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Mini Owners

Discussion of other cars non-Z4
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DPG
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Post by DPG » Tue Aug 03, 2021 6:48 pm

Any mini owners on here?

Just placed a deposit on a F56 Cooper S as I need at little runaround (that’s still fun) while working from home.

I had an R56 S a few years back and that was a bit unreliable so hoping the new one is a little better.

utb
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Post by utb » Tue Aug 03, 2021 7:07 pm

My wife has a F55 Cooper S. Had it about 18mths now, (tough wood) no problems so far. Cracking little car, always puts a smile on my face driving it around town.

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M1k3yC
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Post by M1k3yC » Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:46 pm

Yes, I have a 2018 F56 JCW that I acquired at the end of June. I will do a thread with pics when I get round to it. I also had a 2007 R56 S that suffered the timing chain issue, amongst other things. I just took my JCW to Lohen to have the alignment done and now it goes where I point it, which is an enormous improvement.
2022 Hyundai Kona N - greyhound transport
2018 F56 Mini JCW
2016 MX-5 2.0 Sport Recaro
Gone to a good home: 2007 E86 3.0Si Sport

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tomscott
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Post by tomscott » Tue Aug 03, 2021 10:38 pm

I’ve had quite a few and love them! All modern.

R56 2007 Cooper
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R56 2011 Cooper S
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F56 2014 Cooper S
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F54 2X 2017 Clubman JCWs (one got stolen)
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ImageMini Clubman JCW Ribblehead Viaduct by Tom Scott, on Flickr

Absolutely love them can’t really see myself without one.

Although I had a lot of issues with the 2014, I had 2 engines and gearboxes in 12000 miles. The crank shaft kept shearing, it was an early engine as it was one of the first F56's off the line it and the early engines were garbage... the third engine was finally a BMW unit but by that point I lost all confidence in it, every time I went out I felt like it would go so got rid and swapped for the Clubman JCW. So keep away from the 2014 cars as they were updated in mid 2015 with a revised B48A20 BMW engine.

I love the hatches but the extra wheel base of the clubman and the all4 makes it a much more competent driver, no torque steer or understeer although the design is marmite! I love them! Fav was the R56 just so much fun and just loved to be abused, the F56 is miles better inside but just too big and heavy and bulky. If I had to take one it would be the Clubby JCW tho super underrated car, quick purposeful loads of room great cars really rare on the road too.

Upgraded to the clubman because we have two cockapoos and it has all the fun and interior fun of a mini, its quick and its surprising large inside! Also the JCWs had a manual and an automatic both are rather good.

Unfortunately the silver one was stolen while at a garage having some work done so now have the red one. Similar spec but instead of the Recaro seats its full leather, auto over manual and doesn't have a pano sunroof that rattled anyway. Would def have another in the 300hp category.

The only thing is the silver white JCW one was attempted stolen twice and stolen the third time so they seem to be quite hot too. Maybe with the private plate to the untrained eye maybe they thought it was the newer version.

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DPG
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Post by DPG » Wed Aug 04, 2021 6:57 am

That’s great, thanks.

I loved my 2008 R56 but it had a few reliability issues. The new one is a 2018 car so hopefully they have sorted any issues out with the engine.

2008 R56
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2108 F56 (only pic I’ve got)
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zriha
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Post by zriha » Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:08 am

Hello there, R50 with Lohen L01 :)
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Current fleet
BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i 5-speed manual
Mini Cooper S JCW F56
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Signals (Marsh Grey)

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zriha
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Post by zriha » Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:13 am

Btw, no problems with first-gen R50 Mini, I have 220.000 km on the clock and no problems. The only thing they have as a problem is - Midland gearbox and power steering pump can die, other than that, just drive it. :)
Current fleet
BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i 5-speed manual
Mini Cooper S JCW F56
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Signals (Marsh Grey)

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M1k3yC
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Post by M1k3yC » Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:56 pm

zriha, Lohen is less than 10 miles from my house. I was impressed when I went in yesterday. Very tempted to go back once my approved used warranty expires and let them enhance my JCW :evil:
2022 Hyundai Kona N - greyhound transport
2018 F56 Mini JCW
2016 MX-5 2.0 Sport Recaro
Gone to a good home: 2007 E86 3.0Si Sport

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Raj_UK
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Post by Raj_UK » Wed Aug 04, 2021 3:45 pm

Had an R56 S from 2007. Was an amazing car but sadly had massive issues with it a few years later.

We’ve now had an F56 Cooper D, five door for 5 years or so. It’s a great little car, that’s literally need zilch but servicing. It’s a bit small for us now so will be getting rid before the year is out.
Z4less :?

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Mr Tidy
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Post by Mr Tidy » Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:28 pm

Mrs Tidy treated herself to an R50 Mini One, her first ever new car, for a big number birhtday in June 2003.

So she got invited to Sytner for the R56 launch in Autumn 2006. Sure enough an order was placed for a red Cooper that she picked up just in time for Christmas 2006. :lol:

First problem was a chafed water pipe that was fixed by BMW under warranty in Summer 2008 (I believe it was a known problem). Shame she was stuck in traffic coming home from work in Sunningdale during Ascot race week when it happened!

Next issue was in late 2010 when the brain for the T/C died just out of warranty. Fair play to BMW, they supplied a hire car because the part was on back order and did cough up 1/3rd of the cost as a goodwill gesture, although I would have pushed for a bit more given it hadn't done 20K miles.

All fine until late 2012 when there was a problem with the Aux. drive belt. I think a bit came off a pulley, but she was living at a different address by then. :roll:

But she still has it and has had no issues since then, although it still hasn't done 60K. :lol:

I always liked driving them, especially when I was on my own. You could really chuck them about.

I briefly drove an F56 Cooper Courtesy Car a few years ago but really didn't like the 3-cylinder turbo engine. It sounded like a diesel at idle and was so high-geared you had to rev the nuts off it to make any progress but it still handled well.

Still the Cooper S has a 4 cylinder engine so should be much better.
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Post by bigwinn » Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:33 pm

Had a 58 plate Cooper S

Sad to say it nearly put me off the BMW brand

30k miles engine needed rebuilding as it was coked up
Build quality issues

Awful but may have just been unlucky
If the forum helped you, why not help the forum back. Thats the Z4 way! :thumbsup:

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RedUn
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Post by RedUn » Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:45 pm

Had an R53 S heavily tuned back in the day, bomb proof them early cars, good old chrysler engine 8)
IMOLA Z4///MR

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zriha
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Post by zriha » Thu Aug 05, 2021 8:52 am

M1k3yC wrote: Wed Aug 04, 2021 2:56 pm Lohen is less than 10 miles from my house. I was impressed when I went in yesterday. Very tempted to go back once my approved used warranty expires and let them enhance my JCW
Just do it mate! :) :) I have an YouTube channel about Mini's and I did a several videos about Lohen like this one:
Current fleet
BMW Z4 (E85) 2.5i 5-speed manual
Mini Cooper S JCW F56
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Signals (Marsh Grey)

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Post by Pbondar » Thu Aug 05, 2021 10:20 am

SWMBO has had 5 of the little beggars …from the R50 in 2004 onwards …all diesels..currently a Cooper SD 65 plate…

The first generation diesel was pretty bad…all the diesels since then in our hands were bomb proof..

A very capable car..tried to persuade her to have a re-map but plenty quick as stock.

Ride much better on 17” wheels than 18s…

Good news is it’s a BMW parts bin exercise so if you know a Z4 you know a mini :thumbsup:

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LeeZ4MR
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Post by LeeZ4MR » Fri Aug 20, 2021 9:33 am

I had my F56 Cooper S from new and had it for 3.5 years and 19k miles. I absolutely loved it and I'd happily have another one. Truth be told I prefer it to the F82 M4 I have now in many ways.
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Current...BMW F82 M4 Coupe 2018
370Z Roadster 2011
Merc GLE400d 2022
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Previous...
640d 2012
330i 2006
Z4MR 2006
E92 M3 2009
X5 4.8iS 2004
TVR Cerbera 4.5

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