Mini Cooper S (R56): PH Used Buying Guide
Everything you need to know about the turbocharged second generation Mini
Those were decent numbers for 2007, but if you wanted to go more quickly in your new Mini, the company had the answer in the form of the £1,095 John Cooper Works kit. It came with a sports exhaust, free-flowing air filter and reworked ECU for a new total of 192hp, helping the JCW from 0-60mph in 6.6 seconds and on to 144mph.
A mild facelift in mid-2010 brought improvements to the cabin quality, as well as a standard auxiliary-input connection and the option of MINI Connected to pair with iPhones. These later models are generally reckoned to be a little more robust and less prone to some of the R56's reliability issues. All are entertaining to drive though, and an early R56 Cooper S can now be bought from £3,500 for high milers with a decent early JCW version starting at around twice that with the full 215hp engine.
Search for Mini Cooper S R56s here
Bodywork and interior
The panoramic sunroof can become juddery in action or stop working altogether. Main dealers will charge as much as £3,000 to solve this with an all-new sunroof cassette, but specialists can fix it for £250.
The air conditioning evaporator can fail, which is expensive to fix as much of the engine bay has to be dismantled to access it. Reckon on a £500 bill. First signs of this being a problem are white dust blowing from the air vents.
Engine and transmission
Gear shifts can become sloppy with the lever not sitting centrally when in neutral. This is due to a worn cup in the linkage that's quick and easy to fix.
The timing chain tensioner is a known weak spot and can fail on cars even with low mileage. A precaution is to keep the oil level topped up to maximum, which needs monitoring as the engine can use a litre every 1,000 miles. A longer term solution is a replacement plunger that's longer and has a stronger spring. These tensioners were fitted as standard on cars from 2011-onwards, but you still need to keep a close watch on the oil level. If the car develops a timing chain rattle, deal with it early and it will cost you around £600 at an independent specialist.
Carbon build-up in the N14 engine used in these cars causes hesitation and poor idling. It's a common problem, but can be dealt with by a de-coke that blasts the back of the valves with powdered walnut shells to remove the carbon deposits safely and quickly. Specialists can carry out this process for around £200.
Coil packs can fail, leading to reduced power and misfires.
Check any car made between 2007 and 2011 has had the recall work carried out on the water pump. This was necessary because the pump's electronic circuit board could fail and cause the pump to overheat and potentially cause a fire.
Crankshaft oil seals have been known to fail without warning.
Head gasket failure can be caused by the gear change linkage rubbing on a coolant pipe with the subsequent coolant loss leading to the gasket giving up.
Failed oil seals on solenoids can let oil track up the wiring and into the ECU, which requires a new ECU at a cost of around £2,000 from a main dealer to fit.
Suspension and steering
If you want to fit larger wheels or improve the steering feel, Lohen supplies a solid bush replacement for the standard rear item in the front wishbones. Each new bush is £170 and you'll need two.
Lowering springs are around £200 for a set of four, while a full Bilstein kit is £800 and includes new shock absorbers.
Wheels, tyres and brakes
The rear discs on the Cooper S and JCW wear out more quickly than you might expect. It's not uncommon for them to need replacement at less than 20,000 miles.
Anyone using their car on track days would be well advised to upgrade the discs and pads with those available from specialists such as Lohen or 1320.
Search for Mini Cooper S R56s here
Search for Minis here
| Mini Cooper S R56 - Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1598cc 4-cyl turbocharged |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual/auto |
| Power (hp) | 184/215@/5500/6000rpm |
| Torque (lb ft) | 177/192@1600-5000rpm |
| MPG | 48.7/40.9 |
| CO2 | 136/165g/km |
| Price new | £15,995/£20,500 |
| Price today | £3,750 upwards |
The engine change didn't fall with the facelift/LCI, so if you're looking at one, lift the bonnet to check which engine it has.
Although sometimes the plastic cover on the N18 isn't fitted, in which case it looks like this.
The routing of the breather tube to the right hand side of the engine is the thing to look for.
I've changed the oil in between services as well, although it doesn't ever need topping up.
Apart from consumables, ours has needed a new HPFP (a common weak point) and a parking sensor.
MINI Servicing is well priced for 'older' MINIs now with their fixed price servicing.
They are marmite, but I prefer it to the later F56.
If you can find one that has been well looked after with all the receipts and enthusiast owned, it'll be a good start!
Ive a N18 Clubman JCW done 10k in it now and its been great, good on fuel uses no oil and is fun to drive, did take a little while to get used to the steering which is very sensitive to say the least!
Eventually, the pump will fail.
I got mine changed for around £300 at a Main dealer with a bit of a discount, but apparently they are more now?
Eventually, the pump will fail.
I got mine changed for around £300 at a Main dealer with a bit of a discount, but apparently they are more now?
I've had mine 2 years now and it never fails to put a smile on my face when I drive it (mine's a 2nd car) and had a good deal of upgrades done.
It's a good fun car though!
I'm selling our R57 now actually if anyone's tempted after reading the article ;o)
I've had mine 2 years now and it never fails to put a smile on my face when I drive it (mine's a 2nd car) and had a good deal of upgrades done.
Still a good car though.
these are easily tuneable though
If any one is interested in a Black 60 plate, good spec, 50k miles FMDSH and just had rear discs and pads done, give me a shout!
If had done homework better, might have waited for a later N18 as we have had number of issues discussed in thread, but hey the jcw clubman is very rare (only 219) so might still be looking. Test drove later F56 and no comparison. Keeping our clubby, faults and all.
We have the panoramic twin sunroof and have had no real problems with it yet, although a minor glitch last year leads me to believe we may experience a problem later this year.
I used to find the ride too uncomfortable; minor pot-holes would nearly break my wrists. But I swapped the run-flat tyres for a reasonable set of "normal" tyres (Yokohama) and it's transformed the car into a comfy everyday pocket rocket.
There's plenty out there, so if you're interested in one, find the best one you can afford in the colour & wheel combo you want, and allow £300 to swap the tyres, and keep an eye on the oil level.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff