Wait until it needs work and they will. Thermostat housing is plastic and will crack and melt. The motor mounts are bolted to the head which causes the head bolts to stretch and blow head gaskets. The factory battery costs $450.
I have a Mini Cooper since 2009 and I'm so happy with it. I don't care about people saying bad things about them, my experience after 11 years driving this car almost every day is great and I'm very satisfied.
I totally agree with you guys hey. I'm obsessed with Mini's. Got one recently, got a couple problems. I'm just gonna fix it, simple. But this car has been the most fun to drive. I'm not interested in driving any other car and I'm going to buy another Mini😎🤭😁😋
The key is to keep up on the maintenance or even staying ahead of it (Like many newer cars actually). The head gasket is not forgiving as so many cars that have 0 clearance aluminum head. Defiantly fun to drive though!
I’ve had my 2010 Mini for 3 years and it’s the most fun car I’ve ever owned. They get a lot of hate, but only by people that have never driven one. If you do your own wrenching and keep up maintenance religiously, they aren’t expensive cars. Still daily mine at 170,000 miles with little to no issues.
2013 S and all I've done to it is suspension. I could've got away with just struts and strut mounts, but I replaced everything. Upgraded to polyurethane bushings and bigger sway bars. My car handles like an dream! I just had the PCV diaphragm fail. Disappointed that BMW discontinued the diaphragm, but I found a company selling aftermarket for 30 bucks.
Ditto. I've had four BMW minis and if serviced as they should be have been reliable well over a 100,000 miles. Dashboard rattles is the worst thing I've had. Tyre and brake wear can be heavy if you chuck them around (as you will 😂).
Yes. I've had five over all since they first came out. All apart from my current one had done over 100,000 miles. The worst was the one with a Renault engine as it had lag from the gas pedal when moving away. The first suffered excessive tyre wear but each new one has been progressively better. Interiors wear well. I would say letting one go past any servicing date / mileage is a mistake.Servicing costs in the UK are similar to my wife's Ford Fiesta. @@shakiranatashawright
I love when people follow their heart. As an Abarth owner I know the joy of a truly fun car, and the extra cost of a full bumper to bumper warranty. :) Well done.
I have base 2004 r50 mini cooper, I'm 20 and it's my first car. I absolutely love it, it's such a fun little car, and everything wanted in my first car. It's fast (but not too fast) and handles great. Mine's not supercharged like the r53 cooper s, so I haven't had any unreliable engine issues. I'm also restoring a lot of the car, right now I'm insulating the interior and building a rear seat delete with audio upgrades, and when the weather warms up I have some rust to repair. It's a great little car that I'm going to have for a long time.
just bought a 2013 Cooper s and am so excited, this is the only video that seems to have the same reasoning as I do. I just can't drive a boring civic everyday. Ik it may not be the most reliable but no ones gonna tell a story about the awesome time their car was reliable.
I had a ‘09 Clubman S, with the N14 engine. Just replace the timing chain, guides & tensioner now before you have problems. Always check your oil level and change it early and often. Also check the engine ground straps. They my look good but they really decay with age and exposure to winter salt. Best of luck! FYI, I still own 2 first gen MINIs an R50 & R53...always a blast to drive. Happy motoring Tommy!
True to all of that. After the head gasket goes, install arp racing studs, copper head gasket and I used the copper sealant on the gasket. Worked great for me
The timing chain is easier to replace than you might think. I had to replace the turbo oil feed line, which is on the front of the engine behind everything... So while I was in there is was simple enough to change the chain and tensioner as well.
I just purchased a 2011 Mini Cooper S, just driving it for the very first time it’s impossible not to fall for this little guy, you can tell how much engineering goes in this little marvels, and I totally agree with you, after driving her for a phew blocks, I felt in love with this little machine
Got an R53 1 year and a half ago, absolutely love it ! And just like you, I know they're not the most reliable cars out there, but I've budgeted for that, and the car's simply worth it. Can't wait to see more from this car !
My first Mini had every problem under the sun. Textbook Mini. It was a Gen 2. I traded it in for, you guessed it. A Gen 3 Mini and I love it. You are spot on. Fun to drive and funky. Joining the local Mini club and having a blast. Even though I was constantly chasing issues with the first one, it was a love affair. What a fun car. Can't wait to see what you make of yours. Thanks for the video. Great job.
I bought my wife a 2006 MINI Cooper S convertible. The only major repair was installing a rebuilt valve body for the automatic transmission. It's supercharged, not turbo. We follow the maintenance schedule exactly as the manual reads and we've now have120K miles, zero rust, and a fun car that drives like it's on rails and feels like it's carved from a single piece of metal.
I've had my '07 R56 MCS since mile 6 on the clock. 136,000 miles later, 2 timing chains, 1 turbo, 1 HPFP, 2 thermostat housings and I still couldn't be happier to drive it. I've done the turbo jobs, 2nd timing chain job, both thermostat replacements, and upgraded the brakes to Wilwood 12.75" myself, over the past 13 years. Noticed you guys are driving around Gunbarrel; would love to drive with you lot!
My dad owned a 2007 Cooper S in Mellow Yellow and everyone knew it was his car because it stood out from everything else in our small town. When he hit about 95k miles the engine needed an entire rebuild because something had gone wrong with the oil system (I don't really remember exactly what happened because this was years ago) causing a 7000$ engine rebuild to be done. He did the rebuild and sold it to one of his friends and now it still drives around in Spokane Washington to this day.
A former coworker liked small cars and bought a Mini. Eventually she could not take the repair expenses, unreliability and down time so she traded it in for a Fiat 500. Ouch. That is now gone, too.
Velo DJK ...wow! Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire ;) I know what Tommy‘s saying though with the mini. Likes the car and aware of the weak points and accepting of the costs. Heck, I’m driving a Subaru with its infamous EJ25 weak points. Love the car though.
I’ve always liked the mini’s a friend of mine was in a crazy accident, his mini vs I think it was a 2500 ram truck. The truck T-Boned him, threw his car up onto the grass at the side of the road, my friend literally walked away, it broke the windows out, the airbags were dangling out the windows he survived, I was impressed with its safety too!
I feel the same way about my 07 cooper s. I know all the potential faults and I'm working through them all, its not cheap but I enjoy a project. So far I've changed the high pressure fuel pump, fuel filter, front and rear arb bushes, turbo oil feed, oil cooler gaskets, valve cover gasket, timing chain/tensioner/guides, spark plugs, coils because they all failed. I've still got to do the water pump/thermostat housing/cross pipe, front fog/side lights, front and rear subframe(they are very rusty), fit catch cans, new valve cover, get the intake walnut blasted, repair the reverse sensors. Seriously they are money pits, the list goes on and on. Once it is up to a decent standard I want to modify it too, wheels/tyres, intercooler, downpipe/cat, remap. Realistically I will have spent £10k by then
I have an 08 Cooper S and it's EVERYTHING you describe. The most fun I've had on 4 wheels. Who cares about all the potential issues like timing chain "death rattle", turbo oil line leak, vacuum pump siezing up, etc. Those things are all easily fixed and the thing is STILL a blast to drive. Love mine!!
Tommy calling out Scotty Kilmer lol hey I'm on board with you Tommy if that's your weekend toy and not your daily and you know you're going to throw money into it then more power to you👍
They are super fun little cars. I once drove my sister's Mini Cooper S from AZ to TX overnight, I was in West Texas on a straight section of highway and before I knew it I was driving 110 mph. Sadly though they don't last, a few years into ownership it needed constant repairs. So much so, it was easier to sell it then keep fixing it.
I qualify as an old fart that has owned many really nice cars including 4 Porsches. A year ago I bought a low mileage 2014 Mini Cooper S 6 Speed manual, loaded, Harmon Kardon, heads up display, etc. the version that is 100% BMW, a 200HP little beast that runs on rails while sipping from the gas tank. The build quality and quality of materials rivals that of my Mercedes and my Audi. You can’t go wrong except for the 17” run flats which honestly suck much too hard riding on back roads. Still, of the three cars I own this is my go to car all the time.
I had a 2013 Mini S with the John Cooper Works engine tune, exhaust, suspension and brakes. Then it also had the GP rear seat delete, aero bits, seats and basically full interior. It was a phenomenal build done with all Mini parts. I decided to add a Quaife LSD to the car and it became the best performing, completely perfect handling car I've ever had the pleasure to drive. Have fun with yours. I sold mine as soon as the warranty ended as taking it 75 miles to Cleveland would have gotten old if I had to pay for it. I replaced it with an e36 M3 and don't regret the decision one bit. The M3 has proven to be more reliable even though it's 14 years older and has a 100k more miles.
I just bought a 2009 Mini Cooper for $450.00 that was running rough. Turned out the oil fill cap was missing replaced it for 18 bucks and the car runs great. Im going to replace wheel bearings, struts, and probably do the chain, seals, guides, and valve cover gasket. So far ITS AN AMZINGLY FUN CAR with that sweet six speed dog leg gear box!
Love it, Nathan, Dad and yourself could have a “who can push their Mini to the kerb first “ race!..😄 I’m looking forward to the vids, really want one of these, just can’t afford it in my life right now..
Great video, my 20 year old son just purchased a 2011 S N18 . He is absolutely in love with his Mini. Yes, he knows there maybe be issues, but his enthusiasm outweighs these concerns and he is prepared to budget and keep the car as well maintained as possible.
My brother just got an early S 6 speed for cheap. He bought it knowing the chain guides were bad, and when they dropped the oil pan they found parts of the chain guide. The shop went through it and thankfully that seems like the only engine issues (for now) and he's been loving it the last few months.
This engine is very common still here in Argentina for PSA cars (Citroen/Peugeot). You HAVE to replace the timming chain every 50k miles as regular maintenance and it is expensive, but other than that, the engine is awesome. Please never cheap on engine parts, use OEM only, and if you buy them under Citroen/Peugeot brand they are way cheaper than Mini/BMW
I had 2 1st gen Mini's - such a fun car to drive - I autocrossed mine - fun on the track - easy to park - good on gas if you stay out of the boost - look forward to what you have in store for it👍
I have an '08 R55s which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! So far in 25000 miles of ownership (I'm the 5th owner) I've HAD to spend about $7k getting a forged rebuilt engine, new turbo, 200cpi sport cat, new intercooler, replaced suspension parts, nearly every accessory on the engine including two thermostats (belts, oil lines, coolant and vacuum pump, regulator, lines, starter, intake hoses, etc...) a competition clutch, lots of replaced broken interior parts, paint, new tires.... I just treat it like a poor man's Jaguar or Ferrari. It wants to be a track car that you drive on the street. So, you the owner get to be it's sponsor and pit crew. Have fun with your new MCS-JCW!
I've just bought a 2004 mini cooper. It's October 2022 now and only has 78000 on the clock. It's super fun. Really enjoy driving it. And apart from a slipping fan belt had no issues. I'll come back in 6 months with an update.
Congratulations on your Mini. I have a 2013 JCW Clubman which I love. The car is an absolute blast to drive, and with regular maintenance-has not been any trouble.
I'm a huge Mini fan, congrats. I'm on my 3rd BMW mini and the fun to drive factor is what keeps me coming back. They are not the most reliable, but if all you want is reliable transportation that's what Carola's are for.
My 2012 base convertible has 130k miles on it. Full oil pressure. Uses no oil. Never had to replace a thing other than oil and filters. I'm doing a valve job on it just because. Straight forward job. Will renew other parts now needed or not. Totally reliable. Starts every single day and hums right along.
Hey ro.... I am 100 percent with you, I LOVE my 06 supercharged mini and I have the steptronic automatic that can also be manually shifted on the steering wheel , which is great sometimes. an 06 with on ly 80000 miles and its completely the most driving enjoyment in a car ive ever had (doesnt beat a motorcycle but what does?) So I have also spliced off some savings for planned repairs and am actually going to TRY to take care of some of the biggies before failure. ANDS also do lots of pampering preventative maintenance. SO I got your back dude for sure, any nay sayers are looking up our tail pipes anyways as we blow by them in a blur. ENJOY
Its a beautiful car. All future owners must know they are pricey to maintain. You are right though, theres nothing out there like it. The driving experience is quite unique!
I can feel the algorithm working... I've always wanted a mini and just recently started checking them out again. Now I'm being bombarded with reviews and ads about minis so I'm pretty sure I'll get one someday. But maybe I need to work on my car repair/maintenance skills before getting one. EDIT: I just reached the end of your video. I realized your point on budgeting for the expenses is exactly what I have been doing with my car, and the one that I'm about to buy, and the MINI that I'll be buying in the future. I know about all the reliability ratings but somehow that doesn't really stop me from getting the car I need/want at the moment. Really great point!
I just get a 2015 mini cooper hardtop and I love this car! The most fun car I ever drive! And I keep looking at mini cooper 2022 because I just love to drive mini cooper so much!
Totally agree with your assessment at the end. I feel the same way. I would love to do a similar purchase in the future with the convertible manual. Just budget for all the maintenance upfront. Wish you luck on it!
09 Mini Cooper Clubman S owner here with 146,000 miles. These cars are such a blast to drive. Won’t lie it burns oil, around 1 qt every 1500 miles. I check oil when I get gas, just has become part of its upkeep.
I bought a 2002 electric blue mini cooper s the first year the came back out. I loved that car. Didn't have many problems. Had it 15 years and should not sold it. Its the only car I've owned that put a smile on my face and anyone who saw it for the first time. It was the 1st mini in our town for awhile. Hated selling it. Ill have get another. What's the best year? I hated the new front end they have now. Made the front end ugly.
Hi Tommy 🙂. Your Mini Cooper makes you happy, so that's all that matters. You bought the Mini for you, and it's actually inspiring to see you happy with your purchase. I have a 2014 VW Jetta with push button start, but my key fob is a switchblade style key that I honestly never use. Congratulations Tommy 🙂.
I bought a 2015 cooper a for 6.5k because it had a blown engine and replaced it with my dad. Almost have it put back together after a couple months of working on weekends. Can’t wait to drive it! I hope you enjoy yours
I bought a F54 mini clubman jcw manual trans and I absolutely adore it. 2017. Love it. Could not wait to get it. I also have a 528i BMW. This car is so much more fun. Good for you Tommy!!! Enjoy.
I had an 05 R53 Cooper S and that thing ate me alive in parts and time down in the shop... BUT it has been one of the most fun cars I have ever driven! Still regret having gotten rid of it.
I’m digging the Mini content. I have a 2012 Countryman S in my driveway. It’s my wife’s daily driver. Minis are definitely quirky, and definitely fun to drive around town or on curvy back roads. Have you tried putting a large beverage in the cup holder and going for a drive yet? LoL.
I picked up a 2008 Mini S for $1000 and put $2600 in parts into it. JCW turbo and tune, stainless header, head studs, new HPFP, new intank fuel pump and filter, rods & mains, rings, timing chain, etc and had the head rebuilt completely and replaced just about every sensor in it plus coils. It runs like the $40K car it was just a few years ago. This car is a blast and I feel it'll give me a few years of fun and play before I flip it for the next project. They are totally cool.
I say don't worry about what other people think. I have a 2011 MINI Cooper S N18 manual, bought it used in 2014 with 21k miles, love it! 127k miles now, lots of mods and repairs (including a used low-mile head at 111k, and all the associated gaskets, since it overheated pretty badly and I wasn't sure if the original head had warped), still love it! In fact, love it so much I recently bought a low-mile use 2018 F56S MINI. This one is an auto, since my old knees are beat to hell, but it's such a blast to drive, even with the auto! I also don't want your standard Honda or Toyota....just not unique at all, and nowhere near as fun to toss into corners. Hope you are still enjoying your MINI, and have done some fun things with it!
Tommy, I glad you like your Cooper, my best friend has many cars and his Cooper is in his top two fun to drive cars, and yes he has budgeted for it to go wrong, which it has! But he loves it, and that’s what counts.
I am currently running a JCW R55.... but I’ve done a few upgrades and repairs: AEM Intake, Forge BOV, Turbo blanket (so no warped scoop), Intercooler, hot side tube and cold side tube, cat less downpipe........ oh and 43mm turbo upgrade along with a stage 2 tune. These cars are sleepers and can scoot. But not crazy fast just enough to be enjoyable because none of us really every reach 200mph really in our daily commutes
@TFLclassics thank you Tommy for that rant at the end. I have become a huge car enthusiast because of your channels and believe that each brand/cars should be appreciated for what they offer. Great work.
I just bought my 1st Mini a 2004 R53 Type S. I bought the vehicle down in Arizona and live in Wisconsin and had it trailered up here. I purchased the car to build as a Memorial build for my Baby Girl. I have already thrown Raceland Racing coilovers on it and just got my Alta 17% smaller SC pulley, 2% larger Crankshaft Pulley, Cold Air Intake, Brisk Racing plugs and an MSD ignition system. This car was already sooo much fun to drive and I can't wait to see how it runs once I get all of these great upgrades on. Now my next goal is to get a staged clutch and Borla full exhaust as well as a aftermarket Intake and Intercooler. I recently discovered your father and yours Channel and it honestly makes me so happy to see there is a passionate Mini base out there all of my friends and Family are Mopar and Honda some love BMWs but only RWD ones that can be put sideways 🤷🤷🤷 I do t care I LOVE MY MINI
Just saw the this and your dads gp. You guys have always been fans of minis at tfl but I love to see some project cars! Can’t wait to see this build and compare what you do with what I’ve done on my Cooper s!
I have a 2009 Clubman S with the same engine and I have never had it break down. I have sorted out the potential issues before they fail. I found a great MINI specialist that replaced the timing chain, tensioner and guides, and sorted out the oil seepage but replacing the front main seal, oil pan gasket and vacuum pump. It was a very reasonable $1400. Before I found the independent specialist I had my local MINI dealership replace the oil filter assembly gaskets and turbo oil feed line and that was more expensive since it was at the dealership. It was about $1700 at dealer rates. Now I have no worries about driving for thousands of miles. The n14s engine is the best secret for those who understand that you need to check and maintain the oil level and regular service every 5k miles. Enjoy your MINI!
My 2003 R53 has a shrick cam, 550cc injectors, Megan racing long tube headers and Ireland engineering cat back, Ksport coil overs, an M7 intake , 15% super charger pulley, detroit tuned bypass valve and Revolution Mini Works ECU remap .. next on the list is better axles and a limited-slip diff. it's all go and no slow, right now. needs more grip and better brakes. We get 200hp at the wheels on the dyno. It's really fast Thanks for your videos.
Key can be removed while the engine is running so in the morning when your car needs defrosting, you can have your car running and locked while you're doing whatever else. It's quite smart.
Just picked up my 2006 Cooper S yesterday. 116,000 KM (72,000 miles). Red with black stripes, excellent condition in and out and paid $6,000 CDN ($4600 USD) Absolutely love it. You are correct that if you budget for the more common issues then it is not an issue. And if something breaks, replace it with an aftermarket performance piece. Any used car (Honda, Toyota) can unexpectedly run into issues. You need to budget with any used car. Great job and nice find on your part. Enjoy it. I look forward to seeing how you do against the GT..
Mini Coopers are really cool cars I have been temped so many times but everyone says that the only last for 100k miles. I don't have the money to invest in a complete new or rebuild/install engine. But Tommy that looks awesome, enjoy it and keep posting videos of any upgrades or just updates.
Just got one! Love it. Fun fast ride. Lots of really cool features. Good call. Let them drive those boring cars that all look the same. We got lives to live!
I've had a red 2007 Cooper s for close to 3 years and I've never had a single problem with it. They do use alot of oil but that's the Peugeot engine for you. But they're fun to drive and handle really well.... They're cheap and fun...
Peugeot engines dont drink oil, BMW ones do though, where as the block was pretty much the old PSA TU block, pretty much everything else that goes wrong with it is BMW design (note PSA dont use timing chains, evven on their new 3 pot engines and 4 pot dervs), BMW does and this entire era of BMW 4 pot and 6 pot units ALL had timing chain issues. Oh and dont forget the HPFP issue....
Wow what a deal on your JCW. I don't blame you for putting money aside. My 09 Mini S is wonderful! Had it since 03/09 now shy of 36900 miles in 09/20. When I test drove the S back when I was sold instantly! So I got everything including heated seats which was a blessing on the east coast in MD/VA, now in NM. Maintenance goes a long way when one takes care of their car.
I owned an 03 Cooper S for 10 years. It was the most fun I've had driving since a 1970 Lotus Europa. I still miss the MINI.....every day. However, I don't miss having had to replace a good number of parts on that car. Window motors, AC compressor - twice, main engine pulley, both rear wheel bearings at two different times, coolant tank, batteries, brakes- twice, shocks (expensive $$$$) and some miscellaneous stuff. No regrets though. If you amortize it over 10 years it wasn't bad at all :-)
MINI's are GREAT in the snow too. I was able to drive through blizzards with unplowed snow where SUV's were running off the road and cars were getting stuck left and right. And my MINI was lowered too.
We've had a 2010 R57 for years and just like Toyotas, which we also own, things break. There are things that do fail and if you can do a little very basic wrenching yourself then when something pops up that you don't have the confidence to address then it's not such a big deal when you see the bill. Get a roadside assistance package that includes a few free tows a year for a couple reasons. NO SPARE TIRE in the mini and if you work on something and can't get it figured out you can have it taken to the shop. I will say that the Mini is so fun to drive and so maneuverable that driving in traffic is actually a joy. Weird huh?
I have a low mileage manual 06 S Convertible. I bought it 3 years ago and put about 5,000 miles a year since. After the first repairs to get it up to the standard I wanted it, I have spent almost nothing on repairs. The first generation with a manual transmission , if properly maintained, can bee bullet proof. There are huge issues with some years, some engines and transmissions but if you buy the right one, they are great cars worth twice the price.
The best Mini I ever owned was $200. I bough it from a helicopter mechanic. 1971 1100cc and it would fly. More fun than I've ever had in the Bride's Mini Countryman Cooper S All4.
I understand ur point. I have a old Vespa which is unrelaiable. But she has a soul. And a lot of names when she breaks Down. But its fun to have not a mainstream vehicle. Good Job.
Heh heh, I bought a 2010 Cooper S a couple of years ago for $4000 Canadian. Basically got it for the money in it's wheels and tires, came with new BFG G-Force Comp2 A/S tires on Konig wheels. Good snow tires on stock mags and had the JCW exhaust. It was high mileage but all of the work was done, so it cost $200 to certify and that was it. It even had a K&N filter so didn't even need to swap that. Interior was clean and body and frame were rust free. I was getting a puff of blue smoke when warmed up and a hard start off the line after I put fresh AMSoil in which I suspected were oil rings. We added a bottle of Lucas oil and incredibly the puffs of smoke stopped. I knew about the second glove box but that thing with the key is interesting. Mine has the steering wheel controls for phone but nothing in the radio menus to activate. I also went in expecting to spend $$$ on it but so far just having a blast driving it. Though in the back of my mind I do force myself to not drive it ridiculously hard even though it really begs to be. For those that are hating Mini's I suspect you've never actually driven an S or JCW.
I drive a '07 R56 "Justa" Cooper (Pepper) with about 140.000 miles on it, 28.000 when i bought it. It's a real love=hate relationship. I have spend a lot of unnecessary money on it too: 17" wheels, lowering and stability kit, software tweaks and not to mention all manufacturing faults on the way. (Solenoids, Cat converter, steering lock, cooling system parts, etc.) Europe does not get as much recalls compared to the US. Last year maintenance cost could buy me a different (lesser) car. Thought of selling it a few times, but every time i get it fixed i drive off with the biggest smile on my face.. So yes, it's all worth it and comes with a price for it's driving joy!
Fun car or trucks are what we define a weekend. When you have unrealistic expectations about your auto not going to break down and cost $$$ to fix then your not a car lover.
I have a 2012 R56 JCW and I love it to. I can do a lot of maintenance myself, so that helps. Don't forget to save for a new high pressure fuel pump, those things like to die and aren't cheap.
I have a 2013 S with the blackout trim kit, sat nav, Harman/Kardon radio. I've replaced all of suspension with Bilstein struts and Powerflex bushings. I've owned it since new and I love it. I'm going to drive it until the wheels fall off. Mine has the speedometer, but it is different to accommodate the screen for navigation. The xeon headlights are amazing and I am very spoiled by them.
My 2011 S gets a bit hot right near the scoop/ turbo area. Had to replace starter, the bushings for the sway bar urethane material I think is called. It is a difficult time consuming job and so is the starter just to get to it. I can start the engine with the key fob in my pocket on first start etc. I press sport button and get pop's and bangs from the exaust.
The Toyota crowd are the ruthless miserable trolls of the internet for some reason. Just a need to point out how they think their cars are superior and resort to name calling everyone else basically to no end. Enjoy the new car Tommy looks like it will be a lot of fun. I had a 2008 Civic Si from new, miss the light weight fun to drive cars. Currently own a vehicle with double the curb weight but I like that as well. Good luck.
I had a 2007 JCW in British racing green and I loved it. Miss that car everyday, your gonna love it!!!! If you keep up with scheduled maintenance you won’t have an issue. I had 150k trouble free miles before I sold it for a bigger family hauler. Adulting sucks....
This one has the N14 engine. Better get that timing chain and tensioner checked ASAP. Keep the oil level at half stick to full...at all times. Put a full shot glass of SEAFOAM into the intake manifold (via the vacuum connection off the left/passenger rear corner of the valve cover). Let that sit for about 20-30 minutes on the warm engine and then run it at high RPM to help clean out the carbon from the direct injection intake. Also, when you do the next oil change, about 200 miles away from that oil change, place a 1/4 cup of SEAFOAM into the oil fill. This will clean out some of the gunk in the engine and most importantly, the oil return line on that turbo...which is notorious for developing a Mini version of atherosclerosis. Change your oil 2x the OEM recommended frequency going forward. Just my two cents as an R55 owner....it is a really fun car to own...just keep the maintenance up and it should be AOK.
Cool car and a lot of car for your money. In terms of real world performance, it’s hard to beat for the price. 😃
It is, I got one with the n18 for my first car about 2 years ago and I love it minus the maintenance.
@@calebhopkins7354 i own an n14 the maibtenance is real :p
Good luck. Mini’s suck.
Wait until it needs work and they will. Thermostat housing is plastic and will crack and melt. The motor mounts are bolted to the head which causes the head bolts to stretch and blow head gaskets. The factory battery costs $450.
I have a Mini Cooper since 2009 and I'm so happy with it. I don't care about people saying bad things about them, my experience after 11 years driving this car almost every day is great and I'm very satisfied.
Agreed, if you a diligent with the oil changes its a good car. If not...it can get expensive quickly.
I totally agree with you guys hey. I'm obsessed with Mini's. Got one recently, got a couple problems. I'm just gonna fix it, simple. But this car has been the most fun to drive. I'm not interested in driving any other car and I'm going to buy another Mini😎🤭😁😋
Dude and you have a tj in your profile pic! A tj and a mini are the vehicles I want!
Wow 11yrs?!
Damn. Okay. I only have 3 with mines but alright. I’ll appreciate my car more.
The key is to keep up on the maintenance or even staying ahead of it (Like many newer cars actually). The head gasket is not forgiving as so many cars that have 0 clearance aluminum head. Defiantly fun to drive though!
I’ve had my 2010 Mini for 3 years and it’s the most fun car I’ve ever owned. They get a lot of hate, but only by people that have never driven one. If you do your own wrenching and keep up maintenance religiously, they aren’t expensive cars. Still daily mine at 170,000 miles with little to no issues.
Thank you my is 2010 clubman non sport it fun little car
2013 S and all I've done to it is suspension. I could've got away with just struts and strut mounts, but I replaced everything. Upgraded to polyurethane bushings and bigger sway bars. My car handles like an dream! I just had the PCV diaphragm fail. Disappointed that BMW discontinued the diaphragm, but I found a company selling aftermarket for 30 bucks.
Ditto. I've had four BMW minis and if serviced as they should be have been reliable well over a 100,000 miles. Dashboard rattles is the worst thing I've had. Tyre and brake wear can be heavy if you chuck them around (as you will 😂).
Do you still have it?
Yes. I've had five over all since they first came out. All apart from my current one had done over 100,000 miles. The worst was the one with a Renault engine as it had lag from the gas pedal when moving away. The first suffered excessive tyre wear but each new one has been progressively better. Interiors wear well. I would say letting one go past any servicing date / mileage is a mistake.Servicing costs in the UK are similar to my wife's Ford Fiesta. @@shakiranatashawright
I love when people follow their heart. As an Abarth owner I know the joy of a truly fun car, and the extra cost of a full bumper to bumper warranty. :)
Well done.
I have base 2004 r50 mini cooper, I'm 20 and it's my first car. I absolutely love it, it's such a fun little car, and everything wanted in my first car. It's fast (but not too fast) and handles great. Mine's not supercharged like the r53 cooper s, so I haven't had any unreliable engine issues. I'm also restoring a lot of the car, right now I'm insulating the interior and building a rear seat delete with audio upgrades, and when the weather warms up I have some rust to repair. It's a great little car that I'm going to have for a long time.
I never thought I would want a mini but I’m starting to get a tad bit obsessed
just bought a 2013 Cooper s and am so excited, this is the only video that seems to have the same reasoning as I do. I just can't drive a boring civic everyday. Ik it may not be the most reliable but no ones gonna tell a story about the awesome time their car was reliable.
you made some goon from indiana laugh 4 years in the future, thanks man
Now you and Roman can use your Mini Coopers to pull off The Italian Job
They will break down meanwhile...
I had a ‘09 Clubman S, with the N14 engine. Just replace the timing chain, guides & tensioner now before you have problems. Always check your oil level and change it early and often. Also check the engine ground straps. They my look good but they really decay with age and exposure to winter salt. Best of luck!
FYI, I still own 2 first gen MINIs an R50 & R53...always a blast to drive. Happy motoring Tommy!
True to all of that. After the head gasket goes, install arp racing studs, copper head gasket and I used the copper sealant on the gasket. Worked great for me
tensioner fail is what killed my supercharged mini
I thought you meant an N14 Cummins... But that would weigh more than the car.
The timing chain is easier to replace than you might think. I had to replace the turbo oil feed line, which is on the front of the engine behind everything... So while I was in there is was simple enough to change the chain and tensioner as well.
I just purchased a 2011 Mini Cooper S, just driving it for the very first time it’s impossible not to fall for this little guy, you can tell how much engineering goes in this little marvels, and I totally agree with you, after driving her for a phew blocks, I felt in love with this little machine
Got an R53 1 year and a half ago, absolutely love it ! And just like you, I know they're not the most reliable cars out there, but I've budgeted for that, and the car's simply worth it. Can't wait to see more from this car !
When it breaks replace with performance up grades, then there just mods to improve it not repairs . ;O)
Hey, thanks for that tip! I am going to buy one before Christmas.
Just bought one, youre saying if ihave to rebuild the emgime, youre saying build wirh high-performance parts?? I dont think its a supercharged cooper
Notice he said "when" it breaks, not "if"...
My first Mini had every problem under the sun. Textbook Mini. It was a Gen 2. I traded it in for, you guessed it. A Gen 3 Mini and I love it. You are spot on. Fun to drive and funky. Joining the local Mini club and having a blast. Even though I was constantly chasing issues with the first one, it was a love affair. What a fun car. Can't wait to see what you make of yours. Thanks for the video. Great job.
I bought my wife a 2006 MINI Cooper S convertible. The only major repair was installing a rebuilt valve body for the automatic transmission. It's supercharged, not turbo. We follow the maintenance schedule exactly as the manual reads and we've now have120K miles, zero rust, and a fun car that drives like it's on rails and feels like it's carved from a single piece of metal.
I've had my '07 R56 MCS since mile 6 on the clock. 136,000 miles later, 2 timing chains, 1 turbo, 1 HPFP, 2 thermostat housings and I still couldn't be happier to drive it. I've done the turbo jobs, 2nd timing chain job, both thermostat replacements, and upgraded the brakes to Wilwood 12.75" myself, over the past 13 years.
Noticed you guys are driving around Gunbarrel; would love to drive with you lot!
My dad owned a 2007 Cooper S in Mellow Yellow and everyone knew it was his car because it stood out from everything else in our small town. When he hit about 95k miles the engine needed an entire rebuild because something had gone wrong with the oil system (I don't really remember exactly what happened because this was years ago) causing a 7000$ engine rebuild to be done. He did the rebuild and sold it to one of his friends and now it still drives around in Spokane Washington to this day.
Trust me, everyone who has an r56, we all know about the “secret” glove box
I’ve had my 09 Cabriolet for over a year and did not know about the upper dash compartment until I watched this video
Perfect for my Glock.
@@kurtwomack6473 amen
I guess the folk I bought mine from didn’t know about it. There was a bag of coins in mine!
This must be a US spec thing; I've just checked on my wife's 2011 Mini Clubman and it definitely doesn't have one.
Good for you! The thing about the maintenance and repair is to get ahead of it and the car will give you little trouble and a ton more smiles!
A former coworker liked small cars and bought a Mini. Eventually she could not take the repair expenses, unreliability and down time so she traded it in for a Fiat 500. Ouch. That is now gone, too.
Velo DJK ...wow! Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire ;) I know what Tommy‘s saying though with the mini. Likes the car and aware of the weak points and accepting of the costs. Heck, I’m driving a Subaru with its infamous EJ25 weak points. Love the car though.
most unreliable car of all time in my personal opinion and yes i owned one lol
Fantastic boy.
Stick to what you love.
Ignore the haters.
Live your life for you and the ones that love you
I’ve always liked the mini’s a friend of mine was in a crazy accident, his mini vs I think it was a 2500 ram truck. The truck T-Boned him, threw his car up onto the grass at the side of the road, my friend literally walked away, it broke the windows out, the airbags were dangling out the windows he survived, I was impressed with its safety too!
I have a 2014 and its VERY reliable! Mini's are awesome! I plan on adding the JCW pro tuning kit to mine soon.
Nice to see someone rediscover older cars! Great job Tommy 👏
I feel the same way about my 07 cooper s. I know all the potential faults and I'm working through them all, its not cheap but I enjoy a project. So far I've changed the high pressure fuel pump, fuel filter, front and rear arb bushes, turbo oil feed, oil cooler gaskets, valve cover gasket, timing chain/tensioner/guides, spark plugs, coils because they all failed. I've still got to do the water pump/thermostat housing/cross pipe, front fog/side lights, front and rear subframe(they are very rusty), fit catch cans, new valve cover, get the intake walnut blasted, repair the reverse sensors. Seriously they are money pits, the list goes on and on. Once it is up to a decent standard I want to modify it too, wheels/tyres, intercooler, downpipe/cat, remap. Realistically I will have spent £10k by then
I have an 08 Cooper S and it's EVERYTHING you describe. The most fun I've had on 4 wheels. Who cares about all the potential issues like timing chain "death rattle", turbo oil line leak, vacuum pump siezing up, etc. Those things are all easily fixed and the thing is STILL a blast to drive. Love mine!!
Tommy calling out Scotty Kilmer lol hey I'm on board with you Tommy if that's your weekend toy and not your daily and you know you're going to throw money into it then more power to you👍
Or your going to a independent shop and not a dealership there grand
They are super fun little cars. I once drove my sister's Mini Cooper S from AZ to TX overnight, I was in West Texas on a straight section of highway and before I knew it I was driving 110 mph. Sadly though they don't last, a few years into ownership it needed constant repairs. So much so, it was easier to sell it then keep fixing it.
"they don't last"
You realize that your experience is not necessarily the same as everyone else's, right? How often did your sister change the oil?
I qualify as an old fart that has owned many really nice cars including 4 Porsches. A year ago I bought a low mileage 2014 Mini Cooper S 6 Speed manual, loaded, Harmon Kardon, heads up display, etc. the version that is 100% BMW, a 200HP little beast that runs on rails while sipping from the gas tank. The build quality and quality of materials rivals that of my Mercedes and my Audi. You can’t go wrong except for the 17” run flats which honestly suck much too hard riding on back roads. Still, of the three cars I own this is my go to car all the time.
I don’t know why it took me so long to realize this opening “jingle” was the same as the commercial break from the series “Firefly”. Good choice!
😉
I had a 2013 Mini S with the John Cooper Works engine tune, exhaust, suspension and brakes. Then it also had the GP rear seat delete, aero bits, seats and basically full interior. It was a phenomenal build done with all Mini parts. I decided to add a Quaife LSD to the car and it became the best performing, completely perfect handling car I've ever had the pleasure to drive.
Have fun with yours. I sold mine as soon as the warranty ended as taking it 75 miles to Cleveland would have gotten old if I had to pay for it. I replaced it with an e36 M3 and don't regret the decision one bit. The M3 has proven to be more reliable even though it's 14 years older and has a 100k more miles.
I just bought a 2009 Mini Cooper for $450.00 that was running rough. Turned out the oil fill cap was missing replaced it for 18 bucks and the car runs great. Im going to replace wheel bearings, struts, and probably do the chain, seals, guides, and valve cover gasket. So far ITS AN AMZINGLY FUN CAR with that sweet six speed dog leg gear box!
Love it,
Nathan, Dad and yourself could have a “who can push their Mini to the kerb first “ race!..😄
I’m looking forward to the vids, really want one of these, just can’t afford it in my life right now..
Great video, my 20 year old son just purchased a 2011 S N18 . He is absolutely in love with his Mini. Yes, he knows there maybe be issues, but his enthusiasm outweighs these concerns and he is prepared to budget and keep the car as well maintained as possible.
N18 engines are much better engines than N14 engines. Just keep up with oil changes and scheduled maintenance.
My brother just got an early S 6 speed for cheap. He bought it knowing the chain guides were bad, and when they dropped the oil pan they found parts of the chain guide. The shop went through it and thankfully that seems like the only engine issues (for now) and he's been loving it the last few months.
This engine is very common still here in Argentina for PSA cars (Citroen/Peugeot). You HAVE to replace the timming chain every 50k miles as regular maintenance and it is expensive, but other than that, the engine is awesome. Please never cheap on engine parts, use OEM only, and if you buy them under Citroen/Peugeot brand they are way cheaper than Mini/BMW
I had 2 1st gen Mini's - such a fun car to drive - I autocrossed mine - fun on the track - easy to park - good on gas if you stay out of the boost - look forward to what you have in store for it👍
I have an '08 R55s which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! So far in 25000 miles of ownership (I'm the 5th owner) I've HAD to spend about $7k getting a forged rebuilt engine, new turbo, 200cpi sport cat, new intercooler, replaced suspension parts, nearly every accessory on the engine including two thermostats (belts, oil lines, coolant and vacuum pump, regulator, lines, starter, intake hoses, etc...) a competition clutch, lots of replaced broken interior parts, paint, new tires.... I just treat it like a poor man's Jaguar or Ferrari. It wants to be a track car that you drive on the street. So, you the owner get to be it's sponsor and pit crew.
Have fun with your new MCS-JCW!
I've just bought a 2004 mini cooper. It's October 2022 now and only has 78000 on the clock. It's super fun. Really enjoy driving it. And apart from a slipping fan belt had no issues. I'll come back in 6 months with an update.
Congratulations on your Mini. I have a 2013 JCW Clubman which I love. The car is an absolute blast to drive, and with regular maintenance-has not been any trouble.
I'm a huge Mini fan, congrats. I'm on my 3rd BMW mini and the fun to drive factor is what keeps me coming back. They are not the most reliable, but if all you want is reliable transportation that's what Carola's are for.
I have a cheap Clio following my 2002 Mini being written off last year. I am in tbe process of buying a 2001 Mini 😃
My 2012 base convertible has 130k miles on it. Full oil pressure. Uses no oil. Never had to replace a thing other than oil and filters. I'm doing a valve job on it just because. Straight forward job. Will renew other parts now needed or not. Totally reliable. Starts every single day and hums right along.
Hey ro.... I am 100 percent with you, I LOVE my 06 supercharged mini and I have the steptronic automatic that can also be manually shifted on the steering wheel , which is great sometimes. an 06 with on ly 80000 miles and its completely the most driving enjoyment in a car ive ever had (doesnt beat a motorcycle but what does?) So I have also spliced off some savings for planned repairs and am actually going to TRY to take care of some of the biggies before failure. ANDS also do lots of pampering preventative maintenance. SO I got your back dude for sure, any nay sayers are looking up our tail pipes anyways as we blow by them in a blur. ENJOY
Its a beautiful car. All future owners must know they are pricey to maintain. You are right though, theres nothing out there like it. The driving experience is quite unique!
I can feel the algorithm working... I've always wanted a mini and just recently started checking them out again. Now I'm being bombarded with reviews and ads about minis so I'm pretty sure I'll get one someday. But maybe I need to work on my car repair/maintenance skills before getting one.
EDIT: I just reached the end of your video. I realized your point on budgeting for the expenses is exactly what I have been doing with my car, and the one that I'm about to buy, and the MINI that I'll be buying in the future. I know about all the reliability ratings but somehow that doesn't really stop me from getting the car I need/want at the moment. Really great point!
I just get a 2015 mini cooper hardtop and I love this car! The most fun car I ever drive! And I keep looking at mini cooper 2022 because I just love to drive mini cooper so much!
Totally agree with your assessment at the end. I feel the same way. I would love to do a similar purchase in the future with the convertible manual. Just budget for all the maintenance upfront. Wish you luck on it!
09 Mini Cooper Clubman S owner here with 146,000 miles. These cars are such a blast to drive. Won’t lie it burns oil, around 1 qt every 1500 miles. I check oil when I get gas, just has become part of its upkeep.
I bought a 2002 electric blue mini cooper s the first year the came back out. I loved that car. Didn't have many problems. Had it 15 years and should not sold it. Its the only car I've owned that put a smile on my face and anyone who saw it for the first time. It was the 1st mini in our town for awhile. Hated selling it. Ill have get another. What's the best year? I hated the new front end they have now. Made the front end ugly.
Hi Tommy 🙂. Your Mini Cooper makes you happy, so that's all that matters. You bought the Mini for you, and it's actually inspiring to see you happy with your purchase. I have a 2014 VW Jetta with push button start, but my key fob is a switchblade style key that I honestly never use. Congratulations Tommy 🙂.
I’m glad you got it. I’d like to have a mini someday! Excited to see what your modifications will be. 👍
I bought a 2015 cooper a for 6.5k because it had a blown engine and replaced it with my dad. Almost have it put back together after a couple months of working on weekends. Can’t wait to drive it! I hope you enjoy yours
I bought a F54 mini clubman jcw manual trans and I absolutely adore it. 2017. Love it. Could not wait to get it. I also have a 528i BMW. This car is so much more fun. Good for you Tommy!!! Enjoy.
I had an 05 R53 Cooper S and that thing ate me alive in parts and time down in the shop... BUT it has been one of the most fun cars I have ever driven! Still regret having gotten rid of it.
I’m digging the Mini content. I have a 2012 Countryman S in my driveway. It’s my wife’s daily driver. Minis are definitely quirky, and definitely fun to drive around town or on curvy back roads.
Have you tried putting a large beverage in the cup holder and going for a drive yet? LoL.
I picked up a 2008 Mini S for $1000 and put $2600 in parts into it. JCW turbo and tune, stainless header, head studs, new HPFP, new intank fuel pump and filter, rods & mains, rings, timing chain, etc and had the head rebuilt completely and replaced just about every sensor in it plus coils. It runs like the $40K car it was just a few years ago. This car is a blast and I feel it'll give me a few years of fun and play before I flip it for the next project. They are totally cool.
It's the right attitude to have if you're going to own one. Budget for maintenance and repairs and a Cooper S is great fun!
And do the work yourself, lol.
I say don't worry about what other people think. I have a 2011 MINI Cooper S N18 manual, bought it used in 2014 with 21k miles, love it! 127k miles now, lots of mods and repairs (including a used low-mile head at 111k, and all the associated gaskets, since it overheated pretty badly and I wasn't sure if the original head had warped), still love it! In fact, love it so much I recently bought a low-mile use 2018 F56S MINI. This one is an auto, since my old knees are beat to hell, but it's such a blast to drive, even with the auto! I also don't want your standard Honda or Toyota....just not unique at all, and nowhere near as fun to toss into corners. Hope you are still enjoying your MINI, and have done some fun things with it!
Tommy, I glad you like your Cooper, my best friend has many cars and his Cooper is in his top two fun to drive cars, and yes he has budgeted for it to go wrong, which it has! But he loves it, and that’s what counts.
I am currently running a JCW R55.... but I’ve done a few upgrades and repairs: AEM Intake, Forge BOV, Turbo blanket (so no warped scoop), Intercooler, hot side tube and cold side tube, cat less downpipe........ oh and 43mm turbo upgrade along with a stage 2 tune. These cars are sleepers and can scoot. But not crazy fast just enough to be enjoyable because none of us really every reach 200mph really in our daily commutes
@TFLclassics thank you Tommy for that rant at the end. I have become a huge car enthusiast because of your channels and believe that each brand/cars should be appreciated for what they offer. Great work.
I just bought my 1st Mini a 2004 R53 Type S. I bought the vehicle down in Arizona and live in Wisconsin and had it trailered up here. I purchased the car to build as a Memorial build for my Baby Girl. I have already thrown Raceland Racing coilovers on it and just got my Alta 17% smaller SC pulley, 2% larger Crankshaft Pulley, Cold Air Intake, Brisk Racing plugs and an MSD ignition system. This car was already sooo much fun to drive and I can't wait to see how it runs once I get all of these great upgrades on. Now my next goal is to get a staged clutch and Borla full exhaust as well as a aftermarket Intake and Intercooler. I recently discovered your father and yours Channel and it honestly makes me so happy to see there is a passionate Mini base out there all of my friends and Family are Mopar and Honda some love BMWs but only RWD ones that can be put sideways 🤷🤷🤷 I do t care I LOVE MY MINI
One great review of a Mini. More smiles per mile. My heart sank a little when I saw an N14 but you got a good plan.
Yup..for all the others looking at minis do not buy the n14 engine.
Just saw the this and your dads gp. You guys have always been fans of minis at tfl but I love to see some project cars! Can’t wait to see this build and compare what you do with what I’ve done on my Cooper s!
My wife bought a Cooper, and it is the more pedestrian 3 cylinder turbo, that being said: It's a hoot to drive. Two thumbs up for yours Tommie.
I have a 2009 Clubman S with the same engine and I have never had it break down. I have sorted out the potential issues before they fail. I found a great MINI specialist that replaced the timing chain, tensioner and guides, and sorted out the oil seepage but replacing the front main seal, oil pan gasket and vacuum pump. It was a very reasonable $1400. Before I found the independent specialist I had my local MINI dealership replace the oil filter assembly gaskets and turbo oil feed line and that was more expensive since it was at the dealership. It was about $1700 at dealer rates. Now I have no worries about driving for thousands of miles. The n14s engine is the best secret for those who understand that you need to check and maintain the oil level and regular service every 5k miles. Enjoy your MINI!
My 2003 R53 has a shrick cam, 550cc injectors, Megan racing long tube headers and Ireland engineering cat back, Ksport coil overs, an M7 intake , 15% super charger pulley, detroit tuned bypass valve and Revolution Mini Works ECU remap .. next on the list is better axles and a limited-slip diff. it's all go and no slow, right now. needs more grip and better brakes. We get 200hp at the wheels on the dyno. It's really fast Thanks for your videos.
Just remember that the “guy waving his arms” has a sign on his garage that says, “Live free or die”. So live free Tommy! And enjoy your new ride.
Key can be removed while the engine is running so in the morning when your car needs defrosting, you can have your car running and locked while you're doing whatever else. It's quite smart.
Just picked up my 2006 Cooper S yesterday. 116,000 KM (72,000 miles). Red with black stripes, excellent condition in and out and paid $6,000 CDN ($4600 USD) Absolutely love it. You are correct that if you budget for the more common issues then it is not an issue. And if something breaks, replace it with an aftermarket performance piece. Any used car (Honda, Toyota) can unexpectedly run into issues. You need to budget with any used car. Great job and nice find on your part. Enjoy it. I look forward to seeing how you do against the GT..
Mini Coopers are really cool cars I have been temped so many times but everyone says that the only last for 100k miles. I don't have the money to invest in a complete new or rebuild/install engine. But Tommy that looks awesome, enjoy it and keep posting videos of any upgrades or just updates.
Just got one! Love it. Fun fast ride. Lots of really cool features. Good call. Let them drive those boring cars that all look the same. We got lives to live!
I've had a red 2007 Cooper s for close to 3 years and I've never had a single problem with it. They do use alot of oil but that's the Peugeot engine for you.
But they're fun to drive and handle really well.... They're cheap and fun...
Peugeot engines dont drink oil, BMW ones do though, where as the block was pretty much the old PSA TU block, pretty much everything else that goes wrong with it is BMW design (note PSA dont use timing chains, evven on their new 3 pot engines and 4 pot dervs), BMW does and this entire era of BMW 4 pot and 6 pot units ALL had timing chain issues.
Oh and dont forget the HPFP issue....
Hi Carl...was it still under constant maintenance?
Wow what a deal on your JCW. I don't blame you for putting money aside. My 09 Mini S is wonderful! Had it since 03/09 now shy of 36900 miles in 09/20. When I test drove the S back when I was sold instantly! So I got everything including heated seats which was a blessing on the east coast in MD/VA, now in NM. Maintenance goes a long way when one takes care of their car.
I owned an 03 Cooper S for 10 years. It was the most fun I've had driving since a 1970 Lotus Europa. I still miss the MINI.....every day. However, I don't miss having had to replace a good number of parts on that car. Window motors, AC compressor - twice, main engine pulley, both rear wheel bearings at two different times, coolant tank, batteries, brakes- twice, shocks (expensive $$$$) and some miscellaneous stuff. No regrets though. If you amortize it over 10 years it wasn't bad at all :-)
MINI's are GREAT in the snow too. I was able to drive through blizzards with unplowed snow where SUV's were running off the road and cars were getting stuck left and right. And my MINI was lowered too.
We've had a 2010 R57 for years and just like Toyotas, which we also own, things break. There are things that do fail and if you can do a little very basic wrenching yourself then when something pops up that you don't have the confidence to address then it's not such a big deal when you see the bill. Get a roadside assistance package that includes a few free tows a year for a couple reasons. NO SPARE TIRE in the mini and if you work on something and can't get it figured out you can have it taken to the shop. I will say that the Mini is so fun to drive and so maneuverable that driving in traffic is actually a joy. Weird huh?
Well done for buying the mini, it’s a proper car.
Each time you drive it it’s an occasion. Manual gearbox.
It’s a drivers car and it is a BMW product
I did the same thing about two years ago. 09 R56 JCW. Drove it and had to buy it. Have done a bunch of performance mods to it since and love that car!
I have a low mileage manual 06 S Convertible. I bought it 3 years ago and put about 5,000 miles a year since. After the first repairs to get it up to the standard I wanted it, I have spent almost nothing on repairs. The first generation with a manual transmission , if properly maintained, can bee bullet proof.
There are huge issues with some years, some engines and transmissions but if you buy the right one, they are great cars worth twice the price.
My old 08 328i had the same stick the key in the hole.. very underrated loved having a dedicated key holder
The best Mini I ever owned was $200. I bough it from a helicopter mechanic. 1971 1100cc and it would fly. More fun than I've ever had in the Bride's Mini Countryman Cooper S All4.
I had an 09 s convertible that was fun and dutiful but it’s timing chain ate two engines at 52k mikes. Two engine replacements in 8 months. Crap.
If you rag it like a knob all the time. and dont change the oil. You will break it .
I understand ur point. I have a old Vespa which is unrelaiable. But she has a soul. And a lot of names when she breaks Down. But its fun to have not a mainstream vehicle. Good Job.
Heh heh, I bought a 2010 Cooper S a couple of years ago for $4000 Canadian. Basically got it for the money in it's wheels and tires, came with new BFG G-Force Comp2 A/S tires on Konig wheels. Good snow tires on stock mags and had the JCW exhaust. It was high mileage but all of the work was done, so it cost $200 to certify and that was it. It even had a K&N filter so didn't even need to swap that. Interior was clean and body and frame were rust free. I was getting a puff of blue smoke when warmed up and a hard start off the line after I put fresh AMSoil in which I suspected were oil rings. We added a bottle of Lucas oil and incredibly the puffs of smoke stopped. I knew about the second glove box but that thing with the key is interesting. Mine has the steering wheel controls for phone but nothing in the radio menus to activate.
I also went in expecting to spend $$$ on it but so far just having a blast driving it. Though in the back of my mind I do force myself to not drive it ridiculously hard even though it really begs to be. For those that are hating Mini's I suspect you've never actually driven an S or JCW.
Great stuff Tommy!!! Can't wait for the autocross videos with you and your Dad!
I drive a '07 R56 "Justa" Cooper (Pepper) with about 140.000 miles on it, 28.000 when i bought it. It's a real love=hate relationship. I have spend a lot of unnecessary money on it too: 17" wheels, lowering and stability kit, software tweaks and not to mention all manufacturing faults on the way. (Solenoids, Cat converter, steering lock, cooling system parts, etc.) Europe does not get as much recalls compared to the US. Last year maintenance cost could buy me a different (lesser) car. Thought of selling it a few times, but every time i get it fixed i drive off with the biggest smile on my face.. So yes, it's all worth it and comes with a price for it's driving joy!
I’ve owned an r50 and currently have a r53 and have loved them both. They are crazy fun cars. I’m looking forward to more mini content!
Great vid all way around. Good details and vid and audio is on point my dude 👌
Fun car or trucks are what we define a weekend. When you have unrealistic expectations about your auto not going to break down and cost $$$ to fix then your not a car lover.
When are you off-roading them?
I have a 2012 R56 JCW and I love it to. I can do a lot of maintenance myself, so that helps. Don't forget to save for a new high pressure fuel pump, those things like to die and aren't cheap.
I have a 2013 S with the blackout trim kit, sat nav, Harman/Kardon radio. I've replaced all of suspension with Bilstein struts and Powerflex bushings. I've owned it since new and I love it. I'm going to drive it until the wheels fall off. Mine has the speedometer, but it is different to accommodate the screen for navigation. The xeon headlights are amazing and I am very spoiled by them.
My 2011 S gets a bit hot right near the scoop/ turbo area. Had to replace starter, the bushings for the sway bar urethane material I think is called. It is a difficult time consuming job and so is the starter just to get to it. I can start the engine with the key fob in my pocket on first start etc. I press sport button and get pop's and bangs from the exaust.
My nephew had a 2012 Cooper S with a 6sp. Such a blast to drive and so much character. I really like them.
The Toyota crowd are the ruthless miserable trolls of the internet for some reason. Just a need to point out how they think their cars are superior and resort to name calling everyone else basically to no end. Enjoy the new car Tommy looks like it will be a lot of fun. I had a 2008 Civic Si from new, miss the light weight fun to drive cars. Currently own a vehicle with double the curb weight but I like that as well. Good luck.
I had a 2007 JCW in British racing green and I loved it. Miss that car everyday, your gonna love it!!!! If you keep up with scheduled maintenance you won’t have an issue. I had 150k trouble free miles before I sold it for a bigger family hauler. Adulting sucks....
bought one 2004, best 20 minute car I've owned - - - - after that it was hard to live with.
What
It it sucked as a daily driver , poor build quality
This one has the N14 engine. Better get that timing chain and tensioner checked ASAP. Keep the oil level at half stick to full...at all times. Put a full shot glass of SEAFOAM into the intake manifold (via the vacuum connection off the left/passenger rear corner of the valve cover). Let that sit for about 20-30 minutes on the warm engine and then run it at high RPM to help clean out the carbon from the direct injection intake. Also, when you do the next oil change, about 200 miles away from that oil change, place a 1/4 cup of SEAFOAM into the oil fill. This will clean out some of the gunk in the engine and most importantly, the oil return line on that turbo...which is notorious for developing a Mini version of atherosclerosis. Change your oil 2x the OEM recommended frequency going forward. Just my two cents as an R55 owner....it is a really fun car to own...just keep the maintenance up and it should be AOK.
Very cool car. I have a 2019 three cylinder Mini and it's a hoot to drive.
just saw this post. I had a 2004 Mini and am now looking for another. I am a classic car guy 40's through early 70's, but I love Mini coopers.