Mini One Learner Car

[jock mcsporran]

Just bought a 2011 Mini One (N16) for my lad to learn in. Decent price, low-ish miles (67k). 9 stamps in the book up till about a year ago. No codes found on my scanner. Insurance quotes were decent compared to the usual first car suspects.

Got a couple of jobs to do on it which were factored into the price negotiations. Thermostat housing being one which seemed to be an issue on almost every car we looked at. It also presented a slight stutter around 2k rpm on the way home when putting a bit more load on. Not an issue with light throttle acceleration so assume it's probably a coil pack. The lad can start to learn a few things about car maintenance
No engine rattles and no indication of any chain tensioner issues so fingers crossed.

[21TonyK]

I've got a N16 One that had similar hesitation/lack of torque at low revs etc with no codes showing either.

Very simple and cheap fix, replace front and back vanos solenoids (27 quid for the pair on Amazon) and while the air filter box is off (to the rear one) take the throttle body out and give it a careful clean.

Half an hours work. No codes to reset and no "learning", just instantly a different car, infinitely smoother and easier to drive.

[jock mcsporran]

21TonyK said:

I've got a N16 One that had similar hesitation/lack of torque at low revs etc with no codes showing either.

Very simple and cheap fix, replace front and back vanos solenoids (27 quid for the pair on Amazon) and while the air filter box is off (to the rear one) take the throttle body out and give it a careful clean.

Half an hours work. No codes to reset and no "learning", just instantly a different car, infinitely smoother and easier to drive.

I did wonder about the Vanos solenoids. That was on my list as a potential. Did you re-use the bolt/retainer? I thought I might try cleaning the filters first.

[silentbrown]

jock mcsporran said:

Just bought a 2011 Mini One (N16) for my lad to learn in. Decent price, low-ish miles (67k). 9 stamps in the book up till about a year ago. No codes found on my scanner. Insurance quotes were decent compared to the usual first car suspects.

Good choice - Our daughter learnt in a 2012 Cooper. Once your lad's passed, expect the insurance to rocket significantly for the first year.

We had a bunch of suspension/tyre failures in the first year, thanks to the sh*te roads here. Ditch the runflats if you haven't already!

[21TonyK]

jock mcsporran said:

21TonyK said:

I've got a N16 One that had similar hesitation/lack of torque at low revs etc with no codes showing either.

Very simple and cheap fix, replace front and back vanos solenoids (27 quid for the pair on Amazon) and while the air filter box is off (to the rear one) take the throttle body out and give it a careful clean.

Half an hours work. No codes to reset and no "learning", just instantly a different car, infinitely smoother and easier to drive.

I did wonder about the Vanos solenoids. That was on my list as a potential. Did you re-use the bolt/retainer? I thought I might try cleaning the filters first.

I reused the bolt, I did think about cleaning but for 30 quid just swapped them over. I gave one a bit of a going over with brake cleaner afterwards but it showed no real signs of any debris or anything before so I assume it was internal gunk.

Apart from doing all fluids and filters, with mine the jobs were...

1) plugs (they were old but also loose!)
2) valve cover gasket
3) thermostat housing
4) brake calipers (overhaul) then new discs and pads
5) gear selector arms (clean and grease)
6) heater resistor (2 min swap)

Outstanding jobs, brake fluid and coolant disappearing "somewhere". Both to be resolved this weekend and the aircon pump before the summer.

Then a new aux. tensioner arm and belt. Thats a garage job, not rolling around on the drive in the freezing cold.

I then have another R56, a 2012 Cooper D to sort next week which has a list as long as your arm!

[jock mcsporran]

silentbrown said:

Good choice - Our daughter learnt in a 2012 Cooper. Once your lad's passed, expect the insurance to rocket significantly for the first year.

We had a bunch of suspension/tyre failures in the first year, thanks to the sh*te roads here. Ditch the runflats if you haven't already!

I was surprised by the insurance. It was coming in at about 60% of the Fiesta/Corsa/usual suspects quotes which is why we went for a Mini (after a comment on PH suggested them). At the moment he has a learner policy with me as a named driver for £230/year.

[jock mcsporran]

21TonyK said:

I reused the bolt, I did think about cleaning but for 30 quid just swapped them over. I gave one a bit of a going over with brake cleaner afterwards but it showed no real signs of any debris or anything before so I assume it was internal gunk.

Apart from doing all fluids and filters, with mine the jobs were...

1) plugs (they were old but also loose!)
2) valve cover gasket
3) thermostat housing
4) brake calipers (overhaul) then new discs and pads
5) gear selector arms (clean and grease)
6) heater resistor (2 min swap)

Outstanding jobs, brake fluid and coolant disappearing "somewhere". Both to be resolved this weekend and the aircon pump before the summer.

Then a new aux. tensioner arm and belt. Thats a garage job, not rolling around on the drive in the freezing cold.

I then have another R56, a 2012 Cooper D to sort next week which has a list as long as your arm!

It has good tyres/brakes and engine/gearbox generally feel good. There doesn't appear to be any oil leaks (surprisingly from what I've read)

Jobs list is:

Oil/Filters
Thermostat housing to fix leak
Plugs (although looks like they may have been changed 25k back)
Coil Packs to see if it resolves the stutter but I'll try cleaning the Vanos solenoids first for a cheaper fix
Drop links as it was noted as an advisory on the previous MOT
Fog light bulb

Hopefully that's it. Doesn't seem too bad for a 14 year old car.

[fooman]

That's a great first motor, the early Minis have a timeless classic look to them I don't think the later models retain.

[g3_uav]

Cracking cars, especially with the later N14 engine that doesn't suffer the issues the N12 had as much.

Watch the red paint, they suffer with horrific lacquer peel.

Had Mine six years now, I would sell my feet before selling that car

[21TonyK]

g3_uav said:

I would sell my feet before selling that car

As an aside... where did you get your wheels banded?

[g3_uav]

21TonyK said:

As an aside... where did you get your wheels banded?

Steve Fethers at Banded Wheels Essex. Not sure if they are still going

[scrw.]

Just got a 1.6 One Graphite Clubby for my lads second car (after his first year in a 1L Corsa) He is made up with it, such better build quality, will be needing a clutch over the summer but otherwise it just works.

signal-2025-12-20-170512_002 by Old_Chad, on Flickr

[jock mcsporran]

g3_uav said:

Cracking cars, especially with the later N14 engine that doesn't suffer the issues the N12 had as much.

Watch the red paint, they suffer with horrific lacquer peel.

Had Mine six years now, I would sell my feet before selling that car

Yeah, there’s a couple of bits of lacquer that are needing attention at some point but it’ll probably get a few bumps and scrapes while he’s learning so not too fussed about it for now at least.