RE: Mini JCW & GP2 (R56) | PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
Had my 2010 N14 JCW for about 5 years now, and knew about the engine issues before purchase, was on a mini service plan initially, but soon as that ended its looked after by an Indy, who aside from the lower costs, knows far more about these things.
So far I've had the timing chain replaced, I replaced the tensioner not long after purchase, and a walnut blast of the valves, regularly check the oil, some weeks it needs a top up, but can go a while without sometimes.
Added a GP rear diffuser and copy wing and colour coded the light surrounds
I have a spare new HPFP, but as yet the original is still doing it's thing, thermostat housing cracked last year, and that's about it really.
Its on coilovers, wider wheels and tyres, highly specced inside, its a great thing to drive, and I can't see me looking for anything else.
Go into buying one with eyes open, have a mini Indy to hand, and these are still great cars to drive and own.
So far I've had the timing chain replaced, I replaced the tensioner not long after purchase, and a walnut blast of the valves, regularly check the oil, some weeks it needs a top up, but can go a while without sometimes.
Added a GP rear diffuser and copy wing and colour coded the light surrounds
I have a spare new HPFP, but as yet the original is still doing it's thing, thermostat housing cracked last year, and that's about it really.
Its on coilovers, wider wheels and tyres, highly specced inside, its a great thing to drive, and I can't see me looking for anything else.
Go into buying one with eyes open, have a mini Indy to hand, and these are still great cars to drive and own.
The only thing better than a GP2 is four of them 
Having said that, my much-loved GP2 is currently for sale. For the fearful amongst you, you can safely ignore all that stuff about the engines - vast majority relates to the N14, not the N18 fitted in the GP2.
Having said that, my much-loved GP2 is currently for sale. For the fearful amongst you, you can safely ignore all that stuff about the engines - vast majority relates to the N14, not the N18 fitted in the GP2.
Edited by MDifficult on Monday 4th May 13:04
My then partner had a couple of R56 (Cooper S then JCW) and I now have an R59 (JCW) for fun but the problem fundamentally is the spec in most UK cars is frankly wrong. Trick is avoid the Chilli pack.
The R56 JCW was special ordered to avoid the chilli pack - so it came with nice cloth seats that were lovely but no one else has probably ever seen them, manual air conditioning and standard suspension which if memory serves could only be specced by opting out of the chilli pack (I stand to be corrected) which was really good, it replaced a mini that did have the sports suspension and gave up nothing in handling terms on the road but its compliance and comfort were sooo much better. We then specced all the nice frilly bits of the chilli pack separately and got a tailored car.
The R59 was second hand - so boiling/freezing leather seats and crashy hard suspension that is still oddly rolling - I do like the daft little thing so may upgrade at some point.
The R56 JCW was special ordered to avoid the chilli pack - so it came with nice cloth seats that were lovely but no one else has probably ever seen them, manual air conditioning and standard suspension which if memory serves could only be specced by opting out of the chilli pack (I stand to be corrected) which was really good, it replaced a mini that did have the sports suspension and gave up nothing in handling terms on the road but its compliance and comfort were sooo much better. We then specced all the nice frilly bits of the chilli pack separately and got a tailored car.
The R59 was second hand - so boiling/freezing leather seats and crashy hard suspension that is still oddly rolling - I do like the daft little thing so may upgrade at some point.
te as anything turned out by BMC and BL at the time.MDifficult said:
The only thing better than a GP2 is four of them
Having said that, my much-loved GP2 is currently for sale. For the fearful amongst you, you can safely ignore all that stuff about the engines - vast majority relates to the N14, not the N18 fitted in the GP2.
Indeed. Coming up to 60k miles in mine (second from left in the pic), and no issues beyond known GP specific ones. Leaky coilovers replaced under extended warranty last summer, and on my third hood scoop decal ... other than that, the most reliable car I've owned. And the most fun. Always keep an eye on levels, especially oil, and have had intermediate oil changes done as feel the MINI service intervals are too long for the kind of use it gets.Having said that, my much-loved GP2 is currently for sale. For the fearful amongst you, you can safely ignore all that stuff about the engines - vast majority relates to the N14, not the N18 fitted in the GP2.
Edited by MDifficult on Monday 4th May 13:04
Just piping up here to balance the opinions. N18 owner here running a Manic stage 1 map. My Mini Cooper S has been the most reliable car i've ever owned as well as the most fun. Not the fastest but you can have fun on more or less any road and you can do it all without too much fear of licence losing speeds. Honestly, not sure what i'd replace mine with and keep the same degree of enjoyment.
350Z on the Wolds said:
Just piping up here to balance the opinions. N18 owner here running a Manic stage 1 map. My Mini Cooper S has been the most reliable car i've ever owned as well as the most fun. Not the fastest but you can have fun on more or less any road and you can do it all without too much fear of licence losing speeds. Honestly, not sure what i'd replace mine with and keep the same degree of enjoyment.
Have to second you on the reliability. Been driving for 30 years and my Cooper S N18 is the most reliable long term car we've owned. Maybe there were a lot of Friday afternoons in Cowley?
I had one for a short while but only with the intention of moving it on for a profit (which I did)
Never underestood why they called it a Mini, it’s anything but (I would have chosen Midi, for those who remember mini, midi and maxi dresses)
Loved the performance but as others have opined, the seats are shocking to the point of me questioning if BMW has actually got shares with major chiropractors.
The lad who bought it from me was thrilled with it (ah, the benefits of yoof) but I was honestly glad to see the back of it
Come to think of it I was also happy to see the back of an earlier iteration Cooper S for similar reason, although what amuses me about that thing was the ridiculous boot and it’s inability to carry any more shopping that was sufficient for two.
Never underestood why they called it a Mini, it’s anything but (I would have chosen Midi, for those who remember mini, midi and maxi dresses)
Loved the performance but as others have opined, the seats are shocking to the point of me questioning if BMW has actually got shares with major chiropractors.
The lad who bought it from me was thrilled with it (ah, the benefits of yoof) but I was honestly glad to see the back of it
Come to think of it I was also happy to see the back of an earlier iteration Cooper S for similar reason, although what amuses me about that thing was the ridiculous boot and it’s inability to carry any more shopping that was sufficient for two.
I have an R56 JCW with the N14 and its been reliable. Owned for coming up to two years and bought it to take with me when I moved to Austria as cars here are so expensive and I would only need a small car for the alpine roads. So far its crossed europe from Innsbruck back to the Uk four times, its great fun on the local roads, isnt so bad on the motorway and isnt that bad on fuel. Mine has nearly all the options ticked and I've got a great Indy locally who runs the Austrian Mini challenge cars so knows them inside out. I've had the time chain changed as a precaution but other than its needed nothing. I'm prepared for a big bill at some point though.
Mini had also offered Recaro sportster/cs as a seating option, for a short while, good for long journeys and track time as well. Expensive if you can ever find them, in leather or alcantara.
Demon tweaks etc will supply you some new recaro equivalents, or cheaper from a Renault if your not ocd
Demon tweaks etc will supply you some new recaro equivalents, or cheaper from a Renault if your not ocd
Edited by blue al on Monday 4th May 15:34
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