Tips, as someone who's bought and sold 100s of Minis, use Lucas synethic oil stabilizer when changing oil, cuts oil consumption to a bare minimum, and definitely quietens the engine, and change oil every 5k maximum, check oil stone cold at least once a week. Next never rev above 2000 rpm until at full operating temperature. They suffer carbon build up, especially if used in town constantly, give them a blast every 3-4 weeks, add a tin of Clean Drive to fuel, use as instructed on tin, wonderful stuff. Only ever use high octane fuel, quality like Shell or BP. Our own Mini Cooper S, N14 is now on 212.000 with next to no problems. Highly maintained, yes, just had it's third timing chain and tensioner fitted, although no rattles, for peace of mind. Certainly if buying one it's buyer beware, there's a lot of troublesome one's out there, i would personally recommend a full inspection and ask for compression test, could save you a fortune, they are fabulous cars, but don't expect to run one on the cheap, regular maintenance is critical.

I agree with this, I love my little R56, Even if it keeps me below the poverty line and isn't very useful for anything 😅 it fills me with joy when I drive, and the satisfaction it gives me is better than any of the other 11 cars I've driven so for that I can't hate it

Good candid review from a fellow Cooper S R56 owner. This isn't a retaliation by any means, but my two cents: Point 1 - fully agree on the unsexy engine. The valve clatter is insane, and even when revving out it only sounds OK. Exhaust is fairly fruity for a standard setup though. I would slightly disagree re. pulling power low down -- I find mine to be suprisingly linear and responsive for a turbo unit from 1700rpm onwards. Point 2 - yep, nothing more needs to be said! My chain went very suddenly at low-ish miles. Chews through oil, but I find the dipstick OK (and only OK) if you read it when the engine hasn't been turned over and the oil has fully settled. Point 3 - I get basically the exact same MPG figures, but imo I don't think that's too bad for the performance on offer. High 30s MPG is entirely respectable for a daily, but each to their own. Point 4 - agreed, on a rough road it feels like the suspension and alloys are about to rip themselves apart. Car skips badly when hitting a bump whilst loaded, too. But as you say, when it works well it's sublime. Point 5 - I guess they're not hardcore, but on the flipside it does make them easy to live with (if you don't mind the hard ride). Great to see another perspective :)

I recently bought a 2011 with an n18 engine and I am happy with the low down rpm before boost. The oil dipstick also rubs against the bend as it comes out , so be sure to rotate it and look for the lowest point.

as for the steering issue you mentioned, i had the same issue and it turned out to be a dead shock absorber on the front, didnt realise until i put lowering springs on it

It's a Peugeot bottom end , BMW mini head. It is one of the best sounding 4 cylinders as soon as you put a decat on it. Yes they are bad on reliability and the standard power isn't great. But breather mods and a tune completely transforms this car.

I own a 2010 Cooper S with an N18 engine. The short story is NO, it's not worth it. Yes, it's a fun car to drive. No, spending almost 6 grand on maintenance in just 2 years is NOT worth that fun. Save up a few extra pennies and get something else, I'm begging you - even if that's the 3rd gen Cooper S. Trust me, it WILL be cheaper in the long run.

I've seen in other reviews the pedals are slightly offset. Is this true?

My 21 plate polo ran out of oil without warning me, it ain't just Peugeots engines that are thirsty

The N14 engine has some problems😅but overall it's a great little car

Have no problems with my 2011. Low down grunt is fine and as for the engine I think you would fine a lot of cars use that engine which is pretty bomb proof. It's the ancillary parts that cause the problems

Agree with everything-the dipstick drives me crazy - think I'll file it flat. Electrical sensor faults are fun too. Though it is a great summer weekend car - get one with the double sunroof. It is go-karty - that includes a tendency to jump sideways if you hit a drain cover in a bend...need both hands on the steering wheel 😅

Glad I am not the only one with the oil stick

I just got rid of my 2008 S for scrap, I got tired of paying shops 1500 to 3000 every other year for repairs. It was fun to drive but just kept breaking the bank.

Good honest review.

I bought mine at 44000 and first issue was hpfp £ 320 DIY pretty easy , always buy Peugeot parts as they are same as BMW but a lot cheaper. Car was BMW, Peugeot mix to save money after banking crisis

Cooper S R56 64k miles - just had horrendous misfire out of no where - 1x new ignition coil and change of plugs and its purring again. It's a Mini thing.. ignition coils. Some garages will replace the full set but it's actually cheap and quick to do if another one fails...and can still drive it...gently to the garage! Cleared a few error codes too and all good now.

I have a 2007 r56 cooper s, must have replaced almost everything apart from the clutch.the N14 engine is so problematic 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

young driver here who's not too long got myself an 07 cooper s. guess i've not had the maintenance costs get to my head yet. but as someone who's only driven super slow cars due to insurance. man this cars fucking awesome. screw the comfort issues, screw the fact it's a little janky on dodgy roads, and screw the fact its totally impractical and the back seats are useless. its all part of the fun for me personally as a young single guy, i absolutely love it. if you're willing to put up with proper maintenance, these things are a BLAST and low on insurance for what you experience too. Great video mate

if you ever sell this one, take a look at the 2011+ r56 diesel, its a 90hp bmw 1.6 engine, doesnt consume oil or coolant and the dipstick is readable, its dead slow until you stage 1 tune it, you suddenly get 57hp increase in hp and 110nm increase wich makes it a small torque monster, i own an e39 m5 and 2013 mini one D and i wouldnt let any of them go easy

Just bought one at 56k lovely car one issue that turbo heat it can melt the valve head so ideally a valve cover guard and a good turbo jacket is much better than the standard shield

How did the timing chain cost you 200 quid. BMW charge north of a grand and other places still charge more than 200

This engine is simply getting too hot in a very small space, especially the 174hp one. Then they break and only make problems. Misfires, burnt cylinder, damaged valves. Even if you are a tough guy, your mechanic can make you cry if you drive one of these cars.

Love my 2000. One of the best cars ever produced!

I just bought one, hope I can have fun with it

Best engin ever if you respect it the Peugeot engin that man doesn't know what he is talking about I have half a million miles on it

Plan on used Mini repairs to cost more than house maintenance or health care.

“Just another quick one, before you jump down my throat”, that what she said. I know, poor humor but I had to.

You often Drive in Switzerland?😊

Good Man Sir TY

They dont use coolant. You might want to re-address your head gasket comment. The small turbo makes it great for the torque at low rpm. Sounds like you have bad compression (blown head gasket if you are losing coolant). The small turbo makes it great for the torque at low rpm. Yes, these cars are a nightmare, i know, i have one and have put a lot of work in... but when they are running good, you know it. Yours isnt. Also, the dipstic... you have to instert it and pull it out 5 or so times but not all the way. Leave bout 2 cm and clean it each time, then insert it fully and take the reading. It pulls residual oil up from the guide, so no. mechanics dont struggle to take the oil reading.

My r56 jcw is a bastard but I love it

I think the issue is people buy more of these cars over 100k miles and expect a daily driver. Most cars would t be ideal in that role.

I had the engine in my DS3 Sport and it was starting to have misfires ocassionaly before I sold it, but other than that I think you are too critical of the engine. Mine didn't consume oil and was a lot of fun, even though it only had 156 hp

The engine is a joint venture with BMW engineering, just saying. The best mode is down sizing the wheels.

lmao the presentation is hillarious it's like jeremy clarkson without the humour

Peugeot 4 cylinder engines are one of the most durable engines. They are rally winners since the 60s. BMW did their homework before selecting the engine. Peugeot 404, 504 are still driven all over the world with million miles on the odometer

My r56 jcw does 19mpg if you bash it lol

my passenger door is that colour

200 pounds to replace a timing chain lol….

so fun so unreliable

Mini used to be a british junk. Now it is a BMW high price junk made in britain