by "whatuptkhere" (whatuptkhere)
Published 10/10/2017 at 00:48
by "whatuptkhere" (whatuptkhere)
Published 10/10/2017 at 00:48
Tags: mini
; r56
; australia
; mini cooper
STARS: 0
Helping a friend check out a car this weekend - a 2007 Mini, down here in Aus.
https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/MINI-Hatch-2007/OAG-AD-14989841/
They’re committed to an auto, which obviously is less than ideal but that’s just how it is.
I don’t know too much about the Mini. Any tips on what to look for on these cars? Particularly interested in stuff like - “Oh, if it hasn’t had the defabulators resposhulated then it’ll be a ticking time bomb.” etc.
"Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish" (mrfist)
10/10/2017 at 00:53, STARS: 1
I would be looking at a Cooper S if at all possible. That little turbo makes a huge difference.
"whatuptkhere" (whatuptkhere)
10/10/2017 at 00:56, STARS: 0
So would I.
This friend is just looking for a commuter car, and has driven Minis before and enjoyed them.
We’re just wondering about potential maintenance issues and failures.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
10/10/2017 at 01:01, STARS: 2
Don’t put your washer fluid in the oil.
Though that should go without saying.
"Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish" (mrfist)
10/10/2017 at 01:06, STARS: 2
Both MINIs I’ve experienced have been on their second engine so, take that as you will.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
10/10/2017 at 01:07, STARS: 0
I know I want a Clubman S
"whatuptkhere" (whatuptkhere)
10/10/2017 at 01:08, STARS: 0
That really was an atrocity.
"C62030" (c62030)
10/10/2017 at 01:58, STARS: 1
From what I hear, it makes a Maserati Bora look like a Camry.
"Tristan" (casselts)
10/10/2017 at 02:26, STARS: 3
I hear they’re very solidly built and incredibly reliable ticking timebombs from bumper to bumper. If your friend wants an automatic commuter car, get a Corolla. If your friend is a Jalop with a full compliment of tools, automotive knowledge and patience who wants a manual-equipped fun little corner carver, then yes- the Mini fits the bill.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
10/10/2017 at 08:48, STARS: 2
Whatever you do don’t buy a 2007-2010 Cooper S. The N14 engine is a disaster. Buy a 2011 or newer with the N18.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
10/10/2017 at 09:54, STARS: 1
Do the regular maintenance and make sure the previous owners did as well. The non-s R56s are generally not bad if they are cared for. A friend of mine has an 08 manual which still runs like a top with 245k. The flip side is that they are quite eager to let you know when you aren’t doing the maintenance.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
10/10/2017 at 09:54, STARS: 0
Looks like something from the Jeep episode of Roadkill.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
10/10/2017 at 09:56, STARS: 0
Usual warning, get something 2011 or newer. The N14 used from 2007-2010 might as well run on money.
"tromoly" (tromoly)
10/10/2017 at 12:39, STARS: 1
Stay away from Autos on the R56s, per my brother the Mini technician they eat transmissions. Either get an R56 in Manual or get a newer model in Automatic.
"whatuptkhere" (whatuptkhere)
10/10/2017 at 18:45, STARS: 0
Does this affect the regular Coopers too? All I can find online is people talking about the Cooper S motors dying.
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
10/10/2017 at 19:07, STARS: 1
The 2nd generation Coopers used the N12 from 2007-2010 and the N16 from 2011 on until they were replaced with the 3rd generation cars. Both the N12 and the N16 are decent engines. The S models used the disastrous N14 engine from 2007-2010 before it was replaced with the much better N18 engine in 2011.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
10/10/2017 at 20:15, STARS: 0
A friend of mine has one. It grenaded the engine at 22k miles. A cursory google search has shown this to not be uncommon. Fortunately it was under warranty.
"MINIGTI" (76tr6)
10/11/2017 at 18:51, STARS: 1
Yes the non-s cars of that vintage weren’t too bad. Our 2008 was still running fine over 100k miles when traded.
Famous problems are water pump and thermostat housing, not too bad of DIY jobs.