and confidently.
I think the age of Mini you got has a very cool and switchy interior and also on my radar.
And a nice find on a tbi Brera (turbo petrol)
I took my 170MA on a track day abs with the e-q2 diff it took corners fast and confidently.
I think the age of Mini you got has a very cool and switchy interior and also on my radar.
And a nice find on a tbi Brera (turbo petrol)
Canon_Fodder said:
All black looks very cool OP
shame no LEDs but hey ho, perhaps you don't do much night driving?
I’m sure after a Giulietta the headlights are like flood lights shame no LEDs but hey ho, perhaps you don't do much night driving?
Edited by V6Nelo on Saturday 26th March 14:21
Congrats on the purchase. Auto wipers means exactly that, they sense rainfall and adjust their speed accordongly. You can hone their sensitivity with the switch on the stalk if you find them to be too keen. Even now I still switch between two of the settings depending on the rain, my Golf just does what I want as did my Peugeot before it. Too much choice I guess!
Auto lights have an auto position on the light panel on the f55 iirc. F54 like ours don't have the auto but the 0 indication is full auto anyway oddly. I tend to leave the lights in the on position anyway, always have in her minis.
I'm out of touch with current chip shortage pricing madness so I guess that price is alright, the world has gone nuts though! We paid just a bit more than that for a very well equipped FMSH 17 plate F54 Cooper S 2.5 years ago, delivered to us from the Mini dealers 100 miles away, 14k miles with all fresh tyres on and the first service done, but I have to say it stood out as a bargain against the rest of the alternatives and I couldn't believe it was Mini approved used stock!
Handling is of course subjective, but I note you liked the F54. On ours the run flats (18"!) are awful for grip and it feels like a boat to press on with! It feels distinctly average to me, I much prefer my Golf 7. I'd love a go in a JCW though 😂
Auto lights have an auto position on the light panel on the f55 iirc. F54 like ours don't have the auto but the 0 indication is full auto anyway oddly. I tend to leave the lights in the on position anyway, always have in her minis.
I'm out of touch with current chip shortage pricing madness so I guess that price is alright, the world has gone nuts though! We paid just a bit more than that for a very well equipped FMSH 17 plate F54 Cooper S 2.5 years ago, delivered to us from the Mini dealers 100 miles away, 14k miles with all fresh tyres on and the first service done, but I have to say it stood out as a bargain against the rest of the alternatives and I couldn't believe it was Mini approved used stock!
Handling is of course subjective, but I note you liked the F54. On ours the run flats (18"!) are awful for grip and it feels like a boat to press on with! It feels distinctly average to me, I much prefer my Golf 7. I'd love a go in a JCW though 😂
V6Nelo said:
Nice, being an Alfa fan I’d be keen to hear your review of the Mini in terms of driving fun and comfort.
I took my 170MA on a track day abs with the e-q2 diff it took corners fast and confidently.
I think the age of Mini you got has a very cool and switchy interior and also on my radar.
And a nice find on a tbi Brera (turbo petrol)
I've had an F54 as a company car for a year and commuted 80 miles a day in it and found it very comfortably. I loved the interior and the seats, which are definitely better than the Giulietta. The Brera seats are superb as well. I took my 170MA on a track day abs with the e-q2 diff it took corners fast and confidently.
I think the age of Mini you got has a very cool and switchy interior and also on my radar.
And a nice find on a tbi Brera (turbo petrol)
Edited by V6Nelo on Saturday 26th March 14:21
I think the Mini Cooper S will be a nice contrast with the Brera. My choice of the 2016 car was budget led as often these decisions are, however it's a nice low mileage cared for car.
In terms of replacing the Giulietta. I'd owned 3 and owned Giuliettas for a total of nearly 9 years, I wanted a 'performance' hatch and this is sector that's in demise now and for my budget, wanting a newer car the Mini stood out for me as I also wanted 5 doors.
tvrfan007 said:
Congrats on the purchase. Auto wipers means exactly that, they sense rainfall and adjust their speed accordongly. You can hone their sensitivity with the switch on the stalk if you find them to be too keen. Even now I still switch between two of the settings depending on the rain, my Golf just does what I want as did my Peugeot before it. Too much choice I guess!
Auto lights have an auto position on the light panel on the f55 iirc. F54 like ours don't have the auto but the 0 indication is full auto anyway oddly. I tend to leave the lights in the on position anyway, always have in her minis.
I'm out of touch with current chip shortage pricing madness so I guess that price is alright, the world has gone nuts though! We paid just a bit more than that for a very well equipped FMSH 17 plate F54 Cooper S 2.5 years ago, delivered to us from the Mini dealers 100 miles away, 14k miles with all fresh tyres on and the first service done, but I have to say it stood out as a bargain against the rest of the alternatives and I couldn't believe it was Mini approved used stock!
Handling is of course subjective, but I note you liked the F54. On ours the run flats (18"!) are awful for grip and it feels like a boat to press on with! It feels distinctly average to me, I much prefer my Golf 7. I'd love a go in a JCW though ??
Thanks, I'm aware of the functionality of auto lights & wipers as my Giulietta has them, the Mini has the auto wipers, but I'm not sure if it has auto lights because I haven't actually seen the car in person yet. It's a distance sale and auto lights aren't a necessity for me so I have asked. Auto lights have an auto position on the light panel on the f55 iirc. F54 like ours don't have the auto but the 0 indication is full auto anyway oddly. I tend to leave the lights in the on position anyway, always have in her minis.
I'm out of touch with current chip shortage pricing madness so I guess that price is alright, the world has gone nuts though! We paid just a bit more than that for a very well equipped FMSH 17 plate F54 Cooper S 2.5 years ago, delivered to us from the Mini dealers 100 miles away, 14k miles with all fresh tyres on and the first service done, but I have to say it stood out as a bargain against the rest of the alternatives and I couldn't believe it was Mini approved used stock!
Handling is of course subjective, but I note you liked the F54. On ours the run flats (18"!) are awful for grip and it feels like a boat to press on with! It feels distinctly average to me, I much prefer my Golf 7. I'd love a go in a JCW though ??
I've viewed the car remotely via whatsapp etc. The process with the dealer I've bought the car from has been superb so far to be honest.
In respect of pricing, prices are higher than a year or 2 ago, however that's also reflected in the amount I got for the Giulietta so it all pretty much balances out.
I'd also like to try the JCW, however in my experience the S has plenty of go.
Update: 5/4/2022 24,534 miles
Well, I've had the car since last Thursday and covered 220 miles in it and averaged 33.3 mpg overall.
Unfortunately, due to the poor weather on Thursday the car was dirty from the word go, however today with some half decent weather I've had the car valeted and I'm pleased with the results.
To
It had some swirling possibly from car washes etc, however are a mild single stage DA polish it's come up very well.
First modification has been done
The sports aerial adds another 5 Bhp - FACT!
Although the dealer I bought the car from has serviced it and done a used car inspection, I've opted to take the car to Mini next week so they can do a vehicle check, which is only costing me £30, just for additional peace of mind.
I've ordered the blackline kit with is the front and rear light surrounds in gloss black with the matching grille surround as it's a bit too chromey!
Happy with my buy so far.
Well, I've had the car since last Thursday and covered 220 miles in it and averaged 33.3 mpg overall.
Unfortunately, due to the poor weather on Thursday the car was dirty from the word go, however today with some half decent weather I've had the car valeted and I'm pleased with the results.
To
It had some swirling possibly from car washes etc, however are a mild single stage DA polish it's come up very well.
First modification has been done
The sports aerial adds another 5 Bhp - FACT!
Although the dealer I bought the car from has serviced it and done a used car inspection, I've opted to take the car to Mini next week so they can do a vehicle check, which is only costing me £30, just for additional peace of mind.
I've ordered the blackline kit with is the front and rear light surrounds in gloss black with the matching grille surround as it's a bit too chromey!
Happy with my buy so far.
Edited by Alfahorn on Tuesday 5th April 16:24
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